U-23 January Camp

I agree with your last line. I can't see bringing Mapp when two of the more effective and exciting players on the squad (Alvarez and Rogers) already play that position. Personally I think Alvarez and Rogers are both already better than Mapp with Rogers being the best of the three. If not now, then in the near future.

Personally I would love to see then bring Guzan, Parkhurst and Donovan. Guzan to give him more games without taking away from Howard. Parkhurst because he's the kind of leader/organizer that a young team needs on the back line. Donovan because the more time Altidore, Adu, Rogers and Donovan have on the field together the better. In future that group could create a very potent attack. And that is without even mentioning Johann.

 

Edit: Sorry, duplicate post.

 

That's what I tend to think about the situation too. For Donovan, those guys go to the bench. I'm not sure I can think of anyone else they would do that for.

That would also be an excellent choice. Guzan may be gone to Celtic or somewhere else by this time, but if not, he'd be a great candidate to start here.

Or Davies. I legitimately don't know whether he could compete for a wing forward spot, or whether he's just Jozy's backup, but he's also got some serious speed. Smith, Rogers, Findley, Davies, Wynne. . . if you added Donovan to that lineup you might have the fastest team we've fielded at any level.

 

If the rumors of Bradley's sale this summer are true, I wonder if he might decide to skip the Olympics and spend Aug 08 concentrating on winning a spot with his new club.

 

The Olympics would take up the month of August (August 6-23 plus travel). On the the otherhand, I think the play and training with the U-20's actually helped and improved MB. It allowed him to go to preseason at Heerenveen fit and the results have been obvious.

 

I really hope not, but I could see how that could happen. With a lot of guys, there's a powerful argument that the visibility of Olympics can help your career. For Bradley, if he's already scored that big club transfer, the argument is not nearly so powerful.

There is some cultural lure there, as American kids tend to understand the importance with which the Olympics is trated by the public, and know that a medal in that tournament would make you a hero back home. And it would still further his Nat career in the sense that a strong tourney keeps him in the driver's seat for a spot in WC2010, whereas skipping it opens a window for your competition, and there's not a lack of good players in that spot (Edu, Kljestan, Fielhaber, Szetela).

 

Dax and Artie will be back. Maybe 2 more from FCD

http://www.worldcupway.blogspot.com/

 

i'm a fan of El Tri, and i was just curious if you guys could maybe provide a prospective list of who the United States u-23 team might include for the u-23 Concacaf championship.

thanks.

 

I think the camp is being moved back to Florida intead of Home Depo Center although it would nice to have them training with the full MNT.

 

Check out the wiki for the U-23
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_U-23_men's_national_soccer_team#Current_Players

 

In this game; topdrawer had Kamani Hill listed as playing outside back?????? He goes from foward to defense??? Hope its a mistake by topdrawer; not a sign of Nowak F-ing around.

 

I saw the switch of hill as well and I am curious as to how he performed in the role. There are examples of forwards, no longer able to dominate, switching to defense and being successful partly based on their developed understanding about what the attacker is trying to do -- i.e. what would I do here.

 

I think it's an intriguing move. Take his speed and skill and put him in a place where he can apply it.

Also curious to know what Hill's next career move is. Doesn't sound like he's trying to impress European teams during the transfer window so I wonder if he's MLS-bound.

With the Bay area having a team again, that would seem an obvious fit but I have no idea if A) he wants to come to MLS and B) Yallop wants him or is willing to pay what it would take to get him in MLS.

 

Sign with San Jose with an oral agreement with Yallop to play right back. Learn and progress for 1-2 seasons then back to Europe!

Sounds like a good idea, especially if Nowak is telling him thats where he should play and he has any USMNT aspirations.

 

Which is not even to mention that it was only a scrimmage against the U18s, that Hill played a little wing in Germany, and that Hill has yet to do as much in his pro career as the other guys who played foward and outside midfield in that game (Holden, Rogers, Findley, Barrett).

 

The good news is that if Hill were to make a switch and be successful at it, he would most likely have uncommonly good ball skills for a defender. Something we desperately need, especially since Dolo isn't getting any younger.

 

http://hastaelgolsiempre.com/2008/01/24/the-olympic-squad-and-some-transfer-news/

posted on a blog so I'm not sure how true it is. So if we go with 3 over-age player. how soon do we identify them and start them playing with the U23's?

 

If/when we qualify we start trying to identify them. Then once the team is training and playing friendlies we bring them in. It may involve some negotiating with an MLS or European team.

 

I am so confused i thought no overage players were allowed this time.

 

It did get changed and then later changed back to allow overage players.

 

Altidore, Edu, and Klejstan not with the full USMNT. Must be with the U-23's.

 

http://ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_4947972.html

Michael Orozco ...interesting

 

Ha! Kamani Hill listed as a defender -- just to anger BigSoccer, I'm sure.

Not to mention that Altidore is listed as a left mid on this roster. I guess Arena had it right.

 

Eddie Gaven, Nate Sturgis and Adam Cristman being back are interesting.

 

Hill played RB some in last camp, this could be a good move we need some depth there, as for Altidore he is listed as a forward.