Bradley expecting Gooch to be back by March, according to Ives. http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/12/onyewu-targets-march-return.html That's good news. Hope the rehab continues to go well and that no bumps in training when we get to that step. Time to send positive energy to Jones and Davies as well.
I'm intrigued though of why a 33 year old Cunningham over a 29 year old White. Andd seeing I haven't been in the loop where is Marco Vidal in all of this?
cuz the 33 year old runs like most 20 year old's and finishes better than most of them and is better shape than some of them! vidal? are u serious? you know wanna call up taylor twellman to and ben olsen?
Which is why I put him on my defender depth chart, even though he's been out of the US national team picture since 2007. I put him at the bottom which I think reflects his current status today, but it seems relatively likely that continued starts for Wednesday (a position which he'd owned on that squad for about 2 seasons before his injury) will see him rise up that depth chart to a point that he has a realistic chance to claim a roster spot. Still totally not clear that he would actually win a final roster spot, but you have to think that he could end up in reasonable contention over the next 6 months. Of course, Alston, Davis, Pontius, etc could also end up "on the radar" with strong Camp Cupcake/Honduras showings, and such, but in their cases, they still have so many guys to leap-frog, and such limited time to do it as newcomers to this level that I find it unlikely enough to leave them off the list for now. Still one too many "ifs" in their case to consider them true contenders at this moment.
EJ on his way to Greece, on Ives' site, to Aris Salonika (Thessaloniki), who currently sit tied for 5th in the Greek Super League. http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/12/johnson-heading-to-greece-on-loan.html Again, if he gets playing time, he could be in the running. Jozy sure isn't doing much, and the prospects of Casey/Ching doesn't really seem to get me too excited. Ives also says Freddie could follow. Playing time for both would be huge. Not getting my hopes up, but I'm getting my hopes up. EDIT: If Both start to play, they are both back in the running.
Jeff Cunningham proved that his skill set is only good for MLS with a subpar proformance against Denmark. And I don't know if you watch Mexican soccer or not but Vidal is vital part of Indios' set up and someone that could bring the same calmness that Torres has except with size.
Greek football is funny. Aris makes it that more interesting as they have a number of "loanees" from AC and Real. Guy I like from there Toni Calvo can't even get a game so I'm curious why EJ went there.
hey no one else showed up against denmark and he did, he looked way better than jozy or any striker out there! and we already have torres and about and many more center mids!
Amen. He did score the other goal. And anyone who thinks Jeff has gotten a fair shake at the international level is deluded. Compare to EJ, Twellman, Ching, Casey, etc.
I definite agree with this statement and not just for jeff but for alot of good players. Is seems like the organization follows the motto " once good always good" They never seem to really have to comptete for spots. Certain ones just continue to get called in whether they sit the bench in europe or score very little.
True, but a lot of this has to do with the talent disparity that tends to exist (as a general rule) between the American bench-sitters in Europe and MLS all-stars. Holden and perhaps Rico find themselves at a particularly interesting and difficult cross-roads right now, for example. They're in strong contention for spots--perhaps even starting spots--on the USMNT in June. They have European offers to move this transfer window (multiple) if the rumors are true. In both cases, there have even been rumored top-flight offers. But if they make that move right now, the chances are very good, if recent history has been any indication at all, that they won't be seeing much first team football for a while. They might not see any at all for months, negatively affecting their form just in time for the World Cup. In my opinion, the level of play in MLS has indeed improved over the past decade. But so has the level of play in the bigger European top-flights (owing primarily, I think, to the huge influx of the best of the foreigners from Africa, Eastern Europe, the USA, Mexico, Australia, Asia, etc.).
Actually I'm not saying he has gotten a fair shake; even though he has. I just think its a cop-out amongst BS MLSers who think that Cunningham's skill set is great. He finished a gift goal that was a goalkeeping blunder; and he didn't create any scoring chances. I think BSers who think that a striker's job is just to score goals is silly. Each striker brings their own unique skill set but the basis is to atleast get two chances a game; especially against a equal opponent.
anyone who can't recognize that someone scored a against a european team with his week foot on a good striker from outside the box and was the only one to show up that day is silly
Whaoo, Right after his goal he was playing 1-2's with US right winger till the 18-yard box, and as he got the ball back he dummied it leaving an open shot for a US player. That dummie fooled 3 Danish players. Also his goal was with his weak foot from outside the box
Some of the best US chances when both Freddy Adu and Donovan were in the game, came from those two connecting. Suprisingly we havent seen them play on the field togther except maybe 2-4 times..but they connect well at the least. Looking back at the US games Adu played in since Ocotber 2007, Bradley has mostly used Adu as a Supporting Striker, especially when Bradley did not go with a big target player. Adu-Dempsey( Switzerland 07', South Africa 07',) Adu-Altidore( Mexico 08', @ T&T 08') Adu-Johnson(England,Spain,Argentina 08') If you noticed a trend both Ching and Casey started getting more call-ups at the times when Adu started to drop form. Which probally showed when Adu was getting club playing time- Bradley trusted him and his abilities under a player like Dempsey and did not need a direct Target Player(Ching) at the time. My gut tells me Adu is viewed as a Foward candidate in Bradlys eyes. And Bradley will either choose between either having an extra big hustle player in Ching or Casey or a creative player in Adu( who has the potential to do something out of nothing). With the inclusion of Dempsey moving back up as a Foward candidate, You have two 6'1-6'2 Fowards in Altidore and Dempsey..which eliminates the "need" for either Casey or Ching (both 6'1 as well). Now you have the speed option in either Cunningham, Davies, or Findley. So this leaves you currenlty with Altidore,Dempsey, Cunningham, and Casey (FW) Outisders: Tracy- competing for Altiodre and Dempseys role Findley- for Cunningham's spot Davies- Would replace cunningham if is 100% back before May. Ching- Competing directly with Casey Adu- Competing with nobody direclty except hoping Bradley does not take that extra big body in Ching/Casey after Dempsey moved up top and he hopes Bradley takes a creative game-changer player instead as a 4th option.
personally, cunningham has to continue his hot mls form in the early 2010 mls season to merit a look... i wouldn't start him, as i prefer altidore with either donovan/dempsey... but when it comes to a 4th forward, and davies is out, the fortune of EJ in greece might well determine cunninghams lot... as to the cunningham goal, give the danish keeper an assist there too
An assist, no doubt, but JC had plenty of work to do. And off-footed finish from outside the box is hardly a "gift goal" or a sitter. He had plenty of work to do.
He only showed up for one moment; in a lot of ways even Davies over his time looked more dangerous than Cunningham has and at least produces chances. Second off; while it was a good strike it was only one. Look if he had a hat trick or was constantly preforming in a European League then yes he merits a look but he only has a Buddle-like MLS pedigree. Adam was right in that if he has another season in MLS he merits a look but if not then he had a goal on national team level congrats; your still not the "SAVIOR".
Not going to lie but you have come a long wayy on this message board since your first started posting here; and its a joy to behold. When people deserve their props I am not one to hold back and you deserve it. With that being said; I think it's safe to say that everyone has a moment of brilliance and if Cunningham continues to have that then yes he deserves a call-up but not yet.
My Current 23: GK: Howard, Guzan, Hahnemann Def: Gooch, Boca, Spector, Dolo, Demeritt, Bornstein, Marshall, Goodson Mid: Donovan, Bradley, Clark, Feilhaber, Edu, Beasly, Holden, Torres FWD: Altidore, Dempsey, Casey, Findley I take 8 defenders because it makes sense with potential for cards and injuries. Left Jones and Davies off. If Jones gets healthy and starts getting into the mix for say the Netherlands friendly, I would drop Goodson as Edu could provide cover in the backline for an emergency. Davies I really doubt will make it back in time. I included Gooch, since he is supposed to be back by March now and he is our best defender. Bob seems to like Casey and after his brace against Honduras, hard to argue him off. I take Findley over Cunnigham, though I would not be upset if Bob took Jeff over Robbie. I think Findley has a brighter future though, and provides a similar style to that of Charlie Davies.
well from all mls forwards he was the best and no other forward of ours is scoring in europe incase u haven't noticed! im not saying start him, nor take him, but he if is anywhere near last season he should be on the 23 list squad, and obviously davies is a better choice!
I'll jump on my current 23, with Gooch, Jones, and Davies still out of consideration due to long(er) term injuries. GK: Howard, Guzan, Hahnemann. Notes: Perkins with a shot. Ditto Keller. Or Friedel if he un-retires. D: Cherundolo, DeMerit, Bocanegra, Bornstein; Spector, Marshall, Conrad. Notes: I only take 7. If Gooch is a go, I boot Conrad. Biggest questions here, on if you take 7 or 8, and if 7, does one skimp on fullbacks (like me, but Boca can play outside for the #4 fullback spot) or CD's. Maybe someone from off the radar could swoop in and make it (Cameron, Alston, Simek). I'm down on Castillo at the moment. Close but no cigar: Onyewu (injury), Goodson, Cameron, Pearce, Hejduk, Simek. M: Donovan, Bradley, Edu, Beasley; Feilhaber, Clark, Holden, Torres, Rogers Jones would bump either one of Edu/Clark or Rogers/Torres. It depends on if Dempsey will be playing primarily as a F or not. If he's a winger, then Rogers is bumped. Beyond these 9 + Jones, there isn't a whole lot. Maybe Bedoya or a re-emergent Adu. F: Dempsey, Altidore, Casey, Cunningham Ching, Findley, Cooper (injury), and Davies (injury) also in the running. Davies would probably bump Clint back to midfield.
Here's an interesting thought on number of defenders to take from No Short Corners :- "It never ceases to tickle my funny bone when I see observers of any stripe make out a potential USMNT World Cup squad with only seven defenders. Dudes... get with the program. Do you not remember World Cup 2002? Had Hugh Dallas been wearing his eyeballs and the U.S. managed to find a way past Germany into the semifinal, we'd have been scraping barrels for a backline despite bringing nine defenders. Berhalter, Pope and Mastroeni (not actually included in that nine count) were suspended, while Agoos and Cherundolo were injured. That would have left Hejduk, Llamosa, Regis and Sanneh to work the semifinal with no subs. Yeah, we're bringing eight. Put it in ink."
First, just because Seltzer says it, doesn't make it true. Point #1. Teams take 7 all the time. We took 8 in 2006, but that was counting Lewis as a defender (somewhat charitable). England took 7 in 2006 (Cole, Ferdinand, Terry, Neville, Campbell, Bridge, Carragher). So did Germany (Lahm, Friedrich, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Huth, Jansen, Nowotny). So did Portugal. See, three heavies from 2006 all took 7 defenders. Didn't seem to hurt them that much. Point #2: How seriously are you going to take someone who blows the basic facts about the issue? He blows his data about 2002. We only took 7 defenders, not 9 (with 2 middies who could also play in the back), and we had plenty to play in the SF. a) How many Defenders did we take? DF: Pope, Agoos, Berhalter, Hejduk, Regis, Llamosa, Cherundolo MF/D: Mastroeni, Sanneh (Frankie still played some MF in those days as well). Sanneh played most at RB, but did start two games at RM. Pablo never played a minute as a defender. That's only 8 my friend. Maybe Greg just logged on to FIFA.com, but he should watch the games. b) Who did we have left? In the QF vs. Germany, Pope, Berhalter, and Mastroeni all got their second yellows. Sanneh, Hejduk, and Agoos were all available to play in the back, as were Cherundolo, Llamosa, and Regis. That's six available defenders, when we'd played a 3-5-2 the last 2 games. Plus, both O'Brien (LB for Ajax), Reyna (some RB for Rangers, and in the WC), and Lewis (LB for USMNT later) could all have played some defender, even with Pablo out. The idea that we ran out of roster eligible defenders is just insane. Now, you may not have liked the talent level of our available subs (Dolo, Llamosa, Regis), but that is an argument AGAINST taking another useless defender, not for it. In fact, Cherundolo and Regis didn't play one minute, and Llamosa logged 10 in the opener and one more injury time sub. We had players available we didn't use. We weren't short of available defenders at all. In fact, it looked like we had a surplus. Bottom line, ole Greg doesn't know what he is talking about on this one. We may take 8 defenders, but it is far from certain.