Definitely not ideal, but they have both played in this team before, so at least there isn't the problem of integrating new people.
Cherundolo can also play DM if there were some of catastrophic injury/suspension situation. I feel like we have more guys in the pool who can play decently to good at multiple positions than has been the case in the past.
I think as far as the roster goes, this is good news for Clark, Torres and even Sasha...its a shame that Jones health took a nosedive just as he teased us all with his possible conclusion. The only positive spin in his situation, is you can't miss someone who never once took the field for your team.
If one of those three get hurt, then Mastro comes back into the equation. I'd take Torres because it's useful to have a cm who can pass the ball accurately and help maintain possession. Unlike Klejstan, whose unforced turnovers will put our defense under too much pressure.
Back to Jones. He probably should shut it all down for several weeks. Get drunk on some beach in Thailand. His timetable now is to hopefully play pro ball again in the Bundesliga next season.
He played 4 or 5 games for the U20s, 2 of which were in the U20 world cup. Regardless, you're probably right. If it was a year from now, he'd be ready. Next cycle I guess.
I wonder if Bob Bradley is this savvy. Pablo has looked good, and really may fit in.... what a world.
As far as Pablo goes in a World Cup, I regretfully remember a red card and him walking off in the 2nd half against Italy for a boneheaded tackle. Please, no.
You don't remember it correctly, then. (rep to the one who gets the error he made that I'm referring to)
he's gotta shut it down and see if he can play again. maybe he can help us in the future...he's not ancient..he'll be 32 next WC so if he gets his career back on track its very possible we'llhave him for the whole next cycle including Gold Cup,WC Qualifiers, Confed Cup and WC2014 as well.
we'd be lucky to have Holden back. I'm starting to get the vibe that all of our seriously injured players (Holden, Jones, Davies, Onyewu) will be out of the cup.
It's a shame about Jones. He would have added another top end 2nd Tier professional player. The US only has Howard, Dempsey and Donovan as players who are on the cusp of being a 1st Tier pro. Jones at his peak form would have upped our limited quality. It isn't a "loss" in the sense that he's never played for the US. But it is a missed opportunity for a significant gain. Jones failing to get fit, and the continuing health issues with Onyewu and Davies, puts a real damper on my expectations for this Cup. The US has no additional margin for error; all the other key players MUST remain healthy.
lol, I wouldn't quite put Clark on Jones' level, even w/ Jones on crutches although I do think Clark has done enough to deserve a spot in the 23. Out of all the players on the bubble, my money's on Bedoya to go. Won't really matter anyway bc just like Ching last WC, he won't see the pitch.
Never said their quality was comparative in any way. All I know is that Jones would have to prove he's better than Clark on the pitch and in a US kit. Hasn't happened yet and won't happen until next year probably which leaves Clark still our first choice. And just because he's coming off of injury and riding the pine in the BL, doesn't mean that he won't start at the WC. Jozy and Onyewu are two players who aren't starting for their clubs for various reasons that will probably start at the WC. Holden too.
Yep, a shame about JJ. Hope he gets back on the pitch eventually. I was one who always thought he had a chance to make it back. Though he does have a chance, it is really small, and shrinking all the time.
At least Edu has been playing well at Rangers.... By the way, does it seem like there's been an unusual number of injuries in soccer this year? Does anyone keep statistics on injuries? Every team that I follow has had numerous injuries this season. I think part of the blame lies with overly aggressive tackling. But there also seems to be tons of muscle injuries. Every week, some star player is out with a muscle injury. It makes you wonder about their training: maybe footballers are getting too buff, which leads to more muscle problems. Anyways, it's an aside, but I'm sick of all these damn injuries!!
It's all good about JJ. He can play for the US for the next four years, and try for 2014. He won't be that old.
Absolute shame, as his quality is undeniable. His recovery, though, has become worthy of its own mini-series. How badly has the medical staff at Schalke...or for that matter, anyone else he's consulted...mishandled his treatment/rehabilitation? I'm sure his haste to return to full fitness knowing the stakes involved in a World Cup year hasn't helped, but for a recovery for this type of injury to take so many twists and turns? If I was Jones, I'd be checking to see if members of Schalke's medical staff weren't secretly on Bayern's payroll.
According to several people in the official injury thread, Owen Coyle said on Wednesday that he expects Holden back in around 2 weeks. So it's not all doom and gloom.
Yeah kind of a Debbie Downer there...Jones is almost certainly OUT time to stop even worrying about him, but Holden on the other hand is almost certainly going to be back. Gooch....There has been no official word that Gooch has had any major setbacks, I think he'll be back, might have to worry about rust. Davies...who knows about Davies? The guy has made a miraculous recovery to even be where he is, this is the one that no one really knows about until he actually takes the pitch in France.
What makes you think it was mishandled? Tibial stress fractures are nothing to sneeze at. A tibial stress fracture requiring surgery, plates and screws is definitely serious. This isn't a fibula type injury of a non-weight bearing bone. Jones had a stress fracture with surgery on his other leg before so Schalke was well aware of the length of time it takes to come back. Unfortunately, on-going pain is a potential, if not common, complication of the surgery.