Well in 2008 these are clubs that let their overage players participate in the Olympics: Liverpool - Mascherano Barcelona - Ronaldinho Real Madrid - Robinho Blackburn - Ryan Nelsen Celtic - Chris Killen Lazio - Tommaso Rocchi AZ Alkmaar - Maarten Martens, Kew Jaliens Anderlecht - Nicolas Pareja So I think we have a good shot at getting Gooch, Boca and especially Cherundolo (who's contract at Hannover ends this May).
I posted this in another thread but it's relevant here Yanks Abroad double feature on both the Olympic team and the Olympic Qualifying team 20 TICKETS TO NASHVILLE & 18 TICKETS TO LONDON
Interesting point of view, I expected the overage help was going to be in the CB positions, I didn't expect BOCA to be one of them. For the midfield help, I had in mind MB, he would complement our style of play to a tee.
You have to see who will be released. Bocanegra is a no brainer. Especially if he comes back to MLS. He's the national team captain and still playing very well.
I guess there is two thoughts.....1) which best overage player would better fit this U23 side...2) which best overage player will most likely be available for this U23 side. In a perfect world, If and when Porter and Klinsi talk to HUFF, my wish is for them to make a deal if possible, let them keep Williams and give us Johnson.
Interesting, two CBs, Bocanegra and Goodson... I initially thought two CBs as well but perhaps one is more likely now that Opara is with the team. My prediction: One CB: Cameron/Ream/Parkhurst/Bocanegra/Goodson. Fabian Johnson to play LB and for his versatility. One of Donovan/Dempsey or maybe Bradley. The weakest spot for the U-23s after CB is LB (Villafana, Valentin, Garza), and I don't think YA's overage selections address that. Plus imagine the speed with Johnson and Shea/Gyau on the left, and Chandler and Donovan/Gatt on the right...
I know RC posted it in another thread, but discussing any over-age players is way too premature at this point. We should all learn our lesson from last year.
What lesson is there to learn? Fan and media speculation/overconfidence affects nothing. If the players and coaches are thinking about the Olympics before qualifying, then there is a problem But for everyone else: speculate away. That's the fun of everything
Louisz: it's kind of like talking about the qualifying team and including Chandler, Williams and Altidore in your lineup. That's why I think you always have to think of club situations when thinking of overagers.
I've been listening to a multitude of soccer reporters lately, and a lot of them are just assuming that the US is going to qualify. They must have short-term memories, because they apparently don't remember 2004 or 2011. I don't find talking about the Olympics before actually qualifying for them to be productive or appropriate. That's just my opinion though.
The way I see it is...let the coaches and players focus in qualifying for the Olympics. We as fans can look at the bigger picture in advance, after all, this is the "18 for London" thread. So far with JK we have been having a successful recruiting season as far german teams go, let's see how he does with the overage players if/when we qualify.
i'm still more in favor of giving the three overage spot to more fringe/recovering players...my selections would be Whitbread, Ream, and Holden...Spector nearly made my cut too but i figured we needed 2 overage CB's. 20 to Nashville (excluding Altidore, Chandler, and Williams-White out) GK Hamid, Johnson alt-MacMath DEF Opara, Morales, Valentin, Kitchen, Agbossoumonde, Sarkodie, Villafana alt-S. Williams, Garza, Wenger possible surprise pick-Cunningham, Packwood MID Okugo, Lletget, Diskerud, Adu, Shea, Gatt, Corona, Gyau alt-Jeffrey, Duka, Acuna possible surprise pick-Stephens, Gavin FWD Agudelo, Boyd, Wooten alt-Bunbury, Taylor, McInerney ------------Boyd----Wooten--------- Shea---------------------------Gyau ----------Diskerud-----Okugo-------- Valentin--------------------------Gatt ----------Opara-------Morales-------- -----------------Hamid---------------- Bench: Johnson, Agbossoumonde, Kitchen, Villafana, Lletget, Corona, Agudelo 18 to London (all U-23's available) GK Hamid, Johnson DEF Ream*, Whitbread*, Chandler, Morales, D. Williams, Valentin MID Holden*, Okugo, Diskerud, Shea, Gatt, Gyau, Adu FWD Altidore, Wooten, Boyd -------------Altidore--Boyd------------------ Shea--------------------------------------Gatt ------------Holden-------Diskerud-------------- Williams---------------------------------Chandler -----------Ream---------Whitbread----------- ------------------Hamid---------------------- Bench: Johnson, Valentin, Morales, Okugo, Gyau, Adu, Wooten
Posting on a soccer message board is not productive, and it's not meant to be. It's a place for sharing ideas and thoughts on something that we're all passionate about. The superstition that somehow speaking of something in the future jinxes it is unnecessary. The whole process is going to be fun. After getting my first taste of watching some of these guys play in the Mexico match, I'm dying for their next action. It's too tough not to want to prognosticate and dream of big things!
I think Opara makes it as a CB back up with Boca covering for LB. Valentin out. Gatt might not to go due to club commitments neither he really needed if Donovan is on the team (additionally to Shea and Gyau), what opens room for Corona.
Should the overage players be predominant in the offense? I don't think this U23 team will have a problem scoring, the problem is getting scored on. IF Porter should select a Donovan or Dempsey it would be an error. Our biggest needs are 1 CB, 1 LB, 1 DM. My selection without regards to club team commitments is... CB= first choice Goodson, 2nd choice Camaron LB= first choice Johnson, 2nd BOCA DM= first choice Bradley, 2nd Bradley
This is exactly how I feel. However, I think that between Kitchen, Morales, and Okugo, we're OK at DM. I'd rather take 2 CBs and an outside back. I think Boca is a great choice given his club uncertainty, continued strong play for the senior team, and his obvious leadership qualities. Cameron would be the second CB I'd take - I'd consider Ream, but I imagine it'll be easier to get Cameron. If we could get Fabian Johnson, that'd be awesome, but I'm not sure how likely that is. How about Eric Lichaj? He could use the Olympics as a way to work back into the national team set up.
You are probably right, we have enough help in the DM position, although none of our youngsters are playing at the level of Bradley. I was under the impression that HUFF regards Williams as indispensable and maybe would be open to the idea of swapping for Johnson. I like your idea of giving Eric L. a try, specially if he continues to do well in the months prior to the Olys.
Like I've said before, the overage players will go to those who want it, in order of seniority, and will bring the most media attention to the team. That is why I have to believe both Donovan and Dempsey will participate if they want to - they are our two biggest stars. I would even say Dempsey is more likely to participate because 1) London is his backyard, and 2) he has never played in the Olympics before (while Landon did participate in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney). Plus, it will be Dempsey's off-season, while MLS will be mid-season. I also think Onyewu would be a shoo-in for an overage player if he is fit by May, should he want to participate. He's three years younger than Boca, for one. But Boca, Goodson, Ream, Cameron and Whitbread are all other options for centerback. (Not Parkhurst, only because he already participated in the 2008 Olympics.)
I agree, Defense is our weakest link, i would take: Boca for CB Lichaj if healthy for RB Donovan at Right wing. Plus big leadershiip
Assuming we qualify and we get Williams (who can play DM and CB) on board. My 3 would be: CB: Bocanegra- Instant leadership and would steady our weakest spot RB/LB: Lichaj or Johnson- I'd take Lichaj first to get him experience but Johnson would virtually solve the LB problem for us at this level. CB: Cameron- Gets him tourney experience and will bring toughness and skill to our back line. I loathe the idea of bring in Donovan or Dempsey. Our attackers are plenty talented enough to score in the Olympics and bringing the older offensive guys will rob the younger kids of valuable experience.
I'd be shocked if Hoffenheim release Johnson (maybe Jurgen can help with that), Lichaj is more likely. I like Cameron as an overage due to need, his quality, and he's versatile. Doubt we'd need him in CM, but he played almost 2 years as a DM/Box-to-Box for Houston, doesn't hurt. Geoff playing CM (and getting injured) delayed his first USMNT call up, but in the long run, playing CM will likely help his overall game at CB.