The 2 at centre forward is what I must be thinking of. I read recently from a journalist (can't remember who) that he's been playing in the middle and thriving better there. I think it might have been Yanks Abroad since he's been posting stuff of late.
Yeah, it was Brian. Ale' is very versatile and can competently play six different positions: cam, second striker, centre forward, left wing/mid, right wing/mid and central mid. He's an attacking swiss army knife who's in excellent form. He should at least make the Gold Cup squad but I'm personally hoping he's called in for friendlies/qualifiers.
Sounds like Klinsmann may have gotten some kicking from MLS execs with his plan to go all mls plus scandinavia and that he will off load some euro/ mex league pets on the GC team by keeping them "in rythm" in the 27 at wcq camp. Too bad, I wanted to win this GC.
I think he'd be an excellent selection for the Gold Cup. It would be interesting if he was selected for qualifiers after Jurgen's comments on Team Chemistry since Ale has played zero games for Klinsmann.
This is interesting. I don't expect Bocanegra at all though, especially since I doubt Santander lets him leave until June - as they are in a relegation dogfight as the season doesn't end until mid-June. I bet Goodson comes instead. Here's 27 of what I would expect from Klinsmann: Guzan, Howard, S. Johnson Gonzalez, Besler, Cameron, Goodson Beasley, Cherundolo, Castillo Bradley, Jones, Edu, Kljestan, Torres, Beckerman, Holden Donovan, Dempsey, Zusi, F. Johnson, Corona, Davis Altidore, Gomez, E. Johnson, Boyd And the positions are how I want to see it. Though Beasley is an attacking player, the fact that he was adequate in March allows the team to try pushing Fabian Johnson forward again. If Donovan is really relegated to the Gold Cup dustbin, then one of Morales, Bedoya or McInerney instead.
@DougMacESPN: Hearing murmurs that German-American CB John Anthony Brooks could commit to U.S. this week.
^I'm honestly loving all the CB depth we suddenly have. Excited about that. And he is a VERY solid prospect. Stoked if he plays for us. Has to be this qualifying roster due to timing.
Anyone with speed who can play on the wing. Anyone! That is why the team is struggling to score. Bedoya, Gatt, Davis, etc., etc. Anyone to at least see if we can get a shot there.
With Castillo at LB, Fabian can be moved to LM in the qualifiers. I'd rather have those two without Beasley in the line-up. Fabian's cross to Altidore was pinpoint and the lay-off to Dempsey for the fine goal vs Italy was what we need to see more. Chandler when healed is adequate back-up for Dolo. What happened to Parkhurst?
Getting Brooks would be a major coup. If he continues his career trajectory, he could make next year's WC team, and settle in as a long term starter. Throw in Gonzalez, Besler, and Cameron and that is a solid core with a huge upside.
I'm not so sure. He's a versatile defender, and well if Klinsi has the chance to cap tie him he just might.
If I was the coach, I'd say no for him to the U-20's. He's ready to start being mixed into the senior side. I'd rather save the U-20's for a guy like Walker Zimmermann than an already established pro.
We have had guys play in both the GC and the U20 WC in the past. Michael Bradley is a relatively good example. It's unlikely to happen, though. My gut feeling is that Brooks will be at the U20 World Cup. When you look at our U20 World Cup group, centerback is a definite area of need. (especially with Zimmerman as a huge question mark). So would we rather have Brooks be THE MAN with our U20's and play every minute of every game...................or be a rotation/bench player at the Gold Cup. And I say that because in games that matter Klinsmann isn't going to start an untested 19 year old in that tournament. He's gonna go with veterans he trusts more. Just my gut feeling...................... Let's not forget that our group at the U20 World Cup is Spain, France, and Ghana. And that'll be a very high level of competition for Brooks and that group.
Why not take a senior team look at Brooks in the camp ahead of BEL/GER, and maybe cap-tie him in the final 2 minutes at Jamaica when the US are up 3-0? Then send him to the U-20 WC later in June. (Certainly not the best approach, but perhaps not one that I would put past JK.)
Yeah, I'd say that Tijuana's huge win in the Libertadores last night means Castillo and Corona are out for this camp...................................
Well I think both Davis & Torres will be called. I dont see Klinsmann calling Gatt or Bedoya for these matches though..