I think that many people are forgetting that not all of the probable starting XI are even present yet. These friendlies against what may be the two best teams in the world, are to gauge players and prepare them for next summer. Davis didn't get a goal, nor an assist. It wasn't because he wasn't serving the ball. When he had the ball he looked composed, and his service was good. I don't think that he had the ball enough though. He was wide open for long periods of time. Davis and Jones looked solid to me. If Bradley was there, and EJ was up top instead of Jozey(with whom I have given up on), I think it would have come together a bit smoother.
Please that board still believe Eric is some big savior at LB... Same as they did of Chandler and how did that work out (you could argue one game but still).
Your analysis is spot on: 1. Brad is limited at the international level (lack of pace/work rate). 2. He shouldn't be on the flank on the international level. As a Dynamo fan though you are reluctant to take the next two steps that I think are obvious: 3. Klinsmann seems to prefer an empty bucket type of set up with two more defensive midfielders --- Davis doesn't really fit that mold centrally. 4. Brad would be behind Bradley, Jones, Edu and some others if he was played "centrally". Meaning he is pretty far down the pecking order. IMHO - only one of Zusi or Davis would be needed with the USMNT as the off the bench "set piece" taker. Zusi has by no means been much better than Davis, but I think he has had a few good moments in the USMNT and is a little better out wide where I think the US has less depth. So IMHO, Davis should be out. I have no problem with Davis getting looks as his play in MLS justified it...but the conclusions above are becoming obvious IMHO. Ducking for the incoming onslaught.
Don't disagree that Davis might be a better fit with the rest of the starting XI and the rest of the starting XI would make him look better, but he is not going to get that shot if he doesn't start impacting games where he does get to play. He had a few good passes, but they were too few and far between to justify continued call-ups from a player who is now on the wrong side of 30.
Davis is there fulfilling a role. We all know that he isn't for WC 2014. He was called to serve and does so with composure, and professionalism. I just can't see why people don't see what his role is. He is there as a substitute player for someone who is likely absent. I have little doubts that he is slated for the GC squad and not the WC squad. We all know Davis is a quality player, but he needs to link up with someone. That's why I think that Ashe was called up. We don't even know what he was asked to do by the coach anyways. People need to realize that there are players absent, and injured with the B team filling in for the time being. If people are freaking out now, imagine the horror of playing a full strength Germany, who are extremely fast and athletic. We are lucky to face their reserves.
That's more than a bit of a stretch. Our last two qualifiers were against Macedonia, and we labored to get two very pedestrian wins (2-0 away and 1-0 at home). If we came up against a full strength Spain, Germany or even Italy (in a qualifier or tournament game) I would expect us to lose by a decent margin. I would say we have now gotten to a point where the second tier European teams would not embarrass us too badly, even if we lost to them.
Spain, Germany, France, Belgium, and Italy are way better then the USA, and most of the world. Those countries are what all the rest of us are striving for.
Some Dynamo players on the preliminary rosters for Gold Cup: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8810352/Gold Cup Roster.pdf USA: Corey Ashe, Will Bruin, Brad Davis, Tally Hall, Also, Stuart Holden. Boniek Garcia is not on the list for Honduras. Gold Cup runs July 7-28. The Dynamo have these games in July: Sat 07/06 MLS Dynamo v. Philadelphia Union Houston, TX 8:00 pm/CSN-H Sat 07/13 MLS NE Revolution v. Dynamo Foxboro, MA 6:30 pm/CSN-H/KTBU-55 Wed 07/24 EXH Dynamo v. Stoke City FC Houston, TX 8:00 pm Sat 07/27 MLS Dynamo v. Chicago Fire Houston, TX 7:00 pm/NBCSN The CCL may also start the last week of July. Those dates should be announced on Monday.
It's one thing to post constructive criticism (as you did here), but so many people have a "rip it up and start again," attitude that it's hard to be a US fan sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I was all about the hyperbole when Bob was on the hot seat, but, well, he needed to go and it felt like USSF just DGAF. When we get to this point in the cycle though, does it behoove anyone to huff and puff and blow their keyboard down? As was explored later in this thread, some of the lineup shuffling has to do with no-shows and injuries. Bradley takes the Yanks to another level, and Davis would be unlikely to start on the biggest stage. My concerns rest in the lack of experience together though. If our strongest XI doesn't take the field until we actually get to Brazil, their output will be a fraction of what it could be.
Gotta say, kind of surprised Will got called up but apparently he looked good in training in the last camp and scored twice in their scrimmage. Anyway, really happy for our guys, just hope not all of them make the roster because that would be a major blow to our MLS season.
If this list is accurate we have the most call-ups for an MLS team (4), RSL and SKC are tied for second with 3 each.
http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2...fender-jermaine-taylor-named-national-team-ro Both will be gone from September 2 until September 11. That means they will miss the game in Columbus and the home game with New York on September 8.
I saw Glenn Davis mention Davis leaving but there isn't any evidence to support that claim http://www.glenndavissoccer.com/soc...ncacaf-champions-league-after-dynamo-win-2-0/
MLSers that were called up: RSL: Beckerman, Rimando SKC: Besler, Zusi SEA: Dempsey, Evans, Johnson LAG: Donovan, Gonzalez
Kilnsmann mentioned earlier in the week that they had guys on the ready to be called up if card accumulation became an issue. I don't see Davis playing, but between Cameron and the Bradley injury they are down two mids
I don't ge calling in Davis. Put Jones and Beckerman out there with Mix to come off the bench. A better option would be a UEFA Champions League regular in Klejstan. Of course Ze German would use him as a winger or Goalkeeper or god knows what else, making him ineffective. Still....