It's difficult not to disappointed with that lineup. Davis and Beltran? Yikes. I would've thought Yedlin (and maybe even Green) would be above that in the pecking order. No Donovan, either? He may be a known commodity, but still--it's Mexico. Strongest XI, please! Completely unexpected, but who cares. We're playing Mexico at home 2 months away from the World Cup. Hard not to still be excited, huh?
Donovan's a lock to make the World Cup, but as long as Jurgen Klinsmann is the coach he is nowhere near a lock to start. (My proof: compare the treatment of Donovan and Chandler). Anyways, the lineup is adequate to win.
Isn't this game basically a tryout. I mean does Donovan really need 60 mins to prove something or do some others need the time to show Klinsman
Haven't seen the diamond 4-4-2 since the Arena days. Nice. I will LOL....Right after I put my fist through the screen.
So is Rimando, Besler, Gonzalez, Bradley, Zusi, and Dempsey. Are you saying we shouldn't field them either?
The team needs to start coming together, the time for experimenting stops. We honestly need to start getting chemistry before the World Cup.
We're still missing Jozy, AJ, Fabian, Howard, etc. We don't even have a good portion of our first team here so there's no real way to stop experimenting.
@DougMacESPN: Am told Donovan is fully healthy, is not starting for #usmnt because of coach's decision. #USAvMEX
I would be more comfortable with it, yes. I hate friendlies immediately preceding a World Cup. Give some fringe players an opportunity to test their metal. I'm not gonna throw a fit about our lineup in a friendly not being precisely what I expect to see against Ghana in the opener.
He can get hurt making himself a sandwich. Shit happens. That's certainly not a reason to not start him. Why? Bradley/Clint/Landon have not started a match together under Jurgen in over 18 months. Why in god's name would Jurgen waste this opportunity? Waste it on Brad Davis of all people? Also, why risk Clint and Mikey then? Landon at least plays on grass most weeks. If anyone should be rested for fear of injury it's Mikey/Clint who deal with crap turf regularly.
But do you honestly expect Beltran, Parkhurst or Davis to even be on the bench in the WC? I'm still confused at this lineup.
Because of JK's mancrush on him, I think Davis is right around that 23rd-24th man spot for better or worse. The other 2 I think have no chance, personally, barring injury. I'm just not sure what people were expecting aside from Landon (again, known commodity), and Yedlin who we have no idea how he's been in camp and judging by prior comments, Jurgen seems to see him as someone who needs more refinement/development. Starting Green probably would have been a mistake but that's debatable.
There is zero way you like this lineup. Know you too well for that. I have absolutely no idea what JK is getting at. Zero chance he believes Toby funking Beltran is better than Yedlin. None. He's doing this. ...well I have no idea why he's doing this. USSF owes USA fans a refund
I still remember Twellman's hilarious comments about Brad Davis in the January friendly against South Korea. Something along the lines of..."can you imagine having a player with the quality like Davis come off the bench against Ghana around the 60th minute mark".. Still makes me cry. I'm sorry. I know Davis is a solid MLS player, and he may even play well tonight, but he is no LD. The World Cup is a short time away, and we need to start puting our best players on the pitch, and let them build up some chemistry. And Tony Beltran? Come on Klinsmann!