Who are frontrunners to be on the team (I know, it's 2 years away)? My guesses so far: Adu Barrett Szetala Gaven Wynne Westberg Kljestan Spector Feilhaber Bradley Nguyen Ochoa Am I forgetting anyone else (yeah, Rossi but only if he wants to play for us)? Guzan?
Here's a potential starting lineup: -------Westberg --Wynne--Spector--Besagno--Ward ----------Bradley ---Nguyen--------Gaven -----------Adu------ -----Ochoa---Rossi BENCH: Chris Seitz, GK Nathan Sturgis, D Pat Ianni, D Danny Szetela, M Sacha Kjlestan, M Preston Zimmerman, F Josmer Altidore, F What I'm more curious about is who is gonna coach the team and when are they gonna have their first series of camps. I really hope they do something this summer, for no othe reason than to look at any college kids who might be late-bloomers who could help the team.
Not bad...but you forgot Alvarez...a guy with his experience should be starting on the left wing. I also think Barrett has a chance.
Alvarez got dropped from the last U20 team and hasn't been in the greatest form this spring for Dallas. He could sneak onto the team as a reserve, especially if he improves his club form, but right now he wouldn't make my 18.
To be quite honest, I forgot all about Benny. DoH! Thanks for catching my mistake. I agree he likely starts. What that does for Bradley and the rest of the MF will be interesting. The midfield options on this team beg for a 3-5-2 but that negates the strenghts of the wingbacks like Wynne, Ward and Hunter Freeman. Tough calls to make.
I agree. With so many attacking midfielders though (Adu, Gaven, Nguyen), perhaps one of them could move up top to be a second striker to someone like Zimmerman, Ochoa, or Altidore. By the way, what is the age limit for Olympic teams? U23 by what point? ------------Guzan---------- Wynne-Spector-Sturgis-Ward -------Bradley--Feilhaber---- -------Gaven----Adu------- -------Nguyen---Altidore---- Others: Szetela (might go with him over Gaven) Besagno Nakazawa Arvizu Kljestan Sarkodie Ianni Alvarez Zimmerman Kirk Ochoa Barrett Westberg Obviously Rossi would start, but I'm chossing to exclude him until he gives me reason to do otherwise. Are we a little short on defenders in this age group or am I missing someone? Will Parkhurst be available? If so I'd slot him in next to Spector.
To be age-eligible for the current U23 team, a player must be born on or after Jan. 1 1985. Brad Guzan was born 9/9/84 and is thus not eligible, even though he is currently "under" 23. Too bad, as he'd be a lock to start. Parkhurst is also too old (1/24/84) even though he's currently only 22. And, unlike the past three Olympics, there will be no over-age players in 2008.
Obviously, but this thread can also count as to who we can use for the qualification tournament. I am crushed to hear that Guzan can't be on this team. He's pretty freaking good for his age.
Team # Name Pos. DOB NY 17 Josmer Altidore F 1989-11-06 DC 9 Freddy Adu M 1989-06-02 RSL 20 Nikolas Besagno M 1988-11-15 NY 33 David Arvizu F 1988-04-19 LA 23 Quavas Kirk F 1988-04-13 DAL 23 Blake Wagner D 1988-01-29 CHV 29 Estuardo Sanchez F 1988-01-16 KC 17 Yura Movsisyan F 1987-07-06 LA 24 Nathan Sturgis D-M 1987-07-06 CLB 17 Danny Szetela M 1987-06-07 CHV 88 Rodrigo Lopez M 1987-05-10 DAL 13 Dax McCarty M 1987-04-30 CLB 20 Tim Ward D 1987-02-28 RSL 21 Christian Jimenez M 1986-11-03 CLB 12 Eddie Gaven M 1986-10-25 NY 2 Marvell Wynne D 1986-05-08 RSL 22 Jamie Watson F 1986-04-10 COL 15 Jacob Peterson F 1986-01-27 LA 9 Guillermo Gonzalez M 1986-01-04 DAL 10 Ramon Nunez M 1985-11-14 CHV 16 Sacha Kljestan M 1985-09-09 HOU 22 Stuart Holden M 1985-08-01 COL 14 Fabrice Noel F 1985-07-21 CHI 6 Craig Capano M 1985-07-07 DAL 12 Arturo Alvarez M 1985-06-28 HOU 19 Patrick Ianni D 1985-06-15 KC 13 Will John M-F 1985-06-13 CHI 9 Chad Barrett F 1985-04-30 COL 2 Hunter Freeman D-M 1985-01-08 The bolded players are ones who I believe there are questions regarding eligibility. This is a list of age eligible players currently in MLS. Does anyone have a list of age eligible players from abroad?
On Ramon Nunez, I have read repeatedly, from Milbut and Co., that he is no longer eligible. I don't believe he is, but he evidently has stated he is still eligible. So, don't let him sidetrack the thread.
A lot will happen between now and qualifying (remember- we DIDN'T qualify for 2004) for '08. The previously named players should provide the core of the team. There will be surprises, such as players who are not yet pro but will improve dramatically in the next year or so. Don't know who they might be, but in every cycle at least one player comes on the scene very quickly. BTW, here are two more potentials for '08: Davies, C., Smith, J.
I will be very surprised if Chris Seitz isn't one of the GKs. For those disapointed about Guzan being too old, I think Seitz is a carbon copy of Guzan and will likely be a pro by next summer. I agree about Johann Smith and Charlie Davies being in the mix, too, especially if Smith can get some first team minutes next year. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a centerback who is still in college emerge and challenge for a starting spot. And, finally, Ramon Nunez is cap-tied to Honduras because he isn't a US citizen and thus can't switch to a country of which he isn't a citizen. And, he turns 21 this fall, so even if he were a US citizen - and he's not - that window is closing fast. Ramon Nunez is a Honduran international - period!
On paper, yes. But, the last group was good on paper, too, and we know how that ended. In all honesty, if the US doesn't host qualifying, I think they'll have tougher time getting TO the Olympics than IN the Olympics.
didn't we leave everyone outside of EJ, Donovan, Convey, and Beasley off the team? Or get them injured?
Compiled from http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=players Code: Position Name DOB M Michael Bradley 7/31/87 F Max Cream 8/29/87 M Jay Denny 1/6/86 M Benny Feilhaber 1/19/85 F Jemal Johnson 5/3/85 M/F Lee Nguyen 10/7/86 F Sammy Ochoa 9/4/86 D Jonathan Spector 3/1/86 GK Quentin Westberg 4/25/86 F Preston Zimmerman 11/11/88
Let's break it down by positions: GK: Westberg LB: Ward Freeman Sturgis Wagner CB: Ianni Spector Besagno Sturgis RB: Wynne Sarkodie LM: Alvarez Kirk CM: Bradley Adu Feilhaber Szetela McCarty Rodrigo Lopez Kljestan Capano RM: Nguyen Holden Gaven Will John F: Altidore Zimmerman Johann Smith Davies Jemal Johnson Estuario Sanchez Arvizu Watson Ochoa Barrett
-------Westberg Wynne-Spector-Sturgis -----Benny--Bradley --Nguyen-Adu-Alvarez -------Ochoa-Smith And a very deep bench. Wow I don't think we ever had such a deep youth group. Guys like Sasha, DZ, Besagno, Ward, Sarkodie, Gaven, etc can easily be starters for the team.
We should. US isn't suppose to go backward in their soccer program. If you are building an eventual WC winning team, each generation should be faster, more skilled and stronger. With all due respect to this years team, I hope to see only 7 or less players migrate to the WC2010. That would mean our youth program have delivered players of World class caliber. And of the list of players posted in this thread, they need to dot the rosters of EPL, SPD.
Played for our U18's I believe. Jamaica (correct me please) also tried to call him in and he declined. He signed with Bolton and improved steadily with the reserves as the year went on. Great speed but raw. Where have I heard that before about a US youngster? A gentleman from Bolton who watches the reserves actually posted here and said he really improved towards year end, and that he looked promising. Maybe he will get a loan opportunity this year. Who knows. Hope the guy comes back in the fall to post.