The more I think about it to more it makes sense. Landon just hasn't been Landon. Everytime we have put together potential 11's we have had trouble fitting him in
So, who gets the 10 shirt? Better not be Mike because I just ordered a number 4 with his name on it..
--------------Altidore------------ Zusi---------Clint----Bedoya ---------Bradley--Jones------ FJ------Bes-------Cam--Chandler
Final Roster: 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP – U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC) MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Look at the inclusion of Yedlin and Chandler, and how observers noticed Cameron playing CB. My guess is that Chandler had a great camp, Yedlin really impressed, and Cameron impressed enough at CB to leave Goodson off.
Or the more I think about it the more we are likely to pair Clint with Jozy, with Bradley in the 10 position
I'm a little surprised at no Boyd as well. His USMNT finishing woes must have come back at camp. I guess Landon was right when he said Wondo was firing on all cylinders..happy for him. Surprised to see Yedlin but it is a welcomed surprise. He must have really impressed in camp and he has SO many tools.
Got to think that in the first time in his career, Donovan is not in shape. He had always been among the fittest players for the US, a hallmark of his game really, but you can tell from his play with the Galaxy this year that he has gained some weight and slowed a bit. Still, it's a stunning, controversy-stirring move, especially considering Green made the 23. Not sure the team really needs this kind of distraction.
So here's the depth chart: RB: FJ, Cameron, Chandler, Yedlin CB: Besler, Cameron, Gonzalez, Brooks LB: FJ, Beasley, Chandler CM: Bradley, Jones, Beckerman Wingers: Zusi, Bedoya, Davis, Green AM: Dempsey, Mix Strikers: Altidore, Dempsey, Johannson, Wondow
I have defended JK, but his exclusion of LD over BRAD DAVIS is idiotic. I'll say it now, if we go 3 and out, we need to fire his ass.
Still wish we had Feilhaber over Mix. Hate to say this, but would Shea or Mapp or even Nguyen been a better option than Davis? I certainly think so.
DaMarcus Beasley will go to more WC than Donovan. Never saw that coming with Beasley's injury-prone body
Let this sink in... Brad Davis made it over Landon Donovan. As in, JK feels that BRAD DAVIS brings more to the table at this point than LANDON DONOVAN.
I'm stunned. Absolutely stunned. Brad Davis over Landon?!?!?!? Also Yedlin? At least no Evans. But I'll say this, IF we get out of the group, Klinsmann will become a US Soccer God, if not...get your pitchforks ready.
I'm sad and confused. How is the greatest US player in history left off the roster? He was by FAR the best player in the Gold Cup last summer. Even if he's not the same....I just can't believe the players chosen ahead of Landon. omg
Wow, the Donovan omission is crazy. I'd have like for him to make just off of pedigree alone. To use his recent performances as a reason and then include Green, who hasn't even been playing recently, is kind of a dick move (still glad Green made it). I'd take Donovan over Brad Davis any day of the week also. I know he's listed as a forward but he can play in numerous attacking positions. That being said, I'm super stoked for the WC now. I like the roster otherwise and I hope a mix of young and older guys can really make a splash.