Who, if anyone, just earned a plane ticket to Germany tonight? Or at least very serious consideration? I'll begin by saying that the following players are already a lock if they're remotely healthy: Keller Donovan Beasley Reyna McBride Johnson Onyewu Bocanegra O'Brien (if he ever gets healthy again) Cherundolo (ditto) Lewis is definitely going, but as a starting LB or a backup midfielder? Remains to be seen, but I'd love to see him lock down that LB spot. I think Hejduk earned his ticket. Back up to the fullbacks. And, as much as he's never been my favorite, he played the same game effectively against Portugal last time out, and frankly he was one of the only guys to come out with any credit at all in France '98. Safe to say he's in (as a BACKUP). I'm convinced Armas and Ralston are emergency backups only. If anybody can step up and take their roster spots... sorry fellas. But they didn't lose their spots tonight. As far as I'm concerned... on the bubble. I'm sure you all have tons to add to this.
Nothing's changed with this game. Seriously. The bubble guys are still on the bubble. Arena keeps saying that this year he's playing to qualify and that next year is another story. Guys who are important now may not be on the team next year. This game did nothing to change that.
Of the players on the bubble, Berhalter probably helped himself the most. Cherundolo, Gooch, Boca, Gibbs and Lewis are probably locks on defense. Two or three other defenders will be taken. Hejduk and Pope are probably ahead of Berhalter. He has to worry about young players such as Marshall or Spector getting that last spot. His play against Mexico was a reminder that he's still a useful player.
Hejduk and Berhalter play different positions. I don't think they're competing with each other. I'm not a huge Berhalter fan, but I have to believe he's ahead of Pope at this point. (Is there some reason Pope isn't with the team today?) What Ursula said is right on. As much as people gripe about Bruce 'playing favorites', Bruce is all about building a team in an orderly fashion. Just because you played in the past makes no difference if someone comes along who's better -- and has time to work into the system. Hence, expect to see Spector on the team next year.
I think there are two things that need to be kept in mind about the World Cup. The first is flexibility. You have a limited roster -- 23 players -- and three of those spots go to keepers. So that leaves you with 20 places and 10 field positions for 3+ games. It really helps to bring a player or three capable of playing multiple positions. I think this is one reason guys like Quaranta, Convey, and Dempsey should get long looks. Hejduk helps himself by being able to back up at both fullback spots. And the Lewis to LB experiment is a good one because previously he was really only capable of playing one position. Similarly, I think DMB's move to PSV has been fruitful since he is often playing up top much more often AND playing on the right side. The second is that the World Cup is a pretty grueling competition, and is becoming more and more of a young person's game. It helps to have players with lots of natural fitness and the ability to recover their legs quickly. Incidentally, I think this also helps Frankie. On the roster for sure -- if healthy -- are, in my mind, these players: McBride GAM Donovan Beasley Reyna JOB Cherundolo Gooch Bocanegra Keller Mastro Eddie Lewis and Cory Gibbs are probably as close to locks as you can get without actually being one. I think the other spots are up for grabs, unless I'm forgetting someone, which is quite possible.
I also think that berhalter is ahead of pope. I am starting to think that pope's time is coming to an end with the Nat's. Convey also gets thrown into the mix as either a backup in the defense or midfield. I think that players like lewis and convey who can play 2 posititions are going to have an edge over the guys who can only play one. I just keep thinking how nice it is that we can be debating who will be going over there now instead of waiting to the last game of WCQ.
Lemme take a stab at a WC Roster GK Keller (starter) Friedel (experienced sub) Howard (Get him some experience) Def Onyewu Bocanegra Pope Lewis Cherundolo Gibbs Conrad Mid Beasley Reyna O'Brien Ralston Mastroeni Quaranta Wolff Dempsey (will be more experienced in MLS by then and could do well for NT) Att Donovan McBride Johnson Twellman (Young player with some potential -- get him some experience) Adu (Won't play except in a blowout but along to get experience)
If I remember right Friedel has retired from the national team. Twellman has been reminding me of Roy Lassiter (spelling?) a guy who can score like crazy in MLS but dosen't do too much with the Nat's. I also now that a lot of people are not big on berhalter but right now I would take him over pope.
This would be my 23 man roster Goal: Keller, Howard, Hahnemann Defense: Gooch, Boca, Gibbs, Dolo, Berhalter, Conrad, Hejduk Midfield: Beez, Reyna, JOB, Mastroeni, Lewis, Ralston, Convey, Dempsey Forwards: Mcbride, Donavan, Johnson, Casey, Adu
Twellman so far has been a mirror image of Lassiter but he's going to get another couple of chances, you just know it. Arena keeps calling him back to camp now, so it's only a matter of time before he gets his chance to win or lose a spot. Friedel has retired from the nats. So that means Hahnemann, Howard, Reis, and possibly Cannon are all in the mix to back up Keller. If Friedel were still in it, he and Keller would be fighting for #1 all over again, but that's not an issue this time around. I agree with somebody who said Berhalter's the player who helped himself the most tonight. And Hejduk also did a pretty good job of proving that he still has some use out wide in defense in a backup role. He's a hot-head and he leaves his feet at times he shouldn't and isn't that great getting forward, despite his speed, but he's fast enough to be serviceable against wingers, he's got a motor that won't quit and the heart of a Rudy. And can back up either fullback.
Yeah, I thought about Conor Casey, too. He could well get a nod if he continues to do well in Germany.
I agree with one of the moderators who responded to my original post that it's VERY early to call a roster as there are still 3 qualifiers and a bunch of early friendlies next year, and a bunch of bubble guys will get called up in some of those. The bubble guys are still on the bubble. I just wondered who the rest of you think helped out their cause. Any consensus that Berhalter and Hejduk reminded Arena why they're in the player pool? And that Lewis is a near-lock (though not necessarily as starting LB, that's still to be determined)? I don't think Armas or Ralston really made a case for themselves either for further inclusion or to be dropped from consideration to make the squad. My opinion.
I think he still merits a look or three as a back-up. Though undeniably EJ's asserted himself ahead of him on the depth chart.
It maybe early but it is still worth knocking around names for a 23 man roster. Its still three years till the next presidential election and people are talking about who is going to run.
23-Man Squad for Germany: Goalkeepers: Kasey Keller Tim Howard Marcus Hanhemann Defenders: Onweyu Oguchi Gregg Berhalter Jimmy Conrad Frank Hejduk Cory Gibbs Carlos Bocanegra Steve Cherundolo Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley Clint Dempsey Pablo Mastroani Bobby Convey Eddie Lewis Claudio Reyna Santino Quauranta John O'Brian Forwards: Landon Donovan Eddie Johnson Taylor Twellman Jeff Cunnigham Brain McBride
I think that its a toss up between Rolston and Quauranta. The only thing is that Rolston has been starting and has looked ok. The other way to look at it is if you want to give guys the experience of a WC then I would take Quauranta and Adu. Even though I am a Rapids fan and think that Cunningham has done great things for us, I am not sure if he gets a roster spot for the WC. I heard Mooch a couple of weeks ago during the Rapids game and he said that their main concern with him is that he will get lost during the game. He could be used as "super sub" but will not be a starter.
Ok, though I think it's too early to call (3 more quals, an entire season of Euro club soccer, and a bunch of early friendlies before the final tune-ups). Ok, I'm game. Here goes. Keller (lock) Howard Hahnemann Bocanegra (lock) Onyewu (lock) Cherundolo (lock) Gibbs Berhalter Hejduk Conrad Lewis Reyna (lock) Beasley (lock) Donovan (lock) JOB (lock... though I give him 50/50 on staying healthy) Mastro Convey Dempsey Quaranta McBride (lock) GAM (lock) Casey Cunningham Outside looking in... could be considered, or be among the final cuts... Ralston Armas Twellman Specter Albright Wolff a bunch of guys at GK, including Reis, Cannon, or Walker, a few others... really, the next tier down at GK is pretty crowded, wouldn't you say?
I think that its going to be a dog fight for that 3rd GK spot. I am leaning towards Hahnemann, but it could go to anyone.
I would like to see in the next 3 quals, Hahnemann, Howard and either Cannon or Reis getting the starts in net.