My guess is that this has been discussed already, but I'm wondering what the deal is with the Confederations Cup. Do teams send their best sides, or do they use this tournament for younger talent, like the US and Mexico did for the last Gold Cup? According to http://www.fifa2.com/scripts/runisa.dll?m2.65976:gp:507948:67173+mrel/Display+45958+E the entire tournament is to take only ten days, and there is only one rest day between group matches, and two days off before the semifinals and another two days off for the finals. There are two groups. The draw will be Feb. 12, and the group A will have France and Columbia, and B will have Brazil and Turkey--that's getting to be a common matchup. If the best possible teams are sent, we can expect to see Sas, Ilhan Mansis, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Henry, Trezuguet, and Zidane in this tournament. With the US in the mix, it would make no sense that these games wouldn't be televised on ESPN, especially during the sports black hole that is summer, but aparently Galavision is the only source. This leads me to think that younger Olympic style sides will be playing. The other 3 teams are New Zealand, Japan, and Cameroon. We're fond of bragging that we're in the top 8 in the world. Advancing in this tournament will go a long way towards defending that claim. I think the US could be expected to beat Japan or New Zealand. And we'll have a preview of Japan in the spring. Columbia is a toss-up. Cameroon would be an interesting opponent; they might be awesome or pathetic. Since this tournament is in Europe, I would expect to see Freidel, JOB, Sanneh, etc. Will Reyna be match fit by June?
I'm not sure about other countries competing in the tourney but I think the US will bring a lot of young players mixed with which ever veterans except call-ups for it. I doubt you'll see Reyna but I wouldn't be surprised if Keller plays in it but it won't be anything close to our World Cup team.
Personally, I think Bruce (and US Soccer) have to really want to impress at Confed. Cup. They'll be out to prove that the Korea/Japan showing was not a flash in the pan. I think you're going to see us put out a really strong side for this one. But keep in mind that this is a tremendous chance to get some younger players on the field against some serious heavyweight competition in European venues. I believe this means that we'll probably have a really good mix of the old and young. Here's my starting lineup, assuming everyone's healthy... Friedel Sanneh Pope Bocanegra Olsen Armas Beasley Donovan O'Brien Twellman McBride I'd keep Reyna on the roster and ready to bring in but I think Donovan/O'Brien are the future of our midfield and we need to develop that pairing every chance we get. Better bone up on your Spanish...it looks like Galavision is going to have the US TV rights to the games. I'd be interested to here other folks rosters...
I have a hard time believing we'd ever see Twellman and McBride play together up front. They both are considered target forwards are they not. I'd expect to see a Mathis or Wolff partnered with one of them...
I wonder whether Reyna will be fit for this tournament, with his recent ACL injury. I would expect Armas on the roster, but as for the field, we'll have to see. I hadn't really thought about Bocanegra for this tournament, but it might be a great chance to get him some real experience. As for Lewis, Cherundolo, and HeyDude, I think they'll be in camp, and Hejduk might get the start over Bocanegra. I think Mathis and Wolff might be a more likely pair to start up front. Of course, with Arena coaching, the whole idea of a starting lineup for a tournament really makes no sense.
Also I wouldn't expect to see Reyna. I believe he's said hes taking a break from the national team until 2004. We'll probably see him back (barring injury) in the run up to World Cup Qualifying.
I think Mastro is the heir apparent in that role come 2006 but I think Armas is going to win it back based purely on desire to be back in the game and over his knee injury. I think that is going to be one of the most interesting battles for playing position we have in the coming years.
To be honest. If Arena goes with a 3-5-2 Why not have both Armas & Mastroeni in their as D-Mid's Two strong players able to stop the rush and to set up goals as well. Both Armas & Mastroeni can fustrate the top goal scorers of the Game.
I think we're going to see the same basic strategy as Mexico '99. We'll have close to two full squads and you'll see much of a different lineup from game to game.
I think Arena prefers to use a more experienced lineup for the Confederation Cup and a younger lineup for the Gold Cup, but the national team players may have different ideas. I think the Euro boys will want to be home for the summer and may not want to spend their vacation time in France. Below is my proposed starting 11 in the confederation cup. ------------------------ Friedel -------------------------------- Sanneh --------------------Pope ------------------Bocanegra ------------Pablo--------------------Obrien--------------------- Beasley------------------Landon-------------------Cobi ---------------McBride--------------Mathis---------------------- Yes I think Arena will take Cobi with him after a very impressive showing in MLS 2002. If not Cobi there, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ralston in the starting 11.
[QUOTE ------------------------ Friedel -------------------------------- Sanneh --------------------Pope ------------------Bocanegra ------------Pablo--------------------Obrien--------------------- Beasley------------------Landon-------------------Cobi ---------------McBride--------------Mathis---------------------- [/B][/QUOTE] I like this lineup, except for Cobi. I think his days with USMNT are over. I'll take a healthy Ben Olsen for the future development.
Ralston is getting pretty old as well. My choice for right mid would be Olsen, maybe even Brian West. As for left back, I would put Vanney in there
You've got three of these European based players who'll want to be away from France in this lineup. And Beasely is on the wrong side. Count on Olsen there and Cobi on the bench at best.
I will bet just about a substantial sum of money that Bocanegra will be a large large part of our confederations cup team. Whether it be in the center of defense, left side defender in a 3-5-2 or left back in 4-4-2, of all of the players in the US pool, barring injury he will get a large chance in the Confederations Cup. Lets face it the kid is the "future" of our defense. He has solid credentials in MLS, he is getting more experience internationally. It is time to throw him in the frying pan. That being said, as has been said before, this is Arena in a tournament. In other words, due to the schedule and the number of games in such a short time, Arena usually puts a lot of variation in his lineups. However, of all of our Defenders Boca, in my mind will get the most run outs (even getting more than Eddie).
How can you possibly leave Kenny out of this tournament. You know he's a solid lock during '06 qualifications. If Richie's not there, Kenny must be. Who else here is saving money to make the trip? (Seriously) I think about half the guys that make the trip will have played in this year's friendlies. Bruce will play a lot of the older player's as sort of a "you deserve this opportunity because US soccer owes you." Reyna, Cobi, Stewart, maybe even Ramos out or retirement... as long as Hugo is involved I'll be in stellar spirits.