Four United players are going camping this January for the Nats: Freddy, Benny, Brian, and Santino. No real surprises there. Arena called in 30 humanoids, all but one of the MLS persuasion. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=287651
I can think of only two other MLS players of note that were not called in. Cunningham and Herculez Gomez I guess this means that Twellman and Ching both have a decent chance of making the roster.
That's a shame if TT or Ching make the team, either of those players is a waste of a spot. I wouldn't give either of them much of an edge over Rolfe, Jacqua or Wolff. In spite of his size Ching straight up got bullied in Scotland. And Twellman is little more than Jason Kreis v. 2.0. Definitely hoping all 4 of our boys show well in camp, at least 3 of them have a close shot, I think. I'm also a firm believer that Freddy can rise to the occasion and play at the level of his teammates and opponents.
Two of whom have absolutely no international experience so you have zero idea how they'll do. Rolfe has seemed dangerous in MLS, he has a wicked turn and quick shot, Jaqua is a thug at best and should one day hope to become a mediocre striker. I'd take either on my team. I keep hoping TT will figure out his problem with the US team, I think he'd be a nice addition to the kind of attack we like, I sure think he's better than McBride (but, I concede, that's just me)
But which of those four would you be willing to give up during our regular season? As always I am torn on National Team vs. Club Team. I don't want to see DCU take the field without any one of those guys but if they can help the US advance at the World Cup I am all for it, plus competing at that level can only improve them. Hopefully MLS will change the schedule enough so this won't be that big of a deal.
Rooting against an individual player's career goals just because he wears your club colors is pretty damn selfish, esp. when it's up and comers like Tino, BC or Freddy. This is likely a once in a lifetime chance for Ben. MLS will space out the schedule during the world cup, Garber has already said as much. Any players who make the squad would most likely only miss what, 5 games? (7 if we make the final... ) We only need to win about 5 games to get into the playoffs in MLS. Regular season means next to nothing, as this past season definitely illustrated. If nothing else our guys get the experience of a much higher level of play, and come back ready to FSU. Really? Have you watched a single Fulham match in the past year? (and no, the MLS all-star game does not count) Twellman outfoxing the likes of Jim Curtin doesn't count for much in the scheme of things. How much of a drop-off has TT shown when contrasting his MLS form to his form against even the weakest teams in Concacaf? How much trouble has McBride caused for some of the best center-backs and keepers in the world? Providing leadership as a captain and scoring 5 goals in the premiership should count for something, shouldn't it?
Well, it means that 4 guys will be in better than average shape come training camp...this is a good thing. And I guess it never hurts to have guys from our team training with some of the best in the league. I'd think it would just make them better. Now we just hope that no one picks up an injury. I'm always a little shocked to never see Cannon's name not on the list. I think he's probably better than everyone listed. Maybe Bruce figures whomever makes it will be the 3rd choice at best, and why not start prepping the younger guys for the future?
Ahh!!!!! My eyes my eyes!!!!! Man, I wish I could watch some of the training tape to see how Adu does against this group of players in camp. I also hope he punks Frankie again. I guess Benny will be watching Adu's back.
Ha! Those Metro Playoff Failure pics never get old - especially as we get ready to face those other Swamp denizens this weekend in pointyball. I agree that I'm pretty damn selfish and would like to see Olsen, Adu, Tino and Carroll playing for DC all summer. I think, that of the four, only Tino has much of a chance of going to Germany and he's only about 50/50. Benny, Freddy and Carroll are pretty much longshots. I'm guessing Benny is in camp as a role-model to teach the younger guys about work ethic and determination, etc. I'll be happy if Freddy, Tino and Brian all fail to make the final cut but improve their game because of their exposure to a high level of competition. But I'll also be happy for them if they do get a summertime trip to the Land of Beer and Pretzels, too. MLS' Eastern Conference was competitive in 2005 and could remain so in 2006, so we can't take the playoffs for granted. KC was about as good as the Galaxy was during the regular season and didn't make the postseason.
Congratulations to all four DC United players. I hope they make the USA team. They would be much much better when they come back for DC United at the end of the season for the playoffs!
Interestingly, Zavagnin did not get called to camp, which means that Carroll & Olsen have a legitimate shot for the defensive midfielder slot for the USA at Octoberfest land. I also think Quaranta has a legitimate shot, he is going to have to work his tail off in January, but he may be rewarded. Adu needs to have a SUPER camp in order to go to Germany, but it could happen.
Jose- I think your assessments are pretty good. Here's my additions: Carroll- Greater than 50% shot. Goes up to 75% or more if John O'Brien or Claudio Reyna are hurt. (Or Mastroeni obviously.) Carroll right now looks like next on the depth chart behind Mastroeni at d-mid, but if all the mids ahead of him are healthy then Arena will probably only take Pablo. Quaranta- It looks like a fight bewteen Ralston and he for a spot at right mid. Only one will go, particularly if Reyna is healthy. Who wins the battle? Ralston knows the position but is physically not so good. Tino is a work in progress but much better physically. Olsen- Seems to me like a long shot. I think Carroll is ahead of him at d-mid and Arena has several other central mids and holding mids to choose from: Reyna, JOB, and Dempsey all come to mind, but also in the mix are Martino and Clark. Since Arena usually uses a 442 that also works against Olsen. Still the spark Benny provided the team off the bench vs Scotland had to have made an impression on Arena. Adu- Ah. The real shot out of left field. Can he make the case for a late game offensive sub? An International Sneaky Pete? Hell if I know. Still - wouldn't it be fun to see these practices with our Fred trying to tear it up against His Holiness and Conrad?
Worst Sace Scenerio I can't imagine it but what if all four went to Germany? What would United's lineup look like? ----------------Rimando --Namoff--------Erpen--------Prideaux ----------------Simms Gros-------------------------Kovalenko ----------------Gomez ----------Moreno---------Walker This, of course, is using last season's roster. That's not a bad lineup.
bite your tongue rat bastard please be this not so. no twellman. no ching. that's all i want for christmas
I expect to see Kuykendal to have been red carded in warm-ups. So here's a lineup with elevn players: ----------------Rimando --Prideaux--------Erpen--------Wilson ----------------Namoff Gros-----------Simms--------Kovalenko ----------------Gomez ----------Moreno---------Walker
a complete shot in the dark.... but did anyone else notice that there are 12 mids called up? as oppsed to 8DF and 6FW. One might almost think bruce was experimenting with a 352 lineup with that many MF in camp. If so, tha might give preference to those players who actualy play in that formation consistently....
I saw that. I think in most cases it has more to do with calling in versatile players who are comfortable playing in more than one position. Bruce has never been shy about making tactical positional changes. Reyna at right back vs. Mexico in 2002 was an example. Our lineup so flummoxed the Mexican coach that he made 2 subs in the first 25 minutes, basically admitting that he'd been fooled.