if we don't find adequate replacements for these guys for 2006, don't get your hopes up. These guys are consistently mediocre, always have been, always will. We won't ever get past mid tier with guys like these starting......
Tony Sanneh is 32 years old and hasn't been able to play competitively in months due to back problems. As well as he played in Korea, I think he probably doesn't qualify as a solution for 2006. Now, Steve Cherundolo we shall wait and see. We'll see if MLS can come up with some right back prospects as well (Salyer looked good the other night, but it's only one game).
I don't think Sanneh has another one left in him. He's been injured and IMO his level is constantly mediocre. My vote is for Gooch ... or how about Reyna for right back! Thought Berhalter had a decent game, but his lack of speed sure was exposed last night. IMO Bocanegra is more solid in the back. I thought Armas had the worst game of his USMNT career last night and it affected the entire team -- particularly the defense and the midfield who were constantly overloaded. He didn't pressure the ball well, didn't defend well, didn't link up the midfield well, and was always running after the play instead of being part of it. It might be too early after his injury to include him back at this level, and I think the defensive midfield position is now Mastroeni's to lose.
I know this is a stretch, but I'm interested to see how 18 year old Frankie Simek advances. He got a couple of games in Arsenal's reserves, so he must be doing something right at that age. He'll be 21 in 06, but will he have advanced enough to get in the nats? Probably not, but one to watch.