National team callups?

Westie was called up last year and did fairly well, but he has a minor knee problem that apparently needs scoped.
Buddle could be an early candidate except for that little problem with a broken foot.

Mais needs time to fully heal the stress fracture in his foot.

 

I really don't see Mais getting called up again..not with all the new boys to try out

 

I see Martino getting a call-up real soon

 

In an article a couple days ago, Arena said that if the USA wants to return to the WC in four years, then there is going to have to be some dramatic turnover on the roster.

When asked about who he saw out there in four years, he mentioned Howard, Rimando, Twellman and Martino.

(I'll try to find the link again, No time right now)

Also, at about the same time, Marc Connolly on ESPNet wrote in response to a question that while the US seems to be producing quality strikers and keepers that of all the guys out there right now only Kyle Martino has promise as a world-class playmaker.

Heady stuff for our boy.

(In a somewhat related story, the Washington Post is reporting today that BA has agreed in principle to a new contract which will pay him $700,000 a year, up from the $500k he was making previously, although it noted that, with bonuses, he cleared a million dollars in compensation from USSF this year)

 

Here's the link you were looking for, Bill.

http://espn.go.com/soccer/news/2002/1020/1448541.html

 

I say Twellman over Beasley any day.

 

No Rimando plllllleeeease!

 

Rimando is a very good MLS keeper, but I have doubts about whether that translates internationally.
As for Crew boys, I definately expect to see Martino called up. But what I am really interested in is whether McBride continues to get some call ups. He is a fave of Bruce, with good reason, but I'd expect the call ups to get fewer and fewer as we work our way towards qualifying. With all the changes Bruce talks about you definately wouldn't expect McBride still in the mix four years down the line, it should be interesting to watch who takes up the top two spots, and I would love our boy Buddle to make a move, but it won't happen this friendly due to the injury.

 

I think Twellman is ready to roll as is, right now. These meaningless friendlies will get Martino there as well. I think if he gets some seasoning, he'll be the perfect midfield partner for Mastreoni and JOB.

 

Martino would be the man in the midfield and Howard will be called up.......Meola will be given the heeev hooo. Friedel might stick around......I see Keller and Friedel concentrating more on their professional careers in the near future. Mathis, see you later. Don't care what kind of an asset he is. I want to see Donovan McBride and Twellman as our men of attack. JOB, Masteroni, Martino in the MID..........whos going to be our D???? Sanneh of course! We are going to be a force next World Cup.

 

I think over the course of the next five or so years, you're going to see Tim Howard, although he's a friggin idiot, start to gain some prominence. He's got all the tools to be a great keeper.

 

Except for an IQ over 90 and the fact that we still have two world class keepers (Brad and Keller) in front of him that will still be forces for Germany '06.

I do love the statement about how we are going to try and field a team of 24 or 25 average age. That almost means that we will have players on the next World Cup squad that are currently in high school!

 

Personally, I think it's time for FriedelKeller to step aside and give the next generation thier shot. Keller was the keeper in WC '90 for God's sake.

The Bora/Sampson guys are done. I love them all, dearly, and they've given us some great moments and raised the level of the game in the US to undreamed of heights.

Now it's time to give them gold watches and move to the next level. This team will get younger, and faster, and tougher. And better.

Everybody laughed at USSF's "Project 2010", me included. But Arena doesn't laugh much.

 

how old will keller and friedel be in 06?

 

Brad will be 35, Keller will be 37.

 

McBride and Twellman would be an excellent partnership up front. They both are strong in the air, come back for support, hold the ball very well, and play the quick ball back to midfield to provide transition. They also make solid runs off the ball.

 

We have the 2006 and 2010 world cups. With our youth, and improving off this world cup, 2010 does seem feasible.

And yes, I did laugh at it when it was first announced.

 

i also can't wait to see how martino benefits from international experience - even meaningless friendlies....he'll come back next year stronger than ever

 

brad will only be 35... that means in 2010 he will be 39. which, according to david seaman, isnt too old to be keeping for your country in the world cup...

 

who will be keeping for England in the 2010 world cup.

 

uh.. no.

he hasnt been playing well, at ALL. and with youngsters like paul robinson coming up. yeah.

 

He should've been considered too old. He was awful.

 

i know. i wasnt justifying it, just giving an example. 35, for a keeper, isnt terribly old.

 

USA IS KNOWN FOR ITS GREAT KEEPERS......shouldn't be a problem getting a great one to fill the great ones SHOES