Let's assume that anybody who was not called into this camp that's based in the US is out of the picture for 2006. Who do you think (not who do you hope) will make it to Germany from this camp? My picks: The obvious Donovan Johnson Mastroeni Donovan and Johnson are automatic starters at full health, and Mastroeni is potentially a starter based on O'Brien's health and tactics. The veterans Pope Wolff Both are experienced veterans who will understand their roles as backups and can play well in Arena's system for 20-30 minutes a game. The new blood Clark Ching Dempsey Clark is a well-rounded center mid who could act as an offensive or defensive sub in the middle of the field. Ching gets the nod as the 4th forward as he returns to form in this camp/early MLS and does a better job playing McBride than does Twellman. Dempsey beats out Adu as the "make something happen" late-game sub. Here is the rest of my roster: GK -- Keller, Howard, Hahnemann DEF -- Onyewu, Cherundolo, Gibbs, Berhalter, Bocanegra, Spector, Lewis MID -- Reyna, O'Brien, Beasley, Convey FOR -- McBride Just missing out from this camp were: Hejduk/Albright -- I couldn't see where they fit in a crowded backfield Quaranta/Ralston -- In the World Cup, I think we bump Reyna out to the right before starting either of the two Twellman/Adu -- I think these are borderline attacking options
Interesting idea for a thread. I'm not saying he won't or he can't, but it's going to take some doing for Spector to displace both Albright and Hejduk. Not that I agree, but I Bruce taking Carroll ahead of Clark at this time, anyway. Pope and Berhalter? Possibly, but Steady Eddie's got a lot still to prove. If he can stay uninjured, he's a tough competitor to bet against.
i think this is what BA has in mind for the opening match vs Szech Rep. ....................................Keller Cherundolo .........Onjewu...........Belhalter............C. Gibb. this is the best formation for US.
I agree with the vets and the obvious. I think Pope will be there. I reserve the right to change my mind on that after seeing him in a spring friendly, though. I think that Pearce and Pope are fighting for that last defensive spot, and if Pearce can win the left back spot (very possible), then Bocanegra becomes a full time CB or CB backup and Pope is left off, IMO. For the new blood, I think Clark has a lot to prove. For me, his passing and vision is particularly poor for a dmid. All he really has is athleticism, a decent shot, and he's pretty good defensively. He's far far far better than Zavagnin, and probably on par with or a little better than Armas. But I'd be pretty disappointed if the Clark I am familiar with actually plays at all in the WC. He needs to mature and play at a higher level to learn how to pass the ball under high pressure. And I also think that either Rolfe or Adu will make a run and push Dempsey off the roster. I agree Ching will make the roster as a backup target forward. I think Ching is a better USMNT fit than Twellman. It will be close, though.
I think the forgotten man here might be Jimmy Conrad... Remember, he showed very well in the Gold Cup (despite missing that sitter against Panama) and was one of the players on the bench against Mexico in Cbus... I think he has a real shot of making this roster...more so if Pope continues to age.
Someone touched on this in another thread, but the way I see it, there are 7 spots open right now (assuming guys stay healthy which won't happen obviously): (in rough order of how I think these guys stack up in Arena's eyes at the moment) 1. 4th CB - Berhalter vs. Pope vs. Marshall vs. Conrad 2. 2-footed wingback - Hejduk vs. Albright (vs. Pearce if he has a right foot) 3. Utility defender - Albright vs. Spector 4. Right mid - Quaranta vs. Ralston vs. Mapp vs. Noonan vs. Albright 5. Central/defensive mid - Dempsey vs. Clark vs. Olsen vs. Martino vs. Carroll 6. Speedy forward - Wolff vs. Rolfe vs. Gomez vs. Cunningham vs. Adu vs. Twellman 7. Target forward - Ching vs. Twellman vs. Jaqua A few caveats: First, as we all know, O'Brien likely won't be healthy so you can expect us to take 2 guys from that central mid list, my guess being Dempsey and Clark. Second, if none of the candidates for the backup target forward spot stand out, it's possible that we could take 2 speedy strikers as backups and use Johnson as the target man when McBride is not in the lineup, although I'm not sure how likely this is as while Johnson certainly has the physical tools to play the target man role, I don't think he's nearly as effective as that as he is as a goal poacher.
Eddie Johnson-F Chris Rolfe-F Ricardo Clark-DM Pablo Mastroeni-DM Landon Donovan-F Freddy Adu-RM Heath Pearce-LB Chris Albright-RB Final Roster: F: Eddie Johnson, Landon Donovan, Chris Rolfe, Brian McBride, Herculez Gomez* M: Claudio Reyna, Bobby Convey, Pablo Mastroeni, Ricardo Clark, Freddy Adu, DeMarcus Beasley, John O'brien D: Heath Pearce, Eddie Lewis, Gibbs, Gooch, Berhalter, Bocanegra, Albright, Cherundolo * = if Wolff is in EPL making way for Herc to get into camp.
I think Chris Albright can make a roster spot for himself right now. He plays as right full back , but has been getting forward lately as a right midfielder with the Galaxy. He's been called up a few times with the national team and played well in my opinion . I think he could push for a 2006 spot.
Someone fill me in about Pope; I can't imagine he doesn't make the roster .. he has a better than 50% chance of starting in my opinion. I didn't see a lot of RSL last year, has he really fallen so far?
Only three are automatic, being Johnson, Donovan, and Mastroeni. With that said, Dempsey or Clark will go but not both. As I mentioned in another thread, both are versitile but there's a reason for it. Dempsey seems to get moved around to cover up some weaknesses, thus looking uncomfortable at times. Clark can be moved around to show flexibility in a formation and appears comfortable wherever he plays. Offensively, in my eyes, little seperates the two. However, Clark is more sure footed on the tackle and appears to be more under control with the ball at his feet, making him a better option.
Hasn't played well since the fainting spell about 2 yrs ago. Won't start over Gibbs, Gooch, Bocanegra, or Berhalter.
I'd pick Twellman over Ching, it just seems like BA has more confidence in him , and over the last season Twellman has showed he can create more chances and be stronger in the air. I also would hope to see Albright over Hejduk. Hejduk is getting a little old , hes still a great player, but Chris is starting to get into his form , but i dont know . I really hope tino and josh make the squad.
If this camp won't be an utter dog fight, I will be disappointed with the personnel not understanding their opportunity. We can be generous but there are really 2 or 3 spots open. battles to watch: Rolfe vs Wolff Ching vs Twellman Ralston vs everyone.
Defense: In my opinion, it boils down to Spector/Albright/Hedjuk. Spector seems to have more of an upside, career-wise, and oftentimes in these situations, when it comes down to picking btw players that really won't get that much pt, age has a lot to do w/ the equation. Our roster has enough vets that we won't necessarily need another, per se, w/ Hedjuk. So Spector's versatility and age (as an investment in future WCs) will give him the edge over the other two. Btw Albright and Hedj, Albright is coming on strong and really learning the position. He showed great leadership skills late season w/ the Galaxy, which proved important. Albright and Spector for the final 2 defense spots.
i just hope mapp goes in ralstons spot, his speed coming off the bench to spark some offense would be a shot of adrenline for this team
If there are only 2-3 spots open then that means 20-21 guys are locks...I only count 16 locks: GK - Keller, Howard, Hahnemann D - Gooch, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Lewis MF - O'Brien, Reyna, Donovan, Beasley, Mastro, Convey F - Johnson, McBride And that's if O'Brien is healthy (and counting Convey as a lock, which I'm not 100% convinced he is--98%, sure, but not 100%). What other 4-5 guys aside from the ones listed above do you see as locks??
Good call. According to Myernick, you're right... But really, what does he know, he's only the assistant coach.
In fact I'd say we're looking for 8-9 guys since you figure O'Brien and probably 1 other will be hurt come June.
Here's the Euros 1. Keller 2. Reyna 3. JOB (if healthy) 4. Dolo 5. Gooch 6. Gibbs (if healthy) 7. Lewis 8. Boca 9. Beerholder 10. Beasly 11. Convey 12. Howard 13. Hahnneman 14. BMB 15? Spector? State locks: LD EJ Pablo Have to suck hard to be taken off: Albright Ralston Built equity with BA through the WCQ: Conrad Pope Wolff Santino Dempsey remind everyone this is based from BA comments and his starting pattern from this past year.
OK, here's my 23: 1. Landon Donovan 2. Kasey Keller 3. DaMarcus Beasley 4. Brian McBride 5. Carlos Bocanegra 6. Oguchi Onyewu 7. Eddie Pope 8. Claudio Reyna 9. Eddie Lewis 10. Frankie Hedjuk 11. Pablo Mastroeni 12. Steve Cherundolo 13. Steve Ralston 14. Cory Gibbs 15. Bobby Convey 16. Gregg Berhalter 17. Ed Johnson 18. Chris Albright 19. Brian Ching 20. Josh Wolff 21. Clint Dempsey 22. Tim Howard 23. Marcus Hahnemann That's 13 euros and 10 from this group.
The obvious: Donovan, Mastro, EJ Will be coming but im not happy about it: Pope, Bruce seems to already have his mind made up about this one despite it probably not being in the interests of our team. I'd love for him to prove me wrong but theres something Agoos-esque about it Im thinking. Right mid: Ralston, Quaranta. They suck, but are on Arena's good side Who's the favorite now, and who I hope uproots them: 4th forward: Josh Wolfe, but Im pulling for Rolfe to explode onto the scene EJ style X-factor: Dempsey, while seems to be in the right place at the right time is unorganized and sporratic and seems to have alot of luck. I hope Adu takes that spot as he can play more positions and is more dynamic of a player overall than Dempsey. ultimately, of the 23, heres my roster: GK: Keller, Hahnemann, Howard D: Onyewu, Cherundolo, Gibbs, Berhalter, Lewis, Bocanegra, Pope, Spector Mid: Mastroeni*, Reyna, Beasley, Convey, Ralston*, Quaranta*, O'brien, Adu* FW: Donovan*, McBride, EJ*, Rolfe*
Striker: McBride, Johnson Forward: Donovan, Wolfe L Wing: Beasley, Convey R Wing: Ralston, Quaranta D Mid: Reyna, O'Brian, Mastroeni, (Carroll/Olsen) L Back: Lewis, (Spector/Pearce/Dunivant) R Back: Cherundolo, Albright C Back: Onyewu, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Berhalter The only person that I think could throw a wrench into this is Justin Mapp.
Rolfe Adu Albright Quaranta Johnson Rolfe will defenatly raise some eyebrows. I could even see him stealing EJs spot as the top forward prospect on this WC.