With Pablo, Kerry, Josh, and Tony cut because of Hanki's shenanigans, who is the final cut to the team to get them down to the 18 player limit. Obviously Keller and Walker stay. We're short on forwards, so the three left (McBride, Casey, Kirovski) are safe. We have 6 midfielders left (Reyna, Donovan, Armas, Beasley, Lewis, Stewart), and I have to think they're all safe. We have 8 defenders listed on the roster though, and that's where I believe we'll see a cut. Pope, Boca, Vanney, Sanneh, Dolo, and Convey all seem to be safe. Obviously, I think Bruce will cut an MLS player so maybe he could return for the Saturday game. Pope and Convey are pretty much automatics from MLS, so I'd have to think either Gibbs or Hejduk will return to their team before Saturday. I'd like to see Gibbs stay as I believe he is more talented and has more upside, but Hejduk could be the one that stays because of his experience. On the other hand, someone could get injured in camp, and this will be solved for us! What do you guys think?
i think gibbs gets the cut. frankie can play in the back and in the midfield in a 3-5-2. gibbs plays center and you already have pope, boca and sanneh back there.
I know Earnie is a great leader with a great record in qualifying, but he's been a statistically invisible player for DC United. Can he be showing all that much in camp?
I see no reason to have all three right backs of Hejduk, Sanneh and Cherundolo. My guess is that Frankie gets cut. Gibbs can play left back or in the center, and of course Bruce has the option of moving Bocanegra out left.
I would say frankie is probably safe... he's been a regular since the wc... vanny, sanneh(health question?), and dolo are more questionable to me.
Looking at the # of players by position, I'd say all the forwards, since we only have 3 (Bake, Casey, Jovan, not counting Landon), are all safe. 6 Middies - (Armas, Reyna, Donovan, Beasley, Lewis, Stewart). I think all are safe, with Earnie clearly the most vulnerable. Only 2 are "defensive", so I'd think Defenders who can play d-mid would also be a plus. 8 Defenders - looks like one hear will be the one to go. Versatility will be a plus, especially if can play d-mid. For that reason, I think Sanneh is safe, he's played and made best XI there for his club team. No way Pope, Bocanegra, or Convey are not going. That leaves Dolo, Hejduk, Gibbs, and Vanney. Hejduk is more versatile (left or right, plus midfield in a pinch, plus the game is in Columbus), he stays. Vanney has been impressive on the left, plus the only natural outside left on the roster (though Gibbs, Convey, Boca, and Frankie have all played there), I think he stays. That leaves Dolo and Gibbs. I say it will be Gibbs. Sanneh will provide cover on the right and in midfield. Gibbs can go back to Dallas. Sanneh will provide cover in the middle, if another injury happens (d-mid and center back) we'll probably see a 3-5-2, as Hejduk and Convey can easily play mid in that formation. Of course, I thought Andrulis would be gone in Columbus by now, so what do I know.
There are 19 players in camp, but there can be only 18 suited up and eligible to play. I believe the 18 have to be named one hour prior to kickoff. It has no bearing on subsequent games.
Just the match vs Grenada. They will all be in the mix for the qualifiers and the WC, barring injuries or someone better at the position...