donovan clearly is a starter, and it's unclear to me who plays in his role if he goes down with an acl... same story with mastroeni...do we just give the job to carroll... and GAM, given all the other forwards in camp, arena has a ton of playing time to divy up,... I don't see any substantial benefit to run the BIG 3 out there for more than 45 minutes... I'd rather use the time more judiciously... we have a fundamental difference of how to allocate time... arena will solve this for us by the middle of februrary
I don't agree that all three of GAM, LD & Maestro will come off at half-time but I do think that some combination of them go out 45' - 60' - 75', depending on the score, feel of game, etc. Donovan will get the most minutes of the three. I think Freddy's passing, especially in games without Reyna, JOB, Convey (if what I hear about his play in Reading is true), or DMB to stretch the defense, will make him more valuable in this camp than it might at first appear.
I'm arguing with you because you continue to post incorrect and misleading information. For the third time, whether a match falls on an official FIFA match day has nothing to do with whether it is considered an "A" match. It's not a "general rule of thumb"--falling on a official match day is entirely irrelevant to determining whether a match is an "A" international. If the US U23 play on an international date it is still not an "A" international. Read the FIFA statute and regulations link that I listed. You've also twice posted that "These matches [the upcoming January friendlies] will not count as official FIFA "A" matches." That is factually incorrect. If you stop posting misinformation, I'll stop correcting you.
Slow down there, cowboy. Ya'll are talking about completely different things. Apoo is simply pointing out the colloquial use of countries playing with their "A" teams. Yes, of course, FIFA defines anytime two teams play as being an "A" international match. For example when the US played England last year it was an "A" international match despite the fact that neither team had their first choice (or "A") teams there. All Apoo is saying (please correct me if I'm wrong) is that FIFA sets aside international dates specifically so that international sides can play utilizing their first choice (or "A") squads as the club teams will have to release all their players. Its really not that difficult of a concept.
all right, after perusing more of FIFA's site, specifically the Coca Cola rankings requirement: The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking includes the national A-teams of all FIFA member associations who play international matches. Not included in the calculation are matches played by junior teams or other representative national sides (such as the women's national team). Taken into consideration for the ranking are all international-A match results over a time span of the last eight years: * World Cup finals matches * World Cup preliminary matches * FIFA Confederations Cup matches * Continental championship final matches * Continental championship preliminary matches * Friendly matches In the past, FIFA had seperated out upcoming "A" matches, and not all friendlies were listed. My understanding, from reading past literature, was that for every match there would be a match agent, and that agent would tell submit to FIFA whether or not both sides would be intent upon bringing both their first teams. Apparently, I either misread/mis-interpreted that legislature, or they changed it within the past year or two. I didn't think these random matches where teams would throw together random reserve sides counted as "A" matches. I was also confised by FIFA's definition of an "A" match. they are conflicting. sorry
1 International football matches recognised by FIFA are those between two Members of FIFA and for which each Member fields a representative team. 2 An international “A” match is a match arranged between two Members of FIFA and for which both Members field their first representative team. Now I don't even know why they bothered seperating those out. #1 can over lap #2, and #2 can overlap #1.
Sorry for my ignorance, but who is GAM? it's killing me, i've been sitting here for 5 minutes staring at the USA roster trying to figure it out on my own
Here's the roster for the friendlies http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content...=news&id=001400 Meanwhile, Mapp and Wells have recovered sufficiently from minor ailments to reclaim their places in the group from Kansas City wide man Chris Klein and MetroStars keeper Zach Wells. USMNT Winter Friendly Roster Goalkeepers Guzan, Brad CD Chivas (MLS) Hartman, Kevin Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) Reis, Matt New England Revolution (MLS) Walker, Jonny Columbus Crew (MLS) Defenders Albright, Chris Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) Conrad, Jimmy Kansas City Wizards (MLS) Dunivant, Todd Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) Hejduk, Frankie Columbus Crew (MLS) Ihemelu, Ugo Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) Pearce, Heath FC Nordsjælland (Denmark) Pope, Eddie Real Salt Lake (MLS) Midfielders Adu, Freddy DC United (MLS) Carroll, Brian DC United (MLS) Dempsey, Clint New England Revolution (MLS) Donovan, Landon Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) Mapp, Justin Chicago Fire (MLS) Martino, Kyle Columbus Crew (MLS) Mastroeni, Pablo Colorado Rapids (MLS) Noonan, Pat New England Revolution (MLS) Olsen, Ben DC United (MLS) Quaranta, Santino DC United (MLS) Ralston, Steve New England Revolution (MLS) Forwards Ching, Brian Houston (MLS) Jaqua, Nate Chicago Fire (MLS) Johnson, Eddie FC Dallas (MLS) Rolfe, Chris Chicago Fire (MLS) Twellman, Taylor New England Revolution (MLS) Wolff, Josh Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
It's from a quote in some interview where's he supposed to have responded to some question on what video games he plays with "I don't do that, I'm a Grown Ass Man."
What's the problem. It's just 3-5-2. -------------------EJ------------------ ------------------Wolff---------------- -----------------Donovan-------------- --Pearce---Dempsey--Mastro--Quar---- --------Hejduk--Conrad--Albright------- EJ up top with a withdrawn Wolff. Donovan playing attacking midfielder sitting in front of a four man line. Dempsey playing in what would be his natural position as a two midfielder rather than the attacking role his been force fed. Pearce is natural left back who showed well when slotted on a the left in a four man midfield in the Scotland game. No reason he won't excel here. Quaranta would be playing the position he plays for DeeCee. He's had a full year of good health and gotten some rest. I'm interested in seeing what he can do. Albright is natural right cb in a three man backline. Has excellent distribution from the back. Good size and outstanding speed. Played one Nats game(I forget which) in that position and did quite well. What's not to like?
With the exception of Pearce the players in this lineup have more than a handful of caps. -------------------EJ------------------ ------------------Wolff---------------- -----------------Donovan-------------- --Pearce---Dempsey--Mastro--Quar---- --------Hejduk--Conrad--Albright------- Mapp is back. Pope hasn't excelled for club or country in almost two years. Why the heck are people throwing him out there?
Since you asked, specfically: * Neither Hejduk nor Albright are good enough as central defenders to play in a 3-man back line internationally (and perhaps not even MLS). They are best as fast outside backs who can join the attack down the flanks a bit. In a 3-man backline, the backs attack much less often. * Conrad did OK in the Gold Cup in a 3-man back line, but he wasn't the primary central guy then. I'd be concerned with him leading any 3-man backline, and very concerned if his partners were Hejduk and Albright. * This role is probably fine for Pearce, but Quaranta seems like a more attack-minded midfielder/winger/forward than this more defensive role you have him slotted into. * The EJ/Wolff/Donovan thing I could live with; mobility and speed. Mastro and Dempsey in the middle is OK, too.
I'll give it a shot. If you take what was the "A" team from the first day of scrimmages and add the two players from the "B" team that complete an 11-man team, then you'd have: -------------Hartman------------- Albright--Pope--Conrad--Pearce ------------Mastroeni----------- -Ralston---Donovan-----Olsen- ---------Johnson--Ching--------- Then if you subbed in guys competing for spots you'd have: ---------------Reis--------------- Heydude--Ugo--Conrad--Dunivant -------------Carrol--------------- -Quaranta---Dempsey------Adu-- ---------Twellman---Wolf--------- That would leave out: Guzan, Wells, Jaqua, Klein, Martino, Noonan and Rolfe Although I'm guessing Chris Rolfe will be seeing some playing time - don't know about the other guys I left off. Olsen isn't a left winger, so I'd guess that if Mapp makes it perhaps he'd get that spot instead. Or we could see Dunivant starting at left back with Pearce in front of him.
http://yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=news&id=001400 Yanks Abroad has reported that Mapp and Johnny Walker have recovered from their injuries and have been named for BA's roster for the upcoming friendlies.. anyone else know if this is legitamate? I would suppose it is If this is the case what do you guys think about Mapp playing right mid? I know he's a left and Steve Ralston is there, but if i recall correctly people have said that Mapp is more than capable of playing right mid and using his right foot effectively.
It's a funny situation. IF Mapp is there, he is one of the most exciting candidates for right mid. But he is also the only real left mid in this particular camp. It might be interesting to see how BA resolves this.
Here's MY starting XI v Canada, based on who's healthy & doing well in camp: -------------------------------Reis---------------------------- Albright------------Pope---------------Conrad-----------Pearce -----------------------------Mastroeni------------------------- --Ralston--------------------------------------------Dempsey-- -----------------------------Donovan-------------------------- -------------Wolff------------------------------Twellman------- Subs: Ihemelu, Carroll, Quaranta, Noonan, Martino & Rolfe. - I LOVE Hartman but would rather he get the start at the HDC v Norway - I wouldn't start EJ. He's simply not prepared yet. I'd wait til the Norway game. - I'd give Twellman the full 90 v Canada & see what he does.
I'd like to see Rolfe paired up with TT. Taylor is more of a target player , and Rolfe can run off him and use his speed and skills against the defense. I'd also like to see Carroll get a good look. Can't wait to see us play this month, gonna be great