OK I'll bite, US NT call ups for Guatemala trip. Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) Tim Howard (Everton FC) Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes) Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96) Jay DeMerit (Watford FC) Frankie Hajduk (Columbus Crew) Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege) Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock) Midfielders: Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen) Maurice Edu (Toronto FC) Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA) Eddie Lewis (Derby County) Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids) Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo) Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC) Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC) Should Cooper (FC Dallas) and/or Buddle (LA Galaxy) have made the team? Did the other euros not come cause of the Olympics or their clubs ie Adu, and Altidor? Too bad for Rico but to be selfish, glad to have him vs Chivas USA. This by now most of you know but rey gave me the insperation to start this thread cause of his Mexico thread, thanks man. GO USA!!!
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala I believe that should read Eddie Lewis (LA Galaxy) Buddle is overrated. He went on a tear in MLS getting service from David Beckham. Half of his goals came on hat tricks against the worst two teams in the league. Color me unimpressed. Cooper's much more impressive since he has to make his own opportunities to score. And yes, I would have taken him over Ching if I were Bradley. At least Josh Wolff appears to be out of the mix. I'm more surprised though, that Bornstein and Orozco were both left off, because I'm not sold on Heath Pearce as our best option at left back. I guess Spector is still injured, but we saw plenty of Pearce in those last three friendlies and he didn't convince me that we should quit looking at anyone else. And where's Run DMB? My guess at an XI: ---------EJ-----Landicakes---- Lewis----------------Dempsey -----Bradley-----Edu--------- Pearce--Boca---Gooch---Dolo ----------Timmah!----------- Though I guess Bradley might start Ching, and drop Landicakes into the midfield, putting Lewis on the bench.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala Beasley's hurt (shock of all shocks, I know). Cooper deserves a look and soon but it's obvious that BB is going for experience and considering the team and location, that's not a bad option. Spector is still injured I believe (again, shoco of all shocks) but we'll be fine with Pearce. IMO, he's our best LB option by far and I can't believe it took BB so long to get over his love affair with Bornstein and realize that Pearce is the best option. We'll see how it goes...a draw isn't a bad result.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala I don't think he'd throw Edu out there...at least not as a starter. He just pulled major minutes lately and needs to rest some. I'd hope: ----Ching --Landycakes Lewis--------Dempsey ----Bradley--Mastro Pearce--Boca--Gooch--Dolo(c) ----Timmy!! Considering its the Flopping Fishes we are going up against, having Ching would be better than Eddie "I loose the ball when they breathe on me" Johnson Wish Cooper would get a freakin look...though maybe at the home game v Cuba in DC (makin plans on going to that...)
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala FYI: TV: 8/20 at 9PM CDT on ESPN 2 and Galavision Where: Estadio Mateo Flores, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala The absence of cooper DOES bother me and, as I noted in my posting of the roster early this afternoon and on our earlier thread, although I bleed Dynamo Orange, I'm not crazy about putting Ching on that roster.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala Are you really surprised that Orozco was left off? Did you miss the game on Wed.? Or even the Netherlands game - he had an assist but was pretty mediocre in the back as they attacked him. I don't think we will see him in a national team game in qualifying unless it is the last game of the round and we have it wrapped up - and probably not even for that - it may be a long time till we see him on the USMNT, if ever. Left back is our biggest problem since our best options tend to be old guys or a strange cast of younger guys that play overseas and don't get much exposure here (Ramiro Morales need not apply). I thought Bornstein was in good form last year but injuries and average play seem to have taken over him but I think long-term he shows the most promise. I'm not sure why Bradley seems to not think much of Kenny Cooper. Eddie F'n Johnson is a waste of space out there. Ching seems like he plays better with the national team than with the Dynamo.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala Can't wait til this game, but the thing about the first game being away in a home-away series is the game is very defesive. Maybe a 0-0 tie? 1-0? Hope I'm wrong and we light em up.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala The US has never won in Guatemala, you don´t need to win in Guatemala to afvance.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala this is the first game of semifinal group play, it's not a home-and-away matchup w/Guatemala.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala Guatemala is going to run their typical 9-0-1 formation against us. A smart coach would throw a 3-5-2 out there and boss the play through the midfield, assuming 3 CBs and a DM can shut down Ruiz and whoever makes a deep run to support him. But we have Bob Bradley running things, so it won't happen. At this point, no amount of stupidity from him would surprise me, so I'm ready to see the team run its offense through the Kljestan-EJ-surprise late call up for Josh Wolff triumvirate of uselessness. Here's to the day BB is kicked to the curb and the fed gets the stones to hire a competent manager from outside the cabal.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala BTW, Midfielder DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers) was added to the roster as the final player vs Guatemala.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala I'm not as high on Cooper as so many others of you. I don't like his movement off the ball. He's always floating out to the wing. He runs around often aimlessly. He's weak in the air in traffic. Compare all that to Ching. Ching over Cooper is a no-brainer for me. I share the view of others this a defensive game. A draw is a fine result. If you can get 3-points doing turn it down but the important thing is not to lose and start out behind the eight-ball.
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala Have you seen the roster Double B is bringing? It has 0-0/1-1 written all over it
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala We're the best!!!!!Even when it's not the truth! And you call yourself an American!!!
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala Last time our U.S. Iron Eagles played a WCQ match in Guatemala was around this time in 2000. Ante Razov scored for the U.S. in the first half and it appears the U.S. was going to haul in the 3 points on the road. Then a young Carlos Ruiz double dribbled his way into the box and fired home very late to see Guatemala salvage a point. It was a blatant hand ball and just for that I want to see 3 points taken from this Chapine home leg. Dale U.S.A.!!!
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala Interesting and funny: Guatemalan newspaper describes the security forces assigned to the US vs. Guatemala game: http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2008/agosto/19/257961.html 1,300 cops from the National Police 1,220 private security cops 250 Municipal Police to direct traffic and to protect the US and Guatemala teams: 1000 soldiers 1,300 National Police 180 private guards At the stadium: No coins, no sticks, no bottles, no cans, no knives, no guns ("they will be taken away at the entrance if they are found") Another article describes the security assigned to protect the US team: http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2008/agosto/19/258070.html US arrived in private jet. Four security rings around the hotel, directed by the US Marines and US secret service. 40 Guatemalan cops and soldiers All I can say is: Too bad I am going to miss this game, but unless heavy rain prevents me from going to Robertson stadium, I'll be there tonight!
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala I forgot to translate another interesting part of the guatemalan newspaper article: http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2008/agosto/19/258070.html
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala How do they keep coins from coming into the stadium? Donovan should wear a helmet with face guard on corner kicks!
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala no that's the way its suppose to be. if you're Guatemala you don't want a dumb-ass terrorist blowing a car bomb in front of the team's hotel. if you read the international papers you can see the US govt isn't very popular at this moment. the USMNT although having nothing to do with politics is a symbol of the USA and therefore a target. i remember they were pretty well guarded in Germany too. ps - Mexico's NT usually travels with their own food, chefs and mariachis (no really).
Re: USA NT: World Cup Qualifying 2010 vs. Guatemala Well I guess I picked the wrong temporary duty to attend. lol