Now that we're qualified, Jurgen will be able to experiment in the last two qualifiers. But these games still might be important vis-a-vis seeding for next summer - we have better chance at higher seed if we win the group. (But a Top 8 seed is probably out of reach.) If I were manager, I'd leave most of the Euro-veterans at home to avoid injuries. But I would bring the younger Euros to battle for places on the plane to Brazil. Suggested roster: G: Guzan, Rimando, Johnson. No need to bring Howard for these matches - but a good opportunity to let Guzan get some caps and WC qualifying experience. CB: Gonzo, Besler, Brooks, Okugo. With this game in Kansas City, it's a no-brainer to bring in Besler, who still only has 10 caps. Gonzo only has 12 caps, and could also use some more international tests. I'd leave the veteran Goodson at home. Bring Brooks for the experience. I'd also consider bringing Whitbread - he could battle for last CB spot with Brooks/Ream. FB: Evans, Lichaj, Castillo, Chandler No need to bring Parkhurst or Fabian for these matches. Chandler? I think that ship has sailed, but if he wants to try and re-assert himself, I'd give him a shot. Dolo? He needs to get healthy, and doesn't need the test. I'd try Lichaj at LB. Spector also has outside shot at fullback. CM: Edu, Williams, Diskeruud, Feilhaber. Leave at home: Jones, Bradley, Beckerman, Cameron, Torres. I think we could see Feilhaber at this match, given he'd be playing at home. W: Zusi, Shea, Corona, Nguyen. Let's give Lee a shot - he draws a lot of fouls (but also commits a bunch). Consider: Kelyn Rowe, Luis Gil. F: Johannson, Boyd, Agudelo, Magee. Leave at home: EJ, Altidore, Donovan, Dempsey. No need to risk any of these guys to injury. Bring in young guns to prove themselves. Magee has been dominant - deserves a shot. Wildcards: Alfredo Morales, Bobby Wood, Joe Gyau, Julian Green, Andrew Wooten, Jeremy Toljan, Thomas Delaney, Shawn Parker, Paul Arriola.
Let's just please not play this cycle's equivalent of Oguchi Onyewu after qualifying. I still cringe every time I think about it.
The only seeds in the World Cup are the top 8 (really top 7 + host). Beyond that, the draw is done by region, so unless you think the US can make top 8 the US's ranking makes no difference.
Why would you leave out Parkhurst? Its the only soccer he will be playing -- he's sitting for his club team so he should sit some more. Parkhurst should be a definite call in to at least get in the practice.
Jamaica, btw, is still mathematically alive...they need a bunch of results to go their way, but they can still get to Mordor.
Saw this on a different message board: Post your perfect team to play Panama. Only requirement: they must have been called up in the last 5 years. My contribution: ---------------Robles------------------ --Moor---Gibbs---Califf---Lade---- -Thorrington-Clark--Carroll--Quaranta--- --------Cooper-----Findley----------- Subs: GK: Perkins DF: Wynne DF: Marshall DF: Ream DF: Loyd MF: Mastroeni MF: Adu MF: Rogers MF: Feilhaber FW: Cunningham FW: Davies
Lichaj, the new Adu. But, seriously, Lichaj. If he's not broken, why not give Whitbread a shot since we seem to give anyone who has a pulse a shot at our backline.
Adu can't get off of the bench for his club team. No Freddy. Like Chandler - that ship has sailed off into the sunset. He (Adu) has done nothing to warrant a call up.
They are dual nationals that aren't committed to the US team. Toljan is Fabian Johnson's backup at LB at Hoffenheim. Parker is an attacker at Mainz. Delaney is a MF for Copenhagen. I doubt we see any of them. But I'm excited to see Johannsson, Brooks and Mix maybe get central roles. I also would like to see Lichaj called in, or just in general explore more outside back options. Agudelo I would like to be brought back into the fold. No reason not to bring a totally experimental roster as far as I'm concerned. And thankfully we can let Bradley rest and not have to worry about rushing him back.
This is who we should send to Panama: Bruce Arena in goal Lalas, Balboa, Bornstein and Fat Clint Mathis as the right back Harkes, Klopas, Preki and Reyna Twellman and Wynalda
I don't think we'll put in a complete B team for this, but we'll probably see some experimentation along with the new guys like Johannsson and Brooks getting a good look.
Guess the MLS schedule will impact who gets called. Houston, SKC, Seattle, Vancouver, San Jose and Colorado are all in action on Oct 9. Montreal, NE, DC, Philly, Dallas, Chicago, Portland and Seattle are in action on the 12th and 13th Leftbacks; Castillo, Beasley Rightbacks: Parkhurst, Lichaj Centerbacks: Gonzalez, JAB Centermids: Cameron, Kljestan, Rasta, Diskerud Fwds and Wide mids: Donovan, AJ, Bedoya, Boyd
There is probably zero chance you see Rimando being called up for this if RSL is fighting for the Supporters Shield, same with any other RSL player (Beckerman, Gil, Beltran). Kreis and Klinnsman seem to have a pretty good relationship and Klinnsman has been happy to accommodate Kreis' prior requests to leave those guys off the roster for important RSL matches.
Definitely think we see Chandler now. It's time for him to put up or shut up. Now that everyone else has done all the heavy lifting, it's time for him to contribute. If he's right, he can be a missing link in the World Cup.
B-team with no MLS guys ------------------Boyd---------Johannsson------------- --Shea------------------------------------------Bedoya-- ------------------------------Mix------------------------- ------------------Kljestan-------------------------------- -Castillo------------------------------------------Lichaj- -------------------Brooks-----Cameron---------------- --------------------------Guzan-------------------------- I'd like to see Agudelo, John, Magee, Yedlin, Farrell, Baptiste, and Klute with the team (among others) but they have day jobs.