GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) DEFENDERS (6): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steven Beithasour (San Jose Earthquakes), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim) MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) FORWARDS (4): Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Decent roster, honestly didn't see Besler or Beitashour on the roster...I think Besler is left-footed, so he'd be a logical choice for LCB, and there's no other RB on the roster (where's Chandler?), so both of them could be starting in this game. Klinsmann also called in pretty much every Liga MX player for this game....except Bornstein,
Orozco Fiscal and Shea? No Altidore? (Is AZ not letting him go?) I get that we need a replacement for Boca in the upcoming years but we could really use his composure and leadership in such a big match.
This game may just reach USA-Nigeria basketball scores. I'm seriously beginning to doubt Klinsmann's qualifications. Does this guy know what he's doing?
So did we agree to be the patsies for the Mexican Gold Medal Celebration Tour? This roster is pretty much assured of a multiple-goal loss. I understand letting the Euros stay with their clubs, but then why play this game now? Bewildering.
Also... WHERE THE HECK IS CHRIS PONTIUS? Does this mean Beitashour is going to making his USMNT debut at RB in his first camp? Jesus christ...
I'm glad we're playing the match, especially at Azteca. I just wish I could understand some of Jurgen's decisions.
So he wants to build our confidence at Azteca...by calling in a B team? If you want Altidore, Bradley, Cherundolo, Dempsey and Onyewu to have good starts to the club season...why then call in Geoff Cameron of all people? As far as clubs refusing to release players, this is a FIFA date (a terrible FIFA date mind you, but one nonetheless), so they're not allowed to do that. I remember the coach saying this one year ago: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...e-us-mens-soccer-team-for-the-sept-friendlies
Mid August FIFA dates are always the exception. Having said that I don't have a clue why Cameron is coming, and on the flipside why Pontius is being relegated to an alternate role. I don't know why we're playing this kind of game at this kind of date either but I think that's a question better left up to both Klinsmann and the federation rather than just Jurgen.
This is by far the weakest backline we've called in for a serious friendly since...before I can remember. Honestly, I feel some camp cupcake squads had a stronger group of defenders. Anyway, good to see Beasley and Corona return, but where is Pontius?
I'd go with a conservative 6-3-1 with this squad, to help out the backline, which will be under tremendous pressure. ---------------------------Gomez------------------ ---------Williams--------Jones------Edu------- Castillo --Johnson--Besler--Cameron--Orozco--Beitashour --------------------------Howard------------------
The inverted Sampson. I like it. Edu would actually have some experience with this formation through his Champions League nights with Rangers.
That back line is going to be straight up eaten alive. Ugh. Be prepared for a long night and take it as a learning experience. We also need a captain. Being that Tim Howard is going to be excruciatingly busy all night have to think it'll be LD.
Beitashour should send Chandler a thank you package with some German nationalistic swag just to hedge his future chances.
While I totally get the need to call in this roster, that is among the comments that I chuckle and think the JK is a fool. A lot of hot air.
Here is my best shot at the starting lineup: --------------------------------------Gomez----------------------------------- ----------Beasley----------------Donovan---------------------Williams----- -----------------------------------Jones------------------------------------------- --------------------------Torres------------Edu----------------------------------- --Johnson--------------------------------------------------------Beithasour------- ------------------------Cameron----------Besler----------------------------------- ------------------------------Howard---------------------------------------------- (yes, for those of you who can count, I am trying to sneak an extra player on the field) (Beasley out, Torres at left wing)
I'm glad that he's come to realize the impracticality of a lot of his early decrees. But it's one more thing that makes me think that he really did not know as much as he claimed (or that much at all) about this team and this job prior to taking over. He still has time to come good as a coach, but what a phony-ass "visionary".
A lot of this squad smacks of "we just need enough warm bodies to actually play a match". This fixture date is horribly scheduled for all involved, I get that. Still doesn't excuse leaving Pontius out.
If both Orozco-Fiscal and Castillo start, God help me . . . http://www.mombu.com/medicine/gener...n-stomach-throat-tongue-diarrhea-2382137.html