Which player is most likely to jump onto the radar screen in '09?

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by deuteronomy, Dec 21, 2008.

  1. deuteronomy

    deuteronomy Member+

    Angkor Siem Reap FC
    United States
    Aug 12, 2008
    at the pitch
    Club:
    Siem Reap Angkor FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Any potential new starters getting ready to step out of the darkness?
    Who is most likely to compete for a USMNT starting position and why or why not?

    1. Danny Szetela Serie A Clubs are said to be interested.
    2. Robbie Rogers offers the left footed option we need.
    3. Jose Francisco Torres, left footed and plays in Mexico.
    4. Stewart Holden a nice group of skills, starting for Houston, now.
    5. Michael Orozco, solid starter in the Mexican league, what are his chances?
    6. Jonathan Spector, is he healthy and ready.
    7. Frank Simek can he be a factor if he stays healthy?
    8. Kenny Cooper, Is he the real deal?
    9. Charlie Davies can he score on the big stage?
    10. Marvell Wynne, can he overcome his technical concerns?
    11. Jay DeMerit, can the Watford field marshall make a difference?
    12. Michael Parkhurst, is he large and fast enough?
    13. John Thorrington, is he a right back option?
    14. Might Jonathan Bornstein be a better player than Heath Pearce?
     
  2. PhillyQuakesFan

    PhillyQuakesFan New Member

    Jun 25, 2007
    Delaware County, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wynne is our future at RB. I don't see him starting in the WC, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's a better player than Cherundolo by then.

    If Spector and Marshall both stay healthy and continue to develop it will be tough to keep them off the field. My money is also on Charlie Davies to make the WC squad if he can get a fair shot to audition for EJ's spot.
     
  3. Prime Time

    Prime Time Member

    May 1, 2004
    South Florida
    Robbie Rogers, Kenny Cooper and Marvell Wynne are good candidates and I'd expect most fans to elect one of the two but I think 2009 is going to be Jose Torres' coming out party, just like 2008 was Kljestan's.

    2009 is going to be very interesting especially with so many games on the horizon.
     
  4. mcadaal

    mcadaal Member

    Apr 11, 2007
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Seven players that I would like to see at one time for 90 minutes to see who stands out the most (All of these guys have the potential to make a huge coming out party):

    1) Davies
    2) Holden
    3) Torres
    4) Wynne
    5) Marshall
    6) Rogers
    7) Jemal Johnson

    My 2 cents:

    5) Micheal's chances of making the WC 10' roster are slim but not too slim. I don't think Pearce is the right guy at LB and I don't think Bornstein is the answer either. All these things work in his favor.

    7) Frank Simek is a great player when he is healthy and conditioned. I hope he can pull though.

    8) Cooper is not bad, not bad at all. I would put him and Davies on the same level right now (in terms of importance to the USMNT.)

    9) Charlie Davies will score on the big stage.. it is just a matter of time.

    10) Wynne already seems to be overcoming some of these technical concerns, but he still has a long way to go.
     
  5. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    Colin Clarke needs to be mentioned I think. If Bobby Convey can find a place that allows him to play his way to form, I think he comes back. DMB should be OFF the radar until that occurs as well.
     
  6. Prime Time

    Prime Time Member

    May 1, 2004
    South Florida
    Elaborate please.
     
  7. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    He's not playing...he's not naturally gifted enough to be a positive force on our side without being in form.

    Just an opinion though
     
  8. DestroyerDaMarc

    Dec 8, 2005
    New York
    Club:
    Newcastle Jets
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No Jeremiah White or Benny Feilhaber? Interesting.
     
  9. Lord15

    Lord15 New Member

    Jun 20, 2001
    Southeast
    Agreed. If he, or Dempsey, aren't playing regularly, and playing well, it's pointless to start them.
     
  10. Prime Time

    Prime Time Member

    May 1, 2004
    South Florida
    And which player that is capable of starting at LM at the top level is seeing minutes?
     
  11. Nutmeg

    Nutmeg Member+

    Aug 24, 1999
    1 and 3 I agree with. 2, I just cannot see happening.
     
  12. Maximum Optimal

    Maximum Optimal Member+

    Jul 10, 2001
    Central midfield and left back are our most problematic areas and the ones most likely to provide opportunities for new starters to emerge.

    In central midfield, I agree with the opening post which lists Szetela as the most likely player to emerge. However, I also think there is a chance that a well-established player who currently plays another position is given a look there. The player I have in mind is Landon Donovan, whose move to central mid would be facilitated by the emergence of Altidore/Adu/Cooper.

    At left back, I think Spector, Edu and possibly Beasley could be given looks. I'm not sold on either Pearce or Bornstein.
     
  13. Martin Fischer

    Martin Fischer Member+

    Feb 23, 1999
    Kampala. Uganda
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Good list, my comments on the candidates:

    I thought he was struggling to start in Serie B? I loved him as a U-17, but I would rate him a long shot at this point.

    Near the top of the list for me, mainly because Beasley rarely plays any more and this always concerns me. If Adu was playing, I would use him there (or play Adu centrally and play Donovan there), but we need an option at left mid. And even if the other players do succeed, we need another winger type player to increase our tactical options.

    I don't see the left-footed thing as a big deal since he plays in center mid. Torres is one of many options like Feilhaber, Klejstan and Holden who can play the crucial role of giving us more attacking power from center midfield without going to a diamond formation.

    See comments on Torres.

    Mainly as a left back due to our problems there. Not his position, but his best opportunity.

    Talented but is he going to play at the club level? Once again, his ability to play left back is his biggest assett at this point.

    Slow, not big without great ball skills, right now I think we can do better on the right.

    He can score, but I truly hope that Altidore and Adu reach their potential as there will be no role for Cooper then.

    Showed big time improvement since U-23 qualifying. He would rate high up the chart for me.

    Another guy with potential to be an upgrade on what we have now.

    Probably not, but if Boca is forced to left back, then he deserves a real shot.

    Why not in conjunction with Onyewu. BUt is he good enough.

    Unlikely and is it worth time if it means less time for Wynne?

    Lots of people might be better than Heath Pearce. The intriguing thing about Bornstein is he has both the speed to cover back and the skill to make things happen going forward. But he has to play better against MLS-level competition and squads like Guatemala before he can be considered to start in a real game.
     
  14. minya

    minya Member

    Mar 27, 2008
    san diego, ca
    Sean Franklin is a second best RB, way ahead of Wynne amd pretty close to SC.
     
  15. voros

    voros Member

    Jun 7, 2002
    Parts Unknown
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    On the screen? Your best bet is a U-20 of some sort though I wouldn't hazard a guess as to which one.
     
  16. mcnaulty21

    mcnaulty21 Member

    Feb 6, 2007
    Wisconsin
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Pretty bold claim
     
  17. olephill2

    olephill2 Member+

    Oct 6, 2006
    Club:
    Watford FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    In principle I would normally agree with you - players who are receiving very little PT with their clubs shouldn't be regular starters with the national team.

    But the thing about Beasley is that, even when he's been off form like he has for all of 2008, he still manages to make a positive impact on the game. He has 2 assists in WCQ play (none of which were against Barbados). This, I believe, ties him with Sacha Kljestan and Landon Donovan among our assist-leaders.

    In the 2006 WC, despite being off form, Beasley still managed to record our only assist of the tournament, as well as a goal which was called back.

    While he's not the player he was in 2005 or mid-to-late 2007, an off-form Beasley has still managed to contribute for us.
     
  18. Wessoman

    Wessoman Member+

    Sep 26, 2005
    Austin, TX
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    1. Danny Szetela Serie A Clubs are said to be interested.

    Serie A clubs have been interested in Danny a long while now. I would say that he needs to do a lot to break into the US midfield lineup. I can see him playing in the Confederations Cup.

    2. Robbie Rogers offers the left footed option we need.

    Yes he does. I say Rogers really works onto the roster and really starts working for one of those 23 tickets to Africa.

    3. Jose Francisco Torres, left footed and plays in Mexico.

    And plays well to boot. Torres has probably been the biggest suprise in the US roster this last year, he's certainly booked a spot in the Gold/Confederations Cup, especially since Mastroeni's suspension for the Hex opener gives him a clear shot to steal away his place on the roster. Probably our best two-way midfielder.

    4. Stewart Holden a nice group of skills, starting for Houston, now.

    Yes he does. But he's got to do a lot to to crack the US mid, where we're crowded. At his rate, I see him really playing in the 09 Gold Cup.

    5. Michael Orozco, solid starter in the Mexican league, what are his chances?

    Not so good considering our central defense is the Bocanegra/Gooch show, with Califf, Simek, and Demerit really looking to be the veteran backups, and let's not talk about Subotic and the rise of Marshall. Really, Orozco is going to have to wait for an injury to for his chance to crack the subs bench, much less crack the final 23 going to Africa.

    6. Jonathan Spector, is he healthy and ready.

    Considering Pearce's Feilhaber-esque demise is definitely real, Spector is one of our top guns, even after not playing for awhile. His ability to play both right and left back makes him super versatile and he ends up in the mix. I say he gets back to form and plays in the Confederations cup and some hex games, and fights his way for a spot.

    7. Frank Simek can he be a factor if he stays healthy?

    Yes he is. I like Simek over Orozco, and if Califf continues to have communication problems (Despite his talent) with our holding mids then he is still on our radar screen as a solid backup.

    8. Kenny Cooper, Is he the real deal?

    Yes he is. I think he's won over Bob Bradley. Only a Twellmanesque goal drought will stop him from being a major player on the US roster.

    9. Charlie Davies can he score on the big stage?

    Probably. I say Davies is the most underrated forward in Concacaf. The big question is can he hack it on those pesky away games in Costa Rica and Honduras? He needs to stop diving, the refs will NOT like that down there.

    10. Marvell Wynne, can he overcome his technical concerns?

    Wynne is still a work in progress and only our weakness at Left Back keeps him in consideration. His play in the Olympics has shown us that he is ready for the next level. I say he definitely gets a look at the Confederations Cup.

    11. Jay DeMerit, can the Watford field marshall make a difference?

    It's either DeMerit, Marshall or Califf that's going to play the part of Carlos Llamosa in 2010.

    12. Michael Parkhurst, is he large and fast enough?

    No. He needs to show a lot more to crack in the US backline. Simply put, Marshall's existence really puts a damper on his chances in even the Gold and Confederations Cup lineups, much less the World Cup 23.

    13. John Thorrington, is he a right back option?

    Yes indeed, but sadly Thorrington is not going to South Africa, either in the Confederation or World Cup. Thorrington is the gritty midfielder you want on the bench in San Salvador or San Pedro Sula, kinda like Eddie Lewis in Guatemala City a few months back. Guys like Thorrington help you get to the World Cup, but don't necessarily get on the World Cup squad.

    14. Might Jonathan Bornstein be a better player than Heath Pearce?

    Anybody who still questions Bornstein over Pearce needs to get their head checked. I say the left back spot is now Bornstein's to lose. It's up to Pearce to actually play for his club and get his spot back. Pearce needs to get a new club or come to MLS. I say a Gold Cup appearance will be his last stand.
     
  19. Wessoman

    Wessoman Member+

    Sep 26, 2005
    Austin, TX
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If Frankin can actually hold on to the ball better than Wynne against Sweden at the HDC, he can concievably work his way on a Gold Cup roster, and success there may lead to a lot of good things. That said, I say it would take a Cherundolo Injury before he gets a real consideration.
     
  20. Wessoman

    Wessoman Member+

    Sep 26, 2005
    Austin, TX
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    See: Lee Nguyen, Kamani Hill or Alex Yi.
     
  21. Bigrose30

    Bigrose30 Member+

    Sep 11, 2004
    Jersey City, NJ
    As big a tournament as the Confederations Cup is going to be for our core players, the Gold Cup is going to be the springboard that makes a regular out of nowhere.

    2002 - Pablo Mastroeni
    2006 - Jimmy Conrad
    2010 - ???

    Spots that need filled, or are clearly contestable:

    Starting Left Back
    #3 or #4 CB
    #2 Right back
    Wide midfield players
    Goal Scorers (always in need)

    Players that need to make an impression at the Gold Cup:

    Bornstein
    Orozco
    Spector
    Marshall
    Conrad
    Wynne
    Thorrington
    Rogers
    White
    Mapp
    Cooper
    Davies

    If one or two of these players becomes a regular contributor, that would be a big boost for the senior team.
     
  22. Karl K

    Karl K Member

    Oct 25, 1999
    Suburban Chicago
    You know, as I looked at this list, I was reminded of a remark that was made yesterday on an NFL telecast -- namely, if you have the chance to draft the fastest guy in the combine, do it. Of course, the NFL puts much more premium on athletic ability than technical skill, but it's an interesting approach even with soccer.

    So, who on this list is really really REALLY fast?

    In my view, just two: Charlie Davies and Jonathan Bornstein. (Others -- like Holden, Wynne, Thorrington, are "quick").

    Right now, I'd say Bornstein's going largely because we need at least two left footed wide defenders (and maybe three, with Spector, who can play anywhere along the defense, assuming he's healthy and getting club playing itme).

    And if I had to bet on someone else, I'd bet on Davies, because you can't teach that speed.
     
  23. ill quixote

    ill quixote Member

    Apr 5, 2006
    Wynne is really really REALLY fast. It doesn't matter how you define it.
     
  24. Heathens '87

    Heathens '87 Member

    United States
    Mar 4, 2004
    Michigan
    Club:
    RSC Anderlecht
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The heavy schedule for 2009 will open up opportunities for players to emerge, and an unfortunate reality is that we'll likely have an injury that forces a second or third-tier player into a more prominent role. The two-deep at some positions is farily secure but my guess at five potential changes when the line-up truly matters....

    Jonathan Spector at LB - Pearce may get exposed against better competition and Spector may get the next shot at that slot if he's healthy and in-form. The wild card is obviously Subotic.

    Chad Marshall at CB - if Gooch or Carlos go down for any length of time, Chad certainly deserves the extended audition over true reserves like DeMerit and Califf. His main competition if that happens is likely Parkhurst.

    Marvell Wynne at RB - if he gets playing time, and I think he will, my guess is he passes Dolo on the depth chart by the end of '09.

    Robbie Rogers at LM - he's one Beasley injury away from an extended audition. The chances of that happening are fairly high.

    Charlie Davies at FW - we're not exactly deep up front and every time he plays, he leaves NT watchers wanting to see more. That's likely in '09.


    I'm expecting Bradley to be fairly conservative with roster selections for the first half of the Hex, especially the Mexico game. The Confederations Cup will likely be his best guess at the WC10 roster at that point in time, and the Gold Cup will likely be used as an extended audition. What will be truly interesting to see who is on the roster for the second half of the Hex as some will play their way in while others play their way out. We'll see.........
     
  25. tomwilhelm

    tomwilhelm Member+

    Dec 14, 2005
    Boston, MA, USA
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Rogers

    Other candidates to have a breakout year for the MNT:

    Davies and Torres
     

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