World Cup Roster Prediction

Barring injury or bad form- these players will be hard to dislodge:

3, goalkeepers, 8 on defense, 8 midfielders, 4 forwards

8 Defenders:

Comment: Pretty settled

Outside fullbacks (4): F. Johnson- T. Chandler (starters), E. Lichaj- S. Cherundolo (subs)
Center backs (4): Goodson, Cameron, Gooch, Bocanegra (pick 2)

8 Midfielders:

Comment: First 7 are settled

Dempsey, Donovan, Jones, Bradley (starters), Edu- Torres- Williams (subs) - and 8th spot
(Holden, Beckerman, Gatt, Corona and others battle it out)

4 Forwards:

Comment: First 3 are settled

Gomez, Altidore, Boyd (poll position) and 4th spot (Wondo, Findley, E. Johnson, Pontius and other battle out)

Outside looking in:

8th spot midfield, and 4th spot forwards
Castillo
Brooks
Shea
Alonso
Spector
Ream
Demerit

Final comment: Don't expect a ton of changes going into 2014. Many of the 'outside looking in'
are really long odds. A couple will catch on, but likely not play significant role.
Someone like Gatt could be interesting as spark off the bench.

 

Two years out, that's a pretty sound list and fine guess at the XI. My comments on your list:

* Least likely is probably Meara, considering the large number of perfectly good choices for 3d keeper, and how irrellevant this roster spot is.
* Brooks is another reach, but one with plenty of potential, and his German connection will help him with Klinsi. I'd be inclined to think that one of Onyewu or Goodson beats Brooks out of a spot this cycle.
* I think Gyau is a toss-up with Gatt as a nice winger option off the bench.
* I really like the Pontius pick, as I think this guy will make a big splash with the US over the next 12 months.
* I've generally felt it makes more sense to drop the 8th defender in favor of another midfielder or striker. The 8th defender is the second least-used roster spot after 3d keeper. In most World Cups the US's 8th defender never saw a minute of game time. So, Cherundolo has a big battle on his hands, if all 3 of Chandler, Johnson, and Lichaj are regular Bundesliga and EPL starting fullbacks the next 2 years. Indeed, since Williams can fill in as a fullback, and even Torres in an emergency, I just don't see the need for a 4th fullback as the 8th defender. I'd take a 4th striker: Agudelo.

 

Did you see how bad Gooch played in the May/June friendlies and WCQs? I don't see how he makes the 2014 WC team, also Goodson is good coming off the bench but he is too average to be starting. I don't think Brooks is a reach if he keeps starting and plays well he will definitely make the 2014 WC roster, he will probably get a look later this year in October or November. Jurgen loves CBs that can pass from the backline and from what I saw last week in his debut his passing was really accurate.

 

I don't think you can say this as a blanket statement. Brooks might play well, but his team could be a laggard in BL2. Ream could play great and B0lton promote and Ream play in the EPL during 2013-2014. If Ream plays well there, I'd take a more experienced, better league Ream over the younger Brooks in most cases. You can't write off Gooch...he might have been hurt last May/June. Gooch has had some great games for US against some top competition and he will not be THAT old.

Whitbread could have a great year, or Hines could be in the EPL by 2013-2014. Brooks has a shot, but it is certainly not a given even with good performance.

 

Gooch looks bad in a lot of games, but the thing is...nobody else has really managed to displace him after years of iffy form.

It's less exciting to point this out, but he also looks good in some games (he was great against Ecuador last fall, for example).

It's rare that a defender is "good coming off the bench" and it's downright hilarious to think that Clarence Goodson would be one of those players.

I'm not sure how anybody would think Goodson is a better long term option than a healthy Oguchi Onyewu. Unless it's someone who worships Klinsmann and thinks his often messy lineup choices are an accurate barometer for talent.

But I also agree that Brooks will be on the roster if he's playing with a some level of competence in BL1...but in that kind of scenario he might be on Germany's radar.

 

My 23 man 2014 WC Roster

GK

Tim Howard
Brad Guzan
Sean Johnson

DF

Timothy Chandler
Omar Gonzalez
John Anthony Brooks
Fabian Johnson
Eric Lichaj
Alfredo Morales
Tim Ream
Geoff Cameron

MF

Michael Bradley
Daniel Williams
Jermaine Jones
Jose Torres
Chris Pontius
Joe Gyau
Josh Gatt
Clint Dempsey
Landon Donovan

FW

Jozy Altidore
Terrence Boyd
Juan Agudelo

 

His club Hertha Berlin is one of the favorites to get back to Bundesliga next season so I don't see his club laggard in BL2.

 

I meant Goodson is good coming off the bench if one of the starting CBs gets injured he would be a good backup.

 

GK: Barring career changing injuries, Howard and Guzan are locks, my third keeper (who won't see a minute of action before or during the 2014 word cup is Bill Hamid

Def:
4 locks have to be Chandler, Johnson, Goodson, and Cameron (because they are in prime time age). The last four spots are going to go to a mix of guys, depending on what Jurgen wants. I am going to say he will leave take two of the three (gooch, churandalo, and Boca), unless steve and carlos stay fit, and Gooch gets back in form(then he takes all three). Leaves one or two spots going to young guys, my bet is Pearce and/or Castillo.

Mid:
Barring the end of the world, Dempsey and Donovan. Michael Bradley will also be along with those guys becuase he is good, and will only improve at Roma. JK has shown a fondness to Jermaine Jones (although I don't see why), so he will be going. Leaving four spots open. My picks: Holden, Beckerman, Williams, and Brek Shea. Say what you want, I think Shea is going to end up being an anchor on the team when he gets older (he is only 22).

ST:
Jozy I think is the only lock at this position. Right off the top of the head you think of Gomez and Boyd, but I think these two spots are open to whoever shows the ability to score over the next year. Giving it to Boyd, with Wondo and Agudelo.

 

GK: Barring career changing injuries, Howard and Guzan are locks, my third keeper (who won't see a minute of action before or during the 2014 word cup is Bill Hamid

Def:
4 locks have to be Chandler, Johnson, Goodson, and Cameron (because they are in prime time age). The last four spots are going to go to a mix of guys, depending on what Jurgen wants. I am going to say he will leave take two of the three (gooch, churandalo, and Boca), unless steve and carlos stay fit, and Gooch gets back in form(then he takes all three). Leaves one or two spots going to young guys, my bet is Pearce and/or Castillo.

Mid:
Barring the end of the world, Dempsey and Donovan. Michael Bradley will also be along with those guys becuase he is good, and will only improve at Roma. JK has shown a fondness to Jermaine Jones (although I don't see why), so he will be going. Leaving four spots open. My picks: Holden, Beckerman, Williams, and Brek Shea. Say what you want, I think Shea is going to end up being an anchor on the team when he gets older (he is only 22).

ST:
Jozy I think is the only lock at this position. Right off the top of the head you think of Gomez and Boyd, but I think these two spots are open to whoever shows the ability to score over the next year. Giving it to Boyd, with Wondo and Agudelo.

 

I agree, only because he has a full season and then some to work his way back up into the lineup. He's a long shot for next week, but next WC, I think he'll be starting.

 

i will include wingers into the forward category given that they are often interchangeable.

(3) GOALKEEPER
Analysis:
Tim Howard and Brad Guzan are set. #3 is wide open. between Dan Kennedy, Ryan Meara, Bill Hamid, Sean Johnson, Nick Rimando, Andy Gruenebaum, and Matt Pickens are the frontrunners to contend for a spot during Camp Cupcake. The newcomer Caleb Patterson-Sewell is a wildcard; if he plays well for Vitoria Setubal, he may overtake the rest.

My prediction: Howard, Guzan, and Johnson. Meara as an alternate.

(4) FULLBACKS
Analysis:
Fabian Johnson is going. The rest is tricky. Eric Lichaj and Timmy Chandler are both more than likely, but one depends on commitment and the other depends on Klinsmann actually calling him in. That #4 is completely up in the air. Steve Cherundolo would be a safe bet because he is our #1 RB right now, but still, he will be 35 in two years. We will have to monitor his form as time goes by. For the rest of the top contenders that are on the outside looking in: Edgar Castillo, right now might the best bet for an outsider looking in, but he needs to step his game up to the speed of international play, Adam Henley is also a possibility if he chooses the good ole U-S-of-A, Michael Parkhurst seems to be Klinsmann's back-up to Cherundolo if he can't have Chandler, and Jonathan Spector should still be able to contend for a spot if he can stay healthy.

However, while it is a longshot, Camp Cupcake should still provide chances to some players to make an impression. The frontrunners that are contending for a spot in Camp Cupcake include: Justin Morrow, Steve Beitashour, Heath Pearce, Chance Myers, Kevin Alston, Sheannon Williams, Connor Lade, Zach Loyd, AJ De la Garza, and Sean Cunningham. Note that this Camp Cupcake should narrow that list down to one to each side. Also, note that Josh Gatt, Daniel Williams, and Alfredo Morales could switch positions and would be serious contenders to win a spot if none of the other options step up.

My prediction: Johnson, Chandler, Lichaj, and Cherundolo. Castillo and Spector as alternates.

(4) CENTER BACKS
Analysis:
Carlos Bocanegra is going so long as he escapes the clutches of 4th Scottish soccer and finds a home where he is playing. He has been our captain for about 6 years now, it is highly unlikely that he would go from captain to not even on the roster in such a short time despite his old age. A lot can change between here and then, but if Geoff Cameron is now a safe bet. After Bocanegra and Cameron, i would hesitate to bet money on anyone, and the Gold Cup will provide the time for the newcomers to break into the line-up. Clarence Goodson will be one of the fiercest competitors. John Anthony Brooks has skyrocketed his stock in recent months. Tim Ream will compete for a spot; as well as Zak Whitbread if he can stay healthy. Seb Hines should get some looks considering that he is a young starting CB for one of the best teams in the Championship, but a lot will be determined from those looks. Omar Gonzalez and George John are the favorites of the Camp Cupcake contenders to break into the line-up, but they both need to stay healthy and return to form.

Michael Orozco looks to be a distant memory, but i believe that Klinsmann still likes the diminutive center back. Oguchi Onyewu was a nightmare in May/June, but still has a strong name is US soccer. Will Packwood is an emerging center back for Birmingham FC. If he breaks into their line-up, he may earn a chance. Besides Gonzalez and John, AJ Soares, Austin Berry, Matt Besler, Chad Marshall, Marvell Wynne, Drew Moor, Jay DeMerit, Jeff Parke, Matthew Hedges, and Amobi Okugo are contenders for Camp Cupcake. If they impress, they may move up like Cameron did. Also, Michael Parkhurst, Jonathan Spector, Alfredo Morales, and Daniel Williams could convert if needed.

My prediction: Bocanegra, Cameron, Brooks, and Gonzalez. Goodson and Ream as alternates.

(5) MIDFIELDERS
Analysis:
Michael Bradley is set to go. Jermaine Jones is a safe bet to go. I'd money that Daniel Williams and Jose Francisco Torres go. The 5th spot is up for grabs. The top choices right now for that spot are: Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Kyle Beckerman, Osvaldo Alonso, Graham Zusi, and Sacha Kljestan. If Holden regains form, he is going for sure. Edu needs to figure his club situation out and needs to pass better out of the back, but is going to be given every opportunity to compete for that 5th spot. Beckerman is loved by Klinsmann and plays well in the CDM spot; he could sneak on. If Alonso gains eligibility, he should be given every opportunity to compete for that last spot. Zusi may need to get out of MLS to make his resume look better, but he brings a lot of those Holden type qualities to the team. Maybe Kljestan is underappreciated by Klinsmann at the moment, but if he continues to have years like last year, he can't be ignored forever.

Outside of those picks, there is still room for Mikkel Diskerud, Joe Corona, Seb Lletget, Alejandro Bedoya, and Alfredo Morales to nudge out one of those competitors, but they must first prove it at the club level then the international level. Camp Cupcake should also provide opportunities for: Dax McCarty, Sam Cronin, Brad Davis, Jeff Larentowicz, Ricardo Clark, Conor O' Brien, Benny Feilhaber, Kelyn Rowe, Brad Evans, and Perry Kitchen if they impress in January. Note than Jonathan Spector could convert to MF, but his chances are better in defense.

My prediction: Bradley, Jones, Williams, Torres, and Holden. Edu and Kljestan as alternates.

(7) FORWARDS
Analysis:
We all know Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Jozy Altidore are going. Herculez Gomez is right on their heels and is a safe bet to make the roster. The other three spots are wide open, and a lot will depend on how these players club careers progress and if they can translate their game to the international level. Moreover, forward is the one position where managers feel free to experiment more on prospects.

One thing is for sure, we need another center forward, and right now, Terrence Boyd looks to fill that void the best. I would say that he goes so long as he scores at a decent rate for club and country. Other CF candidates are: Kenny Cooper, Will Bruin, Juan Agudelo, CJ Sapong, Teal Bunbury, Jack McInerney, Andrew Wooten, Charlie Davies, Edson Buddle, and Eddie Johnson. None of which are breathtaking, but we can hope that at least one proves to be worthy. However, they will probably have to wait till Camp Cupcake to prove themselves. Perhaps, we may be able to count on one of the prospects: Omar Salgado, Jerome Kiesewetter, Villyan Bijev, Conor Doyle, Julian Green, Bobby Wood, and Danny Mwanga.

Regarding the other winger/2nd striker options, our top contenders are Chris Pontius, Chris Wondolowski, Josh Gatt, Brek Shea, Freddy Adu, and DaMarcus Beasley. It would be dumbfounding if Pontius was not called in to get a chance with the senior team. We will wait and see how his games translates, but i am betting that the player who reminds me of young Dempsey will be up for the task. I'm also dying to see Gatt in action. If Gyau breaks into the Hoffenheim line-up, he will probably rise quickly on the national team. Shea and Adu both needto pick up their performances in MLS. Wondolowski needs to translate his game to the international level. And Beasley is playing well in Mexico and is also very experienced veteran. Regardless, i don't see DMB making much noise again for the national team.

Andrew Wenger, Nick DeLeon, Eddie Gaven, and Lee Nguyen might get a shot during Camp Cupcake. Robbie Rogers is liked by Klinsmann, but he not only needs to start for Leeds, he needs to translate his game to the international level. Again, maybe we might be able to count on one of the prospects: Fabian Hurzeler, Luis Gil, Danijal Brkovic, Marc Pelosi, Alejandro Guido, Jose Villarreal, and Tyrone McCargo.

My prediction: Donovan, Dempsey, Gomez, Altidore, Boyd, Pontius, and Gyau. Gatt and Agudelo as alternates.

 

If MLS, remember that they have only a little over 1 season left to impress. That's not much time at all. A guy like Juan Agudelo, Freddy Adu, Teal Bunbury or even Brek Shea has got to realize that they need to play excellent in MLS asap to have a real shot to get back in frame.

European players have 2 full seasons left to impress, although they need to step it up during 2012-2013 season to realistically get into the picture also.

Some of the suggestions here are for players that have no caps and hardly have left in mark in their respective leagues to date. I don't think that is realistic at all given the competition. Someone like Shea, who recently got starts on USMNT and played dominating in his league (one year ago) is much closer to a call back than someone who doesn't even feature (strongly) in their league or someone like Eddie Johnson is much more likely

 

Everyone saw how poor Onyewu's game was this summer. But he was just coming off a second injury and was very far from match shape. Same thing happened two years before, in that Onyewu was in poor form at the 2010 World Cup due to coming back from that bad knee injury, and BB dropped him from the XI during the World Cup due to that poor form. BUT, with a bit more time, Onyewu had an outstanding Fall 2010 in Portugal.

I'm not going to be short-sighted and base my 2014 perspective on an unfit Gooch from May/June 2012. He has plenty of time to regain international form, and he has a grand total of zero top-quality US CB's to out-perform. He has a perfectly legitimate shot over the next 18 months.

And Goodson is a very experienced international. I doubt he starts at the 2014 Cup, but he would be a good guy off the bench. So, between Onyewu and Goodson, there is a better than 50% chance that one of these two joins Boca as veteran CBs on the roster.

Let's see how Onyewu does this coming year with more time separated from his injury, and let's see how rookie professional Brooks does as a pro. Hopefully both will shine and give Klinsi some serious competition at the crucial CB spots.

 

Those of you selecting 8 defenders should at least identify who the 8th and most likely to be dropped defender is. The 8th defender is a wasted roster spot, one that is almost never used. The US didn't even take an 8th defender to the 2010 Cup, and rightly so based on past experience.

http://www.ussoccer.com/tournaments...d-cup/training-camp-roster/100526-roster.aspx

Then, once you identify the 8th defender, also identify the midfielder or forward most likely to take that spot.

 

The identity of the CBs on this roster is by far the most difficult position to predict.

Even the two guys that the original poster mentioned as "safe bets" aren't safe bets for me. If Boca doesn't leave Rangers, then his position with the USMNT is slipping. Can't have a starting CB in the 3rd Scottish division. And I don't know what makes Cameron any more of a "safe bet" over the other options.

We've got a field of guys, and hopefully a couple break from the pack over the next 2 years. We could also have a couple of guys move into the group like Hedges, Berry, and company.

I agree with you about Gooch. If he has a good season in Portugal for Sporting..................he'll be back in the mix.

 

I think it depends how versatile your defenders are, no? I don't think we have a lot
of versatility on the back line- we've never played Cherundolo at left back (for example)
and it is hard to imagine our center backs playing on the outside.

If Spector was at a better club/better league/better form, he might make this point mute- since
he seems to be able to play across the backline...but most of our defenders are pretty one dimentional.

 

Yes and no. Lichaj is a right back currently playing LB in the EPL. He can play either side and strikes me as a nearly ideal backup to Chandler at RB and Johnson at LB.

Goodson, Onyewu, Cherundolo, Ream, Brooks, Gonzo, and Whitbread are pretty one-dimentional.

Cameron can play DM and probably RB in addition to CB. Boca, although as an older player may not be the ideal LB choice in 2014, but he certianly has experience playing LB; more stay-at-home, though.

And as I noted in a prior post, Williams is a DM with starting experience all along the back line. And in an emergency Torres could fill in as a LB, as seen in May/June.

I think the depth is there.

In 2010 the US took 7 defenders, but only used 6.

 

I honestly don't see Agudelo making the the squad in 2014.

 

My Inaccurate Predictions that are unlikely to get more than half right:

GK: Howard, Guzan, Hamid (Klinsmann seems to like him as the young 3rd guy)
Analysis: First 2 are locks, the 3rd GK is a toss-up, and I don't really think it matters who it is, but I would pick a young guy to give them the experience of going to a World Cup. Meara, Johnson, etc. are all candidates for this spot.

FB: Johnson, Chandler, Lichaj
Analysis: I think Johnson and Chandler are locks as starters for 2014, and as long as Lichaj continues to perform in the EPL, he's a safe bet as the primary backup. Because Lichaj can play both FB spots, I'm not sure if the 4th FB is necessary. If Klinsmann wants to take one, then I think it'll either be Cherundolo or Castillo, or somebody we haven't seen yet.

CB: Bocanegra, Cameron, Ream, Goodson
Analysis: Bocanegra is still our most consistent defender and is a safe bet for being on the roster. If he is a starter is the real question. Cameron looks like a good guess at being on the roster, likely as the other CB starter. the 2 backup spots are up in the air, as the LCB spot could be claimed by Ream, Brooks, Whitbread, etc. and the other spot has even more candidates with Gonzalez, John, Hines, Onyewu, etc. I think Ream fits Klinsmann's style of play, and if he continues to improve and if Bolton gets back to the EPL and he can develop against top competition, I think he'll be the choice. Goodson is just my preference; I honestly have no idea who could be picked there.

MF: Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Jones, Torres, Williams, Holden, Edu (or Gatt), Shea
Analysis: Donovan and Dempsey are 99.9% locks, barring a Zombie Apocalypse or super nova of the Sun. Bradley is right up there, and Jones is favored by Klinsmann as the other CM starter. If Klinsmann continues to go with the 4-3-3 featuring 3 CM, then Torres is probably the 3rd CM starter. Williams looks to be a solid backup at CDM, as well as an emergency solution at FB, and Holden, if healthy and in form, is a lock for a spot, possibly even as a starter. Shea is a wing backup on the left. I have Edu currently slotted on the roster because I'm assuming Klinsmann will continue to use the 4-3-3 with 3 CM's, but if he switches to a more traditional 4-4-2/4-2-2-2, then I think Gatt will be picked as another wing backup. If Gatt is not picked, Gomez is capable of playing the RW backup.

FW: Altidore, Gomez, Boyd, Agudelo
Analysis: Altidore is a virtual lock almost by necessity, and if Gomez keeps up form for the next couple years, he should also be in. Klinsmann favors Boyd as the guy of the future, so he should be there. The 4th spot is up in the air, as it could be the MLS flavor of the month (like Wondo), it could be somebody that emerges out of nowhere, it could be another German dual-national (like Wooten), etc. I picked Agudelo because of his enormous potential and talent, but if Klinsmann doesn't rate him, then it could be anybody like Wondolowski, Pontius, Cooper, Johnson, Wooten, Bruin, etc.

I could be wrong on the 7DF-9MF decision, and there's a good shot that Shea/Edu could be dropped for another FB, like Castillo or Cherundolo, but I feel like that last spot is better used for depth in the midfield/wide forwards.

 

yes please

 

Bocanegra for next World Cup? Gooch? No thank you.

 

If Wondo is in the same form he is in now I wouldn't be shocked to see him make the squad but right now it's too early to tell.

 

True but he's always underperformed immensely in a USMNT jersey