The Official US Soccer thread

[Zeno]

Thats going to be a tough group. I wonder how far out before we know who the overage players will be.

It should be a good tournament. The tourney at the last Olympics was very entertaining even without a rooting itnerest, this should be even better with the US competing.

[Zeno]

ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (5): Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS (10): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)

FORWARDS (9): Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC),
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Josh
Wolff (1860 Munich)

Pretty much what was expected. The only selections I don't particularly care for are Hejduk, Lewis, Mastroeni, Wolff, Ching & Jaqua. Hejduk, Lewis & Mastroeni because of their ages (and that I think Hejduk is one of the most overrated players in US Nat history) and Wolff, Ching & Jaqua because of the fact they are just not good enough players to be internationals. But I guess because of the fact its three games in a relatively short span and they don't want to upset MLS teams mid-season they will probably use everyone.

At England May 28
At Spain June 4
Argentina June 8

[Mulli]

Where will the Argentina game be on June 8th?

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Originally Posted by Mulli

Where will the Argentina game be on June 8th?

Giants Stadium

[gr000000vy]

Squad: Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

hmmmmmm.... with that england lineup I just hope we don't get embarrassed....

I like the USA lineup.. I wish he could have talked mcbride into playing as well as friedel, but it is what it is....

my starting 11.....

Keep: Howard
Backs: Spector, Gooch, Carlos, Cherundolo
Mids: Beasley (If healthy), Adu, Dempsey, Bradley
Forwards: Jozy, Donovan

My guess for England...

Keep: James
Backs: Brown, Rio, Terry, Johnson
Mids: Bentley, Hargraves, Lampard, Walcott (or Cole)
Strikers: Rooney, Gerrard (i heard they were looking at Stevie G in the holding striker spot)

[cardfaninfl]

Originally Posted by Zeno

Pretty much what was expected. The only selections I don't particularly care for are Hejduk, Lewis, Mastroeni, Wolff, Ching & Jaqua. Hejduk, Lewis & Mastroeni because of their ages (and that I think Hejduk is one of the most overrated players in US Nat history) and Wolff, Ching & Jaqua because of the fact they are just not good enough players to be internationals.

I would add Pearce to thanks-but-no-thanks list. His last MNT performance should have opened the door for Jonathan Bornstein.

Other names, off the top of my head, I would have liked to see would be Wynne, Mapp, Alvarez, McCarty... Maybe these guys never see the pitch, but Jaqua and Ching?

Overall, I really like the depth of this pool and think they will do very well in tournament play when games are so close together. I think the strategy of having so many Friendlies/Qualifiers so close together will prepare them well. This should be an exciting few weeks.

With the depth and quality of the back line, I think the MNT could be a very tough team to score on. They could post a clean sheet every time out with one of the smurfs (Donovan, Dempsey, Adu, Beasley) using their speed to put the ball in the net.

OK...I'm ready for the England match now.

[Zeno]

Originally Posted by cardfaninfl

I would add Pearce to thanks-but-no-thanks list. His last MNT performance should have opened the door for Jonathan Bornstein.

I didn't think Pearce played too poorly against Poland.

ESPN had him rated a 6

"Heath Pearce, 6 -- Got caught ball-watching a few times in the first half, and a shaky clearance led to Dudka's chance, but Pearce usually recovered well to block the cross or hold up his man. Also contributed to the attack, and drew the foul that led to the first goal"

By comparison Dempsey, Bradley & Clark had the same match rating (lowest ratings went to Eddie Johnson & Brian Ching--high to Bocanegra)

Sam's Army gave him a 6.5

I could do without Bornstein, he gives the ball away too much--sort of like my beef with Hejduk..lots of speed & hustle, poor passing, average tackling & questionable game intelligence.

[Zeno]

Originally Posted by cardfaninfl

Other names, off the top of my head, I would have liked to see would be Wynne, Mapp, Alvarez, McCarty... Maybe these guys never see the pitch, but Jaqua and Ching?

I was surprised about Wynne's exclusion as well, he's made a lot of progress this year for Toronto.

The guy I really like is Stuart Holden...I think if he continues to progress the way he is he'll be one of the first guys off the bench in South Africa.

I'd take Wynne over Hejduk, Mapp/Holden over Lewis and Alvarez over Ching...throw in Zimmerman/Ferrari over Wolff and McCarty/Szetela over Mastroeni too.

Still I can understand whats going on...the MLS players will miss matches and US Soccer doesn't want to upset their owners/fans. I don't like it but I understand.

[Milgod]

I just hope they field a strong team for the England game. I've been giving it big time to all my England fan mates here. They best not let me down!

[Zeno]

GOALKEEPERS - Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)

DEFENDERS - Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS - Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)

FORWARDS - Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (Out of Contract)

[Milgod]

Originally Posted by Zeno

GOALKEEPERS - Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)

DEFENDERS - Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS - Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)

FORWARDS - Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (Out of Contract)

Hmmm, looking a little thin up front.

[cardfaninfl]

Originally Posted by Zeno

GOALKEEPERS - Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)

DEFENDERS - Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS - Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)

FORWARDS - Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (Out of Contract)

"Uhmm...everyone playing in the MLS may be excused. Oh wait, we will not have enough players! Landon, Brad and...I don't know...Ricardo, you can stay. Everyone else, thanks for stopping by."

Originally Posted by Zeno

Still I can understand whats going on...the MLS players will miss matches and US Soccer doesn't want to upset their owners/fans. I don't like it but I understand.

Your assesment is probably dead on, but it seems to be very short-sighted judgement by the MLS and US Soccer. The match against England and the following friendlies should be considered a marketing expense. If the MNT can perform well (especially if the MLS players perform well), this would create excitement and a fan desire to see those players locally.

Bottom line, this was an opportunity/gamble to create more ticket sales. If I am an owner, I would be lobbying Bradley to INCLUDE one or more of my guys. If this decision was influenced by Gulati and US Soccer, then Bradley loses a ton of respect and this is another reason new leadership is needed in the Federation.

[Zeno]

Originally Posted by cardfaninfl

"Uhmm...everyone playing in the MLS may be excused. Oh wait, we will not have enough players! Landon, Brad and...I don't know...Ricardo, you can stay. Everyone else, thanks for stopping by."

Your assesment is probably dead on, but it seems to be very short-sighted judgement by the MLS and US Soccer. The match against England and the following friendlies should be considered a marketing expense. If the MNT can perform well (especially if the MLS players perform well), this would create excitement and a fan desire to see those players locally.

Bottom line, this was an opportunity/gamble to create more ticket sales. If I am an owner, I would be lobbying Bradley to INCLUDE one or more of my guys. If this decision was influenced by Gulati and US Soccer, then Bradley loses a ton of respect and this is another reason new leadership is needed in the Federation.

If MLS observed International dates this stuff wouldn't be a problem. I hate that MLS seems to be calling the shots for US Soccer, its why we sent such a weak team to Copa America and probably why we won't be invited back anytime soon.

Feilhaber was hurt today in the U23 game in Italy(lost to Turkey 3-2), not sure how severe but he had to be subbed out. He may not be available for the game now, I wonder if they can still replace him.

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Feilhaber out, Edu in for the England game.

[Zeno]

GOALKEEPERS - Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)

DEFENDERS - Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS - Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)

FORWARDS - Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (Out of Contract)

My guess as the starting 11...

....Donovan...Johnson...

Lewis..Bradley..Dempsey
..........Clark................

Pearce Boca Gooch Dolo

..........Howard..............

I'd rather see Adu start at Bradley's spot and Bradley move back to Clark's spot or Adu start for Johnson moving Dempsey up top and Adu to the wide-mid. Since Adu won't start I assume he'll be the first sub probably for Dempsey or Donovan.

I don't think Beasley starts because of his return from injury but he should come on in the middle of the second half for Lewis. Wolff will come on for Johnson, Spector will come on for Gooch or Pearce and Edu for Clark.

I just hope we see an in-form Dempsey this time around because he hasn't looked very sharp in the past 3 or 4 Nat's games--he looked almost disinterested against Poland. Hopefully he'll be motivated by playing against guys he see's during his club matches.

Less than a week away now.