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The roster was announced yesterday and is mostly the same as the qualifiers, minus Hejduk, Mastroeni, and Ching

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Luis Robles (Kaiserslautern)

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (Midtjylland ), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewAr ... 45606.html

The U.S. should look to this as a fantastic opportunity to let some players other than the ol' (read - ineffective) regulars get some really good playing time against some of the best that the world has to offer.

Beasley, Bradley and Donovan should be cut from the national team. Period.
Spector should be a permanent starter.
Adu and Altidore should be starters, at least for the CC, if only to give them some top-notch competition and experience before the next round of WCQ (and hopefully the WC itself). And if they prove themselves....then....perhaps it's time to stop letting the veterans do nothing and let the newbies do something...

bandl wrote:The U.S. should look to this as a fantastic opportunity to let some players other than the ol' (read - ineffective) regulars get some really good playing time against some of the best that the world has to offer.

I agree, we need to start giving some of our younger guys playing time.

bandl wrote:Beasley, Bradley and Donovan should be cut from the national team. Period.

Beasley and Bradley perhaps. Donavan, no way, he is still the leader on this team and showed it in the Honduras game.

bandl wrote:Spector should be a permanent starter.

I agree, our midfield/fullback positions are sorely lacking. But that is more of a professional problem, the US just doesen't have any great fullback/midfielders, which then presents itself even more so in international play. The majority of great fullbacks/midfieldlers playing in the MLS are foreigners. BTW Jonathan Bornstein had a decent game also. We so need Hejduk back.

bandl wrote:Adu and Altidore should be starters, at least for the CC, if only to give them some top-notch competition and experience before the next round of WCQ (and hopefully the WC itself). And if they prove themselves....then....perhaps it's time to stop letting the veterans do nothing and let the newbies do something...

I have watched both of these players, Freddy hasn't shown much but he hasn't got any real playing time yet so maybe with some he can get some legs under him. But even at Monaco they haven't played him much. He has played in ten games, starting one and subbing in for the other nine for a total of 109 min. with zero goals or assists.
As for Altidore I know he is the darling of the foreign playing players but he really hasn't shown me anything that makes me think he should even start. Watching him vs Honduras was just embarrassing. I don't believe I saw him bring down one pass and control it, much less string together some decent passes. He just seemed to have not even the basics down. Maybe with this Cup play coming up he will get some good minutes and get comfortable. But right now I am not even sure why he is starting.

polsongrizz wrote:

bandl wrote:The U.S. should look to this as a fantastic opportunity to let some players other than the ol' (read - ineffective) regulars get some really good playing time against some of the best that the world has to offer.

I agree, we need to start giving some of our younger guys playing time.

bandl wrote:Beasley, Bradley and Donovan should be cut from the national team. Period.

Beasley and Bradley perhaps. Donavan, no way, he is still the leader on this team and showed it in the Honduras game.

bandl wrote:Spector should be a permanent starter.

I agree, our midfield/fullback positions are sorely lacking. But that is more of a professional problem, the US just doesen't have any great fullback/midfielders, which then presents itself even more so in international play. The majority of great fullbacks/midfieldlers playing in the MLS are foreigners. BTW Jonathan Bornstein had a decent game also. We so need Hejduk back.

bandl wrote:Adu and Altidore should be starters, at least for the CC, if only to give them some top-notch competition and experience before the next round of WCQ (and hopefully the WC itself). And if they prove themselves....then....perhaps it's time to stop letting the veterans do nothing and let the newbies do something...

I have watched both of these players, Freddy hasn't shown much but he hasn't got any real playing time yet so maybe with some he can get some legs under him. But even at Monaco they haven't played him much. He has played in ten games, starting one and subbing in for the other nine for a total of 109 min. with zero goals or assists.
As for Altidore I know he is the darling of the foreign playing players but he really hasn't shown me anything that makes me think he should even start. Watching him vs Honduras was just embarrassing. I don't believe I saw him bring down one pass and control it, much less string together some decent passes. He just seemed to have not even the basics down. Maybe with this Cup play coming up he will get some good minutes and get comfortable. But right now I am not even sure why he is starting.

I agree with almost everything you said. I am not a fan of Donovan anymore though. He might be the emotional leader of the team, but he is no longer a consistent scorer. I don’t remember the exact statistic, but in the game I saw a stat that he has scored 9 or 10 goals past 24 WCQ games, but 7 or 8 or those have been penalty kicks. 2 goals in 24 matches? I expect much more from our ‘best’ scorer. I’ve said this many times before, but Adu and Altidore are still so young, they can still learn so much. They have both show flashes of greatness before. It doesn’t hurt to pull the ineffective veterans out, since they aren’t adding much anyways IMO, and put in the young ones and see what they can do and let them learn by fire, because lord knows that Bradley’s cone practices aren’t helping the team. It’s the CC, not the WC, so in the end it’s nothing more than a warm-up tourney.

My biggest fear is that, just like before the ’06 WC, the U.S. is going to get all hyped up on itself because they managed to advance and qualify in what amounts to a fairly weak region, and then they are going to get spanked in the ’10 WC.

Before anyone else, Beasley and Dempsey need a sit. Dempsey may be the laziest player for the national team I have ever seen at any level. He literally walks the ball upfield and is surrounded for two or three defenders, so he tries all these cutesy tricks and flicks, which lead to nowhere. I don't know if he thinks he is C.Ronaldo, but he at least he runs at defenders. Every time I have seen Clint at his hungriest, for New England or Fulham, it's been the result of a benching and him forcing his way back into the lineup. He really needs it for the national team, possibly opening the door for Adu.

Spector should have that spot locked in until Cherundolo comes back, assuming he can stay healthy. If he never injures that hip, I would put him ahead of Dolo in the pecking order. Bornstein had a good game, but it could be chalked up comparatively to the crapper Beasley had. Bornstein has had good and bad games for us in the past, and was benched for Pearce, who didn't even start for his club team. If the USSF can get off their asses and get Castillo, who has admitted regret choosing Mexico, in for the Gold Cup our issues at LB would be solved.

Torres and Feilhaber should feature more, but paired with a defensive minded midfielder. With Edu out for knee surgery, that means Bradley or Clark. We have played some of our most attractive, attacking soccer in the last two years (Sat and Mex. 07 GC) when Feilhaber and Clark are paired together. Maybe it's coincidence, but I want another look.

I don't have much of a problem with Jozy getting looks now, he was put in a bad club spot. Xerex managment wanted him, but the players asked the coach not to break up their chemistry (1st place in La Segunda), so Jozy sat. Villarreal tried inquiring about recalling him, but Xerex wouldn't allow it. With Franco leaving Villarreal, he has a real shot to be their fourth or maybe third striker next year. Get some playing time, and he should be ready for the WC. Casey wasn't ready for international play yet, I was disappointed Davies wasn't given the starting role.

DukeJack wrote:Before anyone else, Beasley and Dempsey need a sit. Dempsey may be the laziest player for the national team I have ever seen at any level. He literally walks the ball upfield and is surrounded for two or three defenders, so he tries all these cutesy tricks and flicks, which lead to nowhere. I don't know if he thinks he is C.Ronaldo, but he at least he runs at defenders. Every time I have seen Clint at his hungriest, for New England or Fulham, it's been the result of a benching and him forcing his way back into the lineup. He really needs it for the national team, possibly opening the door for Adu.

Spector should have that spot locked in until Cherundolo comes back, assuming he can stay healthy. If he never injures that hip, I would put him ahead of Dolo in the pecking order. Bornstein had a good game, but it could be chalked up comparatively to the crapper Beasley had. Bornstein has had good and bad games for us in the past, and was benched for Pearce, who didn't even start for his club team. If the USSF can get off their asses and get Castillo, who has admitted regret choosing Mexico, in for the Gold Cup our issues at LB would be solved.

Torres and Feilhaber should feature more, but paired with a defensive minded midfielder. With Edu out for knee surgery, that means Bradley or Clark. We have played some of our most attractive, attacking soccer in the last two years (Sat and Mex. 07 GC) when Feilhaber and Clark are paired together. Maybe it's coincidence, but I want another look.

I don't have much of a problem with Jozy getting looks now, he was put in a bad club spot. Xerex managment wanted him, but the players asked the coach not to break up their chemistry (1st place in La Segunda), so Jozy sat. Villarreal tried inquiring about recalling him, but Xerex wouldn't allow it. With Franco leaving Villarreal, he has a real shot to be their fourth or maybe third striker next year. Get some playing time, and he should be ready for the WC. Casey wasn't ready for international play yet, I was disappointed Davies wasn't given the starting role.

Dempsey always looks so TIIIIRRRRED....and his half-ass trickery is what led directly to the first goal!

I had no idea about his lack of playing time Jozy at Xerex. If he doesn't play with Villareal, any chance he'd get some playing time with Xerex again since they got promoted to La Liga?

bandl wrote:Dempsey always looks so TIIIIRRRRED....and his half-ass trickery is what led directly to the first goal!

Agreed, and that crap is the exact example of why youth coaches tell kids to pass the ball and don't play too much with it. But I don't see that level of sloth when he plays for Fulham, which he actually busts his balls for. I don't know if the surrounding cast around him there that gives him more confidence or what, but he is two completely different players for club and country.

I had no idea about his lack of playing time Jozy at Xerex. If he doesn't play with Villareal, any chance he'd get some playing time with Xerex again since they got promoted to La Liga?

Not a chance in hell. Again, management there wanted him, a bright young prospect, but Xerez already had five strikers on roster, including Argentina's Sarmiento, another 19-year old prospect on loan from Racing Santander, I think. At the winter break they were in first place, and when Jozy arrived the players begged the coach not to play him, which would break up their chemistry. The team doesn't want him, he has no chance of playing for them, ever.

He should get time at Villarreal, though, but with Pelligrini moving to Real Madrid I have no idea what the next coach will do. The team wanted to put him on a year-long loan originally but when Jozy played Olympics Villarreal couldn't do it, so they kept him. He had six appearances for them and scored one goal before getting loaned out, and that was playing behind Llorente, Rossi, Franco, and Nihat. They kept tabs on him at Xerez even tried getting him out when they knew he wasn't going to play:

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=g ... &type=lgns

Franco is gone from Villarreal, so Jozy should move up to at least fourth choice, and with most people thinking he was better than Llorente last year, he could be third. It all depends on the new coach and how he sees Jozy fitting into the team.

And if you didn't know about Jozy's situation at Xerez, I'm guessing you don't know about Freddy Adu's, either.

Freddy went through three coaches last year at Benfica, with the last benching him. Benfica was shopping him on loan and Monaco, owned by an American, wanted him. The problem here is that Monaco's coach, Ricardo, did not want Freddy at all and has said so more than once. If the coach doesn't want you, you won't play. Ricardo was fired a few weeks ago and Monaco are rumored to be willing to offer $6mil for Freddy. Again, I don't know what the future brings but Freddy's outlook is a lot less bright than Jozy's at this point.

DukeJack wrote:

bandl wrote:Dempsey always looks so TIIIIRRRRED....and his half-ass trickery is what led directly to the first goal!

Freddy went through three coaches last year at Benfica, with the last benching him. Benfica was shopping him on loan and Monaco, owned by an American, wanted him. The problem here is that Monaco's coach, Ricardo, did not want Freddy at all and has said so more than once. If the coach doesn't want you, you won't play. Ricardo was fired a few weeks ago and Monaco are rumored to be willing to offer $6mil for Freddy. Again, I don't know what the future brings but Freddy's outlook is a lot less bright than Jozy's at this point.

Thanks...I actually know about Adu because I'm a FC Porto fan and Benfica is one of their biggest rivals along with Sporting. So I have been keeping up with him. I have no major affiliation with La Liga though, other than I enjoy watching Barca and Real whenever they are on FSC.

Give Kenny Cooper some playing time.

bandl wrote:I agree with almost everything you said. I am not a fan of Donovan anymore though. He might be the emotional leader of the team, but he is no longer a consistent scorer. I don’t remember the exact statistic, but in the game I saw a stat that he has scored 9 or 10 goals past 24 WCQ games, but 7 or 8 or those have been penalty kicks. 2 goals in 24 matches? I expect much more from our ‘best’ scorer.

Here is the thing, the "best" scorer is not always a great leader on and or off the field. That is what Landon still brings to this team. Neither of the others are even capable of the leadership needed to play in or at World Cup level. Don't take that statement wrong, it is in no way meant to demean them. They are just not at a point in their careers to do what is needed to lead a team no matter how many goals they score. Whether or not Landon is scoring still isn't the point. Is he still the leader and I believe he is still the most capable one right now on this National Team.

GO USA

bandl wrote:Thanks...I actually know about Adu because I'm a FC Porto fan and Benfica is one of their biggest rivals along with Sporting. So I have been keeping up with him. I have no major affiliation with La Liga though, other than I enjoy watching Barca and Real whenever they are on FSC.

I'm actually a DC United and Bayern fan, but try to keep track of whatever American is playing overseas. I'm no fan of La Liga or Ligue 1, but it helps to know the situations our players are in.

slycat wrote:Give Kenny Cooper some playing time.

I would be shocked if he isn't on the Gold Cup roster. Right now, its EJ, Cooper, and Ching who are off the list for the Confeds Cup, and the two tournaments are only five days apart. I'd be shocked if we actually made the finals or even got out of the group, but clubs won't allow players gone for both, plus the exhaustion factor.

Donovan is good for leadership and setting up strikes. The guy is great at delivering the ball in the box.

Where the cr@p is Tony Meola when we need him?

Perhaps we should add Chastain to the roster as well....

this is not the US Confederation that i am the president of?

SuperHornet wrote:Where the cr@p is Tony Meola when we need him?

Perhaps we should add Chastain to the roster as well....

Or not...

DukeJack wrote: I'm actually a DC United and Bayern fan, but try to keep track of whatever American is playing overseas. I'm no fan of La Liga or Ligue 1, but it helps to know the situations our players are in.

You're much more dedicated that I am concerning Americans oversees. I'm just too lazy to go looking for info on all of them!

DukeJack wrote:

bandl wrote:Thanks...I actually know about Adu because I'm a FC Porto fan and Benfica is one of their biggest rivals along with Sporting. So I have been keeping up with him. I have no major affiliation with La Liga though, other than I enjoy watching Barca and Real whenever they are on FSC.

I'm actually a DC United and Bayern fan, but try to keep track of whatever American is playing overseas. I'm no fan of La Liga or Ligue 1, but it helps to know the situations our players are in.

slycat wrote:Give Kenny Cooper some playing time.

I would be shocked if he isn't on the Gold Cup roster. Right now, its EJ, Cooper, and Ching who are off the list for the Confeds Cup, and the two tournaments are only five days apart. I'd be shocked if we actually made the finals or even got out of the group, but clubs won't allow players gone for both, plus the exhaustion factor.

That makes two of us.

bandl wrote:You're much more dedicated that I am concerning Americans oversees. I'm just too lazy to go looking for info on all of them!

Ha, not really. Steve Goff, DC's beat writer, has a blog and one of his weekly features is an Americans Abroad list, who played, how long, and any results. I get most of it from there and then whenever I can watch a game.

Grizalltheway wrote:That makes two of us.

Nice, what's your feeling about van Gaal?

I'm all for playing the young guys, but we do need to play to win. This is a major international tournament and we have a real chance of being embarrassed here. The team needs a kick in the pants though and one of the young guys could be an answer.

DukeJack wrote:

bandl wrote:You're much more dedicated that I am concerning Americans oversees. I'm just too lazy to go looking for info on all of them!

Ha, not really. Steve Goff, DC's beat writer, has a blog and one of his weekly features is an Americans Abroad list, who played, how long, and any results. I get most of it from there and then whenever I can watch a game.

Grizalltheway wrote:That makes two of us.

Nice, what's your feeling about van Gaal?

I don't know a whole lot about him, but I think he'll do a better job than Klinsmann (which isn't saying much, I know). I'm excited to see what he can do with all the talent he'll have at his disposal.

U.S. leads Italy 1-0 at halftime.

Earlier today Brazil defeated Egypt 4-3. The winning goal was scored on a PK in extra time.

Italy scores three unanswered goals in the seconds half and beats the U.S. 3-1

The U.S. plays Brazil on Thursday and Egpyt on Sunday.

Ho Hum, they lose again in international soccer.