The Official US Soccer thread

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I mean, seriously, when is enough enough? We continually fail to select the best players (how is Ching still starting? Lewis? Why didn't Edu start? Wheres Adu, Altidore and others?). We continually fail to play with the cohesion and unity we had just a few years ago. We aren't progressing. Instead, we're regressing. I see a side no better than, and probably not as good as, the 1998 WC team. I mean, we'll make the 2010 WC, but only because it will be Mexico, us, and who else? At this rate, though, we'll get crushed again. We need a real coach that knows what it takes and makes the right decisions for our team.

Adu and Altidore weren't called in because they are now just joining their new clubs.

 

[gr000000vy]

Adu and Altidore weren't called in because they are now just joining their new clubs.

i don't buy that for a second... this is the world cup we are talking about here, we HAVE to qualify, we haven't won in Guatemala for 20 yrs so nothing is a given... the teams are on a international break so the teams couldnt have stopped them from going anyways...

adu is our most creative mid fielder and jozy is our big gun up top and he leaves them both at home.. idiotic...

btw Dempsey came in around the 76 minute and proceeded to do absolutely nothing for Fulham today....

 

[Chaplin]

i don't buy that for a second... this is the world cup we are talking about here, we HAVE to qualify, we haven't won in Guatemala for 20 yrs so nothing is a given... the teams are on a international break so the teams couldnt have stopped them from going anyways...

adu is our most creative mid fielder and jozy is our big gun up top and he leaves them both at home.. idiotic...

Jozy, yes. But I've seen little from Adu that makes me think he is a MUST HAVE on the MNT. IMO. Sorry, but the kid is so overhyped it's not even funny.

btw Dempsey came in around the 76 minute and proceeded to do absolutely nothing for Fulham today....

He didn't need to. Arsenal played like crap.

 

[Stout]

i don't buy that for a second... this is the world cup we are talking about here, we HAVE to qualify, we haven't won in Guatemala for 20 yrs so nothing is a given... the teams are on a international break so the teams couldnt have stopped them from going anyways...

adu is our most creative mid fielder and jozy is our big gun up top and he leaves them both at home.. idiotic...

btw Dempsey came in around the 76 minute and proceeded to do absolutely nothing for Fulham today....

Agreed. U.S. Soccer needs to stop tip-toeing around, afraid of the European clubs, and start doing what needs to b done. We need Altidore for a WC qualifier? Then call him in.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The issue is that with the Olympics and such, Altidore and Adu are already behind the curve with their club teams since they have had miss a good portion of training time with them. Their playing time has probably been cut into enough as it is due to that, its pretty tough for managers to play guys that haven't been with the team. Comfort is an important thing in soccer, especially for young guys that are going half way around the world to places where they probably don't know the language or too many people. If you want Adu and Altidore to be able to do well, you get them into camp as soon as possible and let them get acclimated. Putting the best two US young talents in a position where they can succeed is much more important for their development than a qualifier against Guatemala. Most teams don't even play their strongest squad in the qualifiers unless necessary, the US won't be playing their best eleven against Cuba or Trinidad and Tobago either.

 

[Stout]

The issue is that with the Olympics and such, Altidore and Adu are already behind the curve with their club teams since they have had miss a good portion of training time with them. Their playing time has probably been cut into enough as it is due to that, its pretty tough for managers to play guys that haven't been with the team. Comfort is an important thing in soccer, especially for young guys that are going half way around the world to places where they probably don't know the language or too many people. If you want Adu and Altidore to be able to do well, you get them into camp as soon as possible and let them get acclimated. Putting the best two US young talents in a position where they can succeed is much more important for their development than a qualifier against Guatemala. Most teams don't even play their strongest squad in the qualifiers unless necessary, the US won't be playing their best eleven against Cuba or Trinidad and Tobago either.

1-We damn well better start playing our strongest squad, or we'll only manage to squeak into the WC and end up as a terrible seed. Plus, we'll end up not being a good team because you have to play together as a team at a high level (not a friendly here and there).

2-If this were the problem, then those players shouldn't have gone to the Olympics. What's more important? The WC and getting the senior men's squad set and gelling, and not the Olympics.

Bottom line--our soccer federation sucks, cannot plan for jack, and hasn't fielded our potential best 11 together...EVER. Until leadership and coaching changes, I don't see us improving, and we'll bounce out of the WC with nary a sound.

 

[Chaplin]

1-We damn well better start playing our strongest squad, or we'll only manage to squeak into the WC and end up as a terrible seed. Plus, we'll end up not being a good team because you have to play together as a team at a high level (not a friendly here and there).

2-If this were the problem, then those players shouldn't have gone to the Olympics. What's more important? The WC and getting the senior men's squad set and gelling, and not the Olympics.

Bottom line--our soccer federation sucks, cannot plan for jack, and hasn't fielded our potential best 11 together...EVER. Until leadership and coaching changes, I don't see us improving, and we'll bounce out of the WC with nary a sound.

The worst thing about it is not building on what we were doing in 2002, where we were becoming a top 10 team in the world. Then everything came crashing down. It's like the federation thinks that only those players from 2002 can do the same thing. MLS has the same problem with developing young talented players--they simply don't do it.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

1-We damn well better start playing our strongest squad, or we'll only manage to squeak into the WC and end up as a terrible seed. Plus, we'll end up not being a good team because you have to play together as a team at a high level (not a friendly here and there).

2-If this were the problem, then those players shouldn't have gone to the Olympics. What's more important? The WC and getting the senior men's squad set and gelling, and not the Olympics.

Bottom line--our soccer federation sucks, cannot plan for jack, and hasn't fielded our potential best 11 together...EVER. Until leadership and coaching changes, I don't see us improving, and we'll bounce out of the WC with nary a sound.

Only the top eight teams get World Cup seeds, which isn't likely to happen for the US even if they go undefeated in qualifying. As for playing the strongest squad, most countries just don't unless they need to. Considering that qualifying is a long process, at least 18 games in CONCACAF, its something where teams have to use a lot of players. The US used 46 guys in 2006 qualifying (and finished as the top team in the group). Most other countries that qualify go at least forty deep. Might as well save Adu and Altidore for the big games against Mexico and the like.

 

[Zeno]

Agreed. U.S. Soccer needs to stop tip-toeing around, afraid of the European clubs, and start doing what needs to b done. We need Altidore for a WC qualifier? Then call him in.

I can excuse Altidore, not only is he starting with a new team he is nursing an ankle injury. If he isn't 100% no reason to risk it anymore than you have to...thats supposedly the reason he didn't play more in the Olympics.

Adu may be starting with a new team but so is Bocanegra..thats not an excuse I buy.

 

[Zeno]

The worst thing about it is not building on what we were doing in 2002, where we were becoming a top 10 team in the world. Then everything came crashing down. It's like the federation thinks that only those players from 2002 can do the same thing. MLS has the same problem with developing young talented players--they simply don't do it.

MLS is improving on that, more and more clubs are starting youth academies and US Soccer for their part is doing that as well starting a sort of youth "Super league" that takes the best teams from the best clubs across the country. The biggest problem still with youth club soccer here is that its not something your average family can afford with the dues, training fees, travelling expenses etc...talented players are slipping through the cracks because all their parents can afford are the cheaper clubs which often mean less exposure. Until that gets fixed we'll continue to have problems.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Bocanegra is a decade older and has already spent five years overseas, so that isn't exactly the same situation as what Adu is facing.

 

[Zeno]

Bocanegra is a decade older and has already spent five years overseas, so that isn't exactly the same situation as what Adu is facing.

A new team a new league...age doesn't mean squat, both have to get familiar with the coaches, their systems and their new team.

Adu should have been in Guatemala but thats not my biggest gripe with that roster Bradley brought...Ching is useless, Johnson is useless and they have a guy in the US among the league leaders in goals, shots on goal and he is only 23 yrs old and he chose not to bring him to camp in Kenny Cooper...he is doing this on a very mediocre Dallas team and is the entire focus of that offense and he isn't wilting under the pressure and is playing smart and mature(1 Yellow card all season). Then you also have Edson Buddle who is right up there in goals too, he is good in the air, he's got decent speed and he seems to be playing with a whole better attitude than in the past.

The excuse I keep hearing is that Cooper or Buddle would have melted under the pressure and Ching & Johnson have the experience...experience doesn't mean crap if they don't produce.

Lewis, Hejduk and Mastroeni shouldn't be back either.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

A new coach is one thing, but a new country is quite another. Chances are a seasoned vet like Bocanegra is going to find it easier than a 19 year old to adjust to playing in Europe. Bocanegra didn't go to the Olympics like Adu did either so he didn't miss as much time as Adu.

Regarding the other forward choices, you won't get much argument from me. I think pretty highly of Kenny Cooper (and did even before his recent MLS success) so I really wish he'd get a chance. Considering how many players wind up getting used in qualifying, it's a pretty good bet that he will at some point.

 

[Zeno]

Well Bradley announced his 20 man roster for the next 2 WCQ's...I'm too disgusted to even post it, no Adu, no Altidore, no Cooper, but expect to see more of Ching, Johnson & Hejduk.

The only changes I noticed were the addition of Wynne & Orozco.

The man is an idiot.

Here is a write up on Eddie Johnson from his first match with Cardiff...

Ok it was his first game but I think he will prove to be another Jones striking disaster.

In fact I would go as far to say we already have 5 better strikers than him at the club

McCormack (who increasingly impresses me), Bothroyd, Parry, Thompson and Roger Johnson.

First touch a joke - how did Fulham ever sign him?

Lazy.

Ducks out of 50/50 challenges.

Hesitant.

Plenty of pace but his movement off the ball was often non-existent (in comparison with McCormack who looked hungry all night).

Did get in a couple of decent positions in the 6 yard boix which is a trait we have been lacking forcing a save from the keeper on the first occasion but making a complete hash of it the second completely missing the ball.

Let's not forget he was also up against League One opposition tonight.

Jones described him as a Premiership striker which he patently is not.

In fact I'm not even sure he's up to League One level.

If we brought a youth player into the side and he performed like that I would be disappointed

Still time will tell.

 

[Zeno]

Oh and what will his excuse be for not calling in Adu? New club, new league?

Well that sure didn't stop you from calling in Maurice Edu (I'm glad Edu did get called in but he can't use the excuse for one and not the other).

The fact that Eddie Johnson and Brian Ching are automatic selections disgusts me.

 

[Stout]

IF we make the WC it will only be because of our pitiful region. IF we do, we will crash and burn harder than we ever have, and that is difficult to do. What giant steps back we have taken.

 

[Zeno]

IF we make the WC it will only be because of our pitiful region. IF we do, we will crash and burn harder than we ever have, and that is difficult to do. What giant steps back we have taken.

Oh we will make it Stout with a maximum of 4 losses all through qualifying...people will speak highly of Bradley and ignore the fact that the US was unable to maintaing possesion very often and were save by a stout defense and (regional) dominance on set pieces.

We'll get to the WC with people singing our praises and then proceed to get hammered by some African, South American or European team (we are better than most teams in Asia IMO so if we get them in the group we have a chance of getting at least a point).

Bob Bradley is not making this team better. With his player selections we might as well pick a 5-5-0, why bother even selecting a forward if you don't pick the best ones in the pool? We hear from his supporters about how he wants guys with experience, well how is a player supposed to get experience if he never even makes it to camp?

Here is Bradley's roster and what I would change....
GOALKEEPERS : Brad Guzan, Tim Howard
I have no problem with Howard & Guzan

DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra, Danny Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Marvell Wynne
Califf, Orozco & Hejduk would be replaced by Parkhurst & Demerit no need to carry 8 defenders especially when Edu can move back there if he has to

MIDFIELDERS: DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, Eddie Lewis
Kljestan would be replaced with Adu, Convey or Holden would replace Lewis and M. Bradley would not be an automatic starter

FORWARDS: Brian Ching, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson
Ching & Johnson would be replaced by Altidore & Cooper, and with the extra spot saved from taking 7 instead of 8 defenders I'd add either Buddle or Davies

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Very disappointing to see that Cooper isn't given a shot here. Clubs like Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago would be perfect for him to show what he can do.

 

[gr000000vy]

pretty much agree with that assessment Zeno. No way should Orozco even get another run with the team after his idiotic play at the Olympics.

dempsey better step it up.. talk about becoming a disappointment.

 

[Zeno]

dempsey better step it up.. talk about becoming a disappointment.

Not sure what is wrong with Dempsey, I thought earlier in the year it was fatigue from playing in so many games and travelling so much. He just sort of hit a brick wall and then started to regress. As talented as he is there has to be some reason for it.

 

[Zeno]

"I know there were some things written about me being injured … I don’t know where that came from because I wasn’t injured," Altidore said. "Maybe my left ankle is not the greatest, but I was more than fine to play. How much I played was really a coach’s decision.

"I had a game plan for myself, but I guess it wasn’t the same as the coach’s plan. My playing had nothing to do with my ankle, it was just how the coach made the lineup."

Nowak is as big an idiot as Bradley. Nowak has a dislike for Adu and it seems has a dislike for Altidore as well...absolutely stupid.

 

[Zeno]

Altidore had a hat trick in a friendly for Villarreal today. It gave him a chance to play with all the players who weren't called in for Internationals.

Not saying that automatically equals national team success but its more production then Eddie Johnson saw in his first season at Fulham (reserves, friendlies whatever).

 

[Lorenzo]

Oh we will make it Stout with a maximum of 4 losses all through qualifying...people will speak highly of Bradley and ignore the fact that the US was unable to maintaing possesion very often and were save by a stout defense and (regional) dominance on set pieces.

We'll get to the WC with people singing our praises and then proceed to get hammered by some African, South American or European team (we are better than most teams in Asia IMO so if we get them in the group we have a chance of getting at least a point).

Bob Bradley is not making this team better. With his player selections we might as well pick a 5-5-0, why bother even selecting a forward if you don't pick the best ones in the pool? We hear from his supporters about how he wants guys with experience, well how is a player supposed to get experience if he never even makes it to camp?

Here is Bradley's roster and what I would change....
GOALKEEPERS : Brad Guzan, Tim Howard
I have no problem with Howard & Guzan

DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra, Danny Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Marvell Wynne
Califf, Orozco & Hejduk would be replaced by Parkhurst & Demerit no need to carry 8 defenders especially when Edu can move back there if he has to

MIDFIELDERS: DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, Eddie Lewis
Kljestan would be replaced with Adu, Convey or Holden would replace Lewis and M. Bradley would not be an automatic starter

FORWARDS: Brian Ching, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson
Ching & Johnson would be replaced by Altidore & Cooper, and with the extra spot saved from taking 7 instead of 8 defenders I'd add either Buddle or Davies

I agree with most of your thoughts here. I don't understand why michael bradley has been a mainstay when you have other players who should be getting a look. the biggest problem I see with the US roster of late is the lack of offensive playmaking. all they have is landon donavon. they try to play him up top and then wonder why he isn't involved in the game? well no one can get him the ball. bradley certainly doesn't. then they wind up moving donavon around the midfield and he typically becomes a creator. the U.S. sometime in the near future really needs to get adu and donovan on the field at once so they can learn to play with each other. altidore has the makings of being the best striker in the history of US Soccer. It's going to happen eventually. we already saw him score in his first game vs. mexico. I like the trio of donavon/adu/altidore and their playmaking abilities. especially altidore's finishing ability. I actually like Kljestan. He is a good finisher as well and runs at people well.

I think eventually bradley has to part ways with players who have shown/or show that they can't get it done at the international level(beyond CONCACAF). ching, johnson, have done little. brian ching may have one or two respectable moments that I can remember. Johnson scored a bunch of goals early against lower CONCACAF opponents. but has been little to nothing for the USA since the 2005 game in Mexico City where he was a complete no show as well. in that game bruce arena made the stupid move of playing him over brian mcbride. I'll take mcbride over johnson any day to include the present.

 

[Zeno]

USA Lineup VS Cuba

--------------Howard------------------
Hejduk------Onyewu-----Bocanegra (c)-------Pearce
-----Bradley-------Edu-----------
Dempsey------------------Beasley----------
--------Donovan------Ching-----------

No shock in that lineup considering who he selected for the team.

Ching and Hejduk suck...bah.

 

[Zeno]

I actually like Kljestan. He is a good finisher as well and runs at people well.

Kljestan gives the ball away entirely too much for my liking. He was outplayed in the Olympics by Adu & Holden and was outplayed in Olympic qualifying by Dax McCarty as well.

I think Kljestan will be a fine player with some seasoning but he isn't deserving of being an automatic selection over Adu, Holden & McCarty and thats the problem I have with him.

The US needs a new coach, someone from outside the federation with freedom to make whatever changes he sees as being necessary. Favorites and old school loyalty are going to doom this teams growth and development.