The Official US Soccer thread

[Stout]

Edu, Orozco & Hejduk have been awful tonight and Bradley's first 2 subs are Adu & Torres, I don't get it.

Anyways, its the young guys and about what I expected, T&T is at home, desperate for a win and more experienced.

5 minutes left and down 2-1 so there is still a chance to salvage a draw.

I'm disappointed that Edu wasn't good. How have the other kids looked thus far?

 

[Zeno]

I'm disappointed that Edu wasn't good. How have the other kids looked thus far?

I went back and watched the game again...Orozco on second watching wasn't as bad as I thought, he wasn't anything great but he was overshadowed by much worse play.

Hejduk & Edu were shockingly awful, their passing was terrible all night. Edu needs to go and concentrate on getting more time at Rangers and Hejduk needs to go and never come back to the Nats--its time for Wynne to be the first back up at right back.

Kljestan wasn't very good, perhaps he just doesn't play well out wide, he played in the middle against Cuba and looked the best I've ever seen him but was just completely ineffective in this game.

I think Altidore needs a strike partner to play his best, asking him to play as a lone striker just doesn't seem to work for him...I would have liked to see he and Davies (who was very good) play together for a full 90 and see how effective they'd be.

Ideally I'd like to see this(although we will never see this with Bradley in charge)....

-----Altidore---Davies-------
------------Adu-------------
Beasley--Donovan--Dempsey
Pearce--Boca--Onyewu--Cherundolo
-----------Howard--------------

Bench: Klejstan, Bradley, Torres, Wynne, Demerit, Cooper, Guzan

Unfortunately we will either see a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-2 with 2 defensive mids until we get a coaching change.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

It looks like its close to a guarantee that Landon Donovan will play in Europe next year.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-galaxy27-2008oct27,0,4201050.story

So where would the best place be for Donovan to go? The article mentions that Juergen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich has been in contact with him and the Galaxy, but obviously his last stint in Germany didn't go so well. He also talks about the EPL, but the Premiership hasn't been too kind to American players (expect goalkeepers) in the past.

 

[Zeno]

It looks like its close to a guarantee that Landon Donovan will play in Europe next year.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-galaxy27-2008oct27,0,4201050.story

So where would the best place be for Donovan to go? The article mentions that Juergen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich has been in contact with him and the Galaxy, but obviously his last stint in Germany didn't go so well. He also talks about the EPL, but the Premiership hasn't been too kind to American players (expect goalkeepers) in the past.

I've seen the Bayern Munich rumors but I don't know how Bayern Munich could be attractive to him, where would he be able to play? They already have several high quality players who play similar positions to him.

I'd like to see him in Spain, it makes a lot of sense, it would encourage him to be creative, he could make use of his speed and he is fluent in Spanish.

Although I could see an EPL team like Tottenham showing interest, they need all the help they can get...I just don't think he is quite built for the physical nature of the English game.

Sacha Kljestan & Kenny Cooper will probably end up in Europe during the next transfer window as well(both will likely end up in northern Europe--likely Holland).

Also Pablo Mastroeni wants to go to Italy or Spain too.

Should be interesting for Americans very soon.

 

[gr000000vy]

"When I go home, in the past getting ready for training and getting ready for games in some ways was almost an afterthought," he said. "It was kind of like, wake up in the morning and, 'Oh, shoot, we've got a game tonight.'

"Now when I get home from training I'm thinking about, 'How can I be good the next day?' What do I need to do? I need to rest. I need to get fluids in me. I need to eat properly. I need to sleep well. Those things go in my mind, and I'm craving a situation where that's [the same for] everybody.

"Nothing against our [Galaxy] guys, but in a lot of cases when you're making $12,000 or $15,000 a year you're worried about other things than getting up for training the next day, or getting ready for the game. That's unfortunate, but that's the way it is.

gee i bet he was thinking like that before the last World Cup....

I don't think it's a done deal because the MLS is going to want too much money for him... would love to see him make the jump though for sure...

also like that last quote.... MLS needs to wake up on the min salary requirements because it's a joke...

 

[azsouthendzone]

gee i bet he was thinking like that before the last World Cup....

I don't think it's a done deal because the MLS is going to want too much money for him... would love to see him make the jump though for sure...

also like that last quote.... MLS needs to wake up on the min salary requirements because it's a joke...

Donovan just needs change. We all just need change.

 

[Zeno]

Arena has already said he doesn't plan on Donovan going anywhere.

This might get ugly. If he really wants to go and gets a legit offer MLS can still say no..sort of like what New England has done to Twellman the past 2 seasons.

 

[gr000000vy]

oh PLEASE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it too late to exchange my ticket for this stupid game now?

U.S. Men's National Team Training Camp Roster
Commerce City, Colo.
Nov. 12-15, 2008
(A detailed roster is available at ussoccer.com)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brian Edwards (Toronto FC), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)
DEFENDERS (6): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Colin Clark (Colorado Rapids), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Nick LaBrocca (Colorado Rapids), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
FORWARDS (5): Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Chad Barrett (Toronto FC), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas)

 

[Zeno]

I like that Gibbs, Parkhurst, Colin Clark & Cooper are getting a chance but the rest of that roster is pretty pathetic. I guess when advancement out of the round is all wrapped up they give the regulars time off.

I am glad I am not going to that game.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Donovan is on a 10 day training day with Bayern Munich. Too bad he can't kidnap Klinsmann and force him to coach the national team.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/soccer/11/11/bc.soc.bayern.donovan.ap/index.html

 

[slinslin]

Not good enough for Bayern.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Bayern's stadium is freaking awesome. If I was Landon I would want to play there just to play in that crib. I bet it's just slightly different from playing at the KC Wizards minor league baseball park.

 

[Zeno]

Luckily that last roster released by US soccer was just for a sort of mini training camp here is the roster for the Guatemala game...

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan, Troy Perkins, Matt Pickens

DEFENDERS: Jonathan Bornstein, Sean Franklin, Cory Gibbs, Clarence Goodson, Drew Moor, Michael Parkhurst

MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu, Davy Arnaud, Ricardo Clark, Sacha Kljestan, Pablo Mastroeni, John Thorrington

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Brian Ching, Kenny Cooper, Chris Rolfe

Thats better.

 

[gr000000vy]

man that is sooooooo much better.... it's still a "B" roster.... but i'll get to see Adu and Jozy play at least.....

i would have loved to see dempsey play but he did get a start last week so he is getting minutes now...

 

[Zeno]

I honestly know nothing about Clarence Goodson.

I still am not a fan of Rolfe, Thorrington, Moor, Arnaud & Ching...but he wasn't going to call in guys who are playing regularly for their clubs(like Howard, Beasley & Bradley etc) for what is essentially a meaningless game. He also wasn't going to call in anyone from Col or NY as their teams have the MLS cup next weekend (although the only ones with a chance of being called up between those 2 would be Rogers, Marshall & Hejduk). I wonder why Wynne didn't get called in (a much better player than Moor)

It'll be interesting to see who gets the start at forward this game, Bradley obviously has a preference for Ching but Cooper outplayed him in MLS and is 6 years younger and Altidore is the future for the US.

 

[Zeno]

2-0 US, goals by Kenny Cooper & Freddy Adu..woohoo

less than 20 minutes to play.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

And after losing 1-0 to Honduras, Mexico barely sneaks into the final qualification round based on goal differential with Jamaica. After showing they can't win outside their own borders, its pretty hard to claim that they're a lock to qualify for South Africa.

 

[Zeno]

Donovan got a short term loan with Bayern Munich. He'll be with them from January until late March unless a transfer is worked out before the expiration of the deal.

 

[Zeno]

Confederations Cup draw...

The US better bring their A game this summer to South Africa, and even then it may not mean much. They were drawn in to the group with Italy, Brazil & Egypt.

Here is the schedule...

2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
Group B Schedule
Date Match Venue Time (local/ET)
June 15 USA-Italy Tshwane/Pretoria 8:30 p.m. / 2:30 p.m.
June 18 USA-Brazil Tshwane/Pretoria 4 p.m. / 10 a.m.
June 21 Egypt-USA Rustenburg 8:30 p.m. / 2:30 p.m.

 

[Zeno]

Hexagonal WCQ Schedule...

Opening up at home against Mexico, no matter where its at I will be there. Just waiting for the venue to be announced (probably Columbus) and then tickets to go on sale...

Feb. 11 Mexico Home
March 28 El Salvador Away
April 1 Trinidad & Tobago Home
June 3 Costa Rica Away
June 6 Honduras Home
Aug. 12 Mexico Away
Sep. 5 El Salvador Home
Sep. 9 Trinidad & Tobago Away
Oct. 10 Honduras Away
Oct. 14 Costa Rica Home

 

[gr000000vy]

i'm just hoping that they actually bring a team to compete and not a B squad like they did with the Copa... I could see it now "We have to rest players in the middle of WC qualifying"

Even if they go 3 and BBQ i think it could help the overall team for the WC...

When do they announce where the US home games for WC? I can be assured the US team will not be coming back to Colorado... It was so empty it was pathetic... having already qualified and being a week night at 6pm and being cold didn't help... but still this was the National team!! ugh....

 

[Zeno]

i'm just hoping that they actually bring a team to compete and not a B squad like they did with the Copa... I could see it now "We have to rest players in the middle of WC qualifying"

Even if they go 3 and BBQ i think it could help the overall team for the WC...

When do they announce where the US home games for WC? I can be assured the US team will not be coming back to Colorado... It was so empty it was pathetic... having already qualified and being a week night at 6pm and being cold didn't help... but still this was the National team!! ugh....

I think they announce the venues for the WCQ in early December.

The Gold Cup is this summer again as well, I have a feeling they will put their B team in the Gold Cup and the A team to South Africa because they are using the Confederations Cup as a measuring stick as to where they are and how far they have to go for WC 2010.

 

[Zeno]

US VS Mexico is in Columbus, OH again this year for WCQ. I booked my flight, reserved my hotel room & am just waiting on the match tickets to go on sale.

Here is the full schedule for the Hex...
Feb. 11 Mexico Home
March 28 El Salvador Away
April 1 Trinidad & Tobago Home
June 3 Costa Rica Away
June 6 Honduras Home
Aug. 12 Mexico Away
Sep. 5 El Salvador Home
Sep. 9 Trinidad & Tobago Away
Oct. 10 Honduras Away
Oct. 14 Costa Rica Home

 

[Zeno]

January Camp Roster

Its a month long camp leading up to the game against Sweden. Its just MLS guys and Scandinavian based players who are out of season. It gives some guys a chance to impress.

GOALKEEPERS- Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)

DEFENDERS-Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS - Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)

FORWARDS- Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)

I still don't understand why Brian Ching is there(or ever invited to camp while we have better players available), we know what he is capable of(not much), Edson Buddle should have been given a chance.

The U20's are having a camp too, U20 qualifying is starting up soon (Altidore & Adu are still eligible for the next U20 WC too so we could have a very strong team).

 

[Chaplin]

The Sweden game was definitely a friendly. Sweden was pretty awful. The US had some standouts like Ricardo Clark, Marvell Wynne and Sacha. Brian Ching was pretty good out there with Kenny Cooper, but man, Charlie Davies was nonexistant and Robbie Rogers is terrible. How does a guy dribble the ball out of bounds at a run with the nearest defender over 4 feet away?