The Official US Soccer thread

[Zeno]

my guess is ching and ej would be replaced by Jozy and Adu....

The problem is Adu is not a striker either, he plays best when he has freedom to play sideline to sideline is not asked to play too much defense and is allowed to face up opponents and use his creativity. I'd like to see him play in the center of midfield with Bradley those 2 could be our pairing there for the next 10 years.

Altidore needs a strike partner to be effective. Maybe someone like Smith, Zimmerman, Ferrari or Rogers can develop in to that but it appears for now we'll have no choice but see Johnson/Ching or Dempsey/Donovan out of position.

 

[Zeno]

McBride an option for the Olympics? I would never even have thought of him as one of the over age players. If this happens my guess for the other 2 are Guzan & Donovan. Guzan is stil just a Nats back-up & Donovan already said he would go if asked. Guzan I'm probably 90% sure of, Donovan not as much just because the US has a WCQ versus Guatemala while the Olympic tournament will be going on. If not Donovan maybe a defender (*****?).


http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/03/post-7.html

 

[gr000000vy]

I think that would be great... while they are at it bring back Friedel as well. Can't see Guzan not getting a chance to bail to the Prem or SPL come July window and then leaving for training camp, maybe he will go to West Ham then he can just play in teh All Star game anyways...

maybe they can bring back Pope as well! Actually not serious about the latter but McBride and Friedel would be a welcomed sight for sure...

 

[Zeno]

Hugo Sanchez is fired



LOL at "El Tri" God how I despise that team.

I hope Guatemala and Honduras surpass them in the region(even though its unlikely)

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Well, the US Men's Olympic team got drawn into Group B, with the Netherlands, Japan, and Nigeria. That could be a pretty tough group.

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_6160390.html

 

[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]

33 Player Pool for upcoming friendlies....

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]

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, *****, 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]

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]

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]

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]

Roster for England Friendly...

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]

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]

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."

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]

"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 ***** 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 ***** 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.

 

[Zeno]

Beasley got a start for Rangers today and had a goal and an assist. Hopefully he is feeling well enough afterward that he can start against England now.

 

[Renz]

McBride to leave Fulham
Veteran striker to return to America
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 28th May 2008

Veteran striker Brian McBride is to return to America after calling time on his Fulham career.

The 35-year-old moved to Craven Cottage in 2004 and went on to make over 150 appearances for the club.

He suffered a serious injury at the start of last season and missed much of Fulham's campaign, but he returned to play a key part in their successful battle against relegation.

McBride scored 40 goals for Fulham in total but he has now confirmed that he will be moving on this summer.

"After much consideration with my family, we have decided to leave Fulham after four and a half fantastic years," McBride told the club's official website.

"I have always stated my intention to return to America at some stage and this seems like the right moment in my career to move on.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the club, the chairman, the staff and wonderful fans for all their support, on and off the pitch, during my time at Fulham.

"I take great pride in the fact that my last appearance for Fulham saw the club maintain its Premier League status.

"I leave with some wonderful memories from my time at Fulham and the Club will always be in my heart.

"I would like to wish the Club, Roy Hodgson and my team mates every success for the future."

 

[Zeno]

USA 0 England 2

The score was not indicative of how badly outplayed the US was. I fault Bradley for a couple of things.

Clark and Bradley are not ideal playing next to each other in the midfield, both are by role and play holding or defensive midfielders, neither is an attacking/playmaking type of player. Bradley scored most of his goals in the Dutch league by playing off of more attacking players and making smart runs off the ball, he can't do that when he doesn't have that type of player alongside him. Dempsey, Donovan and Adu(and to a lesser extent Feilhaber) can play that role...Clark & Edu can't.

Josh Wolff should never see a US camp again...period. He hasn't scored a goal for the US since 2005 and was much less than average today, is it any surprise he was released by his awful German club when the season ended?

Eddie Johnson might have played his best match for the US in a long time but that doesn't really say a whole lot. He is a striker he is expected to score goals...how long has it been now? I haven't completely given up on him because he is still relatively young but he probably only has 1 season to prove himself before US soccer needs to look elsewhere.

The defense played solid, Bocanegra was beaten on the first goal and Pearce/Onyewu on the second but the score could have been much worse had they not played as well as they did. I expected Hejduk to be beaten at some point when he came in but inexplicably, almost all English attacks came at our left side in the scond half. Didn't stop Hejduk from errant passes and poorly timed runs...I have no idea what the fascination is with that guy.

Bring on Spain...I guess. That team has a lot more attacking flair than England, it'll be interesting to see how we match up there. Torres & Fabregas could shred us.

 

[Stout]

And somehow, for a big match on foreign soil, Donovon came up limp and couldn't play. Funny how that works.

I disagree about our defense. We had a few good individual efforts, but made critical errors and played altogether pitiful defense. It isn't to the defense's credit that England wasn't very good either.

 

[Zeno]

And somehow, for a big match on foreign soil, Donovon came up limp and couldn't play. Funny how that works.

I disagree about our defense. We had a few good individual efforts, but made critical errors and played altogether pitiful defense. It isn't to the defense's credit that England wasn't very good either.

I would criticize Donovan too if he hadn't made the trip. That was his MO before, find a way to not make the trip. He was icing his groin on the sideline of the last Galaxy game...I'll give him a pass on this one.

I thought the defense played well especially when you consider we had zero attack and the midfield couldn't maintain possesion. The distribution from the defense was horrible though, Bocanegra especially seems to get in a mindset that if the MF can't seem to hold the ball he launches it in to the stands. None of them contributed anything to the attack with the exception of Pearce on a couple of runs.

I do have a few questions for Bob Bradley...What more does Adu have to do to prove he deserves a chance to start? When do you finally give up on Wolff? When will you figure out 2 defensive Mids doesn't work? Why in a friendly if you are trying to look at everyone do you wait to sub out a player until the 89th minute(especially an ineffective Johnson)?