US Soccer Vs Switzerland, 10/17

[Zeno]

Roster announced for friendly versus the Swiss....

ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Marcus Hahnemann (Reading FC), Tally Hall (Esbjerg), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jay Demerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Steve Purdy (1860 Munich)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Danny Szetela (Racing Santander)
FORWARDS (4): Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Preston Zimmerman (Hamburger SV), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

I have no idea who Steve Purdy is but the selection I question most is Eddie Lewis. I know he is getting significant minutes with Derby but he is too old to have any impact in WCQ. Lewis was never anything great to begin with. Nice to see they didn't want to pull Donovan out his comfort zone for the game Donovan should only play games outside of the US for awhile, we all know what he is capable of here its his struggles in other countries that need to be worked on.

Other than those problems(Lewis & Donovan) I don't have any issues with the roster.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

But what does Hope Solo think?

 

[cardfaninfl]

Roster announced for friendly versus the Swiss....

ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Marcus Hahnemann (Reading FC), Tally Hall (Esbjerg), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jay Demerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Steve Purdy (1860 Munich)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Danny Szetela (Racing Santander)
FORWARDS (4): Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Preston Zimmerman (Hamburger SV), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

I have no idea who Steve Purdy is but the selection I question most is Eddie Lewis. I know he is getting significant minutes with Derby but he is too old to have any impact in WCQ. Lewis was never anything great to begin with. Nice to see they didn't want to pull Donovan out his comfort zone for the game Donovan should only play games outside of the US for awhile, we all know what he is capable of here its his struggles in other countries that need to be worked on.

Other than those problems(Lewis & Donovan) I don't have any issues with the roster.

I am a little surprised not to see Tim Howard in net, but I do believe Hahnemann is a quality keeper. Seems to be an odd collection of veterns and youth.

If I remember correctly (and not much) Steve Purdy is big. Oguchi Onyewu big. Which would be great. I still remember the quaterfinal game against Germany when every ball in the air was won by the MUCH taller Germans.

 

[Zeno]

Here is what I found about Purdy...

Club Career
The California native first made a name for himself at San Jose Catholic high school Archbishop Mitty; which boasts notable alumni like former US Women's National Team star Brandi Chastain. He was named to the All-West Catholic Athletic League Team three times in his four years with the school.

All the while, Purdy suited up for the U-14 Fusion, of the South San Jose Youth Soccer League, who boasted an 18-4-4 record in the 1998 season, winning a District Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

In 2003, Purdy was added to the University of California Golden Bear's lineup. He immediately rooted himself in the backline, playing in 22 games, 20 of which were starts.

Under the direction of assistant coach and former Quick Den Haag midfielder Brad Agoos, the strong defender further developed as a rock in the back-line. Over the course of his latter three years for the school's Golden Bears, he started nearly every game.

In 2006, he amassed a solid five goals to help bring the Bears a PAC-10 Title. One of those goals came in the title-clinching game, a 4-1 win over rivals UCLA.

For his steady play, he was accredited to the 2005 All-PAC 10 second team, the 2006 NSCAA All-American second team, and the 2006 All-PAC 10 first team. Above which, He was later named as the DiGrazia award winner and MVP of the 2006 season by the University of California.

In January of 2007, Purdy signed a professional contract with TSV 1860 Munich's second team, which plays in the Regionalliga Süd division in Germany. He did so regardless of toning interest from the 2007 MLS Combine, and in the face of having been selected by the LA Galaxy in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft.

International Career
Purdy has played a part in the US Under-18 National Team programs, having been invited to two training camps. He later played at the back for the US U-20 National Team in 10 games.

He's 6-4 195 so he does have some good size and he is only 22 yrs old.

 

[cardfaninfl]

Nice research.

 

[Zeno]

I guess Purdy has "potential", I think he will be age eligible for the Olympic team too(U23). I think the Int'l cutoff for that is Jan 1st 2008, he'll still be 22. I may be wrong though.

Anyways...the game is a week away, hopefully they can snap their losing streak even with what isn't exactly their "A" squad. I hope Edu and Adu both get a decent portion of playing time.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

We're now up to four goalies on the roster for the Switzerland game, for reasons of which I have no idea.

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_3047425.html

 

[Zeno]

We're now up to four goalies on the roster for the Switzerland game, for reasons of which I have no idea.

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_3047425.html

I guess for practice??? Doesn't make much sense to me either. Seitz has the leg up on being our long term future but I guess Bradley is looking for future depth and competition...only he knows. And grabbing Twellman again...haven't we seen enough?

 

[Zeno]

Here is todays starting lineup...

Hahnemann

Cherundolo Onyewu Bocangera Lewis


Feilhaber Edu Bradley Beasley

Twellman Dempsey

Are your frigging kidding me? Eddie Lewis & Taylor Twellman starting???? So much as Bradley looking at youth.

 

[cardfaninfl]

Hopefully, Bradley will sub in some youth. This may very well be Twellman's last shot to impress. Honestly, I'm tired of Beasley.

 

[Zeno]

Hopefully, Bradley will sub in some youth. This may very well be Twellman's last shot to impress. Honestly, I'm tired of Beasley.

Beasley is playing lights out in Europe right now, I have no problem with him, plus the guy is only 25 yrs old.

Twellman hasn't done jack outside of MLS and Lewis is too old to be considered worthwhile for this team in the next WC.

So far in the game the defense is playing well, the midfield is not maintaining possesion and the offense hasn't been a threat at all on the Swiss goal.

 

[Zeno]

US wins 1-0, the young guys win it, Szetela crosses w/ a touch by Dempsey and a goal by Michael Bradley. The losing streak is over.

Adu played well for the 15 minutes on the field he got. It sure would have been nice to see more of him and less of Eddie Lewis.

I've seen enough of Twellman, time to look at other players for extended playing time now. No way did he deserve 75+ minutes.

 

[cardfaninfl]

US wins 1-0, the young guys win it, Szetela crosses w/ a touch by Dempsey and a goal by Michael Bradley. The losing streak is over.

Adu played well for the 15 minutes on the field he got. It sure would have been nice to see more of him and less of Eddie Lewis.

I've seen enough of Twellman, time to look at other players for extended playing time now. No way did he deserve 75+ minutes.

Adu seemed to help change the pace of the game and was impressive.

I have to finally agree with you on Twellman. There were three, unmarked opportunities that he "whiffed" on. Two, on one corner kick. Quality finishers at the very least get a touch on the ball, Twellman did not.

I enjoyed the commentary. I've always respected Max, any idea who the other one was?

 

[Zeno]

Its late so I have to look it up...Max Bretos and Christopher Sullivan.

Well the next youngster I want to see get some playing time is Jozy Altidore. Hopefully he gets a call up for next months friendly in South Africa.