I'm pretty sure if you listen to Sepp's speeches all over the world, his total number of places he allocates to each region in a 32 team tournament would add up to close to 40.
USMNT: To Rüssia With Love
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
The U-20s are in Austria for a camp that involves matches against Qatar U-20 and Croatia U-20.
GK
Jeff Caldwell (University of Virginia)
Zack Steffen (Freiburg)
DF
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur)
Conor Donovan (Orlando City)
Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
Shaq Moore (unattached)
Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City)
John Requejo (Tijuana)
MF
Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake)
Marco Delgado (Toronto FC)
Junior Flores (Borussia Dortmund)
Romain Gall (Columbus Crew)
Lynden Gooch (Sunderland)
Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
Ethan Sonis (Freiburg)
Joel Sonora (Boca Juniors)
FW
Amando Moreno (Tijuana)
Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union)
Maki Tall (Red Star Saint-Ouen)
Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
The U20 WC begins on May 30, so it's pretty late in the game now. It is difficult to read the tea leaves because the U20 World Cup will be the first time the whole pool will be available for selection. Players like Rubio Rubin and Emerson Hyndman are held back by their clubs, as well as numerous others.
It's good to see Roldan and Allen back in camp after lengthy absences. Allen has recovered well from an injury that cost him almost all of 2014. Roldan was simply ignored because he was a college player for much of the cycle, but with Seattle he's shown that he deserves at least a look. It just goes to show that comparison-by-resume only goes so far. Just because the NCAA sucks in a multitude of ways doesn't mean there aren't a few high performers who are worthy of inclusion on the U20 team, even if it is unsexy to do so.
GK
Jeff Caldwell (University of Virginia)
Zack Steffen (Freiburg)
DF
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur)
Conor Donovan (Orlando City)
Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
Shaq Moore (unattached)
Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City)
John Requejo (Tijuana)
MF
Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake)
Marco Delgado (Toronto FC)
Junior Flores (Borussia Dortmund)
Romain Gall (Columbus Crew)
Lynden Gooch (Sunderland)
Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
Ethan Sonis (Freiburg)
Joel Sonora (Boca Juniors)
FW
Amando Moreno (Tijuana)
Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union)
Maki Tall (Red Star Saint-Ouen)
Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
The U20 WC begins on May 30, so it's pretty late in the game now. It is difficult to read the tea leaves because the U20 World Cup will be the first time the whole pool will be available for selection. Players like Rubio Rubin and Emerson Hyndman are held back by their clubs, as well as numerous others.
It's good to see Roldan and Allen back in camp after lengthy absences. Allen has recovered well from an injury that cost him almost all of 2014. Roldan was simply ignored because he was a college player for much of the cycle, but with Seattle he's shown that he deserves at least a look. It just goes to show that comparison-by-resume only goes so far. Just because the NCAA sucks in a multitude of ways doesn't mean there aren't a few high performers who are worthy of inclusion on the U20 team, even if it is unsexy to do so.
The U23s are playing Mexico on 4/22 as part of the preparations for Olympic qualifying in October. The roster for the match:
GK
Cody Cropper (Southampton)
Jon Kempin (San Antonio Scorpions, on loan from Sporting Kansas City)
DF
Christian Dean (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Juan Pablo Ocegueda (Alebrijes de Oaxaca)
Boyd Okwuonu (Real Salt Lake)
Shane O'Neill (Colorado Rapids)
Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids)
Oscar Sorto (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Sam Strong (UCSB)
Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas)
MF
Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes)
Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake)
Alejandro Guido (Tijuana)
Benji Joya (Santos Laguna)
Dan Metzger (NYRB II)
FW
Alonso Hernandez (Monterrey)
Alfred Koroma (Austin Aztex)
Jordan Morris (Stanford)
Mario Rodriguez (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Jose Villarreal (Los Angeles Galaxy)
It's an incomplete team with certain players injured, not released by their clubs, or with the U20s in Austria, but it's a chance to compare players playing in different leagues / levels. Even though some of these guys are pretty uninspiring, you never know who will and will not be released for qualifying (which is partially on a FIFA date, but some group stage games are earlier) so it's necessary to flesh out the depth chart.
Alashe is an interesting guy who has looked pretty solid as a rookie for San Jose at defensive midfield. Villarreal's stock has risen with LA this season, albeit at left wing and not at forward.
I've never heard of Sam Strong, who is a kid who will be playing his freshman year at UCSB this fall. There must be a coach out there that recommended him to Herzog, because USSF staff almost never uncover completely unknown players. The amateurs called up at the U20 and U23 levels are almost always players with a U17 or U18 history and/or have risen to prominence at a big NCAA program.
GK
Cody Cropper (Southampton)
Jon Kempin (San Antonio Scorpions, on loan from Sporting Kansas City)
DF
Christian Dean (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Juan Pablo Ocegueda (Alebrijes de Oaxaca)
Boyd Okwuonu (Real Salt Lake)
Shane O'Neill (Colorado Rapids)
Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids)
Oscar Sorto (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Sam Strong (UCSB)
Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas)
MF
Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes)
Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake)
Alejandro Guido (Tijuana)
Benji Joya (Santos Laguna)
Dan Metzger (NYRB II)
FW
Alonso Hernandez (Monterrey)
Alfred Koroma (Austin Aztex)
Jordan Morris (Stanford)
Mario Rodriguez (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Jose Villarreal (Los Angeles Galaxy)
It's an incomplete team with certain players injured, not released by their clubs, or with the U20s in Austria, but it's a chance to compare players playing in different leagues / levels. Even though some of these guys are pretty uninspiring, you never know who will and will not be released for qualifying (which is partially on a FIFA date, but some group stage games are earlier) so it's necessary to flesh out the depth chart.
Alashe is an interesting guy who has looked pretty solid as a rookie for San Jose at defensive midfield. Villarreal's stock has risen with LA this season, albeit at left wing and not at forward.
I've never heard of Sam Strong, who is a kid who will be playing his freshman year at UCSB this fall. There must be a coach out there that recommended him to Herzog, because USSF staff almost never uncover completely unknown players. The amateurs called up at the U20 and U23 levels are almost always players with a U17 or U18 history and/or have risen to prominence at a big NCAA program.
A bit about Strong:
http://ussda.demosphere.com/teams/60852305/47187484-60852393/51804164.html
Based on his disciplinary record, he seems to be rather aggressive.
From UCSB:
http://ussda.demosphere.com/teams/60852305/47187484-60852393/51804164.html
Based on his disciplinary record, he seems to be rather aggressive.
From UCSB:
Titans Bastard said:
The answer
Strong apparently was recently on trial at Eintracht Frankfurt. Frankfurt's manager is Thomas Schaaf. Thomas Schaaf managed Andi Herzog at Werder Bremen from 1999-2001.
USA U23 3-0 Mexico U23.
Nice result, didn't see the match, but apparently the US were shit in the first half and good in the second. Goals from Mario Rodriguez, Christian Dean, and Jordan Morris. Morris is having an excellent week: two goals against Mexico and a fat contract offer from Seattle.
Gil, Morris, Cropper apparently had good games, among others.
Nice result, didn't see the match, but apparently the US were shit in the first half and good in the second. Goals from Mario Rodriguez, Christian Dean, and Jordan Morris. Morris is having an excellent week: two goals against Mexico and a fat contract offer from Seattle.
Gil, Morris, Cropper apparently had good games, among others.
I only saw the first half hour or so, very up and down, both sides seemed more advanced on offense than on defense, but Cropper was very good.
The USSF has confirmed a friendly on July 3 against Guatemala in Nashville.
Upcoming schedule
6/5 @ Netherlands (Amsterdam)
6/10 @ Germany (Cologne)
7/3 vs. Guatemala (Nashville)
GOLD CUP
7/7 vs. Haiti (Foxborough)
7/10 vs. Honduras (Frisco, TX)
7/13 vs. Panama (Kansas City)
7/18 quarterfinal (Baltimore, probably)
7/22 semifinal (Atlanta, probably)
7/26 final (Philadelphia)
Reports of a Brazil friendly in September, but nothing official.
U-20 World Cup in New Zealand
5/30 vs. Myanmar
6/2 vs. New Zealand
6/5 vs. Ukraine
Upcoming schedule
6/5 @ Netherlands (Amsterdam)
6/10 @ Germany (Cologne)
7/3 vs. Guatemala (Nashville)
GOLD CUP
7/7 vs. Haiti (Foxborough)
7/10 vs. Honduras (Frisco, TX)
7/13 vs. Panama (Kansas City)
7/18 quarterfinal (Baltimore, probably)
7/22 semifinal (Atlanta, probably)
7/26 final (Philadelphia)
Reports of a Brazil friendly in September, but nothing official.
U-20 World Cup in New Zealand
5/30 vs. Myanmar
6/2 vs. New Zealand
6/5 vs. Ukraine
The USSF announced the roster for the U-20 World Cup today.
GK
Jeff Caldwell (University of Virginia)
Ethan Horvath (Molde FK - NOR)
Zack Steffen (Freiburg SC - GER)
DF
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur - ENG)
Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
Shaquell Moore (unattached)
Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City)
Desevio Payne (FC Groningen - NED)
John Requejo (Club Tijuana - MEX)
MF
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas)
Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana - MEX)
Russell Canouse (Hoffenheim - GER)
Marco Delgado (Toronto FC)
Emerson Hyndman (Fulham - ENG)
Joel Sonora (Boca Juniors - ARG)
FW
Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake)
Bradford Jamieson IV (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Rubio Rubin (Utrecht - NED)
Maki Tall (Red Star, on loan from Lille - FRA)
Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
There's still one roster spot left to be named. The understanding is that this will be Gedion Zelalem's if he gets clearance in the next week or so. If not, I hear it will go to Zach Pfeffer of the Philadephia Union.
Reading's Andrija Novakovich was not released by his club for the tournament. Clubs are not required to release players for youth national teams, although it is customary to do so for major tournaments. Reading wants Novakovich rested for preseason because they see him as part of the first team next year. That's bad news for the U-20s -- who lack size in a big way -- but it's good news for Novakovich's prospects.
Quite a few players were dropped from the qualifying roster:
RB - Tyler Turner
CB - Conor Donovan
CM - Fernando Arce, Jr.
AM - Romain Gall
AM - Junior Flores
AM - Lynden Gooch
FW - Amando Moreno
FW - Ben Spencer
Seattle's Cristian Roldan is also a very tough cut.
The US has about an easy a group as you could ask for. We were fortunate to draw the host (New Zealand) as our seed. We also drew Ukraine and Myanmar. Ukraine could be good, bad, or anywhere in between, but....Myanmar. How did they even qualify? Then again, we once lost to Tajikistan at a U17 World Cup. And beat a Belgium team that featured Eden Hazard and Christian Benteke at the same tournament. Youth results....
I'm guessing that Ramos will go with a 4-4-2 diamond, both because it fits the personnel he's chosen and because it aligns with what the senior national team seems to be transitioning towards. Among midfielders and forwards, this team really lacks size -- only BJIV is 6 foot-something (he's 6'1"). Without Novakovich, we don't have anyone suited to being a center forward or a good hold up man, so playing a two-forward formation will mitigate that somewhat. We also don't have many true wide midfielders (only Allen and Arriola). With so many short, central players, skewing towards a narrow formation and keeping the ball on the deck is probably our best bet. The big question is whether the fullbacks will be able to provide adequate width.
One guess at a lineup:
Though I'm still not clear on whether Sonora is best as a #10 or #8. Perhaps Rubin will drop into the hole and Tall or Thompson will come in to partner BJIV.
GK
Jeff Caldwell (University of Virginia)
Ethan Horvath (Molde FK - NOR)
Zack Steffen (Freiburg SC - GER)
DF
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur - ENG)
Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
Shaquell Moore (unattached)
Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City)
Desevio Payne (FC Groningen - NED)
John Requejo (Club Tijuana - MEX)
MF
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas)
Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana - MEX)
Russell Canouse (Hoffenheim - GER)
Marco Delgado (Toronto FC)
Emerson Hyndman (Fulham - ENG)
Joel Sonora (Boca Juniors - ARG)
FW
Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake)
Bradford Jamieson IV (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Rubio Rubin (Utrecht - NED)
Maki Tall (Red Star, on loan from Lille - FRA)
Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
There's still one roster spot left to be named. The understanding is that this will be Gedion Zelalem's if he gets clearance in the next week or so. If not, I hear it will go to Zach Pfeffer of the Philadephia Union.
Reading's Andrija Novakovich was not released by his club for the tournament. Clubs are not required to release players for youth national teams, although it is customary to do so for major tournaments. Reading wants Novakovich rested for preseason because they see him as part of the first team next year. That's bad news for the U-20s -- who lack size in a big way -- but it's good news for Novakovich's prospects.
Quite a few players were dropped from the qualifying roster:
RB - Tyler Turner
CB - Conor Donovan
CM - Fernando Arce, Jr.
AM - Romain Gall
AM - Junior Flores
AM - Lynden Gooch
FW - Amando Moreno
FW - Ben Spencer
Seattle's Cristian Roldan is also a very tough cut.
The US has about an easy a group as you could ask for. We were fortunate to draw the host (New Zealand) as our seed. We also drew Ukraine and Myanmar. Ukraine could be good, bad, or anywhere in between, but....Myanmar. How did they even qualify? Then again, we once lost to Tajikistan at a U17 World Cup. And beat a Belgium team that featured Eden Hazard and Christian Benteke at the same tournament. Youth results....
I'm guessing that Ramos will go with a 4-4-2 diamond, both because it fits the personnel he's chosen and because it aligns with what the senior national team seems to be transitioning towards. Among midfielders and forwards, this team really lacks size -- only BJIV is 6 foot-something (he's 6'1"). Without Novakovich, we don't have anyone suited to being a center forward or a good hold up man, so playing a two-forward formation will mitigate that somewhat. We also don't have many true wide midfielders (only Allen and Arriola). With so many short, central players, skewing towards a narrow formation and keeping the ball on the deck is probably our best bet. The big question is whether the fullbacks will be able to provide adequate width.
One guess at a lineup:
BJIV, Rubin
Sonora
Hyndman -------- Allen
Acosta
Requejo, Carter-Vickers, Miazga, Payne
Steffen
Though I'm still not clear on whether Sonora is best as a #10 or #8. Perhaps Rubin will drop into the hole and Tall or Thompson will come in to partner BJIV.
Telemundo wins the Spanish rights to all CONCACAF qualifiers outside of Mexico and the US. This is good news because it means that there won't be any US road qualifiers on PPV, like the Guatemala match last time around. No word on the English language rights yet.
Pleased to report that Gedion Zelalem has been cleared by #FIFA to represent @ussoccer
— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) May 13, 2015
— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) May 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/sunilgulati/status/598608523103047682
Shazam!
So, Zelalem will be the 21st man on the U-20 WC roster. Tough luck for Zach Pfeffer, but them's the breaks. I'm excited to see what he can do in this context. He won't be very familiar with the team, although it's possible that he's played against Cameron Carter-Vickers and Emerson Hyndman at some point. The U-20s will be heading to Australia for a pre-tournament camp with a few tuneup friendlies, which will hopefully give the whole team more time to gel. Zelalem aside, it's hard to get the best team together at any point prior to the WC (even including qualifying).
It's also possible that Zelalem could play in the Gold Cup, as there is 2.5 weeks between the end of the U-20 WC and the start of the Gold Cup. Plus, I'm not exactly expecting the US to reach the final of the U-20s, which would add more time to that window. Nevertheless, his inclusion with the U-20s makes it less likely that he'll be with the senior team this summer, unless he kills it in New Zealand. That's fine with me -- he's very young (and is eligible for the next U-20 WC as well) and despite his promise hasn't done much to warrant inclusion with the big boys just yet.
Shazam!
So, Zelalem will be the 21st man on the U-20 WC roster. Tough luck for Zach Pfeffer, but them's the breaks. I'm excited to see what he can do in this context. He won't be very familiar with the team, although it's possible that he's played against Cameron Carter-Vickers and Emerson Hyndman at some point. The U-20s will be heading to Australia for a pre-tournament camp with a few tuneup friendlies, which will hopefully give the whole team more time to gel. Zelalem aside, it's hard to get the best team together at any point prior to the WC (even including qualifying).
It's also possible that Zelalem could play in the Gold Cup, as there is 2.5 weeks between the end of the U-20 WC and the start of the Gold Cup. Plus, I'm not exactly expecting the US to reach the final of the U-20s, which would add more time to that window. Nevertheless, his inclusion with the U-20s makes it less likely that he'll be with the senior team this summer, unless he kills it in New Zealand. That's fine with me -- he's very young (and is eligible for the next U-20 WC as well) and despite his promise hasn't done much to warrant inclusion with the big boys just yet.
Why didn't Junior Flores make the roster? I would have assumed he would have easily secured a place on the roster given that he's at Dortmund.
bosox4283 said:
He was only okay during qualifying and I heard he didn't look that good in recent camps. He's also gotten middling reviews at Dortmund's U19 team. In the end, he lost his spot on the team to Joel Sonora (Boca Juniors).
He's at Dortmund, sure, but dozens of players are with Dortmund's U19 and U17 teams and most of them won't make it. At the youth level, you can't draw too many conclusions from club resume, you have to dig deeper.
Another player cut from the team was Atletico's Boxi Yomba. But from the way Atletico uses him for their U19 team, he looks an awful lot like an organizational soldier and not a serious prospect for the club. Context is key.
Thanks, Titans Bastard, for your response, and, really, for all that you write. It's awesome -- I really eat it up. I suppose that, as a American fan of the sport, I'm always excited when American players land at spots like Dortmund and Atletico (especially Atletico). But, as you write, the name on the kit does not tell the full story.
I took a look at Boxi Yomba's Twitter -- it seems, too, that he may have struggled to adapt to life in Spain. It makes sense -- he's just a kid -- but I read his Twitter hoping to see more positive news, but it wasn't that inspiring nor that exciting.
I took a look at Boxi Yomba's Twitter -- it seems, too, that he may have struggled to adapt to life in Spain. It makes sense -- he's just a kid -- but I read his Twitter hoping to see more positive news, but it wasn't that inspiring nor that exciting.
I think that adding Zelalem to the team is a no brainer, but he hasn't really been pushing into the first team at Arsenal. He's obviously still young. Following the youth/reserve teams is a lot tougher now that Young Guns is dead, but I heard he hasn't looked that great for the reserves. I'm happy to have a hopefully future Arsenal player coming through the USMNT system though.
bosox4283 said:
You aren't kidding. I don't follow any players on Twitter but over on BigSoccer people were posting some of the stuff that Yomba was putting out there in the fall.....it was brutal. Not just regular homesickness, it seemed like he was on the verge of a breakdown. Hopefully he's doing better.
EDIT: and I wanted to add also that I don't think Flores is a non-prospect or anything. There are some good players who didn't make this team, like Flores and Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan who both would have made the U-20s in past cycles, I think. Flores right now isn't considered an elite prospect for Dortmund; my guess is that he won't make it there but will have a solid career elsewhere. We'll see.
I've heard that Dortmund fans are much more excited about Christian Pulisic who debuted with the U17s this spring and did quite well. Though from I understand his (German) teammate Felix Passlack is the real crown jewel in the system.
sachmoney said:
I only hear dribs and drabs as well and have also heard that he's been up and down this year at Arsenal. I'm very glad he's starting with the U-20s and not the full nats. This WC will be our first real chance to evaluate him. It sounds like even Tab Ramos hasn't seen too much of him and doesn't know exactly what to expect.
Emerson Hyndman named U-20 captain. I thought it might go to Kellyn Acosta (who captain during qualifying) or Rubio Rubin. Hyndman also seems like a good choice.
Jozy out 4-5 weeks.
https://twitter.com/BrianSciaretta/status/600679327567482880
It's also worth noting that like the last time around, the Gold Cup squad rules allow up to six players on the roster to be replaced with alternates from the 35 man provisional roster at the start of the knockout round, which gives us a bit more flexibility to not be short-handed during the group stage if Altidore's recovery takes a week longer than expected.
----
The U-20s played their first tuneup match last night, beating Australia 2-1. Goals from Sonora and Tall. Zelalem made his US debut off the bench.
https://twitter.com/BrianSciaretta/status/600679327567482880
It's also worth noting that like the last time around, the Gold Cup squad rules allow up to six players on the roster to be replaced with alternates from the 35 man provisional roster at the start of the knockout round, which gives us a bit more flexibility to not be short-handed during the group stage if Altidore's recovery takes a week longer than expected.
----
The U-20s played their first tuneup match last night, beating Australia 2-1. Goals from Sonora and Tall. Zelalem made his US debut off the bench.
U-20s:
Russell Canouse injured his ankle in training and has been replaced on the roster by Conor Donovan. Canouse was a solid DM in qualifying, although he was likely to sit behind Kellyn Acosta in the U-20 World Cup. Losing him hurts our depth, though we have the versatile Marco Delgado to step in if needed. Donovan is a center back and will be fourth string.
U-23s:
The roster for the Toulon tournament is out --
GK
Cody Cropper (Southampton)
Charlie Horton (Cardiff City)
Tyler Miller (Zweibrucken)
DF
Juan Pablo Ocegueda (Alebrijes de Oaxaca)
Boyd Okwuonu (Real Salt Lake)
Shane O'Neill (Colorado Rapids)
Will Packwood (unattached)
Jalen Robinson (D.C. United)
Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids)
Sam Strong (UCSB)
MF
Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes)
Benji Joya (Santos Laguna)
Dan Metzger (NYRB II)
Marc Pelosi (Liverpool)
FW
Julian Green (Hamburg)
Alonso Hernandez (Monterrey)
Jerome Kiesewetter (Stuttgart)
Alfred Koroma Shams (unattached)
Jordan Morris (Stanford)
One more player will be added to the roster before the tournament starts. Overall it's a weak roster; a number of MLS starters were not released and all the U-20s are in New Zealand for the World Cup. I expect quite a few of them to make the team.
It's good to see Julian Green here, as I think the U23s are a more appropriate place for him for the time being. This means that we won't be seeing Green and Morris at the upcoming friendlies at Netherlands and Germany.
Russell Canouse injured his ankle in training and has been replaced on the roster by Conor Donovan. Canouse was a solid DM in qualifying, although he was likely to sit behind Kellyn Acosta in the U-20 World Cup. Losing him hurts our depth, though we have the versatile Marco Delgado to step in if needed. Donovan is a center back and will be fourth string.
U-23s:
The roster for the Toulon tournament is out --
GK
Cody Cropper (Southampton)
Charlie Horton (Cardiff City)
Tyler Miller (Zweibrucken)
DF
Juan Pablo Ocegueda (Alebrijes de Oaxaca)
Boyd Okwuonu (Real Salt Lake)
Shane O'Neill (Colorado Rapids)
Will Packwood (unattached)
Jalen Robinson (D.C. United)
Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids)
Sam Strong (UCSB)
MF
Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes)
Benji Joya (Santos Laguna)
Dan Metzger (NYRB II)
Marc Pelosi (Liverpool)
FW
Julian Green (Hamburg)
Alonso Hernandez (Monterrey)
Jerome Kiesewetter (Stuttgart)
Alfred Koroma Shams (unattached)
Jordan Morris (Stanford)
One more player will be added to the roster before the tournament starts. Overall it's a weak roster; a number of MLS starters were not released and all the U-20s are in New Zealand for the World Cup. I expect quite a few of them to make the team.
It's good to see Julian Green here, as I think the U23s are a more appropriate place for him for the time being. This means that we won't be seeing Green and Morris at the upcoming friendlies at Netherlands and Germany.
The BIG NEWS today is, obviously, that the US U23s play their opening game in the Toulon tournament against France.
https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/603592883820580865
It's on BeIN Sports if anyone's interesting, but fair warning - this team isn't very good and isn't close to a full strength squad.
https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/603592883820580865
It's on BeIN Sports if anyone's interesting, but fair warning - this team isn't very good and isn't close to a full strength squad.
So this ragtag group of U23s were rightfully smacked down by France 3-1 (could have been a worse scoreline) a few days ago, but beat the Netherlands 3-1 today. I didn't see the game against the Dutch, but apparently we looked a little better. No matter - the Olympic team will have plenty of reinforcements to this current team when qualifying rolls around. Apparently Jordan Morris has looked good and Julian Green has been pedestrian.
The U-20s kick off their World Cup campaign at midnight tonight.
The U-20s kick off their World Cup campaign at midnight tonight.
https://twitter.com/ussoccer_ynt/status/604481740699090944
Acosta starts at LB instead of Requejo, with Delgado slotting in at DM. Hyndman at the tip of the diamond...or maybe central mid in a 4-1-3-2, I guess we'll see. Tall, who is a bit mysterious, starts over Bradford Jamieson IV. Zelalem will be on the bench for this one.
Acosta starts at LB instead of Requejo, with Delgado slotting in at DM. Hyndman at the tip of the diamond...or maybe central mid in a 4-1-3-2, I guess we'll see. Tall, who is a bit mysterious, starts over Bradford Jamieson IV. Zelalem will be on the bench for this one.
USA wins 2-1.
USA had the majority of possession and probably should have scored a couple more goals. Rubin had some nice crosses. Zelalem came on for the final 40... nothing overwhelming - a few times he showed some nice class on the ball, also made a few blunders.
Tall (stuffed one in after a header on a corner) and Hyndman (Rubin picked him out trailing on a break) had the goals.
USA had the majority of possession and probably should have scored a couple more goals. Rubin had some nice crosses. Zelalem came on for the final 40... nothing overwhelming - a few times he showed some nice class on the ball, also made a few blunders.
Tall (stuffed one in after a header on a corner) and Hyndman (Rubin picked him out trailing on a break) had the goals.
2-1 win for the U-20s, and a very ugly one at that. Despite individually talented players, the midfield showed no cohesion at all and its spacing and movement was terrible - a hallmark of all Tab Ramos midfields, unfortunately.
The fullbacks were also a problem, although that's partly because our best DM Kellyn Acosta was playing LB for no particular reason, despite never playing LB for the U-20s before. Hopefully our natural LB Requejo comes back into the team for the next match. Marco Delgado was desperately poor in the midfield; replacing him with Acosta should sort out a bunch of our problems.
Rubin was our best player. Hyndman was also mostly good. Not a lot to love from this game. Based on club play I'm reasonably confident that we'll get some good players from this group, but I'm not at all confident in Ramos' coaching. So all bets are off in this tournament.
The fullbacks were also a problem, although that's partly because our best DM Kellyn Acosta was playing LB for no particular reason, despite never playing LB for the U-20s before. Hopefully our natural LB Requejo comes back into the team for the next match. Marco Delgado was desperately poor in the midfield; replacing him with Acosta should sort out a bunch of our problems.
Rubin was our best player. Hyndman was also mostly good. Not a lot to love from this game. Based on club play I'm reasonably confident that we'll get some good players from this group, but I'm not at all confident in Ramos' coaching. So all bets are off in this tournament.
Since the opening loss to France, the U-23s beat Netherlands 3-1 and lost to Costa Rica 2-1. I didn't see either of them, but from what I read Morris continued to look good and Julian Green and Fatai Alashe looked useful. They have one more game against Qatar and the very likely won't be in the 3rd place game.
For the U-20s, New Zealand is up next. Maki Tall, who was curiously subbed out in the 49th minute after playing well, has a broken toe. That explains his departure from the game; he's out for the tournament which will stretch our depth at FW.
For the U-20s, New Zealand is up next. Maki Tall, who was curiously subbed out in the 49th minute after playing well, has a broken toe. That explains his departure from the game; he's out for the tournament which will stretch our depth at FW.
Roster for friendlies against Netherlands & Germany:
GK
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
William Yarbrough (Leon)
DF
Ventura Alvarado (America)
John Brooks (Hertha Berlin)
Tim Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders)
Michael Orozco (Puebla)
Brek Shea (Orlando City)
DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
MF
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)
Mix Diskerud (NYCFC)
Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United)
Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution)
Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt)
Danny Williams (Reading)
FW
Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution)
Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar)
Bobby Wood (Erzgebirge Aue)
Gyasi Zardes (Los Angeles Galaxy)
- Jozy is injured. Bedoya is injured too, I think
- Dempsey is presumably being rested
- notable omissions include Cameron, Gonzalez, Besler, Zusi
EDIT:
Apparently Cameron and Garza have minor injuries. Gonzalez, Besler, and Zusi were manager's decision. Dempsey is awaiting the birth of his child.
GK
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
William Yarbrough (Leon)
DF
Ventura Alvarado (America)
John Brooks (Hertha Berlin)
Tim Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders)
Michael Orozco (Puebla)
Brek Shea (Orlando City)
DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
MF
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)
Mix Diskerud (NYCFC)
Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United)
Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution)
Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt)
Danny Williams (Reading)
FW
Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution)
Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar)
Bobby Wood (Erzgebirge Aue)
Gyasi Zardes (Los Angeles Galaxy)
- Jozy is injured. Bedoya is injured too, I think
- Dempsey is presumably being rested
- notable omissions include Cameron, Gonzalez, Besler, Zusi
EDIT:
Apparently Cameron and Garza have minor injuries. Gonzalez, Besler, and Zusi were manager's decision. Dempsey is awaiting the birth of his child.
A few other thoughts:
- Jones is listed as a midfielder and in Klinsmann's Q&A he confirmed that Jones will no longer play in defense. Good news - the experiment wasn't working.
- Gonzalez has been playing pretty well for LA and I'm not wild about choosing Alvarado over him. I think in JK's eyes, Alvarado has the glow of being on a top Mexican club that just won the CCL. However, most America fans would tell you that while he's decent, Alvarado has been one of their weaker links. Well, we'll see. Alvarado does has room to grow, I'm just not sure if he's there yet. On the other hand, I don't think Besler has been all that consistent since returning from the World Cup.
- Zusi wasn't chosen either. I'd argue that from KC Feilhaber has a better claim at this point. Benny has been top notch in 2015. He's taken his fitness and focus up a notch and he's consistently influential in games now, which was always his problem.
- Seattle has converted Evans to CB this season. Does JK view him as a RB or a CB? I'm not sure how he fits in. His distribution isn't anything special in the midfield, but would be a positive at center back. But can he hack it defensively at this level? Not sure.
- Jones is listed as a midfielder and in Klinsmann's Q&A he confirmed that Jones will no longer play in defense. Good news - the experiment wasn't working.
- Gonzalez has been playing pretty well for LA and I'm not wild about choosing Alvarado over him. I think in JK's eyes, Alvarado has the glow of being on a top Mexican club that just won the CCL. However, most America fans would tell you that while he's decent, Alvarado has been one of their weaker links. Well, we'll see. Alvarado does has room to grow, I'm just not sure if he's there yet. On the other hand, I don't think Besler has been all that consistent since returning from the World Cup.
- Zusi wasn't chosen either. I'd argue that from KC Feilhaber has a better claim at this point. Benny has been top notch in 2015. He's taken his fitness and focus up a notch and he's consistently influential in games now, which was always his problem.
- Seattle has converted Evans to CB this season. Does JK view him as a RB or a CB? I'm not sure how he fits in. His distribution isn't anything special in the midfield, but would be a positive at center back. But can he hack it defensively at this level? Not sure.
https://twitter.com/ussoccer_ynt/status/605614188363313152
USA up 1-0 early on a Bradford Jamieson IV goal, put in off the rebound when Cameron Carter-Vickers' header went off the crossbar.
Looking much better than against Myanmar and dominating the run of play. Replacing Moore with Payne helps. I wish we'd bring in Requejo at LB so we could move Acosta to DM and bench Delgado.
USA up 1-0 early on a Bradford Jamieson IV goal, put in off the rebound when Cameron Carter-Vickers' header went off the crossbar.
Looking much better than against Myanmar and dominating the run of play. Replacing Moore with Payne helps. I wish we'd bring in Requejo at LB so we could move Acosta to DM and bench Delgado.
US still creating chances. BJIV could have had a second, but Rubin got in the way. Zelalem and CCV looking good.
Miazga gets a yellow, which is worrisome given how card-prone he is. Marco Delgado with a terrible whiff of a challenge to put Miazga in a difficult place. Delgado has been a disaster at DM against Myanmar and now and I can't understand why Ramos doesn't shift Acosta from LB.
Miazga gets a yellow, which is worrisome given how card-prone he is. Marco Delgado with a terrible whiff of a challenge to put Miazga in a difficult place. Delgado has been a disaster at DM against Myanmar and now and I can't understand why Ramos doesn't shift Acosta from LB.
2-0, Hyndman. Deserved second goal.
BJIV flicked it on to Rubin, NZ's GK came out to challenge and pushes it away slightly, Hyndman arrives late and puts it away.
BJIV flicked it on to Rubin, NZ's GK came out to challenge and pushes it away slightly, Hyndman arrives late and puts it away.
2nd half, 3-0 now. Zelalem slips one for Arriola, who shoots from just outside the box, off the inside of the far post. Honestly, the US could be winning by more at this point.
Almost everyone is looking good. Rubio Rubin is a player.
Almost everyone is looking good. Rubio Rubin is a player.
62' Thompson on for BJIV.
Jamieson put in a good shift and was involved in each of the first two goals. With Tall out for the tournament now, you might as well keep him fresh. Thompson lacks BJIV's speed, but has some of the best technique in the U20 pool.
Jamieson put in a good shift and was involved in each of the first two goals. With Tall out for the tournament now, you might as well keep him fresh. Thompson lacks BJIV's speed, but has some of the best technique in the U20 pool.
Carter-Vickers is just a monster. He's the complete package. It's hard to believe that he's the youngest player on the field and it's hard to believe that England hadn't given him a call before the US did.
4-0 now, Rubin with his second. Payne's cross was deflected slightly and then the two NZ defenders miscommunicated the clearance. Rubin arrives to poke it home.
This all comes after an 8-10 minute stretch where NZ picked it up, attacked more, and forced the first couple of saves from Zack Steffen.
Rubin off for John Requejo now, 83'.
This all comes after an 8-10 minute stretch where NZ picked it up, attacked more, and forced the first couple of saves from Zack Steffen.
Rubin off for John Requejo now, 83'.
4-0 FT. Comprehensive performance from the US. It was absolutely miles better than the tortured 2-1 win over Myanmar. CCV, Rubin, Hyndman, Zelalem all looked great and pretty much everyone else looked good too. Even poor Marky Delgado had a decent second half. Payne was an enormous improvement over Shaq Moore at RB.
Ukraine took Myanmar to the woodshed, 6-0 (but could only draw with NZ 0-0 a few days ago, odd) with all goals coming after the 50th minute.
The US has clinched a place in the knockout round and need only a draw against Ukraine to win the group. This is the first time the US has advanced out of the group stage at the U-20 WC since 2007, the Bradley/Altidore/Adu team.
The U-23s have a game against Qatar at the Toulon tournament tomorrow. There may well be more players on the Olympic qualifying squad from this U-20 team than the current U-23 squad at Toulon.
Ukraine took Myanmar to the woodshed, 6-0 (but could only draw with NZ 0-0 a few days ago, odd) with all goals coming after the 50th minute.
The US has clinched a place in the knockout round and need only a draw against Ukraine to win the group. This is the first time the US has advanced out of the group stage at the U-20 WC since 2007, the Bradley/Altidore/Adu team.
The U-23s have a game against Qatar at the Toulon tournament tomorrow. There may well be more players on the Olympic qualifying squad from this U-20 team than the current U-23 squad at Toulon.
dirtynine said:
Yeah - I can barely stay up past 11pm these days. I went to bed early and got up at around 3. (In reality, it's all made possible by the two months I'm taking between quitting my job and starting grad school.)
It's New Zealand and all - but for those that couldn't stay up to watch... it's nice to see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVX2tP1jWwY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVX2tP1jWwY
Looked good with the ball at his feet.BoredViewer said:
In the first half he gave away a ton of good opportunities by trying passes he should know have no chance of succeeding, but it looked like he cleaned that up in the second and tried fewer long defense splitting passes into the box, and chose the opportunities better.