That's good because I am not convinced with Guzan as the main keeper at the moment,Spacemans Bong said:
USMNT: To Rüssia With Love
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
Ok, silver lining time.
With the loss, the U.S. adds a very important competitive match this fall - an all-hands-on-deck, best XI possible type of game (sounds like Timmy's ears are perking up) in a great atmosphere (wherever it will be). These games don't come around often outside of World Cup years and hex crunch time. Good for fans, good for the team.
It also makes the now-official September friendly with Brazil at Gillette feel a lot weightier.
The 23 called in for that autumn stretch should be fun to spectate about. Will Morris be healthy by then? Jones? Howard v. Guzan? Wither Beckerman?
It sucks to lose but it doesn't suck to have this to look forward to.
edit: I want to say autocorrect was responsible for Brad "Guzman" but I can't be sure
With the loss, the U.S. adds a very important competitive match this fall - an all-hands-on-deck, best XI possible type of game (sounds like Timmy's ears are perking up) in a great atmosphere (wherever it will be). These games don't come around often outside of World Cup years and hex crunch time. Good for fans, good for the team.
It also makes the now-official September friendly with Brazil at Gillette feel a lot weightier.
The 23 called in for that autumn stretch should be fun to spectate about. Will Morris be healthy by then? Jones? Howard v. Guzan? Wither Beckerman?
It sucks to lose but it doesn't suck to have this to look forward to.
edit: I want to say autocorrect was responsible for Brad "Guzman" but I can't be sure
Besler better not be snubbed over Alvarado again. JK had two chances to select Besler for the Gold Cup and passed twice. I don't think JK should be fired or anything (he's basically unfireable anyway), but he tinkers too much with squad selection. Playing random guys like Alvarado to see what they got is fine for friendlies, but it would be nice if JK would just pick a best XI and let them play together and develop cohesion. Especially with Cameron not available, not picking Besler made no sense.
I also don't get the one match playoff, but if it has to be one match, Miami for Jamaica, Rose Bowl for Mexico would make it semi-neutral. Or heck, play it in Toronto, loads of Jamaicans there (and I'd get to go!)
I also don't get the one match playoff, but if it has to be one match, Miami for Jamaica, Rose Bowl for Mexico would make it semi-neutral. Or heck, play it in Toronto, loads of Jamaicans there (and I'd get to go!)
Rose Bowl wouldn't be semi-neutral, it would be a home field for Mexico. There's a reason US Soccer moved the Mexico WC Qualifiers up to Columbus.
https://twitter.com/BrianStraus/status/625730539765501952
I might have to go to that match against the Aruba/St. Vincent winner, sounds like fun.
I might have to go to that match against the Aruba/St. Vincent winner, sounds like fun.
Silverdude2167 said:
Guzan doesn't make me feel very confident right now.
Howard is so much more decisive than Guzan, and does a much better job of controlling the box and distributing the ball. I'm not sure how you value generalship vs. raw shot-stopping ability, but throughout the GC, I was yelling at Guzan to stop fucking around back there and get a clue about what he was doing. He seemed tentative.
Rimando is no spring chicken either, FWIW.
Guzan is coming off a season that definitely wasn't his best work. Sherwood doesn't seem to be a big fan and Villa has been flirting with replacing him all summer; I can't remember exactly where it all stands now. I think he's lacking confidence, but even at his best he's good but not on Howard's level.
Rimando is three months younger than Howard; he'll be phased out soon. Klinsmann's #3 at the moment is William Yarbrough. I'm not sure about him, meaning basically I haven't seen enough to form much of an opinion.
I think Bill Hamid will make a push up the depth chart this cycle. He has been nothing short of epic for D.C. United over the last year and a half. The problem is that he's been picking up minor injuries at inopportune times and hasn't been available for the NT. (The other question is whether JK rates him, and you never know.) Hamid has been around for a while, but he's still 24 and he's really put things together. My guess is that he and Guzan will ultimately be the two real contenders by the end of the cycle.
Rimando is three months younger than Howard; he'll be phased out soon. Klinsmann's #3 at the moment is William Yarbrough. I'm not sure about him, meaning basically I haven't seen enough to form much of an opinion.
I think Bill Hamid will make a push up the depth chart this cycle. He has been nothing short of epic for D.C. United over the last year and a half. The problem is that he's been picking up minor injuries at inopportune times and hasn't been available for the NT. (The other question is whether JK rates him, and you never know.) Hamid has been around for a while, but he's still 24 and he's really put things together. My guess is that he and Guzan will ultimately be the two real contenders by the end of the cycle.
Andi Herzog announced a 28 man U23 roster today
It's an entirely college-based roster. I like it. The large majority of these players won't make the U23s, but perhaps a handful will. Many will go pro between now and the Olympics, so it makes sense to take a look at them in advance. I think back to the last Olympic cycle, when the team was desperate for CBs leading up to qualifying. They ended up using Perry Kitchen (a DM) back there and a just-back-from-injury Ike Opara. They weren't that great. Then the next spring, Matt Hedges showed himself to be a quality rookie in MLS. If they had bothered to look at top college players, he was a known quantity and maybe he could have helped them.
This cycle, LB is a problem spot. (Okay, LB is a problem spot pretty much every cycle.) And frankly, RB is a problem spot too if we can't get Yedlin or Payne for qualifying. I think there are real opportunities for fullbacks here. Not so much other positions, perhaps.
GK
Wade Hamilton (Cal Poly)
Jonathan Klinsmann (California)
Kendall McIntosh (Santa Clara)
Andrew Tarbell (Clemson)
DF
Jonathan Campbell (North Carolina)
Alex Crognale (Maryland)
Chase Gasper (UCLA)
Tomas Hilliard-Arce (Stanford)
Grant Lillard (Indiana)
Jakob Nerwinski (UConn)
Chris Odoi-Atsem (Maryland)
Sam Strong (UCSB)
Brandon Vincent (Stanford)
MF
Corey Baird (Stanford)
Andrew Brody (Louisville)
Mael Corboz (Maryland)
Niko Hansen (New Mexico)
Ian Harkes (Wake Forest)
Patrick Hodan (Notre Dame)
James Moberg (Washington)
Adam Najem (Akron)
Keegan Rosenberry (Georgetown)
Jake Rozhansky (Virginia)
FW
Michael Gamble (Wake Forest)
Connor Maloney (Penn State)
Alex Muyl (Georgetown)
Paul Salcedo (California)
Mac Steeves (Providence)
I am not too familiar with Steeves, but he's from Needham.
It's an entirely college-based roster. I like it. The large majority of these players won't make the U23s, but perhaps a handful will. Many will go pro between now and the Olympics, so it makes sense to take a look at them in advance. I think back to the last Olympic cycle, when the team was desperate for CBs leading up to qualifying. They ended up using Perry Kitchen (a DM) back there and a just-back-from-injury Ike Opara. They weren't that great. Then the next spring, Matt Hedges showed himself to be a quality rookie in MLS. If they had bothered to look at top college players, he was a known quantity and maybe he could have helped them.
This cycle, LB is a problem spot. (Okay, LB is a problem spot pretty much every cycle.) And frankly, RB is a problem spot too if we can't get Yedlin or Payne for qualifying. I think there are real opportunities for fullbacks here. Not so much other positions, perhaps.
GK
Wade Hamilton (Cal Poly)
Jonathan Klinsmann (California)
Kendall McIntosh (Santa Clara)
Andrew Tarbell (Clemson)
DF
Jonathan Campbell (North Carolina)
Alex Crognale (Maryland)
Chase Gasper (UCLA)
Tomas Hilliard-Arce (Stanford)
Grant Lillard (Indiana)
Jakob Nerwinski (UConn)
Chris Odoi-Atsem (Maryland)
Sam Strong (UCSB)
Brandon Vincent (Stanford)
MF
Corey Baird (Stanford)
Andrew Brody (Louisville)
Mael Corboz (Maryland)
Niko Hansen (New Mexico)
Ian Harkes (Wake Forest)
Patrick Hodan (Notre Dame)
James Moberg (Washington)
Adam Najem (Akron)
Keegan Rosenberry (Georgetown)
Jake Rozhansky (Virginia)
FW
Michael Gamble (Wake Forest)
Connor Maloney (Penn State)
Alex Muyl (Georgetown)
Paul Salcedo (California)
Mac Steeves (Providence)
I am not too familiar with Steeves, but he's from Needham.
Potentially a new crest for US Soccer. Better than the old one, but then again, anything is better than the old one...
http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/05/photo-us-soccer-is-reportedly-dumping-its-old-logo-and-getting-a-new-one/?utm_network=twitter&utm_post=4042503&utm_source=TW%20%40NBCSN&utm_tags=srm[soccer%2Carticle]
http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/05/photo-us-soccer-is-reportedly-dumping-its-old-logo-and-getting-a-new-one/?utm_network=twitter&utm_post=4042503&utm_source=TW%20%40NBCSN&utm_tags=srm[soccer%2Carticle]
It reminds me of the Centennial crest, which I loved. I regret so much not buying that shirt.
The font is a little strange but i guess it's not a big deal on a NT shirt in that it doesn't have to "match" with any other wording. I think just about anything is an improvement on the current crest.
The font is a little strange but i guess it's not a big deal on a NT shirt in that it doesn't have to "match" with any other wording. I think just about anything is an improvement on the current crest.
Yeah, the font is right on the line between signalling art deco and signalling fascist. But it's loads better than the youth soccer crest we've been using for years.
I like it a lot. I kinda think it would be even better even simpler with just a straight line instead of the triangle and resultant font pointiness, but that might just be my personal boring aesthetic sense.
Yeah, I remember thinking I would wait a little bit for that shirt to go on sale, then the next time I looked, they were out of stock.teddykgb said:
Big improvement. Agree on the font being a little odd, but the general design and simplicity is class.
(Red stripes go on a bit long, could be shortened by about 1/4)
(Red stripes go on a bit long, could be shortened by about 1/4)
The US has been drawn with Chile (hosts), Nigeria, and Croatia in the U17 World Cup. In theory this is a hard group, but one never really knows at this level. The US U17s once beat Belgium and lost to Tajikistan in the same tournament group. Their first match is October 17.
I think there's lots of talent on this team, but like with the U-20s there are questions about the caliber of coaching; both are managed by USSF crony hires who don't have a particularly strong pedigree. One thing that's different about this group is that, compared to years past, far more players are training at their clubs instead of at Bradenton. (Euro academy players + several domestic guys who have already made their pro debuts.) This is definitely a good thing. Two years at Bradenton routinely breeds stagnation.
I think there's lots of talent on this team, but like with the U-20s there are questions about the caliber of coaching; both are managed by USSF crony hires who don't have a particularly strong pedigree. One thing that's different about this group is that, compared to years past, far more players are training at their clubs instead of at Bradenton. (Euro academy players + several domestic guys who have already made their pro debuts.) This is definitely a good thing. Two years at Bradenton routinely breeds stagnation.
Flattered, TB. Been on vacation but eager to remark. The rumored crest is better for sure - the inexplicable blue and white stripes, confusing stars and clip-art Telstar are gone. It does have a Centennial inspiration (good), and also Nike's recognizable "cute fascist" style (not my favorite).
On a redesign like this, it's always: First, do no harm. In that case, mission accomplished. I'd like to see one more visual theme woven in, but time and eventually sentimentality may add those qualities.
I'be been toying with some design ideas for the U.S. - if I ever figure out something I'm happy with, I'll probably expand on this.
On a redesign like this, it's always: First, do no harm. In that case, mission accomplished. I'd like to see one more visual theme woven in, but time and eventually sentimentality may add those qualities.
I'be been toying with some design ideas for the U.S. - if I ever figure out something I'm happy with, I'll probably expand on this.
Brazil announced their squad for the Foxboro friendly today. Unsurprisingly, it's mostly a-listers. This is a FIFA international date and CONMEBOL's marathon qualifying is just a moth later. Notably Kaká is in the squad, but Coutinho is out. According to the linked article, Kaká is the first MLS player to make the Selecao, but I'm pretty sure Julio Cesar was capped while playing for TFC.
http://www.espnfc.com/brazil/story/2561863/brazil-omit-coutinho-and-silva-for-friendlies-but-add-kaka
http://www.espnfc.com/brazil/story/2561863/brazil-omit-coutinho-and-silva-for-friendlies-but-add-kaka
Vinho Tinto said:
No, he was loaned in February 2014, played a few months, and then departed for the WC. He then returned to QPR and was subsequently sold to Benfica.
Future USMNT Superstar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q65qEnOVE_0
http://www.fauquier.com/news/article/european_professional_soccer_teams_looking_at_kettle_runs_kevin_coleman
This link says he trained with youth teams from Juve, Tottenham, etc., and now I got information (fan forum) that he´ll join U19 team @1.FC Kaiserslautern and go to school at the US Airbase.
Did he stall in his development (why else would he join a U19 team that just got relegated from U19 Bundesliga)? Is the guy a valuable prospect or is this just promotion to develop a better connection to US players?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q65qEnOVE_0
http://www.fauquier.com/news/article/european_professional_soccer_teams_looking_at_kettle_runs_kevin_coleman
This link says he trained with youth teams from Juve, Tottenham, etc., and now I got information (fan forum) that he´ll join U19 team @1.FC Kaiserslautern and go to school at the US Airbase.
Did he stall in his development (why else would he join a U19 team that just got relegated from U19 Bundesliga)? Is the guy a valuable prospect or is this just promotion to develop a better connection to US players?
Schnerres said:
I don't know all that much about Coleman and hadn't heard of him before a couple of days ago when I saw the news about Kaiserslautern. He was involved with the US U17 national team briefly earlier in the cycle, but at this point isn't part of the team. Unsigned US youth players train with big-name Euro clubs all the time; usually it isn't serious. Unless Coleman has a Euro passport, he can't even sign with English clubs and there'd be fairly tough restrictions in Italy too.
It seems to me like Kaiserslautern is just taking a flyer on a youth player. The US development system is fragmented - it's hard to ID all the good U19 players (both because of geographic size and because we're mediocre at it) and they don't always have access to good domestic pro opportunities. Someone like Coleman, who isn't part of an MLS academy, would have to go play college soccer for at least a few years (far from ideal) or take his chances with a minor league team (risky; not great facilities or infrastructure, no track record of serious player development), so it makes sense that he'd look at opportunities abroad.
He probably won't be any great shakes, but you never know.
Fabian Johnson has a torn muscle in his right calf and will be out for at least the September friendlies - and possibly the October Confed Cup playoff as well. That's very bad news; since Shea is also injured, we'll be reduced to using Garza, Ream, Chandler out of position, or hauling DMB out of international retirement for a second time.
Bild is reporting that Klinsmann has called up Andrew Wooten. Wooten is a late-developing German-American forward currently at Sandhausen. He started off at a small Regionalliga club, Wormatia Worms, but was picked up by Kaiserslautern for their second team in 2009. After a quiet first season, he scored 35 goals for their second team in 10/11 and 11/12, eventually making 7 appearances in the Bundesliga when Kaiserslautern was throwing shit against the wall to see what stuck in their unsuccessful attempt to avoid relegation. He was never able to break into Kaiserslautern's team in the 2.Bundesliga, but spent 12/13 on loan at Sandhausen, part of 13/14 on loan at FSV Frankfurt, and last season he moved back to Sandhausen permanently. He's off to a hot start in 15/16 with five goals in his first three games. Perhaps we can get a scouting report from Schnerres, but my impression of him is that he's a useful mid-level 2.Bundesliga player, but probably won't ever be much more than that; he's already 25.
Bild is reporting that Klinsmann has called up Andrew Wooten. Wooten is a late-developing German-American forward currently at Sandhausen. He started off at a small Regionalliga club, Wormatia Worms, but was picked up by Kaiserslautern for their second team in 2009. After a quiet first season, he scored 35 goals for their second team in 10/11 and 11/12, eventually making 7 appearances in the Bundesliga when Kaiserslautern was throwing shit against the wall to see what stuck in their unsuccessful attempt to avoid relegation. He was never able to break into Kaiserslautern's team in the 2.Bundesliga, but spent 12/13 on loan at Sandhausen, part of 13/14 on loan at FSV Frankfurt, and last season he moved back to Sandhausen permanently. He's off to a hot start in 15/16 with five goals in his first three games. Perhaps we can get a scouting report from Schnerres, but my impression of him is that he's a useful mid-level 2.Bundesliga player, but probably won't ever be much more than that; he's already 25.
You make it sound like Shea being injured is bad for the team.
I'd rather bring Tom Dooley out of retirement than watch Shea play FB.
I'd rather bring Tom Dooley out of retirement than watch Shea play FB.
Cellar-Door said:
When a serious alternative is using Greg Garza, Shea being injured is bad for the team.
The Olympic qualifying draw was made this morning:
Group A
USA
Panama
Cuba
Canada
Group B
Mexico
Honduras
Haiti
Costa Rica / Guatemala
The US will be playing on Oct 1 (Sporting Park, KC), Oct 3 (Sporting Park, KC), and Oct 6 (the Dick, CO) and the semifinals, final, and 3rd place games will be at Rio Tinto in UT. The two finalists qualify for the Olympics; the third place team gets the honor of losing to Colombia.
The October FIFA window is also when the senior team will be playing Mexico in the Confed Cup playoff, so it is very unlikely that Yedlin or (especially) Brooks will be part of this team. It is still unclear which Euro-based players will be available.
Group A
USA
Panama
Cuba
Canada
Group B
Mexico
Honduras
Haiti
Costa Rica / Guatemala
The US will be playing on Oct 1 (Sporting Park, KC), Oct 3 (Sporting Park, KC), and Oct 6 (the Dick, CO) and the semifinals, final, and 3rd place games will be at Rio Tinto in UT. The two finalists qualify for the Olympics; the third place team gets the honor of losing to Colombia.
The October FIFA window is also when the senior team will be playing Mexico in the Confed Cup playoff, so it is very unlikely that Yedlin or (especially) Brooks will be part of this team. It is still unclear which Euro-based players will be available.
I've been drinking (hard to sleep after hockey), but if Bradley played the "6" in place of Beckerman's corpse, is there anyone who could head the tip of the diamond formation? I think Bradley could be excellent in that spot, although perhaps better up top.
US soccer mandates changes in birth-year registration.
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/65292/us-soccer-mandates-major-changes-altering-birth.html
They are also putting small-sided standards in place:
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/65292/us-soccer-mandates-major-changes-altering-birth.html
They are also putting small-sided standards in place:
I'm not sure what the value of rearranging cutoff dates has. You separate kids from their friends, which discourages participation. And the benefits are...? I am glad that the USSF has been addressing the "late" birthday issue. They recently had a camp for U15s born in the second half of the year, which was a nice initiative.
As for the smaller fields/teams/goals, I think most clubs do that to some extent already, but I guess there weren't any USSF rules about it prior to now?
As for the smaller fields/teams/goals, I think most clubs do that to some extent already, but I guess there weren't any USSF rules about it prior to now?
Titans Bastard said:
They talk about that:
So, until the current groups work through it, kids born in the latter half of the current age group (Jan-July) will have to play up a year to stay with their current group.
Kids on the top competitive travel teams probably don't care as much--they want to play with the best team and some hop around to find it from season to season and have competitive tryouts every summer. And at age 15+, many could play up a year anyway.
Kids playing in city rec leagues--well, we'll have to see if they follow suit. Our local one uses September 30 cut off date, so there's already some issues when kids progress from city leagues to clubs. My daughter is moving to club soccer and one girl that's played with her for years in the city leagues can't jump to her team because of the differing age cut-offs.
DrewDawg said:
I see it as more of an issue at younger ages. By age 15+ it's a different story, but at age 6, 7, 8 a lot of kids will choose other activities if they can't play soccer with their friends. To me that's just needlessly shrinking the pool before you have any clue who is elite.
It's not totally clear to me how far down the line this will be implemented, though. If it's just the more elite competitive travel teams, then I don't have a complaint.
I don't see that as a huge problem at age 6 or 7 though, because who is your friend at that age? The kid next door and the kids in your class. In theory, most of them are going to be born in the same year anyway I would think, give or take a few, so you won't be losing that grouping.
Most leagues in our area in those age groups have so many kids in them (hundreds of them) that there's no guarantee your kid will be on his or her best friend's team anyway. They don't start splitting teams into travel teams until age 11 usually. Younger teams are much more fluid--kids are trying out different sports.
As with most things though, I'm sure there will be unforeseen benefits and problems. I just like that we're getting on the same schedule as everyone else.
Most leagues in our area in those age groups have so many kids in them (hundreds of them) that there's no guarantee your kid will be on his or her best friend's team anyway. They don't start splitting teams into travel teams until age 11 usually. Younger teams are much more fluid--kids are trying out different sports.
As with most things though, I'm sure there will be unforeseen benefits and problems. I just like that we're getting on the same schedule as everyone else.
Sebastien Lletget has been mauling MLS defenses since he returned from England. Might be time to give him a run out.Dummy Hoy said:
Cellar-Door said:
I wouldn't mind seeing it, but in Klinsmann's entire tenure he's only handed a first cap to an MLS player once outside of January camp (Alan Gordon).
Update on the Crossfire Premier vs. USSF developmental fee issue
It sounds like these youth club are going after solidarity payments, but not training compensation. That makes sense to me. They've already been compensated for training (via pay-for-play). I think it's more politically shrewd for them to focus on solidarity payments.
It also appears to a USSF issue and not an MLS issue, as several Canadian youth clubs received solidarity payments for Toronto's sale of Doneil Henry.
It sounds like these youth club are going after solidarity payments, but not training compensation. That makes sense to me. They've already been compensated for training (via pay-for-play). I think it's more politically shrewd for them to focus on solidarity payments.
It also appears to a USSF issue and not an MLS issue, as several Canadian youth clubs received solidarity payments for Toronto's sale of Doneil Henry.
The squad for Peru and Brazil is coming out on Sunday.
Fabian Johnson and Brek Shea are injured. Dempsey hasn't played in almost a month, but is supposed to be back for this weekend's Seattle/Portland game.
Bradley is skipping the Peru game to play to play in the Seattle/Toronto game. Altidore has reportedly been called up for both US matches.
Fabian Johnson and Brek Shea are injured. Dempsey hasn't played in almost a month, but is supposed to be back for this weekend's Seattle/Portland game.
Bradley is skipping the Peru game to play to play in the Seattle/Toronto game. Altidore has reportedly been called up for both US matches.
The last U23 camp before the Olympics has been announced. The U23s will play two games in England against England and Qatar.
GK
Cody Cropper (Milton Keynes Dons)
Ethan Horvath (Molde)
Zack Steffen (Freiburg)
DF
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur)
Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
Eric Miller (Montreal Impact)
Boyd Okwuonu (Real Salt Lake)
Shane O'Neill (Apollon Limassol)
Will Packwood (-)
Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids)
Oscar Sorto (Los Angeles Galaxy)
MF
Gboly Ariyibi (Chesterfield)
Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake)
Emerson Hyndman (Fulham)
Benji Joya (Necaxa)
Marc Pelosi (San Jose Earthquakes)
Matt Polster (Chicago Fire)
Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)
Gedion Zelalem (Rangers)
FW
Alonso Hernandez (Juarez)
Jerome Kiesewetter (Stuttgart)
Mario Rodriguez (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Rubio Rubin (Utrecht)
Maki Tall (Sion)
It's hard to judge this roster because we don't know who wasn't released and it's getting to be that time when YNT managers cut deals, e.g. "we won't call up Player X for Camp Y if you release him for qualifiers".
Keeping that in mind, this roster isn't our best.
1. The GKs are our top three, but it's not clear which of them will be released for qualifiers. Hopefully at least Steffen, who is only with Freiburg's reserves. Cropper is the #2 and starting cup matches; Horvath is Molde's starter.
2. Herzog may well use the U-20s starting pair of Miazga and CCV, as they did very well over the summer together and have been progressing with their clubs. Brooks is eligible, but won't be with the U-23s. O'Neill's career has gone of the rails a bit under Mastroeni and now he's in Cyprus. Packwood has been unemployed for a while and really shouldn't be here ahead of Tim Parker (Vancouver) and Walker Zimmerman (Dallas). Parker in particular has been doing well lately, for one of the top teams in MLS. But overall, CB is well-covered.
3. The fullback situation is dire. Yedlin is unlikely to take part in qualifying, particularly because it overlaps with the Confed Cup playoff. I'm disappointed that Kansas City's Amadou Dia wasn't given a shot at LB. Groningen's Desevio Payne was very good for the U-20s, but he's injured at the moment and his availability for qualifying is questionable. However, he would be our best non-Yedlin solution at RB. The guys in camp are scrubs (Okwuonu, Miller, Sorto) or are wingers out of position (Serna).
4. CM looks good. We have tons of depth at DM, starting with Trapp and Polster and extending to a number of players not in camp - Fatai Alashe (SJ), Kellyn Acosta (Dallas), Caleb Stanko (Freiburg). I'm a bit surprised not to see Acosta because he's having a good season and because he can provide cover at both fullback positions, a valuable trait on smaller Olympic rosters. A little further upfield, Hyndman, Zelalem, and Gil are solid options, although Gil is having a terribly disappointing season and seems to be stagnating or even regressing. Benji Joya is an annoying "YNT legacy inertia pick". He's busy not making the 18 for a second division Mexican club. NYRB's Sean Davis, Toronto's Marco Delgado, or Seattle's Cristian Roldan would be more deserving choices.
5. Pelosi and Ariyibi are uninspiring. I'd much rather have Paul Arriola (Tijuana) or Julian Green as wide options (and Serna, instead of using him at LB).
6. I hope Rubin's inclusion is a sign that he will be made available for qualifiers. If we can go into qualifiers with Rubin along with Jordan Morris and Jose Villarreal (JV is recovering from an injury and Morris is either in the same boat or has already recovered and will be on the senior roster), I'd feel pretty good about our forward situation.
GK
Cody Cropper (Milton Keynes Dons)
Ethan Horvath (Molde)
Zack Steffen (Freiburg)
DF
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur)
Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
Eric Miller (Montreal Impact)
Boyd Okwuonu (Real Salt Lake)
Shane O'Neill (Apollon Limassol)
Will Packwood (-)
Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids)
Oscar Sorto (Los Angeles Galaxy)
MF
Gboly Ariyibi (Chesterfield)
Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake)
Emerson Hyndman (Fulham)
Benji Joya (Necaxa)
Marc Pelosi (San Jose Earthquakes)
Matt Polster (Chicago Fire)
Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)
Gedion Zelalem (Rangers)
FW
Alonso Hernandez (Juarez)
Jerome Kiesewetter (Stuttgart)
Mario Rodriguez (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Rubio Rubin (Utrecht)
Maki Tall (Sion)
It's hard to judge this roster because we don't know who wasn't released and it's getting to be that time when YNT managers cut deals, e.g. "we won't call up Player X for Camp Y if you release him for qualifiers".
Keeping that in mind, this roster isn't our best.
1. The GKs are our top three, but it's not clear which of them will be released for qualifiers. Hopefully at least Steffen, who is only with Freiburg's reserves. Cropper is the #2 and starting cup matches; Horvath is Molde's starter.
2. Herzog may well use the U-20s starting pair of Miazga and CCV, as they did very well over the summer together and have been progressing with their clubs. Brooks is eligible, but won't be with the U-23s. O'Neill's career has gone of the rails a bit under Mastroeni and now he's in Cyprus. Packwood has been unemployed for a while and really shouldn't be here ahead of Tim Parker (Vancouver) and Walker Zimmerman (Dallas). Parker in particular has been doing well lately, for one of the top teams in MLS. But overall, CB is well-covered.
3. The fullback situation is dire. Yedlin is unlikely to take part in qualifying, particularly because it overlaps with the Confed Cup playoff. I'm disappointed that Kansas City's Amadou Dia wasn't given a shot at LB. Groningen's Desevio Payne was very good for the U-20s, but he's injured at the moment and his availability for qualifying is questionable. However, he would be our best non-Yedlin solution at RB. The guys in camp are scrubs (Okwuonu, Miller, Sorto) or are wingers out of position (Serna).
4. CM looks good. We have tons of depth at DM, starting with Trapp and Polster and extending to a number of players not in camp - Fatai Alashe (SJ), Kellyn Acosta (Dallas), Caleb Stanko (Freiburg). I'm a bit surprised not to see Acosta because he's having a good season and because he can provide cover at both fullback positions, a valuable trait on smaller Olympic rosters. A little further upfield, Hyndman, Zelalem, and Gil are solid options, although Gil is having a terribly disappointing season and seems to be stagnating or even regressing. Benji Joya is an annoying "YNT legacy inertia pick". He's busy not making the 18 for a second division Mexican club. NYRB's Sean Davis, Toronto's Marco Delgado, or Seattle's Cristian Roldan would be more deserving choices.
5. Pelosi and Ariyibi are uninspiring. I'd much rather have Paul Arriola (Tijuana) or Julian Green as wide options (and Serna, instead of using him at LB).
6. I hope Rubin's inclusion is a sign that he will be made available for qualifiers. If we can go into qualifiers with Rubin along with Jordan Morris and Jose Villarreal (JV is recovering from an injury and Morris is either in the same boat or has already recovered and will be on the senior roster), I'd feel pretty good about our forward situation.
TB, I somehow missed Pelosi coming back to MLS over the summer. He's seems to have been making youth national teams for a long time (by which I mean I've seen his name in your posts) and I believe got a call up to the last January camp for the full Nats. Do you know why Liverpool gave up on him?
Billy R Ford said:
He had a particularly bad leg fracture, missed a ton of time, and has never been the same. Even when he was considered a top prospect, it wasn't clear what his best position was (LB? CM? LM?) and it's still not clear now. He's getting some sub time in SJ, but hasn't done anything notable as of yet.
The USSF also dropped the first U-20 roster of the cycle:
GK
Christian Herrera (Real Monarchs)
Justin Vom Steeg (UCSB)
DF
Kyle Duncan (Monmouth)
Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake)
Nicholas Hinds (Seattle Sounders academy)
Andrew Lombard (Northeastern)
Christian Onalfo (LA Galaxy academy)
Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City)
Pablo Pelaez (San Diego State)
Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire academy)
MF
Amir Bashti (Stanford)
Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire)
Cameron Lindley (Chicago Fire academy)
Abuchi Obinwa (Hannover 96)
Emmanuel Sabbi (Chicago Magic)
Martin Salas (UNC)
Kyle Scott (Chelsea)
Ben Swanson (Columbus Crew)
FW
Coy Craft (FC Dallas)
Christian Lucatero (Houston Dynamo)
Victor Mansaray (Seattle Sounders)
Nebojsa Popovic (Saint Louis U)
Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake)
Three games in Serbia in early September.
It's a largely domestic camp, with only two foreign-based players (Scott & Obinwa). Everyone in camp is a 97 because the current U17s haven't played their WC yet. As such, it will be a few months before the top 98s are integrated into the team.
Overall I don't have a great sense of who is good yet. No one on this team has a significant track record in MLS, though a bunch have made debuts. Mansaray, Saucedo, and Glad have gotten a lot of experience on USL affiliates this year, as well as cups of coffee in MLS.
There are three players from the past U-20 team who are eligible for this cycle, too: Zelalem, Carter-Vickers, and EPB. I'd expect that EPB will be a leadership figure this time and guess that Zelalem and CCV will be moved onward and upward.
More potential nepotism:
1) Justin vom Steeg is the son of UCSB head coach Tim vom Steeg, where Justin is heading this fall.
2) Christian Onalfo is the son of Curt Onalfo, who was an Arena-era USMNT assistant coach, had two (poor) stints at KC and DC, and is currently managing LA Galaxy's USL team.
We'll see.
GK
Christian Herrera (Real Monarchs)
Justin Vom Steeg (UCSB)
DF
Kyle Duncan (Monmouth)
Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake)
Nicholas Hinds (Seattle Sounders academy)
Andrew Lombard (Northeastern)
Christian Onalfo (LA Galaxy academy)
Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City)
Pablo Pelaez (San Diego State)
Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire academy)
MF
Amir Bashti (Stanford)
Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire)
Cameron Lindley (Chicago Fire academy)
Abuchi Obinwa (Hannover 96)
Emmanuel Sabbi (Chicago Magic)
Martin Salas (UNC)
Kyle Scott (Chelsea)
Ben Swanson (Columbus Crew)
FW
Coy Craft (FC Dallas)
Christian Lucatero (Houston Dynamo)
Victor Mansaray (Seattle Sounders)
Nebojsa Popovic (Saint Louis U)
Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake)
Three games in Serbia in early September.
It's a largely domestic camp, with only two foreign-based players (Scott & Obinwa). Everyone in camp is a 97 because the current U17s haven't played their WC yet. As such, it will be a few months before the top 98s are integrated into the team.
Overall I don't have a great sense of who is good yet. No one on this team has a significant track record in MLS, though a bunch have made debuts. Mansaray, Saucedo, and Glad have gotten a lot of experience on USL affiliates this year, as well as cups of coffee in MLS.
There are three players from the past U-20 team who are eligible for this cycle, too: Zelalem, Carter-Vickers, and EPB. I'd expect that EPB will be a leadership figure this time and guess that Zelalem and CCV will be moved onward and upward.
More potential nepotism:
1) Justin vom Steeg is the son of UCSB head coach Tim vom Steeg, where Justin is heading this fall.
2) Christian Onalfo is the son of Curt Onalfo, who was an Arena-era USMNT assistant coach, had two (poor) stints at KC and DC, and is currently managing LA Galaxy's USL team.
We'll see.
Chandler is going to have surgery on a torn meniscus.
https://twitter.com/eintracht_eng/status/638022187568484352
https://twitter.com/eintracht_eng/status/638022187568484352
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
DEFENDERS (8): Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Greg Garza (Atlas), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Veracruz), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Bradley and Dempsey will join the team for the Brazil friendly and Sean Johnson will replace Yarbrough. Fabian Johnson, Shea, Chandler, and Beasley are injured. Wooten is the only new face.
DEFENDERS (8): Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Greg Garza (Atlas), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Veracruz), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Bradley and Dempsey will join the team for the Brazil friendly and Sean Johnson will replace Yarbrough. Fabian Johnson, Shea, Chandler, and Beasley are injured. Wooten is the only new face.
Watching NYRB vs. DCU, it's an absolute joke that Bill Hamid is behind Yarbrough, a Liga MX mediocrity who has already lost his job this season. I'm fairly convinced that if Hamid played in any league other than MLS (including NASL), he would be in camp.
Backup keeper debates aside, I'm growing increasingly worried about Klinsmann's lack of interest in integrating MLS players into the player pool. As the Donovan/Dempsey/Howard era is almost completely done, the USMNT is lacking for star power which means it is all the more important to get the supporting cast right. Yet JK is running out non-entities like Joe Corona and Greg Garza, who would never have gotten a sniff in the first place had they been MLS players.
This cycle has been all about foreign-based players, except for Zardes.
Meanwhile, Yarbrough, Alvarado, and Garza have all lost their starting jobs. Garza in particular has gotten absolutely torched this season. Corona's been yanked in the first half of his last three games (I don't even know how that's possible).
We have three flank players on this entire roster (Garza, Yedlin, Bedoya) and there's no interest in giving Ethan Finlay a whirl? 8g/13a this season so far after 11g/7a last year. Or Sebastian Lletget, who has been flat-out awesome for LA? Or how about Dax McCarty at DM given our post-Beckerman struggles? I like Danny Williams, but players get hurt and suspended and out of form....and Corona, Morales, and Diskerud simply aren't DMs. Benny Feilhaber has significantly raised his level, fitness, and dedication at KC for years now. Diskerud isn't half as good as he is. Feilhaber isn't young, but so what - he could have been helping for a while and could still contribute for a few years. Robbie Rogers is in form and has turned into a pretty decent LB. He is at least not a trainwreck athletically on the int'l level like Garza.
Not every player and experiment will work out, but it's a huge mistake to just ignore so much of what is going on.
I'm just a little sick of this guy.
Backup keeper debates aside, I'm growing increasingly worried about Klinsmann's lack of interest in integrating MLS players into the player pool. As the Donovan/Dempsey/Howard era is almost completely done, the USMNT is lacking for star power which means it is all the more important to get the supporting cast right. Yet JK is running out non-entities like Joe Corona and Greg Garza, who would never have gotten a sniff in the first place had they been MLS players.
This cycle has been all about foreign-based players, except for Zardes.
Meanwhile, Yarbrough, Alvarado, and Garza have all lost their starting jobs. Garza in particular has gotten absolutely torched this season. Corona's been yanked in the first half of his last three games (I don't even know how that's possible).
We have three flank players on this entire roster (Garza, Yedlin, Bedoya) and there's no interest in giving Ethan Finlay a whirl? 8g/13a this season so far after 11g/7a last year. Or Sebastian Lletget, who has been flat-out awesome for LA? Or how about Dax McCarty at DM given our post-Beckerman struggles? I like Danny Williams, but players get hurt and suspended and out of form....and Corona, Morales, and Diskerud simply aren't DMs. Benny Feilhaber has significantly raised his level, fitness, and dedication at KC for years now. Diskerud isn't half as good as he is. Feilhaber isn't young, but so what - he could have been helping for a while and could still contribute for a few years. Robbie Rogers is in form and has turned into a pretty decent LB. He is at least not a trainwreck athletically on the int'l level like Garza.
Not every player and experiment will work out, but it's a huge mistake to just ignore so much of what is going on.
I'm just a little sick of this guy.
Interesting...
Does Howard start over Guzan? It seems rolling w Guzan for the experience, but why would Howard come back of not for the start.
Do we see Brooks-Alvarado at CB? Seems like what JK wants long term.
We are way down on the FB list. I have no idea who starts here.
Williams in the Beckerman role? Or does Jermaine get it since he opted to come back.
I like Mix-yedlin-bedoya-williams until bradley joins up.
Zardes and Jozy? AJ? Wood? Up top. AJ and Bobby have both impressed in play recently and id Jozy even considered the incumbent nowadays? I would like aj and zardes. Zardes, dempsey when he joins.
Does Howard start over Guzan? It seems rolling w Guzan for the experience, but why would Howard come back of not for the start.
Do we see Brooks-Alvarado at CB? Seems like what JK wants long term.
We are way down on the FB list. I have no idea who starts here.
Williams in the Beckerman role? Or does Jermaine get it since he opted to come back.
I like Mix-yedlin-bedoya-williams until bradley joins up.
Zardes and Jozy? AJ? Wood? Up top. AJ and Bobby have both impressed in play recently and id Jozy even considered the incumbent nowadays? I would like aj and zardes. Zardes, dempsey when he joins.
Looks like Yedlin has been loaned to Sunderland. Really hope he can get match time there, it'd be perfect for him to play every week in England right now. I'm worried that teams are going to want to use his pace more forward and play him as more of a winger.
Jonathan Spector has been added to camp. He'll provide another fullback option, though it's worth noting he's played exclusively CB for Birmingham City in 2015.