Olsen's a sight better than Hejduk at what they both do, but Benny has brittle ankles, which might come in harm's way against the Czechs.
Trox, good writeup. Although I think when it comes down to it if Keller is not on the pitch Hahnemann is more likely to be the replacement. Howard is rumored to be going to Everton on loan for next season, which is probably good for him (and the US team), but sad since I will be rooting against him every game except Chelsea and Arsenal. Here's my projected starting XI, who has a different projection? 4-5-1 Keller Lewis, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Cherundolo Beasley, Donovan, Reyna, O'Brien (if healthy, otherwise Olsen), Convey McBride 4-4-2 Keller Lewis, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Cherundolo Beasley, Donovan, Reyna, Convey McBride, Johnson (though I'd love to see Ching here against Italy)
My only change would be Gibbs for Bocanegra. Carlos has had a lot of different injuries recently and hasn't played particularly well in the games I've seen. I've always been impressed with Cory's pace and I think he's a more polished player. Also...it's important not to be fooled by Los' listed height of 6'. You guys might remember me mentioning I was drinking in the same pub as the U.S. team after the game v England last May in Chicago. I'm just under 6'3" and Los' was squeezing by the bar and we were chest-to-chest....he's maybe 5'9"....maybe. Cory is listed an inch taller and on the pitch he looks it. I don't want to bang on about height but remember how big the Czech Republic are and Italy are fielding a big team as well. So...I'd start Gibbs. I can't argue with any of the other choices Bill. Oh...one more issue...Convey and Beasley are both left footed so there may be a change for Bobby, even though I'd love to see him in there.
I like Texan's suggestion, but I don't think either Bocanegra or Gibbs starts most of the matches. I think Il Bruce will go with Pope just because of his experience (not saying that I agree with that, it's just what I think will happen). In the midfield, I think Convey comes off the bench in both scenarios. Here's what I think we'll see. 4-5-1 (really a 4-3-2-1 with LD and DMB doing a lot of attacking) Keller Cherundolo, Onyewu, Pope, Lewis Beasely, O'Brien, Reyna, Donovan, Dempsey McBride 4-4-2 Keller Cherundolo, Onyewu, Pope, Lewis Beasely, O'Brien, Reyna, Donovan McBride, Johnson
where was freddy adu @...he's not eligible yet?
where was freddy adu @...he's not eligible yet? He's not good enough.
I would have definitely picked Chris Albright. I would have left Frankie Hedjuk off for certain.
Has anyone on this board actually seen Frankie Hedjuk cross a ball and keep it in bounds? If you have please tell me which game because I have to see it.
WOW- Talk about Voodoo- just checked a few more stories about the US team and this is what i found, kind of eerie...didn't mean for it to happen that way, sorry Frankie. sports.yahoo.com
I didn't want to see the guy get injured; I just think he's crap. Referring to his 7 1/2 month pregnant wide Albright says: "I didn't want her to see the instant message because I didn't want her to get her hopes up before I actually spoke to Bruce," Chris Albright said. "But she pushed me out of the way with the big belly that she's got right now and got to the computer." Women love that shit.
I don't think either Bocanegra or Gibbs starts most of the matches. I think Il Bruce will go with Pope just because of his experience. How many seasons has Bocanegra played in the EPL now? Isn't this his third Finals? How can you say experience is a differentiator. I put Bocanegra as a starter because I think Arena values him more than, say, other observers do and enough that he will be on the field, not the bench.
Soccernet has a story up now that Gibbs will be jumping to England to play in the Premiership with Charlton, if he can get a work permit.
MrB: You'd think (since this is a purely bureaucratic matter) that being on the World Cup squad of a top 10 FIFA-ranked team would be sufficient to get the permit. But then this is a purely bureaucratic matter... Speaking of World Cup rosters, what do you guys think of SGE taking Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon ahead of Shawn Wright-Phillips and Jermain Dafoe? I haven't seen him play this season but Walcott over Andy Johnson was another surprise to me though I suppose if Rooney doesn't recover in time he could come in.
Aaron Lennon is a good choice for me, as he's had a very good season, but the addition of Walcott is an odd one. The only "sense" I can make of it (and I deliberately use the word in quotes) is JJ's poker analogy in the English line up thread, further up the front page.
Bill, this is Bocanegra's 1st World Cup. Exactly what do you see in him that puts him the first XI? I think he's overrated and lazy, not to mention vertically challenged.
