04/16/24
May 02, 2006
US names World Cup Roster: Bruce Arena named his 23 man squad today. Congrats go to all the players and here's to a successful campaign in June. Who do you think should have made it but didn't or should have been left out but made it?
Yes to Brian Ching and no to Taylor Twellman? That was a bit surprising to me.
posted by rabi at 09:10 PM on May 02, 2006
Has anyone checked out the jack if/when we get out of the opening round? Collectively, somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 to 5 mil. For a nation that doesn't give a rat's ass about soccer, that's positive bucks!!! GOOD LUCK, USA!!! GOLLLAAAGOLLLAAAGOLLLAAAA!!!
posted by wolfdad at 10:04 PM on May 02, 2006
I am a Dynamo and Ching fan. Congrats to Ching. I am shocked that Twellman did not make it.
posted by Byg at 10:38 PM on May 02, 2006
What no Tony Meola? I guess it's back to the Jet's for him. Ha Ha.
posted by chucodimebag at 11:43 PM on May 02, 2006
Yes to Brian Ching and no to Taylor Twellman? That was a bit surprising to me. Rabi, not to me and in fact I've made many comments here calling for Ching to get more time partnering McBride because the combination lets McBride wander more and create havoc while Ching becomes the target man. Eddie Johnson has got serious potential but I'm not sure he doesn't belong on the right wing where he and DMB can drive backlines crazy with speed.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:47 PM on May 02, 2006
I too like the way Ching looks when he's on , but Twellman has come on so strong in the past few months , it did seem a bit off to leave him out. I also like what I see in Chris Rolfe...Hopefully he can become what we need for 2010.
posted by Ricardo at 11:52 PM on May 02, 2006
No Friedel? Did he retire? Reyna as captain ... hope he stays healthy throughout. And looks like a 4-3-1-2 or 4-4-2. Conventional. Hope it works.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:19 AM on May 03, 2006
Yeah, Friedel retired from international football after Japan/South Korea. All in all, Keller is just as good anyway. It seems to be a fairly strong crew of guys. With any luck, we can pull off a couple big games against the Czechs and Italians and win the group to avoid Brazil in the second round. And on top of that, the rest of the teams in groups G and H might be highly beatable as well...It looks like we have the easier bracket if we can advance AND avoid Brazil.
posted by Ricardo at 04:39 AM on May 03, 2006
To avoid Brazil you're probably going to have to win your group. It'd be dumb to write off the USA's chances of escaping the group, especially if you can steal three points off the Czech's on matchday one, but I really can't see you winning it.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 05:51 AM on May 03, 2006
The folks on bigsoccer are opining that the formation will be more of a 4-5-1, with McBride as the lone target, allowing Donovan to move forward more in the attack (and DMB as well). I've written up my thoughts on the selection on my site (gratuitous self pimping over). I too am surprised that Ching was included over Twellman. I guess he is there to cover McBride should anything happen. It's also kind of shocking how shallow the position of right back is--Frankie Hejduk?
posted by trox at 08:23 AM on May 03, 2006
I would have selected Ching and Twellman and left Wolff behind. Yeah, Wolff is quick but he's scored 9 goals in 45 games for the U.S. and only Hejduk is better example of the type of American player we should be getting away from, IMO. Along with Olsen, they're like these whirling-dervish players who charge into everything 1 on 1 and then get beat by players with much more savvy and guile. At least Olsen has a decent shot in his boots but I think Wolff and Hejduk are just taking up space. All in all it's a good side, easily the best America has assembled in my lifetime. I still don't know if we'll get out of the group. Not only is it a very difficult group but the way our games are set up doesn't help us at all. If the the Czech Republic and Ghana were flipped in the order we would have a much better chance but, it is what it is. On a personal note, I'm leaving NY and moving back to Texas this weekend. If you see a new user name coming in next week talking about the greatest sport in the world, you'll know it's me. Adios New York, and thanks for a couple of great years! Austin, here we come!
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 08:59 AM on May 03, 2006
All in all it's a good side, easily the best America has assembled in my lifetime. I wholeheartedly agree. I still give the US about a 50/50 shot of advancing. I think we can get a point from Italy, but the Czechs worry me.
posted by trox at 09:20 AM on May 03, 2006
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.
posted by Hugh Janus at 09:31 AM on May 03, 2006
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)
posted by billsaysthis at 10:45 AM on May 03, 2006
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.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 12:05 PM on May 03, 2006
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
posted by trox at 01:32 PM on May 03, 2006
where was freddy adu @...he's not eligible yet?
posted by Fabz316 at 05:01 PM on May 03, 2006
where was freddy adu @...he's not eligible yet? He's not good enough.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 05:17 PM on May 03, 2006
I would have definitely picked Chris Albright. I would have left Frankie Hedjuk off for certain.
posted by urall cloolis at 07:14 PM on May 03, 2006
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.
posted by urall cloolis at 07:19 PM on May 03, 2006
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. http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-wcup-us-hejduk&prov=ap&type=lgns
posted by urall cloolis at 07:22 PM on May 03, 2006
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.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 08:23 PM on May 03, 2006
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.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:13 PM on May 05, 2006
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.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 09:32 PM on May 08, 2006
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.
posted by billsaysthis at 10:09 PM on May 08, 2006
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.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:40 PM on May 09, 2006
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.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 03:04 PM on May 11, 2006
I, for one, am disappointed that Jeff Agoos has retired. He provided many comic moments at the back. Even under 7s understand that marking involves getting between the opposing player and the goal, and I've seen milk turn faster.