U.S. player pool looking much deeper August, 17, 2011 Aug 17 2:34 By Luke Cyphers and Doug McIntyre "The players are still the same." You heard variations of that theme constantly when Jurgen Klinsmann took over as U.S. coach last month. A coach is only as good as his players, and with the inevitable injuries and slumps that the game brings, an elite team needs far more than just a good starting 11. It's a painful truth that depth has always been an issue for the national team, and the injuries to Charlie Davies and Oguchi Onyewu on consecutive days in October of 2009 created the biggest "what if?" of the Bob Bradley era, followed closely by Stuart Holden's knee surgery last March. And with stalwarts Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard having begun what could be their final World Cup cycle, many fans have been lamenting the apparent dearth of new blood flowing into the senior squad. But all of a sudden, the U.S. player pool looks deeper -- a lot deeper -- than it did just a month ago. As we told you last week, Klinsmann's hiring signaled a fresh start for a gaggle of Yanks -- including Jose Torres, Edgar Castillo, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman, Michael Orozco Fiscal and Edson Buddle -- who'd fallen off the radar under Bob Bradley. "It felt great," Torres said after last week's 1-1 draw with Mexico in Philadelphia, his first opportunity with the national team since a dismal 2010 World Cup start against Slovenia. "Personally, I felt good, I think I did a great job, and I'm satisfied with what I did." Robbie Rogers, a heretofore slumping player whose selection to Bradley's Gold Cup squad was roundly criticized, also showed well for Klinsmann. The speedy Columbus winger sounded not just grateful, but downright confident after scoring the tying goal. "When I was on the bench [against Mexico], I was thinking, 'Gosh, I wish guys would be running more at their defense and causing more trouble and using their speed,'" Rogers said. When he and fleet-footed youngsters Brek Shea and Juan Agudelo came on to inject energy in the U.S. attack, Rogers said, "I think all of us when we got on we had it in the back of our mind: We're going to run at them and cause some trouble. That's just something you have to know about Mexico. They're a smart team, they're great on the ball, but they're not athletic. So just as a soccer player you have to recognize that and use your speed if you have it." Rogers did, and put himself into this fall's roster conversations. But besides the reclamation projects, the beginning of the European club season revealed a number of other players who could force their way into Klinsmann's plans. Last weekend, uncapped German-Americans Fabian Johnson of Hoffenheim and Alfredo Morales of Hertha Berlin started in the Bundesliga, moving them near the top of a long list of fellow German-Americans who could be in U.S. Soccer's future. That group already includes fellow German-born dual-nationals Jermaine Jones, Timmy Chandler and David Yelldell, who each made their U.S. debuts in the past year. Elsewhere in Europe, Zak Whitbread is now a starting Premier League defender for Norwich. Sacha Kljestan is a first-choice selection for Anderlecht in Belgium. Maurice Edu has been in Rangers' lineup 31 consecutive times and is attracting interest from better leagues. In Norway, Josh Gatt, 19, and Mix Diskerud are regular starters, with the former scoring spectacular goals as a lightning-quick right back. Even Robbie Findley has returned from injury and is earning regular minutes with Nottingham Forest. Down in Mexico, 21-year-old Californian Isaac Acuña is seeing field time with powerful Club América, where the aforementioned Castillo has established himself as a starter this season after bouncing around the Primera Division on three different loan stints since 2009. Add in rising MLSers like Zach Loyd, Bill Hamid and, yes, Freddy Adu, and things don't look nearly as bleak. Suddenly, it's not still the same players -- or at least not only the same players -- at all. Notes • Timmy Chandler's pace and crossing on the right flank have had American fans excited since the 21-year-old made his U.S. debut back in March. Still, even with the seemingly ageless Steve Cherundolo going strong and other right-sided options available, there's been little talk about plugging Chandler into the Yanks' perpetually thin left-back spot. That may begin to change after Chandler set up Nurnberg's goal in a 2-1 loss to Cherundolo's Hannover with a left-footed, seeing-eye service on Saturday. Remember, Jurgen Klinsmann has converted a natural righty like Chandler before, deploying Philipp Lahm as a left back during his tenure with Germany. • Brek Shea's MVP-caliber campaign for FC Dallas has caught the eye of several European clubs, according to his agent. The youngster just inked a four-year contract extension in May, but his breakthrough season, which continues Wednesday when FCD visits Mexico's Pumas in a CONCACAF Champions League tilt, could have several clubs offering a significant transfer fee for his rights. • Alejandro Bedoya could debut for Scottish champion Rangers as early as Thursday after completing his transfer from Sweden's Örebro. The Glasgow club is also reportedly chasing U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra, although his French employer may be reluctant to let him go. [UPDATE: It seems his French club wasn't so reluctant after all.]
GrantWahl Grant Wahl Belgium roster for USA friendly includes Lukaku, Hazard, Fellaini, Dembele, Kompany, Vermaelen bit.ly/ncvoc9 (via @briansciaretta)
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton) DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls) MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca) FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION - Detailed Roster GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton) DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls) MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca) FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) Lol What?
----------------------------------Jozy----------------------------------- Shea----------------------------Landon-----------------------Dempsey -------------------------Torres----------Edu---------------------------- Chandler----------------Boca----------Goodson-------------------Dolo ---------------------------------Howard--------------------------------- is what I want to see also excited to see what Fabian Johnson provides
I like this... My one hesitation is whenever I see Goodson trying to mark someone on D, I think of this video. FF to the 20 second mark...
SoccerByIves Ives Galarcep Klinsmann explains he left Bradley, Jones and Ricardo Clark off because they're not playing now and still sorting out club situations.
Good MLS player, can maybe see him getting a little run in one of the games, but I don't expect him on the roster come WCQ. Would've liked to have seen Gonzalez called in ahead of Orozco-Fiscal and Mixx, other than that, not many complaints especially considering some players club situations.
On the exclusion of Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark and Jermaine Jones: “All three of these players are trying to sort out their club situations, and the deadline for transfers is a week away. They have also not been playing matches, so for these reasons we decided to select different players for this roster.”
Not upset with that roster, he needs to sort through the list of potential players before setting on a semi-permanent roster in early 2012. Obviously trying every possible player if he's including Larentowicz.
Does anyone have their AO supporters section tickets for the Costa Rica game? They aren't on sale anymore but I wanted to know what section it it's going to be so I could buy close to it.
Zack Loyd and Heath Pearce have pulled out of the U.S. roster, will be replaced by Spector and Pontius. Dempsey will now join the team in Belgium apparently due to a back problem.
Klinsmann discusses some plans for USMNT future Photo by ISIPhotos.comBY ADAM SERRANO MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF. –Always his analytic yet positive self, Jurgen Klinsmann spoke to a group of reporters during a group interview in Los Angeles and outlined his plans for the U.S. National team. With one eye on the upcoming matches against Costa Rica on Friday and Belgium on September 6th, and another on the future, Klinsmann gave his impressions on his first few weeks as U.S. national team coach. Klinsmann touched on a number of topics, including his staff and the future of a team that is very much in a period of transition. Central to his plans is naming a first assistant and Klinsmann revealed that his choice will be former Chivas USA head coach Martin Vasquez. The USMNT coach described Vasquez as someone who will play a role similar to the role Joachim Loew played for Klinsmann during his time at the helm of the German national team. The former Chivas USA head coach is not yet under contract with U.S. Soccer, but a team official states that discussions are pending. Vasquez will simply be Klinsmann's first assistant on an interim basis until a contract is finalized, with Klinsmann also revealing that there will be full-time head coaches hired to handle the Olympic and Under-20 sides. "Martin Vasquez will play that (first assistant) role for me, he's got an exceptional amount of talent and qualities that are perfectly suited for his role here," said Klinsmann. "He knows the American landscape inside out and is connected well within the Mexican market, he has knowledge of coaching teams on and off the field." During his brief tenure as the head of the U.S. national team, Klinsmann's focus has centered around youth development and making sure that the United States can remain competitive on the youth and senior levels. Klinsmann believes it is important for potential young national team players like Josh Gatt and Joe Corona to start their tenure at the U-20 or U-23 level, an area that Klinsmann insists will be an important feeder group for the national team. "If I bring in a guy just because it’s reported to me that he’s a very talented kid, but maybe I don’t have the whole picture, that won’t be good for anyone," Klinsmann said. "Then you shoot where they are to suddenly high media attention and something that they can’t fulfill.” Although Klinsmann is focused on the future of the national team, he admits that he is interested in reaching out to former U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. Klinsmann said he has a tremendous respect for Bradley, and during a recent conversation with Michael Bradley said that he'd like "to sit down with Bob and pick his brain and have a soccer talk.” Although Klinsmann wants to make a connection to the past, he's focused on the future, which includes bringing a more "open minded approach" to the team. This even extends to the fan as Klinsmann would like when possible, to hold open training sessions for his supporters, a practice that will start this Wednesday. One thing about Klinsmann is undeniable, he's certainly enjoying the experience. “I’m going to enjoy this job very much,” said the smiling Klinsmann. “I really enjoy every second of it already.”
O ok, so I guess that probably means none of the eligible national teams players will be at the olympics? Ie Jozy, Freddy, Agudelo, Chandler, ect.
Chilean where've you been made? feel like i haven't see you on here in awhile haha http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-N...-Ready-for-Friendly-in-Carson-California.aspx
maybe?: PROJECTED USA LINEUP vs. COSTA RICA ----------Altidore------Donovan------------- ---------Torres---------------Kljestan-------- -------------Edu---------Larentowicz--------- Castillo---Bocanegra--Orozco----Chandler --------------------Howard---------------------
Shea deserves a start -----------------Altidore------------------ Shea-------------Torres-----------Donovan ----------Edu-------------Sasha(I guess) Spector-------Boca-------Orozco-------Timmy or --------------Altidore-------Juan--------------- Shea------------------------------------Donovan ------------Edu---------------Torres--------- Spector--------Boca------Orozco--------Timmy
because you used the sbi lineup and for some reason he included him -------------------Jozy------------------------ Shea------------Landy----------------Rogers ------------Torres----Edu---------------------- Castillo-----Boca------Goodson------Chandler ------------------Howard----------------------- would be my lineup
Shea has played a shit load of minutes over the past 2 weeks, wouldn't be surprised if he's a sub for this game and starts vs. Belgium
Howard; Chandler, Orozco Fiscal, Bocanegra (c), Castillo; Donovan, Edu, Torres; Rogers, Altidore, Shea