MLS Cup & USA Soccer

Well we have the MLS cup going on Sunday with the LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake and that game MAY just provide our National side with a solid replacement for Charlie Davies.

Of course the stars of the game are Beckham :beat: and Landon Donovan but we should also pay close attention to Kyle 'Rasta' Beckerman and Robbie Findley. If Donovan is moved to striker we're going to need an extra midfielder (Beckerman?) and if Donovan stays at midfield then we're still going to need another striker and that's where Findley may fit in, he's quick, he finds the goal and he gives backs fits with his speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBAdWO_R5Tc

Granted that's vs MLS competition and he's not tested on the international level but at this point in time what do we have to lose?

With Beckerman you know what you're going to get, he's solid, I can't say that I've watched much of Findley, I don't mind the Donovan move to striker but he's probably best in the midfield.

Nothing would please me more then to see Becks win a title here in the states.

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Nothing would please me more then to see Becks win a title here in the states.

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Well hopefully for his sake and the sake of any other big name international players at the tail end of their careers looking to come over to the MLS.

As for the US National side Bradley has a couple of directions he could go in. #1 He could move Dempsey to striker and put Feilhaber in as a starter which we would have done for the second half of all games anyway. #2 He could move in a new striker Adu, Cooper, Findley, anyone but Conor Casey. #3 He could move Donovan to striker and then try to fill in the midfield with someone else but it would make controlling the pace fo the game difficult without Donovan being able to control the ball in the midfield.

Michael Bradley and Benny Feilhaber as most of our midfield move into attack quickly and tend to lapse on defense.

Nothing would please me more then to see Becks lose a title here in the states. :) And not get into the world cup squad.

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Originally Posted by Master

Nothing would please me more then to see Becks lose a title here in the states. :) And not get into the world cup squad.

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...it might be bad for the MLS, so for the league's sake I hope LA wins.

Galaxy was up 1-0 on a thru ball by Becks to Donovan and Donovan centered the ball for MaGee to score...

Then Real tied them in the 2nd half on a stupid goal where the defense couldn't clear the ball out. :furious2:

46K+ in attendance...

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

46K+ in attendance...

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A good sign for US soccer

OK well the US National Team has set up friendlies vs Honduras (in January) and Netherlands (in March). We're not going to have our 'A squad' vs Honduras but MAYBE we can find out who our bench players will be in that game. We will have our #1 side going vs Netherlands #1 side.

I sure would like ot see Jermaine Jones play an entire game...if he can play CDM and either Bradley or Feilhaber can replace Dempsey or Donovan if they move up to striker then that would be great.

I still can't help but wonder how good this team would be if we had Rossi paired with Altidore.

Rumors are very very strong and it seems very likely that next year, our boys from Montreal will join the MSL as well, they are negotiating about that at the moment:woot22:

remember the day beckham announced he was going to play in the US and everyone declaring that by going to the US he was going to play against micky mouse(rubbish) opponents.

Seen at least a dozen MLS games via late night TV and can confirm you guys can actually play the game real well. The crowds are still fairly low and it doesnt seem america has advanced on its embracing of the game. But the football itself has improved drastically hence the reason so many players are now being recruited by european and south american sides!!!

The MLS is ok. I don't really know how to compare it to the Championship as I don't ever see Championship games. We have better players in MLS than the Championship (you wouldn't see Beckham, Landon Donovan, even guys like Brian McBride, in the Championship) but the overall talent is probably fairly similar. Better young talent in the Championship I'm sure.

Every once in a while you'll see a game that is just awful though.

Speaking of Donovan it looks as if he is going to Everton on loan.

Speaking of other American players Clint Dempsey and Fulham are through to the next round of the Europa league which really is kind of amazing considering where they were two years ago. Roy Hodgson is amazing, I would love to see him manage the US if he left Fulham.

Well what kinds of lineups do you guys forsee the US using vs Honduras and Netherlands. I know Honduras is the last chance to get some quality play for backups and guys who are on the fringe, I see Robbie Findley getting a start vs them just to see how he does and vs the Netherlands it's the last chance to really perfect your World Cup side and if we don't see Jermain Jones vs Honduras we may see him then.

If we could run out a side like this:

ST: Findley, Altidore
CAM: Donovan
LM:Bradley RM: Dempsey
CDM: Jones
LB: Cherundolo CB: Bocanegra, DeMerit RB: Spector
GK: Howard

Maybe Adu at Striker (he has history with Altidore), and maybe Edu at CDM if Jones is a no go. Also we could put Dempsey at striker to start off and replace him with Fielhaber, but we should only do that if our defense is sound. Also I was wondering if maybe Holden or Rodgers could play striker...I know everyone hates Rodgers because he's careless with the ball or tries to do too much (a la Clint Dempsey) but as a striker his improvisation would be welcomed.

Then I would like our chances to be effective in the World Cup. I think the main thing for us vs teams like England, Slovenia, and Algeria is that we need to attack the goal and never let up 100% nonstop attack. Sure we can draw with anyone if we focus on defense but we can't win if we don't score and once you score your first goal momentum builds. In France we didn't score until the last game, every second that ticked off the clock there was more pressure to score and more people wondering why we hadn't scored yet.

Lyle your team just lost to Portsmouth, what the hell?

Benitez has to be gone you would think.

Hughes has been sacked but they have taken Mancini. Liverpool should get Hiddink, he is a class coach who commands respect from the players.

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Originally Posted by OumaFan

Lyle your team just lost to Portsmouth, what the hell?

Benitez has to be gone you would think.

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I would hope so but you never know. I would also appreciate Robert Kraft buying the team. Liverpool need to nip this in the bud right now or else they'll wind up like Newcastle and Leeds.

I wish Klinsman would take over as manager but that will not happen.

Klinsman got run out of Byan Munich in about 6 months, and do not even mention Mourinio who is a tosser and thinks too much of himself.

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Originally Posted by Lyle

Well what kinds of lineups do you guys forsee the US using vs Honduras and Netherlands. I know Honduras is the last chance to get some quality play for backups and guys who are on the fringe, I see Robbie Findley getting a start vs them just to see how he does and vs the Netherlands it's the last chance to really perfect your World Cup side and if we don't see Jermain Jones vs Honduras we may see him then.

If we could run out a side like this:

ST: Findley, Altidore
CAM: Donovan
LM:Bradley RM: Dempsey
CDM: Jones
LB: Cherundolo CB: Bocanegra, DeMerit RB: Spector
GK: Howard

Maybe Adu at Striker (he has history with Altidore), and maybe Edu at CDM if Jones is a no go. Also we could put Dempsey at striker to start off and replace him with Fielhaber, but we should only do that if our defense is sound. Also I was wondering if maybe Holden or Rodgers could play striker...I know everyone hates Rodgers because he's careless with the ball or tries to do too much (a la Clint Dempsey) but as a striker his improvisation would be welcomed.

Then I would like our chances to be effective in the World Cup. I think the main thing for us vs teams like England, Slovenia, and Algeria is that we need to attack the goal and never let up 100% nonstop attack. Sure we can draw with anyone if we focus on defense but we can't win if we don't score and once you score your first goal momentum builds. In France we didn't score until the last game, every second that ticked off the clock there was more pressure to score and more people wondering why we hadn't scored yet.

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I like Findley a lot, but I think they will play Dempsey as a second striker behind Jozy, if Jozy gets his act together. If not, it may end up be Dempsey and Findley up top. I don't think you can rest our world cup hopes on a 19 yo Jozy who can barely break the lineup at Hull and an MLS player without significant international experience. The need one mature and experienced player up top. If CD was healthy, it would have been a different thing, because those to had enough experience together and a certain confidence.

Strange as it seems, Beasley is playing himself back into the picture. He's on a nice run with Rangers, about 5 good games straight. Two goals and an assist in the last two games. We'll see how he looks in a few weeks and how he looks against Celtic and Hibs - the better competition.

I think it will look something like this:

----------------Findley/Jozy----------------
-----------------------------Dempsey------
----Landon--------------------SH/DMB----
---------------JJ/RC---------MB------------
--Bornstein---Boca/Gooch/Demerit--Dolo-- If Both Gooch and DeMerit are
healthy, Boca may move wide.

Spector comes off the bench to sub either fullback position. Benny comes on if Findley/Jozy are useless and Landon needs to move to second striker with Dempsey moving to CF.

If Beasley keeps up his recent performance an stays fit, it's possible that both all the expected strikers sit, Holden moves to left mid, Beasley plays right wing (where he is playing well with Rangers), and Landon plays a more central AM/Hole Forward position and Dempsey is the CF. You could even do the same thing and play Benny at wide MF and use LD and Deuce up top.

I hate to disagree with you Rozzy but you know as well as I do that being good on a CLUB doesn't equal being good for the World Cup side. Jozy Altidore is a PURE striker on a high level, the first one of his kind that the US has ever had! He has a nose for the goal and he's scored 8 goals in 21 caps for the US at age 20, I don't care who you are that's HUGE for a US soccer player so he has earned his starting spot and NOBODY is taking that away from him anytime soon.

The US has all but a few pieces set in stone Jozy Altidore is set in stone as a starting striker and he'll be ther for a long time.

The only question is who do you pair him with? #1 A speedy player LIKE Charlie Davies but obviously not Charlie Davies and in this case the players that fit this role are: Freddy Adu (who played striker with Jozy on the U-23 team), Eddie Johnson, Robbie Findley, or long shot Robbie Rodgers or #2 a bigger player who controls pace better like Dempsey or Cooper..I like what Cooper and Dempsey do for our team with set pieces but they do slow down our attack a bit.

I think if we were able to pull this off it would be the BEST situation for our team(if Onyewu is healthy he starts instead of Cherundolo and Bocanegra plays CB):

-------Donovan----Altidore------
-------------Dempsey-----------
--Bradley--------------Fielhaber--
-----------Jones or Edu--------
Cherundolo--Bocanegra--DeMerit--Spector
----------------Howard----------

The main issue with that lineup is that Dempsey isn't a box to box player like Donovan is and our speed/high motor strikers outside of Charlie Davies aren't very good: Adu, Johnson, Findley, Rodgers and Jozy isn't good enough to play up top alone and we simply don't have the talent to play that type of game (one striker). I think the more players we throw at the goal the better because our strength is defense and goal keepers

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I hate to disagree with you Rozzy but you know as well as I do that being good on a CLUB doesn't equal being good for the World Cup side. Jozy Altidore is a PURE striker on a high level, the first one of his kind that the US has ever had! He has a nose for the goal and he's scored 8 goals in 21 caps for the US at age 20, I don't care who you are that's HUGE for a US soccer player so he has earned his starting spot and NOBODY is taking that away from him anytime soon.

The US has all but a few pieces set in stone Jozy Altidore is set in stone as a starting striker and he'll be ther for a long time.

The only question is who do you pair him with? #1 A speedy player LIKE Charlie Davies but obviously not Charlie Davies and in this case the players that fit this role are: Freddy Adu (who played striker with Jozy on the U-23 team), Eddie Johnson, Robbie Findley, or long shot Robbie Rodgers or #2 a bigger player who controls pace better like Dempsey or Cooper..I like what Cooper and Dempsey do for our team with set pieces but they do slow down our attack a bit.

I think if we were able to pull this off it would be the BEST situation for our team(if Onyewu is healthy he starts instead of Cherundolo and Bocanegra plays CB):

-------Donovan----Altidore------
-------------Dempsey-----------
--Bradley--------------Fielhaber--
-----------Jones or Edu--------
Cherundolo--Bocanegra--DeMerit--Spector
----------------Howard----------

The main issue with that lineup is that Dempsey isn't a box to box player like Donovan is and our speed/high motor strikers outside of Charlie Davies aren't very good: Adu, Johnson, Findley, Rodgers and Jozy isn't good enough to play up top alone and we simply don't have the talent to play that type of game (one striker). I think the more players we throw at the goal the better because our strength is defense and goal keepers

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The talent on this team is at midfield. Better to play Dempsey up an give Benny or Holden a shot than insert Cooper, Adu, or Rodgers (though I like Rogers and wouldn't mind seeing him on the roster.)

If Dempsey isn't a box-to-box player, why would you play Landon up top? My diagram might not have been clear enough...I would play Dempsey as a "hole" or second striker, instead of "tandem Striker" approach. Let him attack from either side wide or go central, while Jozy stays as the pure CF. He plays this role often at Fulham and it's a big part of the reason Zamora has been tearing it up.

I agree that Jozy has probably earned his spot, but if he's not playing at a club level, I don't know how sharp he will be. Jozy would benefit more from having a big partner up front. Dempsey isn't as fast as Landon, but he compliments Jozy more than Landon. Also, Donovan is a better defender and has better pace to recover into the defense after a deep attacking run.

Also I think Dolo and Spector/Bornstein flip, but that's not important.

Club play is not insignificant. Jozy made USMNT contributions largely against CONCACAF teams. Yes, he had a goal against Spain, but a guy like Dempsey is playing against teams like Chelsea and Man U who are better than the Honduran and Costa Rican national teams. Against the same level of competition, Jozy isn't contributing. It's just food for thought.

I'm very curious to see how Beasley plays in the upcoming games against Celtic and Hibs. Goals against MLS level teams like Motherwell and Dundee don't rate on the same level as goals against Celtic or assists against Man U (did you see Dempsey's header to Zamora's feet!!)

Bradley will probably stick with Jozy unless he looks really rusty in the friendlies, but I wouldn't mind see what a Dempsey/Findley tandem could do, supported by Donovan, Bradley and Stu or Benny.

I know Dempsey isn't a box to box player but the best case scenario is that a player that uses speed and pressure pairs with Jozy in order to lay the ball off to him so he can take a crack at goal OR someone Jozy can feed on a run. Dempsey is creative and can score but I think on the whole it makes us a slower attacking team AND we need someone to control the ball through the midfield and really Donovan is the only guy to be consistent with that so it's probably best for Dempsey and Donovan to stay put and for us to utilize another striker for the first half and then move Dempsey up to striker and bring on Fielhaber...that's what we had the most success with in the Confed Cup.

Jozy isn't going to move anywhere no matter what Bradley decides to do, he has the ability to score goals and he's strong. Adu and Rodgers add speed AND creativity with the ball, I think either of them have the potential(in the future) to add more to our attack than Charlie Davies. Cooper gives us some ball control and the ability to use set pieces more effectively. With Cooper in the game we could also use the long ball more and maybe that allows for Donovan and Dempsey to shake their markers and get better runs on the goal.

I think DeMarcus Beasley COULD add to the squad but his play on the national team had been deteriorating even before that disaster vs Brazil. If anyone is going to earn their way back on the team I think Eddie Johnson has the best shot at it, if he is fit and plays up to his potential he's a VERY solid option at striker.

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Originally Posted by Lyle

I know Dempsey isn't a box to box player but the best case scenario is that a player that uses speed and pressure pairs with Jozy in order to lay the ball off to him so he can take a crack at goal OR someone Jozy can feed on a run. Dempsey is creative and can score but I think on the whole it makes us a slower attacking team AND we need someone to control the ball through the midfield and really Donovan is the only guy to be consistent with that so it's probably best for Dempsey and Donovan to stay put and for us to utilize another striker for the first half and then move Dempsey up to striker and bring on Fielhaber...that's what we had the most success with in the Confed Cup.

Jozy isn't going to move anywhere no matter what Bradley decides to do, he has the ability to score goals and he's strong. Adu and Rodgers add speed AND creativity with the ball, I think either of them have the potential(in the future) to add more to our attack than Charlie Davies. Cooper gives us some ball control and the ability to use set pieces more effectively. With Cooper in the game we could also use the long ball more and maybe that allows for Donovan and Dempsey to shake their markers and get better runs on the goal.

I think DeMarcus Beasley COULD add to the squad but his play on the national team had been deteriorating even before that disaster vs Brazil. If anyone is going to earn their way back on the team I think Eddie Johnson has the best shot at it, if he is fit and plays up to his potential he's a VERY solid option at striker.

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Wow...Eddie Johnson...Cooper....I would rather play Michael Bradley at forward. Anything but those two. I'd rather role the dice with Rogers or Findley. At least those players have upside.

Dempsey isn't a "control the midfield" type of player. He's a slash, attack, cross, beat a guy one one one type of player.

A lot depends on the health of Jermaine Jones and Edu. If both those players are fit and can gel with the team, I suspect they will both start and play central holding roles. I also wouldn't count out Michael Bradley in a central mid role. Those two healthy, flanked by Landon and Beasley, would go a long way to helping control possession in the midfield.

Honestly, I don't think it will be the Confed lineup out there. Don't forget that DMB, when fit, has been one of the better players for the USMNT.

Don't be surprised if we see this:

---------------Jozy----Deuce---------------
--Landon-----------------------------DMB--
---------------Jones----Edu-----------------
--Boca--------JD-------Gooch-------Dolo--

Don't shit on Kenny Cooper, he's a solid player but he hasn't been played enough, he usually comes in as a sub but still he's 6'3 he has 10 caps and 4 goals and although erroneous he had 90 caps for Dallas FC and 40 goals, and he had 0 help on that team!...when he is in the game he scores and for a big guy he controls the ball well. Cooper is 1,000 times better than Ching and Casey. That being said I don't think Cooper pairs with Altidore because they are both bigger and similar style players.

I can understand your view on Eddie Johnson but you can't dis him and then go back and hope DeMarcus Beasley makes the team!!! Beasley leaving was what sparked the team to do well in the Confed Cup. Now I don't think either guy is horrible, they are both terribly inconsistent though and we can't have that in the World Cup!

If you're going to pair a striker with Altidore (and you HAVE to come to grips with Jozy being the starter, dude seriously) I would go with one of these players: Clint Dempsey (because we've had success with it before), Freddy Adu (because he's worked with Jozy and they've had success working with each other), Robbie Findley (who is playing very well right now and has earned a shot) and the outside shots are Eddie Johnson (whom I hope is fit and mentally prepared because when he is he's a very dangerous striker) and Robbie Rogers (just because he's pretty creative on the ball and I think as a striker he'd do very well).

I can't understand why you don't rate Jozy Altidore, the dude is a BEAST, he's 20 years old and he's a legitimate scoring threat. Just because Hull sucks, it shouldn't put any blame on Jozy, if Jozy was playing for a good side he'd be scoring more because he'd have better opportunities.

OK here's my best case scenario (Gooch is healthy & Jones works out as planned) side:

-----------Dempsey---Altidore------
-----------------Donovan-----------
-------Fielhaber------------Bradley--
-------------------Jones-------------
Bocanegra---Onyewu--DeMerit--Cherundolo
-------------------Howard---------------

Bench: Adu, Edu, Spector, Guzan, Holden

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Originally Posted by Lyle

OK here's my best case scenario (Gooch is healthy & Jones works out as planned) side:

-----------Dempsey---Altidore------
-----------------Donovan-----------
-------Fielhaber------------Bradley--
-------------------Jones-------------
Bocanegra---Onyewu--DeMerit--Cherundolo
-------------------Howard---------------

Bench: Adu, Edu, Spector, Guzan, Holden

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I like that a lot. The difference between Johnson and DMB is that DMB is actually producing for his club and Johnson is on the reserves. I also think that DMB has contributed far more when fit to the nationals than Johnson has. Johnson has always been the great tease...great physical tools, underachieving production.

At one point in time everyone was talking about how horrible Onyewu was with Newcastle...so I'm not saying the doors are shut on Beasley but as you said we're deep in the midfield and as for Johnson, Charlie Davies got seriously injured and we don't have many strikers that have POTENTIAL much less actual skill, at least EJ has "flashed" some true skill with the National side.

Either way Bob Bradley SHOULD put together a solid squad and we should advance and be a live underdog vs England to win the Group.

Oh and if Onyewu isn't healthy I think Gibbs is a solid CB that can add depth if not start, when Gooch was struggling Gibbs was seen as a solid replacement although shortly thereafter he had injury problems but I still think he's a quality player

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Originally Posted by RozzySean

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lyle

OK here's my best case scenario (Gooch is healthy & Jones works out as planned) side:

-----------Dempsey---Altidore------
-----------------Donovan-----------
-------Fielhaber------------Bradley--
-------------------Jones-------------
Bocanegra---Onyewu--DeMerit--Cherundolo
-------------------Howard---------------

Bench: Adu, Edu, Spector, Guzan, Holden

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I like that a lot. The difference between Johnson and DMB is that DMB is actually producing for his club and Johnson is on the reserves. I also think that DMB has contributed far more when fit to the nationals than Johnson has. Johnson has always been the great tease...great physical tools, underachieving production.

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will definitely make last 16

If your up against germany i wouldnt fancy your chances. If its australia or ghana however i dont see why you cant make last 8

Altidore

Dempsey


Donovan Bradley Jones/Clark/Edu? Beasley

Spector Gooch Boca Cherundolo

Reserves:

Guzan
Random third string goalie
Demerit
Marshall
Hedjuk
Bornstein :(
Clark (or Jones)
Edu (or Jones)
Benny
Holden
Findley
Ching

I was the first to want to never see Beasley again after the Confederation Cup but he's finally playing for Rangers lately and has been listed as being a possible man of the match in all three games which were apparently 3 of Rangers best performances all year. Rangers fans have gone from hating him to loving him quickly. Look at this goal a couple games ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0rmD...m=PL&index=100Some of their opposition is poor in the SPL no doubt but he's been a good player for us in the past. He keeps playing well he'll make the team no doubt. I also like Stuart Holden so he could play there or even Benny.

This also allows us to move Dempsey up front. I'd much rather have Davies up front with Dempsey on the right but that probably won't happen. There is some speculation apparently that he could be back but you have to assume he won't be.

I like Dempsey a little behind Altidore, keeping possession up top, using his passing ability but also getting in the box to use his aerial ability which is probably the best on the team as far as our attacking players go.

Jones and Edu are both question marks with the injuries and Jones having never played for us before. But Jones is a high level player in a high level league. Edu played well for Rangers last year and is a pretty good prospect IMO. Maybe you don't need three pure defensive midfielders, if so maybe bring Torres. Please no Adu!

I don't know much about Castillo yet. Bornstein worries me though. If he comes in and plays well for us in games leading up to the WC by all means take him instead of Bornstein. Hedjuk's ok cover. Spector has played left back before and he and Cherundolo are clearly our best fullbacks IMO. Bradley has been hesitant about playing him there seemingly so I wouldn't count on that happening.

I would start Demerit with Gooch over Boca. But he's the captain, its not happening. We obviously need Gooch to get healthy.

I don't dislike that team really.

Why bring a "random third string goalie" when we could have Brad Friedel?

Here's the January workout roster (ie the guys who may play reserve roles):
Goalkeepers: Kevin Hartman (Kansas City), Troy Perkins (Valerenga, Norway), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)
Defenders: Kevin Alston (New England), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Brandon McDonald (San Jose), Heath Pearce (Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro, Sweden), Geoff Cameron (Houston), Brad Davis (Houston), Brad Evans (Seattle), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus, Denmark), Eddie Gaven (Columbus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas), Jeff Larentowicz (New England), Dax McCarty (Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C.), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)
Forwards: Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Conor Casey (Colorado), Jeff Cunningham (Dallas), Robbie Findley (Salt Lake), Marcus Tracy (Aalborg, Denmark)

I think Findley and Tracy can really work well together and they both have a very good shot at earning the chance to contend for that last striker postion. I find it odd that Eddie Johnson isn't on this squad, it either means he's on the team OR that he's off the team or that he's on the fence based on how Findley and Tracy play.......ENOUGH ALREADY with the Conor damn Casey!!!!

Marvell Wynn is a darkhorse for wingback and CDM he's very quick, a lot of upside with him (same as a couple other players).

Jones and Edu are unknowns but at this point so are DeMarcus Beasley and Eddie Johnson...they have all the potential, in the world but never seem to come up with results when they matter. And if we're judging players 100% on potential why all the hate for Freddy Adu? He's young, talented, he's quick, he can put the ball in the goal and he can pass....I just think the guy needs a chance to develop.

I'm sure Bob Bradley will figure something out

Jones and Edu are unknowns cause of injuries, well and the fact that Jones has never played for us. Beasley its just a question of does he have it together finally and I think there's reason to be cautiously optimistic that he does. Eddie is just Eddie, unless he makes drastic improvements at Fulham we know who he is and I just don't think its good enough. Fulham in their Europa games have played a lot of reserves and still Eddie isn't getting any time.

I think Tracy has a lot of potential, will he be ready to help us by the summer, I kind of doubt it but we'll see.

Holden, Benny, Beasley, Donovan and Dempsey obviously, these are all guys I'd rather have as attacking options over Adu. I think his potential is a bit overrated but meh.

I'm not totally sure about Findley over him but Findley at least is a striker which we need off the bench. Adu is just not really a striker, just an attacking mid and I like our attacking mids that I've named earlier much better.

Ching I don't love but there's a place for him on the bench since we don't really have a physical presence at striker off the bench instead of him. Now starting him is a different story.

Is Adu getting any time with a club team now? That doesn't help his case. Or Eddie's.

Is Friedel willing to play internationally again?

Friedel is one of the best goalkeepers in the premiere league.

Oumafan, see if you get your way then the only "striker" we'll have on the team is Jozy. I think Freddy Adu can play Striker better than playing midfield at this point in time, he played striker for the U-23 side with Altidore and they had great success. No Adu isn't getting much playing time but he's worked with Jozy before and they have had success together, it was at a lower international level but I think he deserves a shot because #1 we simply don't have many quality strikers and #2 we're currently shorthanded at striker and Freddy can and has played that position and his skill set pairs well with Altidore.

Ching and Casey need never suit up for the US again IMO. Ching is horribly average, he's not really fast, he's not big, he doesn't pass or shoot in a spectacular manner and Casey is the same except only slower. They offer next to nothing. I put more value on Kenny Cooper being a striker coming off the bench than pretty much anyone else, he has the most complete game and he's big enough to help out on corners and set pieces, and if Altidore was the one injured instead of Davies he'd fit perfectly. Findley on the international level is an unknown quantity and that's why he's getting a shot, same with Tracy.

Eddie Johnson and DeMarcus Beasley are in the same boat, they've had their chances, they've blown them, and now they want back in. DeMarcus is looking great playing for Rangers but he's looked that good before and when he was put on the pitch in a USA jersey he's sucked it up. They are the two most frustrating players probably in the history of our National Team...so much potential and it's just been wasted. I remember when Johnson and Dempsey were going to be a great pairing at striker and EJ just fell off the damn face of the Earth. It would be wonderful if Beasley could play CDM for us, providing Jones doesn't wow anyone but Ricardo Clark has done a pretty good job playing there in the absence of: Edu, Jones, Beasley, etc. so I think he is going to make the team no matter what and Bradley is just looking for either someone to sub for him, protection if he gets injured, or maybe he'll let someone start over him.

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Originally Posted by Lyle

Oumafan, see if you get your way then the only "striker" we'll have on the team is Jozy. I think Freddy Adu can play Striker better than playing midfield at this point in time, he played striker for the U-23 side with Altidore and they had great success. No Adu isn't getting much playing time but he's worked with Jozy before and they have had success together, it was at a lower international level but I think he deserves a shot because #1 we simply don't have many quality strikers and #2 we're currently shorthanded at striker and Freddy can and has played that position and his skill set pairs well with Altidore.

Ching and Casey need never suit up for the US again IMO. Ching is horribly average, he's not really fast, he's not big, he doesn't pass or shoot in a spectacular manner and Casey is the same except only slower. They offer next to nothing. I put more value on Kenny Cooper being a striker coming off the bench than pretty much anyone else, he has the most complete game and he's big enough to help out on corners and set pieces, and if Altidore was the one injured instead of Davies he'd fit perfectly. Findley on the international level is an unknown quantity and that's why he's getting a shot, same with Tracy.

Eddie Johnson and DeMarcus Beasley are in the same boat, they've had their chances, they've blown them, and now they want back in. DeMarcus is looking great playing for Rangers but he's looked that good before and when he was put on the pitch in a USA jersey he's sucked it up. They are the two most frustrating players probably in the history of our National Team...so much potential and it's just been wasted. I remember when Johnson and Dempsey were going to be a great pairing at striker and EJ just fell off the damn face of the Earth. It would be wonderful if Beasley could play CDM for us, providing Jones doesn't wow anyone but Ricardo Clark has done a pretty good job playing there in the absence of: Edu, Jones, Beasley, etc. so I think he is going to make the team no matter what and Bradley is just looking for either someone to sub for him, protection if he gets injured, or maybe he'll let someone start over him.

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Seen beasley play a few times for rangers this season and more often than not he has been the best player on the pitch. Cant say the same about johnson. For a striker he doesnt really possess great speed or power!

Any side with the likes of howard, beasley, dempsey, donovan, onyewu etc should be way too good for the likes of algeria and slovenia. And dont ever rule yourselves out of beating our lot!!

If you make the quarters youve had a good world cup
2nd round will be a dissapointment
knocked out in the 1st round and you would of had a disaster

Lyle Beasley and Johnson are not in the same boat, one guy's been a pretty good player for us albeit a frustrating one at times and the others Eddie Johnson.

And Adu isn't really good as an out and out striker, he's more of attacking mid that can play right behind a striker. Nevertheless I don't want him but if he makes the team hopefully he'll do well.

And Bob Bradley will bring Ching or Casey at the least, its just reality. He likes to have another physical type forward at least coming off the bench. We can talk about it all we want but he will bring at least one of those two almost certainly.

Of that group Altidore, Dempsey, Donovan, Findley and Ching can play striker. Maybe there should be another guy. Maybe take two out of Jones, Edu and Clark and bring someone else whether its Adu ugh, Cunningham ugh, Kenny Cooper, or preferably Charlie Davies if he made an amazing recovery.

I think you forget that EJ CAN score 39 caps 12 goals, not impressive for a striker but compare it to Beasley's 89 caps and 17 goals it's a deluge of goals. Granted they play different positions but with the way things stand right now NEED a striker and like it or not EJ is in the running as is Freddy Adu. We don't NEED a midfielder but if Beasley can correct himself that would be a nice extra to have if someone gets injured, is suspended for red cards, or to use as a sub. If Beasley can play this well for the National side then I'm all for having him...but again the NEED is at striker and not midfield unless #1 Dempsey is permenantly moved to striker (possible) or #2 Jermaine Jones & Maurice Edu aren't in shape to play.

We need to keep open minds about strikers, I just don't want Ching or Casey on the team, they don't add anything to the team. I would rather use someone brand damned new than Ching or Casey! Freddy Adu is a good player to have because he can play midfield or striker (he's more of a forward) and it saves a coach the decision to put an extra midfielder or striker on the bench.

Whatever way this ends up working out hattonthehammer is correct, the US should still advance.

A lot of those 12 goals came early in his career with us in a relatively short period of time versus not that great teams. He's been abysmal ever since. I'd rather have Ching or Casey and they are both enormously uninspiring.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OumaFan

A lot of those 12 goals came early in his career with us in a relatively short period of time versus not that great teams. He's been abysmal ever since. I'd rather have Ching or Casey and they are both enormously uninspiring.

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Then who do you suggest as a STRIKER? I mean Beasley can't help us there.

Its awful really. I'm not even as high on Jozy as a lot of people but with this group he's a penciled in starter. Then you have Ching or Casey (I'm fine with bringing one of them, not both), Findley :confused: Cooper :confused: EJ, Cunningham, after that I have no idea.

I guess I'd take Jozy, Ching, Findley and Cooper. But it seems more and more clear that Dempsey is going to have to play up top as if he does we can replace him with Holden, Benny, Beasley, etc., quality replacements whereas they just aren't there up top.

Fuck it, see what McBride is doing :-\ Or pray that Davies makes a miraculous recovery.

I just don't see Adu as a viable option unless its maybe coming off the bench playing as an attacking mid/withdrawn striker. Part of the difference in opinion here is you think he's a striker and I really don't. The best performance I've ever seen out of Adu for the national team was as the attacking mid/playmaker when he played against Spain in a friendly before they won the Euros, with Eddie up top. Eddie was pretty poor if I remember correctly but Adu played well, very well really. But he wasn't playing as a true striker.

Altidore is the man! He's just 20 years old and he's the first big time striker the US has ever had!

McBride #1 is 38 and #2 is retired

You can only take so many strikers and Freddy Adu (unlike everyone but Dempsey) can play a decent midfield if needed. The guys we need to use are: Altidore[21 caps, 8 goals], Dempsey[59 caps, 17 goals], Adu[15 caps,2 goals], Cooper[10 caps, 4 goals], and Findley[1 cap, 0 goals]. Ching [43 caps, 10 goals] and Casey[16 caps, 2 goals] just don't add anything to offense as their numbers prove.

If Beasley can keep up his play (which I warn you hasn't been on the US National Team which was the point of contention before) then maybe we won't need Adu and could add another pure striker, but I need to see Beasley play like that for the National side before I accept him on the national team.

Our best players deserve the first opportunity to make the squad...Ching and Casey are horrible but I bet one or both make the team in place of Cooper and someone else and this will come back to haunt us.