US Team picks & selection

Here's my picks... Bruce's are below

GK: Keller, Hahnemann, Howard
- that was easy

D: (8) Gregg Berhalter, Carlos Bocanegra*, Steve Cherundolo, Cory Gibbs, Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Lewis, Oguchi Onyewu, Eddie Pope
- * Bubble: Jimmy Conrad, Helluve thing to say on FUSA, but....

M: (8) DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Eddie Gaven, Pablo Mastroeni, John O'Brien, Steve Ralston, Claudio Reyna, Kerry Zavagnin
- nope.. NOT Ben Olsen, he's alternate

F: (4) Eddie Johnson, Brian McBride, Taylor Twellman, Josh Wolff

 

Re: OP: US Team picks

GK: Keller, Hahnemann, Howard
- that was easy

D: (8) Gregg Berhalter, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Cory Gibbs, Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Lewis, Oguchi Onyewu, Eddie Pope
- * Bubble: Jimmy Conrad, Helluve thing to say on FUSA, but....
Actual Selection: Chris Albright*, Jimmy Conrad, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Cory Gibbs, Eddie Lewis, Oguchi Onyewu, Eddie Pope
* Hejduk out with torn ACL 5/3


M: (8) DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Eddie Gaven, Pablo Mastroeni, John O'Brien, Steve Ralston, Claudio Reyna, Kerry Zavagnin
- nope.. NOT Ben Olsen, he's alternate
Actual Selection: DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey, Clint Dempsey,
Landon Donovan, Pablo Mastroeni, John O'Brien, Ben Olsen, Claudio Reyna

F: (4) Eddie Johnson, Brian McBride, Taylor Twellman, Josh Wolff
Actual Selection: Brian Ching, Eddie Johnson, Brian McBride, Josh Wolff

 

RE: Re: OP: US Team picks

I was surprised Twellman did not make the team. I am not mad about it or anything, but I thought Twellman would get the call over Ching.

 

RE: Re: OP: US Team picks

Only two surprises for me was Twellman and Berhalter.

I'm glad Twellman didn't get selected because he's gotten way too many chances to prove he can score on the international level and failed almost everytime. But then again the only American forward whose proved he can score on the international level is Brian Mcbride. I think the striker position should be our biggest worry (other than hoping the midfield can stay healthy...O'brien has strained another muscle). So my biggest hope is the midfield can all stay healthy and that lets Donovan move up to forward with Mcbride.

And I was kinda pulling for Spector but our defense looks really good right now

 

Yep.... I REALLY am not all that impressed with EJ anymore, he's beginning to remind me of the four year-old you hand a whiffle bat for the first time and he smacks the ball over your head every pitch you throw to him: IE; doesnt realize how hard it is!

Two to worry about: O'Brien and Reyna, which is why Ralston will probably be in there at the end of the day..

Rather he stayed in midfield, especially if Reyna's not in there...

Yeah it is... I figgered Conrad would be in, but thought it might have come at the expense of either Boca or Hejduk. Didnt even THINK of Berhalter, but it makes sense.
Unless Carlos makes a big impression in practice and the test matches, look for Conrad to come off the bench before Boca does.

 

So where is the right winger at? There are players who can play there, but there isnt an out and out right winger in the team. With the way Convey has played he will probably start at Left Midfield while Beasley moves over to the right side.

Ching has shown over and over again he does not belong in international football. Just because you start out great in the MLS does not mean you should make a WC roster. Twellman has shown that he might be able to play the international game and has had far better stats in the MLS than Ching.

 

I think Ralston stinks. Keep him off the squad. Noonan blows too.

 

For a very lively debate, go to:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/worldcup ... l#comments

I don't know enough about football to judge the quality of the comments, but the Hedjuk choice was not rated well. (This was before his injury.)

 

Well yeah we don't really have a true right-winger. One of our week spots for sure. I think there are sevral options:

Reyna on the right and use Mastroni or Olsen in DM role. Is Reyna fast enough to get down the wings? Depends who hes matched up against I guess. I think both Macaroni man and Olsen are good enough to hold down that D-Mid role.

Dempsey, he could break out in a big way. Sometimes I question his touch. Personally I think he'll be a much more refined and better player in 2010. I definatly think he could make an impact.

Cherundolo, he could defiantly get down the wing and is superb at geting crosses in the box. Well in my opinion anyway. Problem is; that leaves us weak at RB. I guess its up to Albright then. I really don't think he can handle the Italians or the Checzs, no way. Hedjuk would have been much better.

Beasley, could happen, I've never seen him play on the right has anyone else?

 

Well, that's the point... I dont recall seeing him on the right and I think I'd rather put someone else there and keep the others where they are most comfortable and effective.

Losing Hejduk sux not just becuase now he's out for the Crew season but also was often 'playing wing'.

 

Don't be surprised to see Dempsey playing on the right for the Czech game. He's quick, he can do some creative things with the ball, and he's got that in your face attitude that could take them by surprise. Don't expect another break out performance like Beasley and Donovans back in 02 but i think he might surprise some people.

In terms of the midfield, I really think if Reyna and O'brien are healthy, moving Donovan up with Mcbride would be a really good move. You could move Donovan to the right and I'm sure he would do a fine job sending in crosses but if you only got one forward who can actually finish then their kinda wasted crosses. Reyna and O'brien stay healthy, Dempsey on the right, and Donovan at striker and I think we got potential. But thats just my opinion.

 

Eddie Lewis looks to be doing well...scoring to help Leeds draw 1-1 with Preston in the first leg of their semi-final playoff series.

 

Heh.... nobody rates Hejduk much, UNTIL HE'S PLAYING FOR THEIR TEAM!

Then, when someone disses him, we just smile and wink.