US vs Azzurri

I'm feeling particularly patriotic today, and it's close enough for me to start wishing, so....who's The Lotion Man gonna call up, who DESERVES to be called up, who NEEDS to be called up, and who's gonna get some beach time? And how much, if any, should Clint play?

 

Well Demps will want to play 90 plus stoppage, but I think it needs to be no more then 60-70 min. Game will probably be decided by then so let the young ones hit the big stage and get the run out they deserve in this high profile match up.

 

The match is on a Wednesday like the brazil friendly. I guess Herr Klinsmann prefers his weekends off. Way to keep the good ol' USA fan in mind.

 

SCFulham, that picture violates the flag code of etiquitte. No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America. It should not be attached to anything else or touch anything beneath it. Jumpkutz is feeling patriotic today so I thought I would chime in about this.

 

Starting XI I would like to see:


-------Howard-------

Chandler--Gooch--Boca--Spector

-Johnson---Bradley---Edu

---Donovan------Dempsey
------------Josy----------

Bench: (Wondo, Buddle, or Sapong), Beasley, Kljestan, Dolo, Ream (or Goodsen), Guzan. Hopefully Brek Shea will be with Caleb Porter taking on Mexico with the U23s so wont be available. All these players are seeing regular action and are at the top of their game. If Klinsy brings Torres and starts him over Bradley or Edu I will be sick. He has been given so many chances and has very little to show for it.

 

I've been whining for a Zak Whitbread call up forever, NEVER in USMNT history has a player that was an integeral part of a team getting promoted in England then becomes a starter in the PREM and never gets a sniff :angry-tappingfoot: :angry-banghead: :angry-fire: :angry-cussingblack: :angry-extinguishflame: Now a perfect opportunity for a call-up and he's injured...ugh.

I have no expectations for this match (nice way of saying we'll lose, just hoping we can find the back of the net). The player that I'm most interested in seeing is Sacha, he has revived his career. Bradley starts in Serie A, no way he doesn't start this game.

 

Agree about Bradley, Sacha and Spector, to take advantage of their recent good form. Didn't know Zak was out, bummer. Would STILL like to see Hamid get a start or two before qualifying begins. I still don't like a lone striker, so I hope we see help for Jozy or whoever else Jurgen names. COYY!

 

Any educated guesses on when they'll announce the squad?

 

Here are der Kaiser's selections for the match. His choice of midfielders I find infuriating. I'm trying to like Klinsy and I do think he has done some very positive things, but I'm going to lose patience soon.

CHICAGO (Feb. 23, 2012) — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named a squad of 21 players to prepare for the match against four-time World Cup champion Italy on Feb. 29 in Genoa. Kickoff for the teams’ first meeting on Italian soil since 2002 is set for 8:45 p.m. local time (2:45 p.m. ET), and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Galavision.

The match takes place on the first FIFA international fixture date of 2012, which allowed Klinsmann to select all available players.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION - DETAILED ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7) : Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

MIDFIELDERS (6) : Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

“We’re looking forward to having all the European-based players back in the roster and picking up where we left off with them from the Slovenia game,” said Klinsmann, who is on a three-match winning streak dating back to the 3-2 victory on Nov. 15, 2011, against Slovenia. “I’m excited about getting everybody together and challenging a world-class team like former World Cup winner Italy on their home soil. I think we have put a very competitive roster together. This roster was co-developed with the U-23 team because we wanted them to have a great preparation game before they go into Olympic qualifying in March. Our roster is highly competitive and ready to give them a real fight.” (MORE QUOTES FROM KLINSMANN)

 

I thought Clint and Landon WERE midfielders. Or am I just a misinformed newbie? Shea? Agudelo? Sacha? Hamid? Who's Terence Boyd?

 

The U-23 camp is going on now I think so that's why no Shea, Agudelo, etc. Boyd plays for B. Dortmund and is another German-American. Sacha's omission is perplexing - he's been in form and did OK during the Gold Cup. No Beas either - while the squad is pretty strong, it is lacking true wingers, but that's nothing new for the US.

Excited for the match. Lineup prediction:

Howard
Dolo - Boca - Cameron - Chandler
Jones - Bradley
Donovan - Dempsey - Johnson
Altidore

 

Some more USMNT notes:

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1679/us- ... onal-team-

 

Apparently he was ready to head to the U-23 camp, but Der Kommissar called him up. I think he'll eventually be headed to the Olympic squad though.

 

No Sacha??? :angry-banghead: He's been outstanding for Anderlecht and had his team's best chance yesterday in their Europa League loss to AZ when he bent one around the wall only to be denied by the GK.

 

I'm going to continue to give JK the benefit of the doubt at this point and try to keep an open mind about whatever it is he's trying to accomplish at this point in the proceedings. I just hope we score at least one and don't allow them to get too many past Tim. Wish Gooch were available, but.....

Just glad we're playing strong sides away...can only help in the long run.

 

Apparently Torres is injured so perhaps a spot has opened up for Sasha, or Benny. I doubt it matters though as Klinsmann would likely have Sasha firmly planted on the bench while he plays his Germans, including the suspended one. Another alternative is to call in Whitbread. He's playing in the ManUre game so he's healthy.

 

Is 21 the limit? If not, call 'em both up.