USMNT 2016-17 World Cup Qualifying Cycle

Didn't really know where to put this, so started this somewhat catch all thread. The possibility of having Clint Dempsey appearing again for Our Yanks is in serious jeopardy...perhaps even his playing career. I think I'm gonna throw up...

http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2016...irregular-heartbeat-held-out-against-portland

 

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...ster-for-semifinal-round-world-cup-qualifiers

No Dempsey, which leads me to believe that the prognosis for his irregular heartbeat is not good. If there were any chance he'd be cleared, Klinsmann picks him. Also no Kljestan, despite his recent excellent form. You mean to tell me that Paul Arriola and Caleb Stanko are more deserving than Sacha?
C'mon, don't piss in my ear and tell me it's raining. I'm undecided whether or not it's good news that Jozy's back. Even when fit, he's streaky. Michael Bradley's form has been slowly sliding downhill for a couple of years now, and I don't think Beckerman, Wondolowski, Jermaine and even Zusi are gonna help us much in Russia two years hence. And where, oh where, is Julian Green?

 

Green actually made the bench in Bayern's opening Bundesliga match.

 

Klinsmann has never rated Kljestan (or Feilhaber) so don't expect him to ever get called in again.

 

This roster is focused on the current two matches only. It doesn't matter that Beckerman, Wondo, or Jones won't play in Russia. He's using those guys right now to ensure that we do make it to Russia. There is still plenty of time for the youngsters to get involved prior to the first match of 2018.

That said, regarding the future absence of Jones and Beckerman, I'm hoping that Danny Williams and Perry Kitchen get some call ups sooner than later.

 

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION:
GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Middlesbrough), Ethan Horvath (Molde FC), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids)
DEFENDERS (9) : Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha BSC), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United)
MIDFIELDERS (9) : Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake),Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Caleb Stanko (FC Vaduz), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Rubio Rubin (FC Utrecht), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Hamburg SV)

My comments on this roster:

1. Klinsman in his obsession with center backs has once again called in too many (5) and not called in enough fullbacks (4 if you count Orozco).
2. The midfield core will be Bradley, Jones, Bedoya, Nagbe, Pulisic and Beckerman. Everyone else is just there to be seen.
3. Someone other than Wood needs to put a serious stake in the ground to claim playing time. I like Jordan Morris but he has had trouble keeping his shots on goal this season.

 

Whoops!

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...-kljestan-to-usas-world-cup-qualifying-roster

 

I hadn't noticed Zardes's omission before this news. Not good.

 

Some interesting information in this article. http://www.espnfc.us/team/united-st...sons-for-worry-for-us-in-world-cup-qualifying

Bradley is suspended for Friday's game. Jones is unlikely to see the pitch for either game. That shakes up the midfield considerably. Not sure who will get the nod now.

 

Beckerman again? Really?!?

 

Most certainly.

 

I don't mind the Beckerman call up for these games. No Bradley in the first game and Jermaine Jones likely can't play (he has been hurt).

 

https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/771777096297254912/photo/1

Looks like he moved Johnson up to the midfield.

 

Just when it looked like it might end up being a grind-it-out match on a bad cricket field 25 minutes in, the flood gates opened and it ended up in a 6-0 blowout. Bobby Wood looking very comfortable in the starting lineup. Second half was a snoozer until Sacha and Pulisic game in and looked like they've played together for years. Trying to temper the enthusiasm for the kid, but he looks damn good.

 

Missed the part where Rongen blamed Wood, but saw the studio postgame show later (after Canada/Honduras match) and the host credited Rongen for 'being the man who discovered Bobby Wood' and Rogen intimating Bobby was weak and mentally fragile until he got a hold of him..dude is a total @$$!

 

Johnson always seems to disappear in warm/muggy games. Maybe they don't have humidity in Germany?