USMNT Centennial Best XI Squad

U.S. SOCCER ALL-TIME USMNT BEST XI (Votes in parentheses)

Goalkeeper – Brad Friedel (25)

Defender – Marcelo Balboa (35)

Defender – Eddie Pope (33

Defender – Carlos Bocanegra (25)

Defender – Steve Cherundolo (25)

Midfielder – Clint Dempsey (25)

Midfielder – Tab Ramos (42)

Midfielder – Claudio Reyna (45)

Midfielder – Landon Donovan (52)

Forward – Eric Wynalda (43)

Forward – Brian McBride (45)

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/articles/2 ... st-xi.aspx

 

Surprised Keller didn't get the nod at keeper. One of only 2 Americans to play in four World Cups and leads the US in caps, wins and clean sheets.

 

OT, Sorta.. Friedel, McBride... back when the Columbus Crew picked PROSPECTIVE talent for their roster, and Warzycha had no say.
Look, I get the Keller votes. It's close.
But for overall CAREER performance.. not just MNT.. it's no cigar.

 

I'm in the Keller over Friedel camp, no doubts whatsoeva about it. As I refered to in my U17 thread, many people who were there at the time put Hugo Perez in the best ever USA XI. I never saw him play, but when Ajax wants to sign an AMerican back in those days, I have to think that speaks volumes.

 

Lol.... think about ALL of that in context. And I don't blame you in the least for picking Keller. His US team record speaks for itself. And if I were managing the team, and selecting roster for a given match, I would have selected Kasey over Brad, as well. Falls under "You dont mess with success, or spit into the wind."
Brad can't compare on the US match record because he didnt have the opportunity.

What it really signifies, in my book, is that the US was talent-rich in that position. But I suspect Don and I are both looking at the BIG PICTURE, and I agree with him on that.

Go figger!
:banana-guitar:

 

If the criteria is the best USMNT "career" (which makes sense when putting this type of list together). then Keller and Balboa would have to be included. If it the best XI players the US has ever produced and you had them available in their prime, I'd pick Friedel everyday of the week, and twice on Sunday. If you added best available, in their prime, AND no history of injuries John O'Brien and Cory Gibbs would make my XI.