USMNT Training Camp: 30 to 23

Tim Ream doesn't speak German. Geez.

 

Joe Corona may be the biggest surprise for me on the 30 man roster. Corona, Brooks, Green and Yedlin look like invites for the future.

My fear is this team will miss EJ coming off the bench.

 

Both Wondolowski and Goodson. This Quakes fan is happy.

 

I as well, but I'm not happy for the Quakes. Although, both should make the squad in my view as each are quality.

 

I can't complain too much about those guys. I personally would bring EJ into camp (and likely put him on the plane to Brazil) and Corona's inclusion sort of surprised me (I thought he was farther down the pecking order).

Lots of RB options got brought in so hopefully this means Cameron gets moved to starting CB next to Besler.

 

Looks like you hit the nail on the head. Tough decision, but I think it is the right call...

http://www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2...eaves-eddie-johnson-out-jurgen-klinsmanns-gro

Cheers,

Steve

 

I know in my heart he didn't earn it, but I still like Brek Shea, and I still think he's got that "X" factor that you just can't quantify or put a finger on and say, "yeah, that's it." IF he get's his head screwed on straight and knuckles down, maybe he can help us in Russia. I think EJ's current form is an aberration, and what he did last summer should have been enough. I still would have given him the opportunity over Julian Green...even if he DOESN'T speak German.

 

Will assume that all 4 of those players have to have a crazy good camp to make the final 23. I know it's easy to throw out 'he speaks German' jokes when it comes to Green, but let's look long term on him. He is one of, if not the top prospect for BAYERN MUNICH. Getting him comfortable in the USMNT set up is critical for our future.

Biggest surprise for me; the fact I want Kyle Beckerman to make the final 23. Have been killing him for a few years, but he knows his role, and has steadily improved. Jones will realize his dream of playing in the WC, but his knee has to be a major concern. Beckerman and Cameron can both play there, which means Edu will probably be left out.

That leaves 2 other cuts, which unless there is an injury is going to be extremely difficult. Chandler will probably be one of them, but he has lost weight and was really playing great before he got hurt, but has been solid on his return. That leaves the final cut, and will guess that it comes from a group of Mix, Bedoya, Boyd, or Davis.

 

I think it would be insane to keep Beckerman over Edu. Beckerman has his qualities but not enough for top international competition. Edu has proven he can hang at that level and make an impact.

I think leaving EJ off is a mistake, but I do like Bacon and Wondo

 

I here you Mo about Edu, and I totally thought the same way, but heck if that Rasta hair dude has won me over. :banana-dreads:

 

I would be interested in what specifically has won you over. I know there has been a media campaign for him, but even in that I don't really hear the specifics. It's just stuff like he is an anchor that protects the back four and lets the other players get forward. No tackle %, passing accuracy, goals, etc. It's difficult to compare the two side by side because Edu has hardly featured for the US MNT in the last year, but he has stepped into MLS on a crappy team and done just as well as Beckerman who is on one of the best teams. Also in the Mexico friendly last month while I wouldn't necessarily blame Beckerman for both goals he was there where both of the goals occurred and could have done something. Edu came into that game and did great. I just remember seeing Beckerman struggle against top European teams in the past and I can't say that about Edu in the last World Cup. I can't see Beckerman handling the likes of Germany and Ghana or making an impact on a game the way Edu could. The only thing I can see is that maybe he's who Bradley prefers to play with, but if that is the case I have always assumed that it was a preference for Beckerman over Jones and not Beckerman over Edu. Now that Edu is getting tons of minutes again I'm hoping the choice will be Edu and Beckerman over Jones, but I would be surprised to see Klinsmann leave Jones out of the 23, after all he wants his players "more nastier".

 

I think all 3 (Edu, Beckerman and Jones) make the final cut. Edu is cover at CB so his versatility will weigh in the decision; and, he has World Cup experience. Jones, for all of his faults, is a pretty damn good player when he's not drawing cards; somebody is going to need to dig in against this group and he can fit that bill. And JK likes Beckerman - that's evident given how much he used him in the past 18 months.

COUSMNT

 

I like all three players but there may only be room for two of the three on the final roster. I think Jones is a lock barring injury and I am guessing Beckerman will be the second because he partnered Bradley better than any one else during qualification. I like Edu but his versitility may be trumped by Cameron who can play three positions well.

 

Mo, on Beckerman it wasn't media hype since until tonight I've never seen anything about him. Also haven't seen RSL play this season. To be fair I was out of town and only saw highlights of the Mexico game. It's been over the course of the last year + where I've begun to appreciate his game, and he has a good understanding w/Bradley. That said I don't want him to start because for my money Jones (if his knee is right) is by far the best player in that role. No other midfielder (aside from Bradley) on the team can unlock a defense with a 40 yard pass on a consistent basis than JJ. Add in that when he is right he is capable of putting in a Man of the Match performance against any opponent and Jones has to be on the plane.

 

MLS has been hyping Beckerman. I guess I appreciate him more now too but that hasn't made me want him chosen above Edu. I don't mind if he chosen above Jones though. I'm in the camp with those who think Jones is too undisciplined and this gives Bradley more work and prevents him controlling the game the way he could. Take a look at this Bradley video against Italy in the USA's historic win. Notice the absence of Jermaine Jones and ignore the time Edu gives the ball away. Bradley won't be given this amount of time on the ball in Brazil but . . . . it's something to consider.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxEGjW-wInw[/youtube]

 

Last night, ESPN premiered their special series following the team in their preparation. Pretty basic stuff, although the most interesting pieces of information regarded Jones. First, I think it may actually be the first time I've actually heard him interviewed (in German, with subtitles). But the point made was that the diamond midfield with Jones holding and Bradley ahead of him was a key reason for Bradley's success recently. While I don't know that I agree 100%, I think it's likely we'll see that against Ghana. JK really does rate him, and I can't see Edu or Beckerman taking his spot.

 

I watched it as well. I'd add that it showed the Julian Green recruitment, talked about why JK named Clint captain, and discussed Jozy's struggles. Sorry Don, but seems they would disagree with your defense of him. Both player and coach think he's struggling, although JK did point out that he didn't always get the service needed at Sunderland and bouncing him from starter to reserves to out of the squad didn't help matters. Jozy seems to have the right attitude though.

I found the Landon bit a little bothersome. He seems resigned to not playing and sounded like he's lost his competitive fire. Seems a little early to hit that point at 32, but then that's his prerogative. There's no denying or minimizing what he's done for US Soccer over the last decade. But as a fan, it's always bothered me that he didn't always seem to have the desire to max his potential and could have been more.

I'd take Beckerman over Edu. Maurice is the better athlete and gets stuck in better, but Beckerman has grown and is the more disciplined player. There's an old hockey term for players like that. He's a plumber. Not spectacular, doesn't wow you, but is always where he is supposed to be and does his job smartly and reliably. He's a bit like Aaron Hughes to me in that regard. I haven't always seen him that way, just in the last year.

Wondo has to make the final 23.