USMNT vs Colombia and Ireland

Another interesting roster from JK. Would have liked to have seen Deuce get a Cottage sendoff but, oh well. Don't think we need four keepers but, hey, it's his world. Very deserving call up of Lee Nguyen. Still not sure how Jermaine's gonna work out on the back line, but now's the time to try it. Would be nice to see Jozy score a couple to show Poyet what an ass bag he is. http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/11/10/08/44/141110-mnt-klinsmann-names-roster

 

One of the more interesting points at the end of the article:
"Wondolowski spent the past week training at Fulham in advance of this camp."

I'm glad to see Cameron back. It'll be interesting to see who Klinsmann throws out at defense. That position is stacked with regulars.

Like jump, I'm not sold on Jones as a full-time defender.

I'm kind of bummed that Hyndman didn't get pulled in. Though he is still only a teenager.

 

There are some perplexing choices here. I would have figured that JK would have left players involved in MLS playoffs at home (hence no Dempsey or Gonzales), but he is calling in Jones, Nguyen, and Yedlin. Hypothesis: If Seattle advances maybe Yedlin stays home, but Jones and Nguyen (who are on the East Coast and would have a shorter trip) do go.

In any event, excited to watch both these matches, and I hope there's a good turnout at the Cottage.

 

It's probably too early in the cycle to overly worry about who is and isn't being called in. As long as he is looking at a good mix of veteran and new talent during each call up at this point then that's about all I could ask of any coach. I would like to get a good long look at Garza, Nguyen and one of the younger forwards but I expect he will give Jozy a lot of playing time to put him in the shop window. Fair play if he does.

I didn't expect Hyndman to get called in this time around since he is not a regular starter at this point in time but I must confess I would prefer to see another younger face or two in the crowd to choose from.

 

I think Jermaine Jones said after the Revs game this weekend that he (and I'm assuming Yedlin and Nguyen) are only going to play in the Colombia friendly then head back to the US due to the playoffs.

I am also guessing since Dempsey is older, Klinsi made a deal with Sigi only to take Yedlin and not Dempsey.

Some of Klinsi's comments from today made it seem like he wanted a mixture of older players and young as he wants the older guys to mentor the younger ones. I know people dislike Wondo with the USMNT, but he is a great person to set an example for younger guys.

And finally, it would have been cool to see Hyndman play at the Cottage, but he is with the U-20 team in Spain this week. With the U-20 World Cup qualifying coming up in early 2015, likely wants that team to start to gel some. As for Rubio Rubin being with the MNT and not the U-20 team, I know FC Utrecht wouldn't release him for U-20 duty in the past, but they would for the MNT.

 

Hyndma'm is playing with the US U20 squad that beat Russia 4-3 today. Hyndman drew two yellow cards in the opening match of the World Cup qualifying tournament.

 

It is not an U-20 WC qualifying tournament. Just a random tournament in Spain. CONCACAF U-20 qualifying begins in January -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_CONCACAF_U-20_Championship

 

You are correct sir regarding the U20 tourney not being a qualifier. I incorrectly read an article stating that this is a prep tourney for the qualifier.

 

Columbia was must see TV at the WC, and they showed why they are a lot of fun to watch. Totally deserved the win. Random thoughts;
• Stunned to see Craven Cottage not only packed, but had no idea 20,000 Columbian fans would be there, making it a great atmosphere for a friendly.
• Mixx and Fabian were off their game, somebody tell Mixx and Bedoya that the porn-stache look is only acceptable if you lose a bet (maybe they did)
• Garza & Jozy with nicks that could hold them out of the Ireland match.
• Thought Beckerman, Rubin, and Bedoya had solid games.
• Good for Lee Nguyen on his appearance. Made a great pass that led to a great chance for Bobby Wood.

 

While he didn't do anything outstanding, I was impressed by Rubin, more so that he is 18 and making his first career international appearance against the FIFA No. 3 team and he looked/acted like he belonged out there.

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...ls-players-ahead-conference-semifinal-first-l

US national team releases four MLS players ahead of Conference Championship first legs

NOVEMBER 15, 2014
MLSsoccer staff
MLSsoccer.com

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlscup/201...miss-tuesdays-match-vs-usa-after-release-irel

LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane to miss Tuesday's match vs. USA after release from Ireland squad

NOVEMBER 15, 2014
MLSsoccer staff
MLSsoccer.com

 

Jones, Nguyen, Yedlin and Beasley were the four listed in the caption.

 

Not a bad result considering they had 17 players from their 23 man WC roster and we sent out a mixed bag of age and experience.

The offside non-call could have gone either way. By true letter of the law, no player in an offside position played the ball so no infraction. But I would contend that he was close enough to impede the defense and surely Columbia gained the advantage by him being inches away from the ball.

I'd like to hope that Mix and Bedoya are participating in Movember (or maybe they did lose bets).

 

Well, that was ugly. Not too surprising, given the number of debutantes and inexperienced combinations. Had some good moments but overall the quality of play was what you'd expect from a bunch of guys who barely know each other, at least on the pitch.
We'll see what the new year brings. Gonna be an interesting January camp.