WC Qualifiers

Bradley has released the names of the 21 called in for the first WC qualifier vs Barbados

I'm relieved to see strong man Ching in there. Here is my starting XI


---------------ching-------------Donavan-----------------

Beasley-------Adu------------Bradley--------------Dempsey


Pearce----------Boca---------Onyewu-------------Cherundolo


Howard

 

i like this lineup.

 

My lineup:

------------Ching----Donovan----------------
----------------Adu/Dempsey---------------
Beas---------------------------------Kljestan
-------------------Edu-------------------------
Pearce---Boca-------Gooch-------Cherundolo

Timmay!

 

Kickflip, I like that you have Edu in there - I forgot about him. I would like your line-up too except for Kljestan. Like him but I want to see Bradley and Ching in the same starting XI.

 

Can't wait to go to this game live on Sunday. Here is my lineup:

---------------Johnson-------------------
----------------------Adu-----------------
Beas-------Bradley-----Edu------Donovan
Pearce-----Boca----Gooch-----Cherundolo
--------------Howard--------------------

 

Has Kenny Cooper seriously pissed Bradley off at some point in time? I don't understand why he cannot seem to get a call up and get on the field for this team.

As far as lineups go I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this:

__________Howard____________

Dolo----Gooch----Boca-----Pearce

----Edu/Mastroeni---Bradley

Donovan-----Adu-----Beasley

-------------Dempsey

 

I would be happy to see that lineup Don.

 

I'll go a step further and say it is time for EJ to produce. This is in his wheelhouse, he needs to start popping the net. No pressure EJ, just score a goal already.

 

Additionally, Guzan needs the caps if we want him to be able to get that work permit.

I love Dempsey and Donovan and Kljestan but I wish we had a natural right midfielder on this team, someone who can cross from the right the way Lewis can cross from the left.

If we think Johnson is going to find his scoring touch for the USMNT, this is where he has to do it. I'm curious to see him paired with Ching; the Flyin' Hawaiian could hold the ball up and free EJ for running behind the defense, so that he can get some chances to work on finishing in a game situation. When it comes down to it, I don't think putting the ball past Barbados' keeper when you have the chance is all that much different from putting it past any other.

I'm with BarryP that I'm wondering what it'll take for Kenny Cooper to get a call-up from Bradley. (Is he still not completely healthy? He's been playing for Dallas.) Ching is a good player but he's seven years older and two inches shorter than Cooper; in the medium to long term (maybe not WC2010 and its qualifiers, but beyond that), I continue to believe that with the right motivation and coaching, Cooper is our best shot to play the McBride role and open up space for your smaller guys like Beasley and Landon and Adu and (further down the line) Zizzo and Nguyen and Davies.

As for the lineup this weekend, going by what I saw against Spain and Argentina (I forgot to record the England match so I didn't see it), I'd like to see:

Guzan
Dolo, Gooch, Boca, Pearce
Edu
Kljestan, Donovan, Adu
Johnson, Ching

Cervi, DeMerit, Hejduk, Beasley, Bradley, Lewis, Dempsey

I know DeMerit needs to get more experience and I was impressed with the job Califf did against Argentina, but Boca needs to find a club and therefore he needs to play.

 

Seen last night on Jeopardy


Answer; After playing giants England, Spain, and Argentina what minnow did the USMNT run up the score on Father's Day 08'.

Question; Who is Barbados?

Wish the game was being played on Sat. so have fun Lax and anyone else lucky enough to make it to the HDC. After playing the big boys, I just hope the guys come in with the attitude of stepping on someone's neck instead of showing up and expecting a blowout.

 

I'll jump on this bandwagon too. I'm not much of an MLS guy, but Cooper has impressed me from what I have seen. It's a shame that Nate Jaqua has more caps than Kenny Cooper.

 

There WAS a point when Josh Wolff was a reasonable callup for the USMNT. 2008 is not that point.

 

I am looking forward to going to the game. Got tix today. The last time I saw the US team, it was made up of MLS players, so this is sometihng I am looking forward to regardless of the opposition.

With regards to Cooper, I do not think he is a target striker. It seems like he plays like the through guy as opposed to the target. It does not make much sense to me given the size. I think this is what is limiting his opportunities.

I wish Benny was healthy. We need the creativity in the middle. After him, I would like to see Freddie or Sasha in that position.

 

Okay, I saw some of the Galaxy v Earthquakes game last night and I now want Bradley to call up Edson Buddle. This guy looked so much better than Johnson - he had a hat trick with some beautiful headers. He looked to be exactly what the US needs up top. And it wasnt Beckham sending in the crosses either.

I'm sick of seeing Johnson up there game after game. Ching, Cooper, and Buddle need chances to see what they can accomplish with the US squad. I'm positive all of them would be more effective than Johnson. And of course then there is Altidore - our most promising player at the moment.

I agree that some of Johnson's performances have looked more promising as of late, but I have only seen it with Fulham. Let Woy sort him out because it aint going to come from Bradley or the US MNT.

Hatter, I may drop in on the chatroom to say hi and to see what people think at the half or the end. I cant watch and do the chatroom at the same time; my computer and TV are at opposite ends of this vast mansion in which I live.

 

The thing with Buddle is that, that's exactly what Johnson was doing. He's a gloryhunter just like Johnson is. Could have the same result.

I agree he should probably get a chance. Robbie Findley too!

 

I should be wirelessly connected via my laptop while viewing the match in my living room in HD! Ain't technology an expensively wonderful thing.