World Cup Squads

[robertgoulet]

I would have taken Edu over Beckerman(Williams over both but he wasnt on the 30), Boyd over Wondo and Goodson over Gonzalez. Omar especially has no place in the team. Has shown next to nothing for the USMNT. Been absolutely terrible for country. Goodson has been solid.
I'd have taken Donovan over Davis too. But on merit. Not that he deserves it based off performance this year. He's been terrible this year.

I can't argue w/ any of that. I'd have been fine w/ Goodson over Gonzo as well...and up until the Mexico game I would have taken Edu over Beckerman. Beckerman played so well w/ Bradley that game that he won me over (never been a fan).

 

[yankspurs]

I can't argue w/ any of that. I'd have been fine w/ Goodson over Gonzo as well...and up until the Mexico game I would have taken Edu over Beckerman. Beckerman played so well w/ Bradley that game that he won me over (never been a fan).

I did not think he was that good that game. I thought Bradley was so good he masked over how poorly Beckerman played.

 

[coyspurs18]

Though Klinsmann wasnt going to name the squad until the last possible date? Donovan, Edu, Boyd and Gooson should have been on the roster instead of Beckerman, Wondo, Davis and Gonzalez. Those 4 have no place on this roster. Absolutely none.

What sucks is that Julian Green will be under the microscope of America when he shouldnt be.

But Landon hasnt performed well this year for LA, was poor leading up to Mexico and got benched. Then he was poor when he came on. Also made a stupid comment about not being his best every day in training. So it was smart for Klinsmann to move on from him, IMO. People wont like it because they remember all he has done for US Soccer. But the past does not matter. It is what can you do for me now. And the answer with Landon is not much.

I would go
Howard
Chandler Cameron Besler Johnson
Bradley Jones
Zusi Dempsey Bedoya
Altidore

Against Portugal, I may put Yedlin at right back though. His pace could be key against Ronaldo.

Beckerman absolutely deserves to be on that roster IMO. His work rate is so much higher than Edu and I would partner him with Bradley instead of Jones. Beckerman will sit back and do the dirty work and allow Bradley to get forward more often. Wondo is also always in the right spot at the right time, I'm not a fan but can see the logic behind it. You argue Donovan should be on the roster than say he hasn't done anything lately. Which is it?

 

[yankspurs]

Beckerman absolutely deserves to be on that roster IMO. His work rate is so much higher than Edu and I would partner him with Bradley instead of Jones. Beckerman will sit back and do the dirty work and allow Bradley to get forward more often. Wondo is also always in the right spot at the right time, I'm not a fan but can see the logic behind it. You argue Donovan should be on the roster than say he hasn't done anything lately. Which is it?

Beckerman is not that good. Will get absolutely shredded by this group. He cant even play that great against Concacaf.

 

[coyspurs18]

Beckerman is not that good. Will get absolutely shredded by this group. He cant even play that great against Concacaf.

It's possible he doesn't even see the field, but he's definitely earned his spot. I think he's much better than you give him credit for.

 

[yankspurs]

It's possible he doesn't even see the field, but he's definitely earned his spot. I think he's much better than you give him credit for.

Earned his spot by playing well against MLS sides. Most of CONCACAF is terrible and he cannot even play good against them. Edu is better than Beckerman. Williams is better than both. He shouldnt be on the roster. Neither should Wondo or Davis.

 

[coyspurs18]

Earned his spot by playing well against MLS sides. Most of CONCACAF is terrible and he cannot even play good against them. Edu is better than Beckerman. Williams is better than both. He shouldnt be on the roster. Neither should Wondo or Davis.

Last I checked Edu is playing MLS and has only had a few appearances with the USMNT in the last couple years. Williams has also been injured frequently. Beckerman easily ahead of those two. He played well in qualifying and friendlies.

 

[yankspurs]

Last I checked Edu is playing MLS and has only had a few appearances with the USMNT in the last couple years. Williams has also been injured frequently. Beckerman easily ahead of those two. He played well in qualifying and friendlies.

He didnt play that well though. Edu adds more than Beckerman, IMO and has done well for Union. Also has the WC experience aspect and will know some of our opponents better than Beckerman because he has played European football. I think Danny would have been better than both because he's been on good form, plays in europe, played in Germany, younger so he has more left in the tank than Beckerman and Edu. I think he offers more going forward than either of them also. Moot point though because he wasnt named on the 30.

 

[yankspurs]

Totally stealing this from a commenter on soccerbyives but the guy absolutely nailed it wrt Donovan

This may not be a popular opinion here, but I am going to express it with conviction. Donovan has, with this interview, reinforced to his critics why he is being left out.

While he talks a good game about always wanting to represent this country – how he respects the shirt and wants there to be no controversy and only wants what’s best for the team – it is clear that Landon perceives himself as an exception to conventional metrics and measures of commitment.

QUOTE
“Based on my performances leading up to camp, based on my preparation for the camp, based on my fitness, based on my work load, based on the way I trained and played in camp, I not only thought I was a part of the twenty three, I thought I was in contention to be starting. That’s why this has all been pretty disappointing. And I think every one of my teammates (with the USMNT) would echo those same words.”

Sorry, but his form has been dreadful in the MLS. He hasn’t been a major part of the national team for a number of years. He quit on the team during a qualifying campaign to go on a journey of spiritual enlightenment in order to find motivation to play the game he professes to love?

This interview was typical Donovan, the filter-free moanings of a man who has been coddled as the privileged child of US Soccer for far too long. This is a guy who had an entire ESPN special on him leading up to the 2010 WC, complete with guests, former and current coaches, etc. singing his praises and lauding all he has done for US Soccer. Here is a guy who draped himself in an American flag and cried crocodile tears after a tap-in goal that sent us through a group stage that we should have secured easily, acting as though we were through to the final. Here is a guy who did a shoot interview with Grant Wahl about how bad of a teammate Beckham was because he stole Donovan’s thunder in LA, his armband, and didn’t pay for a few team dinners. Here is a guy who repeatedly spoke about how soccer wasn’t as important to him as it used to be, who is not the same player he was, who hasn’t been the US talisman for quite sometime, and has repeatedly shown that he doesn’t live or die for the shirt.

Here is a guy who thinks that US Soccer owes him their devotion, gratitude, and loyalty.

What do we see from guys like Clint Dempsey? We see grit, determination, and an indomitable spirit that will never be satisfied. What do we see from Michael Bradley? We see a young man who has tested himself against the world’s best and knows that we can do better, that we should be better, and that won’t rest until we are better. What do we see from Tim Howard? We see a workaholic dedicated to getting better every season, staying at as high a level as possible, and leading my example and commitment as opposed to glitz, recognition, and IOUs.

Klinsmann was right to leave Donovan off the squad. This is a mentality that has helped stagnate the progress of US Soccer for years. The kind of “we played them tough as we could” mentality that allows our players to cry in victory after a one goal win over minnows Algeria as if we had no business advancing out of that group…Klinsmann is trying to build a program that is competitive, both internally and externally, where a mentality of entitlement is shunned and a never-say-die workmanship is law. Jurgen is clearly trying to instill in these young players, as well as the veterans, that if US Soccer is ever going to accomplish anything then they need to have an indomitable spirit – something Donovan doesn’t have.

So, even if Landon was one of the best players in camp (I doubt he was based on his Galaxy form), somehow out-rating the scalding forms of Bradley, Dempsey, Chandler, Johansonn, and Johnson, his weak mentality and self-centeredness is what disqualifies him from involvement here in Brazil.

I wouldn’t mind this shoot after the WC. It is selfish for him to contradict the coach before the cup, to undermine his assessment, and even implicate the players as if they agree that he deserves to be there. I say good riddance. I’d rather see a Zusi on the field, who is going to play with all his heart until he can’t even stand, then indulge this self-entitled diva one more match in a US shirt.

Bring on Brazil, because win or lose…at least we know this 23 is committed to the cause.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

I did not think he was that good that game. I thought Bradley was so good he masked over how poorly Beckerman played.

The key was that Beckerman played with a discipline rarely seen from Jermaine Jones, which allowed Bradley the freedom to stay up top of the diamond. I think the US will stick with the 4-4-2 diamond, but with Jones playing the DM role, so we'll see if he can stay back, or whether he will get caught upfield, forcing Bradley to come back more.

 

[yankspurs]

The key was that Beckerman played with a discipline rarely seen from Jermaine Jones, which allowed Bradley the freedom to stay up top of the diamond. I think the US will stick with the 4-4-2 diamond, but with Jones playing the DM role, so we'll see if he can stay back, or whether he will get caught upfield, forcing Bradley to come back more.

I'd go 442 diamond on Ghana with Altidore and Dempsey at striker. But we need to be more defensive on Portugal and Germany so I'd go 4231 vs them with Jones and Bradley as the holding midfielders and Clint at the 10.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

I'd go 442 diamond on Ghana with Altidore and Dempsey at striker. But we need to be more defensive on Portugal and Germany so I'd go 4231 vs them with Jones and Bradley as the holding midfielders and Clint at the 10.

I agree. The crazy thing is, reports have Fabian Johnson playing almost exclusively at RB, which leaves only Beasley as a LB. Its almost like the US is conceding one side of the field - against Portugal it makes sense, at least until Ronaldo switches flanks.

 

[yankspurs]

I agree. The crazy thing is, reports have Fabian Johnson playing almost exclusively at RB, which leaves only Beasley as a LB. Its almost like the US is conceding one side of the field - against Portugal it makes sense, at least until Ronaldo switches flanks.

Chandler should start at right back and Johnson at left back. Beasley's been starting left back during qualifiers but CHandler and Johnson are our best fullbacks, IMO. I may have Yedlin against Portugal to track Ronaldo because of his pace.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Chandler should start at right back and Johnson at left back. Beasley's been starting left back during qualifiers but CHandler and Johnson are our best fullbacks, IMO. I may have Yedlin against Portugal to track Ronaldo because of his pace.

Tell that to Klinsmann

LeanderLastNameNoFit (@LeanderOnFOX)
5/25/14, 6:52 PM
Fabian Johnson says he has been playing almost exclusively at right back in practices and scrimmages. #USMNT

 

[yankspurs]

Tell that to Klinsmann

LeanderLastNameNoFit (@LeanderOnFOX)
5/25/14, 6:52 PM
Fabian Johnson says he has been playing almost exclusively at right back in practices and scrimmages. #USMNT

Well he was playing right back for Hoffenheim this year. I pray Chandler was playing left back for Nurnberg then. I do not want Beasley starting.

I think we'll have a clearer picture tomorrow becasue of the Azerbijan game. If Wondo gets hurt, Boyd better be the call up. At this point, I do not want Donovan anywhere near this squad anymore. His comments after he left ruined it for me. I kinda dont like him anymore. Opened up a whole new can of worms with the media.

 

[nightgoat]

Rafa's out of the Dutch squad with a calf injury. Most likely would have been his last World Cup, too.

 

[Syn_13]

Rafa's out of the Dutch squad with a calf injury. Most likely would have been his last World Cup, too.

Definitely his last WC, probably his last tournament too as the younger players will feature more in the Euros. Shame, his injury problems were always a thorn in his side.

 

[goughie1966]

Negrado and Navas have been dropped from Spain's squad today. Torres and Costa got the nod over Negrado which I find a little surprising considering Torres has not been any better and Costa is struggling to be fit. But of course Spain might not play with any strikers anyway!

Pity we can't take them in the England squad.

 

[yankspurs]

Negrado and Navas have been dropped from Spain's squad today. Torres and Costa got the nod over Negrado which I find a little surprising considering Torres has not been any better and Costa is struggling to be fit. But of course Spain might not play with any strikers anyway!

Pity we can't take them in the England squad.

I was surpried with Del Bosque's selection. Mata has been inconsistent at best this season after being relegated to the bench and shipped off by Mourinho. Torres hasnt done anything for 2 years and Costa is struggling to be fit. Del Bosque said yesterday I believe that Navas wouldnt be in the squad since he hasnt played for 2 months, though. I would have thought at least Negredo would have made it over Torres or Costa.

 

[Partizan]

Rossi has been cut from Italy's squad. Seems like Prandelli wasn't convinced over his fitness

Word also coming out from France that Ribery could well be out of the WC with a back injury.