This morning when I woke up and checked my email, my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets (think the 1:06 mark of this classic clip) when I read the U.S. Soccer Federation missive about the roster for the upcoming USMNT friendly against Slovakia. (Saturday, 10 a.m., FSC)
As the old saying goes, don't blog angry, so I took a little time to collect myself and my shock that Edgar Castillo, et al, weren't included in the 22-man list.
After some thought, and quick research, U.S. coach Bob Bradley was fairly hamstrung -- to a degree -- selecting the roster. Captain Landon Donovan (the U.S.'s only real difference maker), along with guys like Brian Ching and Stuart Holden were bound to the MLS playoffs. Same thing for Castillo and Jose Torres, as the Mexican Primera plays this weekend.
Throw in the long-standing injuries to Charlie Davies, Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit and assembling the roster was like putting together a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle without the cover on the box to aid you.
Before getting into what I liked and didn't, a quick thought on Castillo.
Is he the savior at left back, a position the U.S. has never really had a standout at? Impossible to say.
Is he David Regis Mach II (or, dos, if you will)? Again, impossible to say.
At this point, all Castillo represents is another option that isn't named Jonathan Bornstein, who, for many apparently, all has been forgiven since his extra-time equalizing header vs. Costa Rica.
In short, Castillo represents the unknown and for many speculating over the potential of what he could represent is more valuable than what he actually is. Does it trouble anyone that he basically had to switch to the U.S. since he wasn't getting a sniff with the Mexican team?
Looks like we'll have to wait until 2010, or perhaps next week against Denmark to see what exactly the New Mexico native can bring to the table.
The Good:
* Very happy to see Tim Howard get a rest and let Brad Guzan, Troy Perkins and personal favorite Marcus Hahneman duke it out for the other two goalkeeping spots.
* Maybe, with all the defensive injuries, Jonathan Spector gets a fair shake to start.
* Apparently a lack of consistent playing time didn't hurt Jozy Altidore's chances. Then again, what other options does the U.S. have at this point?
The Bad:
* The FC Dallas trio of Dax McCarty, Heath Pearce and Jeff Cunningham does nothing to excite me. To his credit Cunningham is a goal-scorer and seems to be a darkhorse candidate for the 2010 roster at this point. I won't hold my breath.
* I'm all for second chances, but was Sacha Kljestan a pity pick? Guess there were no other options. (Out of curiosity, will Maurice Edu ever play again? In June it was reported his knee injury would keep him out three months. Just curios.)
The Ugly:
* I don't know how else to put this, the inclusion of Eddie Johnson simply brings too many bad memories of 2006. I see what Bradley is trying to do and see if the one-time "GAM" has anything in the tank and his viability as a Davies replacement.
That said, since his return to Fulham Johnson has made one start (Carling Cup) and come on as a sub three times. Nothing spectacular. Meanwhile, Kenny Cooper is getting semi-regular use at 1860 Munich, though like Johnson his only start since Oct. 4 was in the DFB Pokal but he is seeing regular action as a sub.
* Freddy Adu? I'll just leave it at that. It's beyond obvious that he and Bradley may never see eye-to-eye.
Obviously by Friday I'll have a little more to say about this match, which is shaping up to be, well, an experiment. Hope Clint Dempsey thinks he's wearing the white of Fulham.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton), Troy Perkins (Valerenga)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Eddie Johnson (Fulham)
As the old saying goes, don't blog angry, so I took a little time to collect myself and my shock that Edgar Castillo, et al, weren't included in the 22-man list.
After some thought, and quick research, U.S. coach Bob Bradley was fairly hamstrung -- to a degree -- selecting the roster. Captain Landon Donovan (the U.S.'s only real difference maker), along with guys like Brian Ching and Stuart Holden were bound to the MLS playoffs. Same thing for Castillo and Jose Torres, as the Mexican Primera plays this weekend.
Throw in the long-standing injuries to Charlie Davies, Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit and assembling the roster was like putting together a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle without the cover on the box to aid you.
Before getting into what I liked and didn't, a quick thought on Castillo.
Is he the savior at left back, a position the U.S. has never really had a standout at? Impossible to say.
Is he David Regis Mach II (or, dos, if you will)? Again, impossible to say.
At this point, all Castillo represents is another option that isn't named Jonathan Bornstein, who, for many apparently, all has been forgiven since his extra-time equalizing header vs. Costa Rica.
In short, Castillo represents the unknown and for many speculating over the potential of what he could represent is more valuable than what he actually is. Does it trouble anyone that he basically had to switch to the U.S. since he wasn't getting a sniff with the Mexican team?
Looks like we'll have to wait until 2010, or perhaps next week against Denmark to see what exactly the New Mexico native can bring to the table.
The Good:
* Very happy to see Tim Howard get a rest and let Brad Guzan, Troy Perkins and personal favorite Marcus Hahneman duke it out for the other two goalkeeping spots.
* Maybe, with all the defensive injuries, Jonathan Spector gets a fair shake to start.
* Apparently a lack of consistent playing time didn't hurt Jozy Altidore's chances. Then again, what other options does the U.S. have at this point?
The Bad:
* The FC Dallas trio of Dax McCarty, Heath Pearce and Jeff Cunningham does nothing to excite me. To his credit Cunningham is a goal-scorer and seems to be a darkhorse candidate for the 2010 roster at this point. I won't hold my breath.
* I'm all for second chances, but was Sacha Kljestan a pity pick? Guess there were no other options. (Out of curiosity, will Maurice Edu ever play again? In June it was reported his knee injury would keep him out three months. Just curios.)
The Ugly:
* I don't know how else to put this, the inclusion of Eddie Johnson simply brings too many bad memories of 2006. I see what Bradley is trying to do and see if the one-time "GAM" has anything in the tank and his viability as a Davies replacement.
That said, since his return to Fulham Johnson has made one start (Carling Cup) and come on as a sub three times. Nothing spectacular. Meanwhile, Kenny Cooper is getting semi-regular use at 1860 Munich, though like Johnson his only start since Oct. 4 was in the DFB Pokal but he is seeing regular action as a sub.
* Freddy Adu? I'll just leave it at that. It's beyond obvious that he and Bradley may never see eye-to-eye.
Obviously by Friday I'll have a little more to say about this match, which is shaping up to be, well, an experiment. Hope Clint Dempsey thinks he's wearing the white of Fulham.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton), Troy Perkins (Valerenga)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Eddie Johnson (Fulham)
Labels: bob bradley, Freddy Adu, Friendlies, Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, Soccer, USMNT
I looked at the rosters for the Superpowers heading into this Saturday and most teams are sending out their A squads. It is just depressing that injuries and domestic leagues have made these games almost a waste of time for Bradley to evaluate talent going into 2010. Players who should have been given a shot if all was well.
1) Jermaine Jones-back in July I thought this would be his premiere.
2) Maurice Edu -ditto
3) Robbie Findley- Isnt he the MLS Charlie Davies replacement? I havent seen him play but will give him a look this Saturday vs. Fire.
4)Jose Torres- He only played in the bookend matches of qualification. I'd like to see Bradley trust him more.
5)Edgar Castillo- I've seen him play 1 MLS Suplerleaga game...
The good news - leaving Howard off the roster is very smart because Guzan isnt getting mins at Aston Villa and he needs to be a sharp backup.
Maybe Bob Bradley can get together with Roy Hodgson and find out how to use Clint Dempsey.
Were you really expecting Bobbo to call in Freddy? The kid can't even get a game with the pathetic Belneneses squad. I watched their game last Friday and the Freddy we saw in the qualifier at the end of 2008 would've made that squad and taken that team to another level.
While I haven't always agreed with Bob's you've got to be playing with your club team statement (since he bends the rules for others), in Adu's case I don't think it's realistic to expect him in a US Uniform anytime before 2011, and that's only if he gets some minutes somewhere, anywhere.
I agree with the previous comment that it's pretty sad that MLS's we'll play whenever we feel like it attitude has hamstrung Bradley for these two friendlies.
The hard part is win or lose we won't really know what expectations should be for SA becuase most of this roster won't be there anyways. This would have been a great chance to see how we measure up to a team that won their qualification group in UEFA.
If we win the game, or at the very least play well, with our B/C squad, what will that say? How will we measure up then?
Sure our A team could've laid an egg, but if the B/C team can hang with them then our A should be able to do one better. Not that Bobbo was think about this when these were scheduled, but I think we could get a decent idea of our overall player pool compares with a decent European nation.