USMNT Post Gold Cup/Rebuild for WC Qualifying

[Kay20]

In the event Boca is not Captain the armband would go to Landon whom I think will be playing for the nats late into his 30's.. Once his pace has waned he will play in the hole behind the striker(s)

That'd be my vote but don't know if it'll happen. And if we don't find any strikers, you might be right. I think 2014 will be his last hurrah for WC action and then he might see the 2015 Gold Cup.

He most likely will also hit the 50/50 club next year: 50 goals and 50 assists. Just a matter of time. That stat is going to stand for a LONG time (and I hope US soccer commemorates it as a result).

 

[Extratime]

That'd be my vote but don't know if it'll happen. And if we don't find any strikers, you might be right. I think 2014 will be his last hurrah for WC action and then he might see the 2015 Gold Cup.

He most likely will also hit the 50/50 club next year: 50 goals and 50 assists. Just a matter of time. That stat is going to stand for a LONG time (and I hope US soccer commemorates it as a result).

Not happening. After Lando gave the "no comment" when asked about criticism of BB we need to assume that the armband will go to someone else. My money is on a Michael Bradley. Why? You know why.

 

[pfim]

I think there's zero chance that Bradley is captain while his father is coach.

It will be either Bocanegra or Cherundolo. I really don't see any scenario where both of them don't make the cut for 2014 (even given their age), barring some freak accident.

 

[Kay20]

I think there's zero chance that Bradley is captain while his father is coach.

It will be either Bocanegra or Cherundolo. I really don't see any scenario where both of them don't make the cut for 2014 (even given their age), barring some freak accident.

Neither of them will be starters. You need to pick someone else.

 

[EFC NY]

As Nordecke said, Lando plays for US as long as he wants. He is that good relevant to what USA has, and sadly, I do not see a lot of talent on his heels to knock him out.

I think what you see is what you get with Altidore. He is just not that skilled, and has no composure on the ball. You can't teach this stuff. That being said, USA is qualifying for 2014 (need not beat Mexico for that), and all Altidore needs to do is pump in some goals in Brasil and he is a superstar.

I couldn't care less who the captain is.

 

[TX Bill]

Dempsey was my thought for captain as well.

 

[Kay20]

I think the next friendly is in September, I'll commit to keeping us updated in here. Rumored to be in Brussels and the Belgian national team. September & Belgium means a mostly European squad, though I don't know if we can wholly go with that knowing how dire some of our positions are. I mean, behind Jozy, what other striker are you calling up from Europe? *crickets* Yup.

Projected line-up:
Howard (sub, Guzan for 2nd half)
Chandler - Goodson - Boca - Lichaj (1 half) Chandler - Whitbread - Boca - Lichaj (2 half)
It's time to give Chandler the start ahead of Dolo and see what he does with it for the full 90. The more minutes the better for Lichaj on the left. Boca keeps the young back line in shape. Test out Whitbread to see how he does - first cap. (Assuming Ream/Gonzalez don't make it due to MLS season).

Bedoya - Bradley - Jones - Adu - Dempsey
Adu gets more time. Kljestan may also see the light of day. Jones or Bradley have to be injured for Edu to get time.

Altidore (sub, Agudelo - again, the more minutes, the better)

Bench: Kjlestan, Guzan (if he's worked his way back into Bob's good graces), Agudelo, Whitbread, Dolo, unnamed striker (Bunbury?), unnamed LB (welcome back Brek Shea? Zack Loyd?)

 

[pfim]

Neither of them will be starters. You need to pick someone else.

Don't agree at all. This back four is dog poop without them, I don't see how that changes in the next 3 years. Yes, they will be old, but it's highly likely they will be the best options available.

If there is a gap in the talent of forwards in their mid 20s, it's even greater in the back line.

 

[Tchnique]

Don't agree at all. This back four is dog poop without them, I don't see how that changes in the next 3 years. Yes, they will be old, but it's highly likely they will be the best options available.

If there is a gap in the talent of forwards in their mid 20s, it's even greater in the back line.

Tbh I could care less about the backline being crappy for the next few years. Ream and Omar Gonzalez have to play. Bocanegra showed that he isn't as quick as he used to be and he'll be even slower in 2014. Take the lumps and put Gonzalez/Ream/Whitbread back there.

Ream has made his share of mistakes but that's going to come with learning. We, as a country, don't have any god-given naturals like a lot of other countries have. Our guys need more experience playing against good sides/players than anything else. Just to get a feel for how those teams will move and how they attack.

 

[pfim]

Tbh I could care less about the backline being crappy for the next few years. Ream and Omar Gonzalez have to play. Bocanegra showed that he isn't as quick as he used to be and he'll be even slower in 2014. Take the lumps and put Gonzalez/Ream/Whitbread back there.

Ream has made his share of mistakes but that's going to come with learning. We, as a country, don't have any god-given naturals like a lot of other countries have. Our guys need more experience playing against good sides/players than anything else. Just to get a feel for how those teams will move and how they attack.

Those guys need to get that experience at the club level. A few friendlies here and there isn't going to help a ton. They need to be immersed in it.

 

[Tchnique]

Those guys need to get that experience at the club level. A few friendlies here and there isn't going to help a ton. They need to be immersed in it.

They're still young, and both Ream and Gonzalez are first choice players at their MLS clubs. They're seeing time.

I think this all comes back to the USSF more interested in quick fixes and short term goals than having one big picture and working toward a large goal, which is ultimately a World Cup.

 

[Deleted member 28206]

I think he's talking about SOCCER, bryan.

OORAH! USA USA !

 

[Kay20]

Tbh I could care less about the backline being crappy for the next few years. Ream and Omar Gonzalez have to play. Bocanegra showed that he isn't as quick as he used to be and he'll be even slower in 2014. Take the lumps and put Gonzalez/Ream/Whitbread back there.

Ream has made his share of mistakes but that's going to come with learning. We, as a country, don't have any god-given naturals like a lot of other countries have. Our guys need more experience playing against good sides/players than anything else. Just to get a feel for how those teams will move and how they attack.

100% agree. Friendlies are the place to do it. You have to throw them to the wolves to help them learn in prep for qualifying.

Neither Boca or Dolo will be starting in 2014 - I really believe that, and if they are we should just forfeit. We should be grooming the youth now.

I have no problem with Dolo's replacement. Chandler is looking like he may even be world-class. Done in that spot except we need to find a backup. Chandler just needs to learn the team, he's got the skill (though his defending could use some tune-up this year). He most likely will play the Olympics so we'll get a good look.

CB is an issue because the options are unproven or young. Ream needs time at a higher level and will most likely be sold to Europe at some point in the next two years. Omar should also get time - he should be sold this off-season. Put them out there to learn as they are the future. Whitbread also deserves a look as he just got promoted with Norwich City. Boca will train them all.

It'll be painful, but we have no other choice.

 

[Kay20]

In other USMNT news:
Gooch signed with Sporting Lisbon - confirmed with press conference
Altidore looking to go Dutch (AZ) - not confirmed but likely

Good move for both. If Gooch can regain form helps us tremendously.

 

[Extratime]

In other USMNT news:
Gooch signed with Sporting Lisbon - confirmed with press conference
Altidore looking to go Dutch (AZ) - not confirmed but likely

Good move for both. If Gooch can regain form helps us tremendously.

I was actually shocked when I read both on the news sites. Could it be that these guys are actually going to go to leagues that they may actually see time at and.......improve? Hard to believe I know.

To be honest I think the Dutch and Portugese leagues are fine leagues for US players. Baby steps gentlemen, baby steps.