2011 Gold Cup

[Kay20]

Alright, for us gluttons for punishment in the US, I'm starting this thread.

Roster came out today, and I'm aghast at a few things:
1) The biggest: No Timmy Chandler. Apparently Nurnberg didn't let him go - wanted him to have a break before the next season, and as a new first teamer at age 21, he had no choice. Also supposedly the reason the roster got delayed. If we don't permanently cap tie this kid soon, Bob's a moron. He looks like our brightest prospect until Agudelo gets more game time. Can't wait to have him take over for Dolo (if not be heir to LD). Oh and Germany? Hands off. He probably wouldn't make your list anyway right now, but still, finders keepers.

Oh, and I'm trying to contain my rage against FC Nurnberg. Not quite working yet, so I'm going to choose not to post anything more.

2) Adu & Rogers. I have no words.

I'm afraid for us versus Mexico.

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Tigres, Mexico), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brondby, Denmark), Eric Lichaj (Leeds, England), Oguchi Onyewu (Twente, Netherlands), Tim Ream (New York), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United, England)

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Rizespor, Turkey), Michael Bradley (Aston Villa, England), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (New England), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn, England), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht, Belgium), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)

Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New York), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor, Turkey), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose)

 

[pfim]

The roster is defined not by the omissions, imo, but as you point out above, a few of the strange inclusions.

Robbie Rogers? What? Don't get me wrong, kid has all the talent in the world, but what has he done this season (or in most USMNT appearances) to be called up for a competitive tournament?

Freddy Adu-He's playing for a second division Turkish outfit.

Bornstein-what is the definition of insanity?

Wondolowski is a bit of a shock, but at least he's been a productive player for a season and a half.

Also, the roster is set up so that we'll be seeing a lot of Altidore up top, by himself. Which is fine in CONCACAF, but if this is how Bradley intends to play against better competition, I just don't know.

Sucks about Chandler, but I don't think you can really pin that on Bradley. You have to balance development with the national team with the individual player's development. Nurnberg sitting Chandler for a month after he gets back from the Gold Cup is no good for anyone.

 

[Allezfan]

I'm putting my money on Montserrat.

 

[LTblue]

When is the tournament and is it on TV in the UK?

 

[Allezfan]

When is the tournament and is it on TV in the UK?

1st game is June 5th.

Have to say I'm finding comments about playing Mexico both disrespectful and premature.

USA have a tough group to get out of first before they can even think about that. They're facing the mighty Panama, the powerhouses of Canada and the monstrous Guadeloupe (a french colony, meaning the team contains all the footballers from that 400,000 strong population who aren't good enough to actually play for France).

And only three out of those four teams can progress after the full six group games are played so obviously it's going to be really competitive.

 

[Rook]

The roster is defined not by the omissions, imo, but as you point out above, a few of the strange inclusions.

Robbie Rogers? What? Don't get me wrong, kid has all the talent in the world, but what has he done this season (or in most USMNT appearances) to be called up for a competitive tournament?

Freddy Adu-He's playing for a second division Turkish outfit.

Bornstein-what is the definition of insanity?

Wondolowski is a bit of a shock, but at least he's been a productive player for a season and a half.

Also, the roster is set up so that we'll be seeing a lot of Altidore up top, by himself. Which is fine in CONCACAF, but if this is how Bradley intends to play against better competition, I just don't know.

Sucks about Chandler, but I don't think you can really pin that on Bradley. You have to balance development with the national team with the individual player's development. Nurnberg sitting Chandler for a month after he gets back from the Gold Cup is no good for anyone.

Adu and Rodgers might be question marks but this isn't the world cup and (especially Adu) you could take a chance on certain players. I'm no fan of Adu but I have no problem with Bradley picking him.

I haven't seen him in Mexico but Bornstein played pretty well in the World cup and last I checked we're not too loaded at LB. We would have had alot more scoring opportunities if Dempsey and Donovan passed him the ball against Ghana.

Even though we are thin at striker I think we'll play some 4-4-2 with Aguledo with Altidore up front. Midfield is by far our strength but I think we play better in a 4-4-2.

 

[Rook]

1st game is June 5th.

Have to say I'm finding comments about playing Mexico both disrespectful and premature.

USA have a tough group to get out of first before they can even think about that. They're facing the mighty Panama, the powerhouses of Canada and the monstrous Guadeloupe (a french colony, meaning the team contains all the footballers from that 400,000 strong population who aren't good enough to actually play for France).

And only three out of those four teams can progress after the full six group games are played so obviously it's going to be really competitive.

Didn't they make the Semi's in the last Gold cup?

 

[Allezfan]

12 teams entering the group stage and 8 coming out is really stupid, I must say. It's like the cricket world cup all over again.

Either have only four teams get out of the groups or, if you want three knock out rounds, let a few more of the island teams qualify so the group stage actually weeds out more than just a quarter of the teams in it.

And, while I'm on the subject, it's disgraceful that the big nations get a pass on having to qualify.

 

[Allezfan]

Didn't they make the Semi's in the last Gold cup?

Exactly, which is why the comment about facing Mexico was monstrously arrogant and premature. I want an apology.

 

[TX Bill]

Alright, for us gluttons for punishment in the US, I'm starting this thread.

Roster came out today, and I'm aghast at a few things:
1) The biggest: No Timmy Chandler. Apparently Nurnberg didn't let him go - wanted him to have a break before the next season, and as a new first teamer at age 21, he had no choice. Also supposedly the reason the roster got delayed. If we don't permanently cap tie this kid soon, Bob's a moron. He looks like our brightest prospect until Agudelo gets more game time. Can't wait to have him take over for Dolo (if not be heir to LD). Oh and Germany? Hands off. He probably wouldn't make your list anyway right now, but still, finders keepers.

Oh, and I'm trying to contain my rage against FC Nurnberg. Not quite working yet, so I'm going to choose not to post anything more.

2) Adu & Rogers. I have no words.

I'm afraid for us versus Mexico.

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Tigres, Mexico), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brondby, Denmark), Eric Lichaj (Leeds, England), Oguchi Onyewu (Twente, Netherlands), Tim Ream (New York), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United, England)

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Rizespor, Turkey), Michael Bradley (Aston Villa, England), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (New England), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn, England), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht, Belgium), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)

Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New York), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor, Turkey), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose)

Rumor is that Chandler might be pinched by Germany as he hasn't played an international that counts, just a few friendlies. After his first two matches for us and how he played, I think I'd be awfully upset if he didn't turn out for us again.

As for Adu, I don't mind Bradley giving him a shot. In all honesty, he wouldn't be there if Holden was healthy so let's see what we've got now that he's at the rip old age of 21.

The roster is defined not by the omissions, imo, but as you point out above, a few of the strange inclusions.

Robbie Rogers? What? Don't get me wrong, kid has all the talent in the world, but what has he done this season (or in most USMNT appearances) to be called up for a competitive tournament?

Freddy Adu-He's playing for a second division Turkish outfit.

Bornstein-what is the definition of insanity?

Wondolowski is a bit of a shock, but at least he's been a productive player for a season and a half.

Also, the roster is set up so that we'll be seeing a lot of Altidore up top, by himself. Which is fine in CONCACAF, but if this is how Bradley intends to play against better competition, I just don't know.

Sucks about Chandler, but I don't think you can really pin that on Bradley. You have to balance development with the national team with the individual player's development. Nurnberg sitting Chandler for a month after he gets back from the Gold Cup is no good for anyone.

Wondolowski has played well enough to warrant another good look. I'm not saying he's the answer for us but I'd love to see some more of him at this level.

1st game is June 5th.

Have to say I'm finding comments about playing Mexico both disrespectful and premature.

USA have a tough group to get out of first before they can even think about that. They're facing the mighty Panama, the powerhouses of Canada and the monstrous Guadeloupe (a french colony, meaning the team contains all the footballers from that 400,000 strong population who aren't good enough to actually play for France).

And only three out of those four teams can progress after the full six group games are played so obviously it's going to be really competitive.

I'm detecting a heavy amount of sarcasm here....

Exactly, which is why the comment about facing Mexico was monstrously arrogant and premature. I want an apology.

Sarcasm meter just went off the scale !!!

 

[Nordecke]

1st game is June 5th.

Have to say I'm finding comments about playing Mexico both disrespectful and premature.

USA have a tough group to get out of first before they can even think about that. They're facing the mighty Panama, the powerhouses of Canada and the monstrous Guadeloupe (a french colony, meaning the team contains all the footballers from that 400,000 strong population who aren't good enough to actually play for France).

And only three out of those four teams can progress after the full six group games are played so obviously it's going to be really competitive.

Good to see a European finally appreciate the level of competition the US national team is up against..

Cheers fella.

 

[Kay20]

Robbie Rogers? What? Don't get me wrong, kid has all the talent in the world, but what has he done this season (or in most USMNT appearances) to be called up for a competitive tournament?

Freddy Adu-He's playing for a second division Turkish outfit.

Bornstein-what is the definition of insanity?

Wondolowski is a bit of a shock, but at least he's been a productive player for a season and a half.

Also, the roster is set up so that we'll be seeing a lot of Altidore up top, by himself. Which is fine in CONCACAF, but if this is how Bradley intends to play against better competition, I just don't know.

Sucks about Chandler, but I don't think you can really pin that on Bradley. You have to balance development with the national team with the individual player's development. Nurnberg sitting Chandler for a month after he gets back from the Gold Cup is no good for anyone.

Completely agree on Adu and Rogers, but most especially on Rogers, who I suspect was the throw a dart at a dart board to get anyone with pace once Chandler pulled out 11.9th hour choice.

I am no fan of Bornstein either, but who the heck else is there to play LB other than our Captain and converting Lichaj. It's a horrible spot to be in, and we'll be seeing a lot of Bornstein blues I'm sure.

Wondo was a surprise, but I'm sure he was picked because he's actually finishing in front of a net right now.

If Bradley hasn't learned to not play Jozy up top by himself by now, I don't know what to do. I'm not a Bob basher usually, but that might get me there.

And yes, I don't blame Bob (though I hope he fought hard enough), I blame Nurnberg. I understand Nurnberg's actions if it's a friendly, or the 2013 Gold Cup. But this is the equivalent of the Euro Cup for the United States right (since it's a ticket to the Confed Cup)? So, our best players MUST go. And that should include Chandler. If we were Germany, he would have gone. But since they write about the cup like Artetafan writes about the Cup, they made him sit.

When you have a national team player, just like when we lost Cahill, the club has to deal. In this case the USSF should have told Nurnberg to stuff it. But because Timmy is 21, a new force, and a dual national, we took the bullet. Shame. I sure hope he plays with us next year. And I suspect if they don't let him out again, the aforementioned hissyfit from the USSF will ensue. We can't let this kid go.

Who I DON'T blame is poor Chandler. Based on his interviews I suspect he REALLY wanted to come play, but he has to keep his club's interests at heart for his own development. I totally get that. And all signs do point toward him sticking with the US - he really loves playing with us (go figure).

 

[Kay20]

When is the tournament and is it on TV in the UK?

It's on TV here, but only because of the US/Mexico. I highly doubt it'll be on in the UK with the possible exception of the final if it's USA Mexico. Even then, I doubt it. Us Americans all know where we rank. Sigh.

With that said, you should easily be able to catch this on the internet. Games are played in the US primetime though, which might make it tough for your sleep schedule.

 

[Kay20]

Rumor is that Chandler might be pinched by Germany as he hasn't played an international that counts, just a few friendlies. After his first two matches for us and how he played, I think I'd be awfully upset if he didn't turn out for us again.

Originally yes, but that rumor is starting to be squelched as most folks now are saying Germany is pretty loaded at RB (not that I think that prevents a team from sniffing anyway), but beyond that, it's really looking like Nurnberg are the ones that kiboshed this. Club said no, Club doesn't know CONCACAF from a hole in the ground, Chandler is a newbie, Chandler not going.

But I hope this kid somehow understands how much we fell in love with him after only 1.1 games of play. By far his omission from the team is what has caused the largest freak out amongst fans as most people have said "meh" about Adu, and Rogers is a sheer head-scratcher. We want Chandler to stick around, and he seems to like us too.

 

[Allezfan]

It's on TV here, but only because of the US/Mexico. I highly doubt it'll be on in the UK with the possible exception of the final if it's USA Mexico. Even then, I doubt it. Us Americans all know where we rank. Sigh.

You're playing the underdog card? Seriously?