Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Edson Buddle
Screw it. Let's add Edson Buddle to the player pool. He's playing out of his mind this year and to be honest, we need forwards.
Post-Barbados 2010 Update
FWD: Altidore, Dempsey
MID: Beasley, Adu, Donovan, Bradley
DEF: Pearce, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Cherundolo
GK: Howard
GK: Guzan, Seitz
DEF: Bornstein, Spector, Subotic, Simek
MID: Edu, Feilhaber, Kljestan, Clark
FWD: Johnson, Cooper
Missed the Cut:
GK: Reis
DEF: DeMerit, Moor
MID: Szetela, Lewis
FWD: Rogers
MID: Beasley, Adu, Donovan, Bradley
DEF: Pearce, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Cherundolo
GK: Howard
GK: Guzan, Seitz
DEF: Bornstein, Spector, Subotic, Simek
MID: Edu, Feilhaber, Kljestan, Clark
FWD: Johnson, Cooper
Missed the Cut:
GK: Reis
DEF: DeMerit, Moor
MID: Szetela, Lewis
FWD: Rogers
Rationale for Current World Cup 2010 Projection
Altidore: Let's see what happens at Villareal - even if he's loaned out to a lower level club or rides the pine, the position is almost his by default. Eddie Johnson will have to have some season at Fulham to be in the mix for a start (although I did think his performance in the three recent friendlies was almost excellent).
Dempsey: It's really between Dempsey and Donovan for the withdrawn striker role - due both to the lack of talent up top for the U.S. and the need to get Dempsey, Donovan, Beasley, Adu, and Bradley all on the field at once. But, his performance against Barbados in this role, even appropriately qualified based on the level of competition, showed more energy than he has for the U.S. in several starts. That's enough to make the decision and put him here.
Donovan: I see Donovan playing an attacking position behind the two strikers. This is a really flexible line-up and one more flexible than Bob Bradley has used to date (except for the 1-0 win at Barbados - a fact that might scare him from flexibility) but Dempsey, Donovan, Beasley, and Adu can all trade places in this potential system. I bet that this is what the U.S. works toward because the 4-4-2 empty bucket doesn't work for a team that already has problems scoring. Both Donovan's club play and the performances of the U.S. with and without him in the line-up have made me feel stupid for doubting his abilities.
Beasley: I've always maintained that he has been the best U.S. player of the last six years, but constant injuries (and the ever-consistent Brian McBride) have proven me wrong. That said, his start to his Rangers career was breathtaking and included a stirring performance at Lyon in a 3-0 Rangers win. He was injured shortly thereafter and is working back into form. I liked how he was playing centrally frequently against Barbados. If fully fit, he is formidable.
Adu: Due to Donovan's seniority, I've pushed Freddy to the right. His recent play with the full national side is no surprise to those of us who have watched him with the youth sides. When he and Donovan were both on the field against Argentina, the U.S. moved the ball better than I've ever seen them move it. A potential loan move should get Adu more playing time which can only help him (barring injury of course).
Bradley: Michael Bradley had the best season of any American player in Europe, scoring an astounding number of goals and keying a strong Hereneveen side that was a player in the Dutch title chase. Bradley's defensive tenaciousness has already been on display for the American team and it's in this role that he seems destined for the Nats. Right now, Middlesbrough seems the mooted destination which should provide more insight into his ability.
Pearce: The last five matches have made Pearce the man to beat on the left. Constantly a source of problems for the U.S., the position was crying out for someone to take over. Pearce seems to have done so, but the question is whether he'll hang on in the face of a challenge from the fully fit Bornstein.
Onyewu: The big question about Gooch is whether he's still growing as a player or if we've seen the best he has to offer. He will get at least some Champions' League soccer this fall at his club but rumors of a move to a bigger European club have died down. Onyewu's lack of speed, shown on a few occasions in recent U.S. matches, as well as a propensity for the awful foul keep him short of world class - but he is still by far our best center back.
Bocanegra: Out of favor at Fulham, Boca appeared headed for a lower division English side, or even, gasp, MLS, but has transferred to Rennes in the French First League. The level of competition there is good and with playing time this move could work out better than Fulham would have.
Cherundolo: This guy is so solid that I've given up trying to replace him in the next World Cup. The question is whether he becomes the just-too-old defender who has to be replaced in the group stages (see Jeff Agoos and Eddie Pope). His club form in Germany should give us the answer. Right now, two more years of good soccer seem well within his capabilities.
Howard: I maintain that we would have advanced out of the group stages at the last World Cup if Tim Howard had been our starting keeper. His brilliant display against Argentina shows how much he offers - and how much the U.S. needs a game-changing keeper at this point to compete at a high level. Case in point: Brad Freidel in 2002. While it's always kind of a bummer to rely on the goalkeeper, it's the one position where we've developed world class players and Howard is definitely world class.
Backups:
GK: Guzan is Howard's heir apparent; and Seitz may be Guzan's. Will change if Bradley uses the third GK honorary position to bring in a veteran leader.
DEF: Deep position - Subotic has just sealed a transfer to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Let's hope he decides he wants to be an American. Spector is excellent and versatile. Simek may be moving to Aston Villa. Bornstein has pace and is a Bradley favorite.
MID: Ricardo Clark is hanging on by a thin thread. But I don't see Mastro there in 2010. Feilhaber's return from injury will determine whether he can reclaim golden boy status. Edu is pretty much a lock and might start at Adu's expense if the empty bucket shows up in South Africa. Sasha Kljestan looks better and better every time I see him (with the exception maybe of the recent win at Barbados - but that game was so ugly it's analytical utility is limited).
FWD: Eddie Johnson is fast and he's starting to get in the right spots. A good season at Fulham could give Altidore a run for his money. Cooper is dominating MLS and sparking Euro interest.
CUT:
GK: Reis may go if Bradley seeks the aforementioned veteran leadership.
DEF: I think Moor looks good on the right and he's young - but Simek blocks him there. Demerit needs to sort out his club situation.
MID: Eddie Lewis has been outstanding lately but will he still be outstanding after two more club seasons. I like Szetela and he might come in for Clark or Feilhaber if either slips.
FWD: Rogers seems like another forward who might eventually be good. We are really thin at this position. Hill and Davies have dropped off the radar.
Dempsey: It's really between Dempsey and Donovan for the withdrawn striker role - due both to the lack of talent up top for the U.S. and the need to get Dempsey, Donovan, Beasley, Adu, and Bradley all on the field at once. But, his performance against Barbados in this role, even appropriately qualified based on the level of competition, showed more energy than he has for the U.S. in several starts. That's enough to make the decision and put him here.
Donovan: I see Donovan playing an attacking position behind the two strikers. This is a really flexible line-up and one more flexible than Bob Bradley has used to date (except for the 1-0 win at Barbados - a fact that might scare him from flexibility) but Dempsey, Donovan, Beasley, and Adu can all trade places in this potential system. I bet that this is what the U.S. works toward because the 4-4-2 empty bucket doesn't work for a team that already has problems scoring. Both Donovan's club play and the performances of the U.S. with and without him in the line-up have made me feel stupid for doubting his abilities.
Beasley: I've always maintained that he has been the best U.S. player of the last six years, but constant injuries (and the ever-consistent Brian McBride) have proven me wrong. That said, his start to his Rangers career was breathtaking and included a stirring performance at Lyon in a 3-0 Rangers win. He was injured shortly thereafter and is working back into form. I liked how he was playing centrally frequently against Barbados. If fully fit, he is formidable.
Adu: Due to Donovan's seniority, I've pushed Freddy to the right. His recent play with the full national side is no surprise to those of us who have watched him with the youth sides. When he and Donovan were both on the field against Argentina, the U.S. moved the ball better than I've ever seen them move it. A potential loan move should get Adu more playing time which can only help him (barring injury of course).
Bradley: Michael Bradley had the best season of any American player in Europe, scoring an astounding number of goals and keying a strong Hereneveen side that was a player in the Dutch title chase. Bradley's defensive tenaciousness has already been on display for the American team and it's in this role that he seems destined for the Nats. Right now, Middlesbrough seems the mooted destination which should provide more insight into his ability.
Pearce: The last five matches have made Pearce the man to beat on the left. Constantly a source of problems for the U.S., the position was crying out for someone to take over. Pearce seems to have done so, but the question is whether he'll hang on in the face of a challenge from the fully fit Bornstein.
Onyewu: The big question about Gooch is whether he's still growing as a player or if we've seen the best he has to offer. He will get at least some Champions' League soccer this fall at his club but rumors of a move to a bigger European club have died down. Onyewu's lack of speed, shown on a few occasions in recent U.S. matches, as well as a propensity for the awful foul keep him short of world class - but he is still by far our best center back.
Bocanegra: Out of favor at Fulham, Boca appeared headed for a lower division English side, or even, gasp, MLS, but has transferred to Rennes in the French First League. The level of competition there is good and with playing time this move could work out better than Fulham would have.
Cherundolo: This guy is so solid that I've given up trying to replace him in the next World Cup. The question is whether he becomes the just-too-old defender who has to be replaced in the group stages (see Jeff Agoos and Eddie Pope). His club form in Germany should give us the answer. Right now, two more years of good soccer seem well within his capabilities.
Howard: I maintain that we would have advanced out of the group stages at the last World Cup if Tim Howard had been our starting keeper. His brilliant display against Argentina shows how much he offers - and how much the U.S. needs a game-changing keeper at this point to compete at a high level. Case in point: Brad Freidel in 2002. While it's always kind of a bummer to rely on the goalkeeper, it's the one position where we've developed world class players and Howard is definitely world class.
Backups:
GK: Guzan is Howard's heir apparent; and Seitz may be Guzan's. Will change if Bradley uses the third GK honorary position to bring in a veteran leader.
DEF: Deep position - Subotic has just sealed a transfer to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Let's hope he decides he wants to be an American. Spector is excellent and versatile. Simek may be moving to Aston Villa. Bornstein has pace and is a Bradley favorite.
MID: Ricardo Clark is hanging on by a thin thread. But I don't see Mastro there in 2010. Feilhaber's return from injury will determine whether he can reclaim golden boy status. Edu is pretty much a lock and might start at Adu's expense if the empty bucket shows up in South Africa. Sasha Kljestan looks better and better every time I see him (with the exception maybe of the recent win at Barbados - but that game was so ugly it's analytical utility is limited).
FWD: Eddie Johnson is fast and he's starting to get in the right spots. A good season at Fulham could give Altidore a run for his money. Cooper is dominating MLS and sparking Euro interest.
CUT:
GK: Reis may go if Bradley seeks the aforementioned veteran leadership.
DEF: I think Moor looks good on the right and he's young - but Simek blocks him there. Demerit needs to sort out his club situation.
MID: Eddie Lewis has been outstanding lately but will he still be outstanding after two more club seasons. I like Szetela and he might come in for Clark or Feilhaber if either slips.
FWD: Rogers seems like another forward who might eventually be good. We are really thin at this position. Hill and Davies have dropped off the radar.
Labels: rationale
