After trolling the US Socccer media/Twittersphere for the weekend, Jürgen Klinsmann released his roster today:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa – 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton – 22/9 SO), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire – 0/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City – 0/0), Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander – 31/5), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City – 5/0), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana –0/0), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg – 0/0), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders – 0/0), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy – 0/0), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim – 3/0), Michael Parkhurst (Augsburg – 3/0)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Michael Bradley (Roma – 19/5), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo – 0/0), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor – 9/0), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04 – 5/0), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht – 12/0), Jose Torres (Tigres – 9/0), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim – 4/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City – 3/0)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar – 17/6), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur – 26/10), Herculez Gomez (Santos – 6/2), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders – 11/10)
I would assume that Timmy Chandler starts at rightback (cap-tying him permanently) in place of Steve Cherundolo (who is not coming). Presumably Cameron, Bocanegra, and Fab Johnson will be the rest of the back line.
Eddie Johnson apparently averages more than a goal every 90 minutes in World Cup qualifying (it seems like he should have more than 11 WCQ appearances). Think about that.
Overall, it isn’t too surprising. I am slightly surprised that Klinsi called in Evans and Davis over some younger guys, but he apparently sees Evans as a fullback (so that makes more sense) and likes Davis quite a bit. Those are probably irrelevant though.
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I like it. As far as the Evans, I was actually pretty impresses with Evans at rightback during the Canada game . He’s going to be like Spector where he won’t start, but he’s a backup that can play across most of the field. Davis will probably a set piece specialist I’d we need a goal at the end of the game (though he performed that task poorly last game). Like Howie said, I don’t expect either to start and can’t think of too many complaints fans will have.
Phones are awesome, but so is proofreading.
I would have liked to see Feilhaber given another chance he looked pretty good against Canada. He’s always solid and has experience in big USMNT games as opposed to Davis. And Edu hasnt been on the best form lately…
Does anyone else think Donovan is done for good??
Have to say I’m rather dissappointed in Klinsmanns trust in MLS… our prospects on the back line make me rather queezy
Spector is playing, and he’s better than Evans in every way. Why not Spector? i know he was injured for a while but has been back for more than a month.
Look at the number of appearances amongst the collective defense. Would feel better with some experience back there. Boca, Cameron, Johnson, and Chandler does seem solid, though.
Williams, Jones, Bradley, Klejstan. That’s who I want to see. I’d settle for seeing Torres too.
The forwards actually look pretty deadly. Herc is such a strong worker, Altidore is on fire, Dempsey has been beast-modeing at Tottenham, and Johnson’s minutes-to-goal ratio in WCQ is pretty awesome.
Here we go ladies and gents.
“Spector is playing, and he’s better than Evans in every way. Why not Spector? i know he was injured for a while but has been back for more than a month.”
This.
Josh Gatt should have been included, if only for the energy he brings as a sub. Since the best players will be starting, I can’t think of anyone who can come off the bench to provide a true spark.
I agree about Spector over Evans, but to me it’s a very minor change as I think a sub would have to get hurt during the game for that type of player to see the field.
Sorry but why is Torres in this roster? What has he ever done in the MNT to warnt another call up?
If you take away Bradley’s 5 goals the midfield has a grand total of 0 goals in WCQ.
I am not sold on EJ…certainly not as a starter. If he is tearing it up in practice then who knows…he had a nice couple of moments in the last two USMNT qualifiers. I would expect Altidore and Gomez to start up top with Dempsey sniffing around the box. I would really like to see Torres or Klejstan start in a creative midfielder role but neither has done enough for the Nats to warrant taking the chance, especially an away game qualifier. I would expect Klinsi to go defensive minded(which only has a modicum of success). Bradley/Williams/Dempsey…unfortunately/probably Jones. A game of PAC-MEN into the box and set piece/counter act winners. I hope for more. USA!!!!! USA!!!!
What I want to see
4-5-1 with 5 CMs including deuce playing the 10
Howard
Chandler – Cam – Boca – Fab
Edu – Jones
Williams – Bradley
Dempsey
Altidore
Wouldn’t mind seeing
Gomez, kljestan, zusi, torres, parkhurst
Needing to start EJ in this day and age in such an important game would be a say day
Needing to start EJ in this day and age in such an important game would be a sad day
Two very different points Mitch.
I love herc coming off the bench for the last 20-25 minutes. Best work rate on the team. Jozy all the way up top and Deuce sitting off him a bit.
I agree with Mitch & Todd EJ should not start but, I’d like to see him in the last third of the game. Particularly if we need a goal. He will do well running at a tired defense.
Daniil…the 4-5-1 works great if you have a strong holding striker and service. We have one of the two….and for once I am not dissing Altidore. Also Edu/Jones scares me a little. They are tireless workers but they both tend to lose possession. If Williams plays centrally I would rather drop Jones for some creativity. I don’t think Klinsi would leave Jones out though…so I think he would go your way before mine.
I really liked edu and jones against scotland, with all do respect to scotland though… id rather take them at home than honduras on the road. I can see the midfield being
Jones – Williams
Bradley – Torres/Kljestan
Don’t see klinsi dropping jones, and I think he’s more likely to play torres in there than anyone else. That’s a lot how we played against jamaica in columbus, with williams withdrawn and zusi inserted. A little more playmaking. Last time we played a serious road qualifier we came out lame and got beat, so I’m not sure if klinsi will go for more enforcing or more playmaking.
………………..Howard……………….
Chandler..Cam…….Boca..Johnson
Bradley………Edu…………….Jones
EJ…………….Altidore………..Duece
Klinsman seems to like a 4-3-3 so this is what I think he’ll throw out there.
Agreed with thursby, speed seems to be a rare commodity on or rosters these days. Would be nice to have EJ come in for the final third to run at people at get on the end of a cross or two
Howard
Chandler, Boca, Cameron, F. Johnson, Klejstan, Jones, Bradley, Dempsey, Herc, Altidore. Lots of attack there.