12/21/24
December 23, 2006
Donovan, Dempsey, Twellman picked: for Bob Bradleys first training camp with the USMNT. I see some glaring omissions, not including the Euro based players. I am not sure that the team Bradley assembled could even finish in the top five in CONCACAF. In a side note, Twellman turned down the invitation to recover from a sports hernia injury.
posted by urall cloolis to soccer at 11:07 AM - 9 comments
I can understand the need for fresh players and youth. However if youth (and new faces) is the issue, where is Freddy Adu, Josmer Altidore, Eddie Gaven, Santino Quaranta and Marvell Wynne? They need a goalscorer or two, because Donovan is not that player. How about Brian Ching? Eddie Johnson was also left off the original list. He is the replacement for Twellman and is now on. Chris Klein also would have been a good choice as a potential goalscoring midfielder. If Bradley wants to keep the job longer than May, he needs to find a balance between "somewhat" proven players and the youth movement. Granted the Cup is 3 and 1/2 years away. But qualifying begins in two years. He also needs to win some games between now and May, or at least have a few good showings. I don't see it happening with that roster.
posted by urall cloolis at 01:22 PM on December 23, 2006
US Soccer seems to be content with mediocrity. That is why they failed to close the deal with Klinsmann and why Bradley has assembled this team.
posted by FonGu at 06:20 AM on December 24, 2006
Didn't Klinsi want too much power? With as much as he is rumored to have asked for, I wouldn't have given him the job either.
posted by igottheblues at 12:51 PM on December 24, 2006
I am glad to see Eskandarian on the camp roster, though.
posted by igottheblues at 06:10 PM on December 24, 2006
What is too much power? He's a coach who proved he can win in Europe by taking a team that no one felt would go deep and advancing them to #3 in the cup. Is it wrong for the MNT coach to want control over the developmental programs that will ultimately feed that team? Is is wrong for the head coach to say who is going to work for him and under him? Isn't that what already happens in the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc.?
posted by FonGu at 07:50 PM on December 24, 2006
Control, as in over sponsors.
posted by igottheblues at 09:09 PM on December 24, 2006
Alecko Eskanfreakindarian is on the national team invitees over Santino Quaranta, Freddy Adu, Eddie Johnson (a late sub), Eddie Gaven and Brian Ching. Enough said.
posted by urall cloolis at 09:03 AM on December 25, 2006
Eskandarian got traded from DC United in the post-Nowack rebuild, and Nowack is Bradley's new assistant. Hmm...
posted by billsaysthis at 08:23 PM on December 25, 2006
Well he clearly wants to see some fresh players in the squad, who haven't featured much under Arena, and I don't see this as a huge issue given the schedule is just two friendlies. Though we always want a result against our southern neighbors ;)