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German-born Chandler an intriguing USMNT newcomer

TimothyChandler2 (Reuters)

 

By JOHN BOSCHINI

CARY, North Carolina– Of all the new faces joining the U.S. National Team camp in North Carolina this week, the most intriguing and least known of the newcomers is German-born midfielder/defender Timothy Chandler. 

Chandler first drew attention from U.S. national team fans, and U.S. head coach Bob Bradley, when he expressed interest in playing for the United States earlier this year. Since then, the midfielder has broken into the first team at Nurnberg and established himself as a rising star in the Bundesliga. This caught the attention of Bradley, who had been tracking the 20-year-old Chandler since he declared his desire to play for the United States.

"For Tim, it's only been in the second half of this season that he has started playing with the first team at Nurnberg," Bradley said. "Immediately we were aware that he was working his way into the first team and he started to get some playing time."

Chandler, who speaks limited English, was born in Frankfurt, Germany but has American citizenship via an American father who served in the military. Current U.S. assistant coach Lubos Kubik, a former Nurnberg player, traveled to Germany to scout Chandler.

"Lubos went to Nurnberg and saw a game live and met with Tim," Bradley said. "We knew that he wanted to play for us and we felt good about the progress he was making. We’re excited to have him with us."

Chandler is an attacking midfielder by trade but has lined up as a defender in recent outings for Nurnberg. Chandler could eventually offer the United States an attacking option in central midfield or on the right flank, but before he finds a position with the national team, Chandler will be busy adjusting to the U.S. national team system.

"We just need to get to know him," Bradley said. "When he plays as a right back (for Nurnberg) I don’t think they play right back exactly the way we do. It’ll just be an opportunity for us to give him our ideas on how we do things and see how he responds."

Comments

  1. We can pray for rain to “even out the playing field”, I think that is our only chance for a tie a win if they get red carded and catch them in a counter.

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  2. Chandler, as Bradley said, is just being invited for a learning experience. If he sees the field in a game it will likely be a late cameo.

    Edu, Jones and Bradley will not be confused with Reyna or O’Brien, but they are not simply defensive destroyers either. Against Argentina, NO USA player is going to control the midfield and all players will be forced to play long stretches of defensive play.

    Anyone who thinks the USA has enough players to maintain possession against Argentina, well, I want some of the good stuff your taking.

    It will be defend and counter, or just defend. Fortunately Dempsey and Donavon are decent counter attackers and any one of the lone strikers who is employed has decent speed, but, sadly, too few magical moments conjuring up goals.

    Without a strong attacking threat from the USA, it will be too easy for Argentina to dominate the midfield by pushing up. The USA will have to be mindful of Messi, DiMaria and Lavezzi which will limit opportunities to go forward.

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  3. “We just need to get to know him,” Bradley said. “When he plays as a right back (for Nurnberg) I don’t think they play right back exactly the way we do. It’ll just be an opportunity for us to give him our ideas on how we do things and see how he responds.”

    That’s right Bob…keep shoving that square block into the round hole…I’m sure it will work out.

    4-5-1 against Argentina with Jones/Edu/MB is coming and I hope this finally is the end of it. None of them have the ability to reliably distribute and control the ball and now someone just needs to tell BB and MB. Expect possession to be abysmal for this game, like it will be hard to watch if he trots out this formation.

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  4. Barcelona, Real Madrid, A.C Milan, Manchester United, etc. all wants Mikey. I have not been smoking anything strange amigos. Well, maybe a little.

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  5. How about this.

    Think back to the 2002 World Cup. Think about Tony Sanneh, maybe the last dynamic US attacker from the back. This kid could be the new Tony Sanneh.

    Speed + skill + cojones is tough to scheme against.

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  6. Spec as centerback? I guess I would take him over others but I think most coaches would move someone from LB or RB into CB then place spect is one of those positions.

    He must play CM for you to be suggesting this right? I knew he got moved to MF but wasnt sure where. He’ll make the team regardless, unless BB somehow gets Sacha and Bornstien on the team since they’re basically his adopted children

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  7. When was the last time Bradley played a full 90 min match??

    ———————————-

    It was December 12, 2010, where Mikey must have dazzled the assembled masses with Gladbach losing 3:0 away to mighty SC Freiburg. He has made only 2 appearances in 2011, one as a late substitute and the other as a starter in the fa cup, where he was hauled-off the park immediately after City’s 3rd goal.

    Villa only have 8 matches left and find themselves in a relegation battle. It is highly unlikely that Mikey will play again this season for Villa, his loan just being cheap cover.

    My guess is that Mikey is using his 2 week vacation stateside to line-up a move to MLS. I think he should just forget it and go to college, a mid level D-1 player is still what he looks like to me.

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  8. +1000000000

    I love when things get resolved with a little civility. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!

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  9. With all these German/American Players, it only make sense to get a German coach! Maybe a Jurgen ____? Are you listening Sunni?

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  10. Edu is a lot more offensively capable than people realize. He’s got a decent goalscoring record and plays a box-to-box role for Rangers, not simply a defensive destroyer role.

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  11. sounds pretty great, but they’re also under a lot of pressure to uncover quality players. they’ve gotta produce just like anyone else. it does sound pretty sweet though, i agree.

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  12. haha i didn’t mean to be a jerk to anyone, i just get annoyed with the over naming of positions. when you get to the point where you’re calling a guy an attacking defensive winger, you need to take a look at what you’re trying to describe and simplify it. it’s just a pet peeve, like ives’ beef with the CAM position (which i don’t love either.) at the end of the day, it’s to each his own, call it whatever you want, we’re all excited to have this kid in the program and to see what he can bring to our team.

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