Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
Clarence Goodson is the latest of original U.S. men's national team call-ups that won't be participating in Wednesday's friendly with Mexico.
Goodson strained his left hamstring in Brondby's match over the weekend and did not make the trip to the United States after being evaluated by his club's doctors, according to U.S. Soccer. Goodson joins Timmy Chandler and Maurice Edu as players initially called up by U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann that won't be a part of Wednesday's match.
Zach Loyd and Robbie Rogers were added to the roster to replace those two players, but Klinsmann will not be naming a replacement for Goodson. His injury leaves Klinsmann with a likely starting centerback tandem of Carlos Bocanegra and Tim Ream, although Heath Pearce has been playing centerback for Chivas USA and Michael Orozco Fiscal is capable of playing there as well.
What do you think of this development? Who do you think should start in defense for the United States with Goodson no longer an option? Who would you have liked to see Klinsmann call in as a replacement?
Share your thoughts below.
“defensive backs” like Darrell Reavis play in the NFL.
Look at the defenders on the rosters of the four World Cup semifinalists and you will find a mixture of young, fast athletic backs and older, more savvy backs.
Without the steady stream of talent those teams have, it’s hard to get that perfect mix.
The US has never really had a long term solid back four. They usually have at least one guy they have had to cover for (Mike Burns??).
” nothing but a money grab for US soccer”
It is interesting you have such a negative view of US soccer making money. How does US soccer make money? One way is by holding games.
Do your friends call it a money grab when you do things that maybe aren’t all that exciting to you but are necessary for you to make money to pay the rent?
US soccer have much higher expenses in salaries now, what with having to pay for two managers.
Well we already got Beasley, Clark, and Rogers, might as well bring the whole failure crew.
——-Buddle———Agudelo———
Castillo——Jones—–Adu—–Donovan
Loyd—-Boca——Pearce——Cherundolo
—————Howard——————
And yes, I would like to see a wide diamond with Adu behind the strikers and Jones as a deep-lying defensive midfielder. If not an option, stick to the general 4-4-2, but once we’re in the attacking zone, Adu will end up near the box anyways.
I don’t mind a lone striker, but I don’t think Agudelo has gained the skill to play as a lone striker, which is why I prefer the two strikers, and Buddle is a very solid hold up striker, which will help Agudelo run freely.
or get his confidence squished again. hope that’s not it. hope he plays the best game of his young life yet
what the others said. probably the lineup, but maybe Shea for DMB I hope.
and wow, Ream thrown right back into it…hope he’s up for it and shows well because I would expect he will be challenged repeatedley to step up if he indeed gets the start
would like to see Mexico have to mark Gonzo in the area on set pieces. I predict they would head him in the face eventually, an old tactic long used by smaller players to intimidate overpowering players in the box
like it, but the Castillo/Adu left flank looks vulnerable defensively to me. switch LD and Fred to that lineup to me.
how about Adu up top and Shea out left as an option to that lineup?
Kind of off-topic, but this article from boston.com indicates that the NE Revs 16 year-old, Diego Fagundez, would like to play for the US if they showed any interest. Apparently Uruguay has shown some interest in him for the U-20s, but short of actually inviting him.
I’ve never saw him play, did anyone here?
The article is at
articles.boston.com/2011-08-08/sports/29865044_1_revolution-mls-debut-uruguay
this is what I hope this development opens up…Rico’s chance at CB, paired with Boca
spewed my beer 🙂
Chill out,jr.
Bradley would have called him up but he got “hurt” or Norwich held him back for their promotion push.
So maybe it was best to leave him with his newly promoted side? Seeing as how they’re set to begin such a high stakes campaign and all.
Cameron’s not on the roster.
With the very short time to prepare for this match against a strong Mexico side, there is NO WAY Klinsmann would try to implement such a radical change in formations. As Dolo was quoted in a article today, “Nobody here is expecting Jurgen to reinvent the wheel”.
haha yea i was real confused for a sec.
FYI: John went from FWD to CAM to DMID to CB
My point was only that we need to get more technically skilled tall players on our backline…
of course we need the same players in attacking roles…
so basically we need more atheletes playing soccer instead of football and/or basketball.
Whats new
Interesting chain of events.
What does everyone think about
——-Howard——
Dolo—Boca—-Castillo
–Jones—–Loyd—
Dono–Torres–Bradley–Shea
——–Adu———
Me three–do not understand the Ricardo Clark call-up at all. I watched Eintracht Frankfurt play St. Pauli on July 25, and Clark, in my eyes, did not impress. And I don’t think the coach was pleased either, as in the two games since then Clark has not played.
As for Goodson, does the Philadelphia Union have a half-way decent defender who could be a last-minute replacement, help keep the bench warm and give the local fans something to feel good about? Jogi Low in friendlies usually calls in someone from the local team where the friendly is being played for good will. For example, German plays Brazil Wednesday in Stuttgart and he is calling in VfB Stuttgart striker Cacau, who been hasn’t been called up since last summer’s World Cup and who I doubt, at 30 years old, is going to get called up again by a national team loaded with great young strikers.
ZAK WHITBREAD!!!!!!!! WHAT DOES THE GUY GOTTA DO TO GET A CALL UP?? HE ONLY LED HIS TEAM TO EPL PROMOTION AS A CENTRAL DEFENDER!!!!
How about you follow the thread chief.
“Who would you have liked to see Klinsmann call in as a replacement?”
Yes. We are answering the question posted by the writer …
“Who would you have liked to see Klinsmann call in as a replacement?”
Rough start, I don’t think anyone wants to really get called up for this game. Going up against Mexico with a partial team, in a friendly, no one stands to look too good.
sorry boosted365, I read your response wrong about George John. I assumed you thought I was pushing for his inclusion because most of the posters here have serious man-crushes on him. Anyway, to that end, I would say that the conversion of John from d-mid to CB is more of an exception to the rule that the rule itself.
This is it with two possible alternatives, torres and pearce
Where did you get me advocating for George John? Why would you assume that’s who I mean? Why not assume that I was talking about the multitude of other CB options, such as a Zak Whitbread, or a Gale Agbossoumonde? And this is pretty much my whole point, why would you experiment at the international level instead of tapping the legitimate options that actually play the position at the club level? Do you somehow that because Klinsmann is German that he has the Midas touch at converting players where Bradley did not?
And the phrase “can make great CBs” does not equal “does make great CBs.” I’d rather spend our time in friendlies finding out if real CB’s “can make great international CB’s”
I am not a fan of young backs at the international level. To be a great defensive back requires 100% concentration, 100% commitment, the composure to handle being fouled repeatedly by opposing forwards without losing control, the soccer brain to anticipate what opposing attackers will do most of the time, and a solid understanding of how you and your teammates will back each other up. Those things mostly take a long time to develop if they ever do. If we have 2 young backs, there will be too many moments when the other team will look clever.
With the only truly veteran backs, Boca and Dolo available, things may get way too interesting.
I am afraid the US will suffer some bad results while the young guys (not necessarily the ones on this roster) gain experience at both the club and international level. The US back line in much of the WC qualifying will not look much like the one that takes the field tomorrow. Some of the guys that others have mentioned may be those new faces, it is simply too early to tell.
Hahaha
I am not sure you can call Bradley’s first touch bad. Most of his first touches come from intercepting passes that he has to reach for or making tackles. Those are not nice balls to be controlling. When he does receive passes from teammates, he does very well.
I think this is a very likely starting 11. Maybe Rogers or Shea instead of DMB.
George John should be called in. He’s had a solid season so far at the club level and I was surprised he wasn’t on the call up list to begin with.
I just wish he had quicker feet.
Exactly! Although he showed well against FCD.
Why do people keep putting bradley or torres in an attacking role in their formations? It’s the most irritating thing on the face of the earth everything i see that. Neither Bradley or Torres are attacking mids!!! Why play other people out of position to fill your stupid fantasy of having them in the middle of a 4-2-3-1? I.e. playing adu on the wing when we have wingers and his best position is behind the main striker. If Klinnsman plays Bradley behind the striker, he would be no better than Bob. I doubt he would do this because he’s not an idiot and stressed a good first touch. Something Jr lacks.
Exactly! But he showed well against FCD.
I don’t think Gonzolez is a good fit for the exact reasons you mentioned. He seems to get burned by crafty/quick players, which Mexico has in abundance.
It’s a valid point. Thanks for clarifying it.
Please explain the success of George John then?
Big, technical CM’s who read the game well can make great CB’s!
I hope Klinnsman moves Cameron back there this game.
I like this idea. I think Cameron could be very George John ish back there if given time. To have him John, Gonzalez, and Goodson (and Ream 2.0 if/when that happens) could be a winning combo through WC
Why keep trying to convert CMs into CBs? None of those experiences has been very successful, and we have more CB options that can be looked at over the next few years. Defensive minded CM does not equate to CB. Two wholly different positions/mindsets/responsibilities. I just don’t understand these constant calls for this.
You are not wrong. Just a preference, especially when considering that some of our CBs aren’t the most technical or quickest players.
Are we sure Goodson is actually hurt and isn’t trying to switch his fifa national ties to New Zealand or something?
Folks need to chill on this club vs. country situation with Chandler and comapny. This friendly is nothing but a money grab for US soccer, just let it go.
next players out of wednesday’s match: donovan and howard, glad i bought tickets for $60…
don’t forget Klejstan
At some point we should experiment with shifting Bradley, Edu, or Jones to center back. With BB gone I don’t think we will continue to utilize two defensive mids. I know Edu at center back a couple of years ago didn’t work out so well, but there is time to work on this for the next cycle. Put the best players on the pitch.
I could be wrong, but isn’t Geoff Cameron on the roster for this one? I’d love to see him paired up with Bocanegra in the center. Would add some much needed youth and athleticism. I know he has featured all season at midfield for Houston (and scored a great goal this past weekend), but given our depth in central mid and his comfort playing CB, I really feel that we should give him a shot there. Mexico’s a tough opponent, but this is a meaningless game – why not experiment?
thats because Pearce ISN’T with FCD. John or Ugo would be solid candidates…unfort like Gonzalez they are somewhere where they cannot help our USNT. All we can do is pray the good Ream shows up….for 90min
Man Chicharito can jump high. Wow!
Follow the thread folks, NO NEW CALL-INS. That means you have to find your starters out of who is already in camp.
Clark seems to give too many balls away for me, and I don’t see why that wouldn’t be just as true in defense as midfield. With what we have should we try Pearce and Boca? I have NOT seen Pearce play CB, but Dallas is doing well.
It’s an interesting observation, but I wonder why people are so uneasy about playing two left-footed CB while there are plenty of right-footed CB pairings in top flight teams and that does not appear to present a problem?
*sigh*
4-1 Mexico
I’d rather not see Orozco-Fiscal at all. Dropping one turd sandwich isn’t reason enough to call up another.