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USMNT Daily Update: SBI’s 23 for 2014 (November 2012 edition)

 Photo by ISIPhotos.com

The final U.S. Men’s National Team match of 2012 allowed some players to boost their national team stock, and also hurt the standing of some others. In the process, it helped us get a better grasp on the state of the national team pool and which players are helping their chances of being part of the U.S. World Cup team in 2014.

There are still 19 months to go before the World Cup, plenty of time for players to rise and fall, excel and fade away, shine and struggle. We watched Josh Gatt make his national team debut, and captain Carlos Bocanegra suffer an injury that raised questions about just who will replace him when the time comes for Bocanegra to step aside.

The newest SBI 23 for 2014 doesn’t feature wholesale changes, but we do see two new names on the list, while one player finds himself listed at a new position.

PROJECTED USMNT WORLD CUP 2014 ROSTER (November 2012)

GOALKEEPERS– Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Sean Johnson

Outlook– Brad Guzan continues to enjoy a strong run as Aston Villa’s starter (though his team isn’t offering much support). The third goalkeeper slot remains Johnson’s though Nick Rimando remains No. 3 on the depth chart at the moment. Bill Hamid definitely did enough late in the MLS season to keep himself squarely in the conversation and should probably considered a 3A at this point as he and Johnson jockey for position on the USMNT depth chart.

Missed the cut- Bill Hamid, Nick Rimando.

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DEFENDERS– Steve Cherundolo, Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez, Maurice Edu, Matt Besler, Timmy Chandler, Edgar Castillo

Outlook– Timmy Chandler’s return to the national team fold means he makes this team easily, replacing Eric Lichaj, who is having a rough time at Aston Villa. Besler just won MLS Defender of the Year and figures to earn some caps in 2013, with the Gold Cup a safe bet for him. Omar Gonzalez hasn’t found his top form lately, but the off-season and a chance to fully rest up after a tough year should only serve to help him return to a top level in 2013.

Maurice Edu is listed here as a centerback. So why does he make the team at all considering he’s not even dressing for Stoke City? He showed in his cameo against Russia that he can still bring something to the table, and his versatility would make him a valuable option on a World Cup roster. That said, if he spends the next two years not seeing first-team minutes he would obviously fall off this list. For now though, we see him eventually finding a more regular role somewhere.

Missed the cut– Carlos Bocanegra, Clarence Goodson, Oguchi Onyewu, A.J. Soares, Eric Lichaj, Michael Parkhurst.

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MIDFIELDERS– Michael Bradley, Danny Williams, Landon Donovan, Graham Zusi, Josh Gatt, Brek Shea, Jermaine Jones.

Outlook–  Josh Gatt earned his first cap, making his inclusion in the first 23 for 2014 appear much less of a long shot. He still has maturing to do, and sharpening of his game, but he clearly has potential and transfer move from Molde should be coming soon for him. Jermaine Jones makes the list this time around as Maurice Edu moves to centerback on our projection.

Jones keeps playing at a high level for Schalke, and while he is a lightning rod for criticism from USMNT fans, he still stands a good chance of being on the World Cup team if healthy.

Shea recently had foot surgery that highlighted the kind of health issues he was dealing with in 2012. Klinsmann would surely give a healthy Shea every chance to regain his regular role on the USMNT, and for now we will keep projecting him on the final 23. If Shea doesn’t maintain a regular role, it could open the door for someone like Joe Gyau, assuming Gyau can score a more regular role on the club level in the next two years.

Someone asked about Stuart Holden. He still has to make a full recovery from his injuries, and when he finally does we will be able to see where he stands. If he returns to his pre-injury form then he makes this squad easily. He still has to get back to that point though.

Missed the cut– Mix Diskerud, Sacha Kljestan, Joe Gyau, Joe Corona, Alejandro Bedoya, Nick DeLeon, Perry Kitchen.

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FORWARDS– Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Eddie Johnson, Herculez Gomez, Terrence Boyd

Outlook– No changes to this group. Boyd and Altidore keep scoring for their club teams while Eddie Johnson finished the MLS season with a strong showing in the playoffs. Dempsey may be struggling with Tottenham, but he remains a clear-cut first-choice starter.

Altidore has returned to the fold, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody. He continues to be one of the key forwards in the system, and while players like Johnson and Boyd figure to post stiff challenges in 2013, Altidore is playing with serious confidence on the club side and should have a big year next year.

Juan Agudelo made an impressive return to the national team fold and has to be considered back on the radar, especially if he has a strong 2013, which should offer him plenty of chances to impress.

Missed the cut– Juan Agudelo, Chris Wondolowski, Chris Pontius.

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What do you think of this group? Which player are you happy to see make our projected 23-man roster? Who didn’t make the squadd that you think should have?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. While I think this projection is correct a lot can change between now and 2014. Somebody can come out of nowhere like Gomez and Buddle did in 2010. Somebody can do something stupid ala Davis, or somebody can get hurt like gooch on the pitch.

    With that being said, with this group it seems more of the same in that there is not a creative force or hold up option to control the attack through. I see Landon in a spot were Bradley used him at in the 2011 gold cup an attacking veteran presence off the bench, almost similar to Blanco for Mexico in 2010. Dolo while I can see him in Brazil at some point will be replaced by a younger player on his club team, which will affect his national team status.

    If I were to put together a starting eleven it would loom like this
    Howard
    Chandler. Brooks. Cameron. Johnson
    Bradley
    Gatt. Adu Dempsey
    Agudelo. Altidore

    Bench
    Dolo, Gonzalez, Gyau, Corona, Boyd, Jones, Williams, Lichaj, Diskerudd, Donovan
    Guzan, Hall

    I like the speed on this team and Hall is quietly becoming a top fixture between the pipes

    Reply
  2. a good list for the time being. There is a couple of prospect that may sneak in the next 6 months, like, Brooks for a CB spot if he continues his speedy development and Aron Johannsson if he makes a switch during the winter break, also let’s not forget A. Wooten who is really starting to look good at his new position of RW instead of CF.

    Reply
    • The guys you mentioned are all just beginning their careers as regulars. They all play in lower level leagues.

      It seems like a lot to ask these guys to be WC ready in one and a half years when they have yet to show they can even be starters or regulars for the USMNT. Or that they even really want to play for the US.

      Now if one of them gets bought by a top flight team in the January window and has a dynamite second half to the 2012-13 season then okay, now you are talking.
      Otherwise, putting them in the USMNT mix is premature, especially in Brook’s case. Center back is a tough place to put a player as young and inexperienced as Brooks. Especially in a World Cup, unless he is the new version of Nesta, Cannavaro or Baresi.

      And as far as I know, no one is saying that about the kid.

      Have you actually seen any of these guys play?

      Reply

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