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Klinsmann backs young defense, says qualifiers are their chance to shine

Jurgen Klinsmann smiles before their international friendly soccer match against Italy at the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Genoa

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

The initial shock from the announcement of the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the team’s upcoming qualifiers lay with the inexperience and overall lack of natural defenders on the roster.

Three of the six listed defenders on the U.S. squad have just one cap to their names, as coach Jurgen Klinsmann had to scramble after losing eight players from his last group to injury, many of them defenders.

The makeshift group of defenders called in by Klinsmann has U.S. fans across the country nervous, but Klinsmann tried to allay those fears on Monday ahead of what he calls a “must-win” game on Friday night in Denver against Costa Rica.

“The good thing about [the injury situation] is that whenever somebody can come in, that’s a huge opportunity for that player that is coming in to prove a point,” Klinsmann said during a conference call from Denver on Monday afternoon. “We had a chance to look at quite a lot of players (at the January national team camp), and that’s why Tony Beltran and Justin Morrow are in the picture.”

Beltran, Morrow, and Sporting Kansas City centerback Matt Besler are all in the squad, despite their only international experience coming from the 0-0 draw with Canada at the end of January. However, despite the inexperience in defense, Klinsmann doesn’t seem to think it’s as big a problem as others make it out to be.

“You’ll only get experience if you play,” Klinsmann said. “If you don’t have the experience yet, like Carlos Bocanegra (110 caps), then you have to get games under your belt.”

While experience may be lacking in the defensive third of the field, it’s certainly not lacking in the midfield, with Puebla midfielder DaMarcus Beasley earning a place in the squad for the first time since last August, when he helped the United States defeat Mexico at Azteca Stadium for the first time.

“Beasley is just a wonderful player,” Klinsmann said. “He can show you different things in different positions on the field, and we are happy to have him back in the group.”

In addition, Klinsmann spoke repeatedly about the need for players to be in a rhythm, mentioning Beasley and Bursaspor midfielder Maurice Edu as players who finally have it again. On the flip side, the U.S. boss said the reason for cutting Bocanegra was precisely because he hasn’t played enough since his move to Racing Santander in Spain.

“The reason he’s not here is because he’s simply not playing,” Klinsmann said about the U.S. captain. “He has no flow, no rhythm.”

The other obvious non-injury related exclusion to the roster is Landon Donovan, who has still not reported to the Los Angeles Galaxy for training. Though Klinsmann is willing to give Donovan a chance, it was easy to hear the irritation in his voice at the ongoing situation with the 31-year old.

“We spoke at length at the end of January, and he expressed his desire to stay away from the game for a little while,” Klinsmann said. “At the end of the day, I will make decisions for this team based on what I think is best for this team going forward.”

Klinsmann also touched on the status of midfielders Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey, both of whom have recently spent time on the sidelines. The U.S. boss said it was only a matter of time before Bradley worked his way back into the lineup, and that Dempsey would have started against Inter Milan for his club side Tottenham, but the birth of his third child kept the 29-year old in England.

With the current squad at hand, Klinsmann can now work with his team in advance of their match against Costa Rica, who hasn’t lost to the U.S. since a 2005 World Cup qualifier.

“In every game we respect the opponents, and we know they won’t be easy to beat”, Klinsmann said. “We’ve seen certain CONCACAF nations improve over the last couple of years, including Costa Rica, who has had very positive results over the last couple of years.

“But it’s a must win, and we are confident of achieving that on Friday night.”

Following the match against Costa Rica, the U.S. will head for Mexico City on Sunday, ahead of their important game against Mexico in Estadio Azteca on March 26th.

Comments

  1. Funny how much debate I can cause by mentioning something “extreme.” My comments were not made to offend anyone but more to see what kind of conversation I could create. Seems my “ignorance” is actually very rewarding for SBI readers.

    Thanks for the “debate” and lets beat Mexico.

    Btw I would take Johnson and Chandler over any other options we have at LB and RB.

    That’s all.

    Reply
  2. For the record, I’m a big fan of all the imports, and proud of their contributions.

    But, the idea that we know nothing about their decision-making process isn’t exactly true. It was talked about a lot in 1994 and again in 1998. Tom Dooley had an American father who he never met and lived Germany all his life. He had close calls with the German National team, but didn’t think about playing anywhere else until a US Soccer rep came to him in 1991, apparently because they were curious about his last name. He became naturalized and he’ll always be one of my favorites because he’s seemed to really cherish the opportunity and he’s gone on to do a lot of things to help U.S. Soccer.

    And how about David Regis? He was a Martinique-born kid who moved to France in his teens. He had no U.S. ancestry at all. His link was to the U.S. was via his wife, an American working in France. He wasn’t even aware that he was eligible to play for the U.S. until a sports agent saw an article in France that mentioned his American wife. He was naturalized under a little known provision that just 25 people take advantage of each year according to the NY Times. It allows naturalization of spouses if the U.S. citizen is taking certain types of jobs overseas. Well guess what? His wife got a job working with a travel agency involved in the World Cup (thanks to US Soccer). He got his U.S. papers three days before the final exhibitions.

    But lets strip out all cultural stuff. Just imagine that the U.S. was a team only. Some of those players built the team up at the youth level when it was struggling and worked hard to promote it. They dreamed of one day playing for that team. Other players dreamed of playing for other teams, but found a way in to the team at the last second for a variety of reasons (some pure, some cynical).

    Would anyone here truly see the two situations as analogous?

    In 1998, the players didn’t. Here’s Agoos, before the 1998 World Cup – ”It’s difficult, I won’t lie,” Agoos said. ”Myself and the other guys have fought for a long time, put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears.” http://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/21/sports/soccer-they-all-come-play-for-america-regis-newest-citizen-polyglot-us-world-cup.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm.

    And btw, Gaetjeans was never an American citizen. He’ll always have a place in American soccer fans’ hearts, but he only went through preliminary paperwork.

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  3. Re: Williams — Can someone explain how a stomach flu on a Sunday or Monday is enough to keep you out of games on Friday and the next Tuesday?

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  4. I agree with Ed. He is not saying anything about anyone being “better” than anyone but there is a difference. Just because my parents were born in Germany doesn’t mean I’m German. I don’t speak the language well but I have been there. I’m American. There is a reason they don’t live there anymore and it isn’t due to sport.

    I do not find it surprising that kosh and memrook are so bent out of shape about eds comments. They are both Americans but not born here. So that is why they are taking this personal.

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    • For the record, Christoph, I didn’t take that back and forth personally. I chose to become an American and couldn’t care less about how American I may or may not be and especially about who is determining the measure.

      This is America and the beautiful thing about it is that it is many things to many people – which explains our differences of opinion on this matter. I was just arguing for the America that I know and the one that I chose to become a part of. Nothing personal, dude.

      Reply
  5. Cobi Jones and Eddie Lewis both said Sunday that even if Carlos Bocanegra is not playing for his club that he is nonetheless needed for his experience in these next two key WCQ games and that Klinsmann should call him up and start him.

    Remember when Klinsmann benched Boca in Kingston in September and we looked awful and lost the game 2-1. And then four days later Klinsmann under pressure put the captain back in the line-up and we shined. Boca stayed in the line-up in October for both Antigua/Barbuda and Guatemala, and we won both games. Then Klinsmann the Tinkerer benched Boca in February in Hodnuras and our backline got torched.

    And the Klinsmann has the gall yesterday to say: “The reason he’s not here is because he’s simply not playing,” Klinsmann said about the U.S. captain. “He has no flow, no rhythm.”

    Klinsmann has a history of bending the rules when it fits his needs and he has called in other players when they weren’t playing at the club level. What is it with a man who has worn the shirt 110 times and we all know will always give 110%?

    We shall see whether or not we miss Boca’s leadership. Hoping for the best and that the young guys can dig deep and get the job done.

    Reply
    • You’re referring to the Lewis who got burned at the start of the first Germany 2006 game because he was too old fart to stay with his man? Then Old Man Reyna trips over his feet for the second? Lewis’ last World Cup is actually indicative of why you don’t stay with old players too long.

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    • Lewis is literally the very example I’d use for why Boca should not be with the team. Another player who was kept on for his “experience,” and he was torched because he couldn’t physically compete.

      Reply
  6. Good news. Timothy Chandler is not, ahem, injured heh-heh so bad after all. He says in the hometown newspaper that he will definitely be fit to play for Nurnberg’s next game. Surprise, surprise. Is there anyone gullible enough to believe that Chandler’s heart simply isn’t dedicated enough to the USMNT to suffer another humiliation in Mexico City like he did in February against Honduras.

    http://www.nordbayern.de/nuernberger-zeitung/nz-sport/club-chandler-musste-klinsmann-absagen-1.2763485

    I will say this. I fully support Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams not coming, even if they could have been fit for Costa Rica and/or Mexico. Hoffenheim is in relegation battle and fighting to stay alive in the 1. Bundesliga and both of those guys will be needed to pull off the miracle. Plus, both Danny and Fabian have proved their their hearts are dedicated to the cause.

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  7. Don’t think I’ve heard anyone else mention it….but if im looking through the mls to find an outside back to work with the existing players in the JK system… I choose Sean Franklin. Seems like a nobrainer to me.

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  8. Say Ed, if USMNT happened to be made up entirely of socio-economic/cultural peers of yours from your home town, do you think you would you miss the diversity of a cross-section of players of diverse American backgrounds?

    Reply
  9. Morrow and Beltran are unlikely to play, IMHO. I think Cameron (he does play outside at Stoke) and Beasley will be the starting fullbacks (or wingbacks if we go 3-5-2).

    Central defense will be some combo of Gonzo, Belser, Goodson, and Edu. All of whom have played their fairly recently for the Nats (Edu in the win over Mexico at Azteca).

    With a top 6 of Bradley, Jones, Dempsey, Gomez, Altidore + Zusi or EJ, the attack should be OK.

    Reply
    • I agree… not sure why everyone is losing it over a couple of players who probably won’t see the pitch. And Beltran, while not amazing, wasn’t the worst, either. All that matters is that we qualify, doesn’t really matter how we get there.

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    • He is merely on loan, as he is still under contract to Rangers. While Ranger’s relegation triggered his walk clause, he wanted to remain with them, after they were dropped to the 3rd(4th tier in Scottish soccer) division, but accepted the loan so that he could compete against better competition, so as to be ready for WCQ, and, hopefully, the WC.

      Thank you for posting the relevant clause in regards to US citizenship.

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    • That sounds plausible, and like it could be a very positive move for Boca, soccer-wise, a sfar a splaying time. Though, I’d imagine the food in Santander is better than anything you can get in the States.
      😉

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      • Why is that so offensive to some people? Its totally absurd to suggest that someone who barely speaks English and lived their ENTIRE life in Germany is just as “American” as the next guy. Their citizenship and FIFA affiliation are perfectly legitimate of course, but come on, have some common sense. for the record, i like our german-american players and am glad as h_ll we have them. But lets not pretend some of these guys don’t know more than 5 words of the star spangled banner..

      • If knowing the words to Star Spangled Banner or something more important like the US Constitution is what qualifies as being “American” than a HUGE portion of people living in America are pretty awful Americans.

        Do you know how many people couldn’t name 3 Supreme Court justices? The Vice President? What the US Constitution says?

      • I don’t disagree with your characterization of most Americans, because you’re right. but that is not the point. All i’m saying is that it shouldn’t be that ridiculous to suggest that some players on the squad are more natural “americans” that others.

      • Look bro, if you’re American you are American. Period. Wtf man?

        What do you mean by more “American”???

        Whooooooo! I love Harley Davidson, John deer, Budweiser, Chevy and NASCAR! I’m ‘Murican dangit!!!! Is that what you mean?

        Get real man.

      • No, you get real. So you contend that there is no subjective degree of “Americanness” in people? Thats just not reality. You list a bunch of redneck stereotypes, good for you. But you can’t tell me that people dont’ carry varying degrees of attachment and appreciation to the US.

      • “What do you mean by more “American”???”

        Good question. It is: Someone who is more likely to identify with and appreciate their origins/upbringing within the US. Work for you?

      • What you’re not getting is that feelings don’t define citizenship or even nationality.

        Don’t even get mr started on how in the world you can possibly know or understand what JJ, TC or DW feel about America and their American, servicemen fathers??? That you even presume to know to what degree of “americannness” they identify themselves by is ludicrous. You couldn’t know such a thing even if you

      • Maybe we should trot out a bunch of Cherokees, Souix, or Missosukee. That would be a truly True American team.

        I just thought I’d bring it to the most ridiculous level.

      • Part of me sooooo wanted to go there, lol, and I almost did, but I refrained.

        But damn if it ain’t true, I mean the absurdity your point illustrates.

      • i never said anything about who we should trot out. My point is that it is utterly ridiculous to suggest there isn’t a difference between a Tim Chandler and a Clint Dempsey

      • Ed, I think you are trying to say that they are not culturally Americans. They did not grow up experiencing what a typical American life, prom, MTV, T.Ping the neighbos home, etc. But they are true blooded red white and blue Americans even if they missed some of our cultural experiences.

      • So, see everybody? Ed’s just saying that they are true blooded red white and blue Americans even if they missed some of our cultural experiences. Some folks’ arguments come out a little backwards at first, but eventually we all end up saying more or less the same thing 🙂

      • Yes, keeping Americans safe from the Hun since 1987. Good lord, it doesn’t take much to bring out the jingoism.

        On the other hand, we’re having a debate about a starting lineup that is hotly contested! And the coach of the national team felt the need to respond in the media to his choices! And we’ve got the God Bless Our Soldiers types posting on a soccer board! That’s never happened in my soccer lifetime! This is progress.

      • Former soldier here, so I’ll admit I’m biased, but you do realize that our German-Americans’ fathers were military members stationed in West Germany at a time when East Germany was part of the Warsaw Pact and there were skirmishes all over the world between Warsaw Pact and NATO supporters, no? There was no open warfare but I can assure you that being in West Germany during the Cold War wasn’t “keeping Americans safe from the hun” either.

        I’m not the type to get flag tattoos or sing Toby Keith songs, but having a serviceman father during a time of conflict makes you 100% American.
        Thanks for the stereotypes. Can I list my stereotypes about you based on your post?

      • I would be delighted to hear your stereotypes.

        And yes, having a serviceman father makes you 100% American, during a conflict or not. As does being an American-hating child of Mexican (or Iranian or Canadian or Swiss) parents born in America. That guy is also 100% American.

    • So that rules out many of our parents/grandparents/great-grandparents…..

      I’m a True American. Because I say so.

      Our players, ALL our players, are True Americans because they say so.

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    • Riiiiiiiiiiighhhht, you mean all the Americans in America with families that moved here long ago speaking German, Polish, French, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, etc and many still do??? Or those Americans that sent their fathers, sons, husbands (and yes also mothers, wives and sisters) to various parts of the world to serve our country???

      Oh, only the English speaking ones? Your America sucks bro.

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      • In other words, I live in the REAL one where diversity and cultures are welcomed and improve our country.

      • Ty comes off pretty extreme, but come on, most people in this country are just your run of the mill, english speaking white people. To suggest that the US is som eultra culturally diverse, open utopia is just not at all accurate.

      • There are 50.5-70.5 million Latinos in America. There are nearly 50 million black americans.

        That’s 1/3rd of the entire population. There are 28 other minority groups with at least a million members.

      • Some of us have. I’m first generation on my dad’s side, and some of the folks on my mom’s side were here founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Neu Amsterdam. Pro-tip – when you’re in a hole, stop digging.

      • Nearly all of those Latinos who were born and raised in the US speak English. And yes, people born and raised in the US are more American than their immigrant parents. Omar Gonzalez, Jose Francisco Torres, and Jozy Altidore are all much more American than Diskeruud or any of the German players.

      • Bah! I submit that immigrants who CHOSE the U.S. instead of just lucking into birth here are the purest Americans of all! I mean, besides Aztecs.

      • Wow there are so many ways I can respond to this sentiment:

        First though, to suggest that I’m in any way calling America a utopia is clearly missing the point and just arguing to argue. At least CULTURALLY we as Americans embrace diversity. Try getting away with monkey chants and racist taunts in an nfl stadium or at a NBA game. I bring that up, because even though clearly Americans aren’t perfect and there are definitely pockets of America and groups of Americans that exhibit racist behaviors, outright and social racism would likely get you kicked out of the stadium, maybe a little butt whooping, fired from a job, kicked out of school, etc. Culturally we are pretty good about rejecting that ish outright. That’s just one example of how culturally we are relatively advanced than many places in the world; there are countless others. I don’t mean to gloss over the issues. But I DO mean to squash sentiments like Ty’s that ‘Murica is only for English speaking people.

        Heck, if that we’re true (Ty’s reality), I wouldn’t nearly be as good at soccer as I am now and wouldn’t appreciate all the diversity in the game of soccer having played many many afternoons and weekends with Americans of Latin American, European, African, Asian, Indian, Arabian, etc decent. Thank god for them and their ancestory; it made my childhood and soccer moments so much better, more interesting and insightful.

      • Well lets see
        You mentioned born here, native english speaker, having an “American sounding name like Williams”, Ed… and that the majority of Americans are white, english speaking. Perhaps I am being presumptuous, but my guess is that you are all of these things.

        For the record, I am NOT suggesting nor do I think you are a racist and haven’t implied that you are anti-immigration. What you have been suggesting is that there are different levels of Americanness based on a person’s background. By the only standards that matter, (legally) this is not the case. I would also submit that in the highest ideals set forth… philosophically it is not either. Y plurbus unum… I’ll reach and say I view this as signifying from many cultures, languages, ethnicities, religions etc etc.

        Pardon my sensitivity, but my family is full of many good citizens… hard working proud Americans that don’t necessarily fit your ideal for what constitutes 100% “Americaness”. I’ll again submit that they have a much greater appreciation and understanding the privilege than many who have been here their whole lives and take it for granted.

      • I just want you to know I replied to your way off base comment and its a long one which is probably why it’s being moderated. Just know to look for it later so you can know how I feel about your misguided statement.

      • whoop whoop-

        Huh?
        Quite obviously, you believe that, “the more folks are like you, the more American they are”. – nowhere did i say this.

        “Fact is, many who don’t meet your criteria to be grade A American…”
        -Where did i set out this criteria? Read my posts, very unfair to suggest im somehow anti-immigration or racist.

      • In my neighborhood English is the 3rd most common language. 1st is Creole (Haitian), 2nd is Spanish and 3rd is English. and if the line on election day to vote is any indication, the majority of us are….”Just your run of the mill Americans”

      • Ed,
        Quite obviously, you believe that, “the more folks are like you, the more American they are”. Brother… you need to get out and around more. It’s simply not true in a literal, legal or cultural sense. This country is and always has been one of immigrants. The influx of different cultures, ideas and outlooks has proven to be a huge positive. The fact of the matter is, the last few waves over 30 years has brought MANY that don’t look or maybe speak like you do. Spent any time in NY, LA, Chicago? The major metropolitan/commercial centers of the US are very diverse so although Miami may have it’s own unique blend, I’d say the diversity is pretty representative of large US cities. Fact is, many who don’t meet your criteria to be grade A American have a much greater, in depth appreciation and love for what this country provides and how it differs from other nations having lived it. I’ll tell you both of my grandparents fit that description.

      • So, Ed, now you won’t have anyone from Miami on the men’s national team either? Also not typically American enough for you?

      • Real melting pot you’ve got there, I wonder what the future holds for those people not speaking English in the US.

      • One where my German, French and Scandinavian ancestors were discriminated against because, whether they or they parents were born in those countries and some were Catholics, were considered to be unable to assimilate, and, therefore, could never be “real” Americans. One where people of Asian descent were prohibited from becoming US citizens. One where people of too dark a tan were considered to be property, and only 3/5ths human beings. I like to tell my European friends that those days have passed, but at times like this, I realize we still have a long way to go.

    • Oh, man. Don’t make me go on another rant like I did on Xenophobe Eddie the other day (see Seattle v Portland thread), because I freaking will.

      All of our players are true Americans. End of.

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      • Wow, xenophobe? You are the white guy who is just appalled and offended when someone says something racist about black people. Outrage!

    • 8 U.S.C. § 1401(g) states: a person born outside the geographical limits of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents one of whom is an alien, and the other a citizen of the United States who, prior to the birth of such person, was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years: Provided, That any periods of honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or periods of employment with the United States Government or with an international organization as that term is defined in section 288 of title 22 by such citizen parent, or any periods during which such citizen parent is physically present abroad as the dependent unmarried son or daughter and a member of the household of a person
      (A) honorably serving with the Armed Forces of the United States, or

      The power to establish uniform rules of naturalization was vested in Congress by Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution.

      So basically Ty, you hate the Constitution, therefore, you hate the United States

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      • Thats great and all, but no one is arguing their legitimacy as citizens or their FIFA eligibility. Its just amusing to have people on here say that a guy who speaks little English, and has been to the US a handful of times is on the same level of “americannness” as someone born and raised here. This is such a large, obvious difference, why can’t anyone acknowledge it.

      • There is a huge portion of the American public that don’t know the first thing about America or its history.

        More than 50% of this country thinks this is a Christian nation. That God is written into our Constitution.

        They don’t know how budgets are created. They think Presidents control gas prices. They don’t know how many branches of Government we have let alone ANYONE that comprises them.

        They don’t know what the US Constitution says. They think discrimination is acceptable. They think there is such thing as a “true American.”

        Immigrants are the heart and soul of what has created this nation.

      • I don’t disagree with the notion that most Americans are ignorant about fundamental “American” stuff. But i have a problem with this hypersensitive response people have when the differences in “americanness” is brought up. Sacha Kljestan, euro name, born and raised in the US. vs. Danny Williams, US sounding name, born and raised in Germany. Both are US citizens, but OBVIOUSLY theres a difference in their attachment/pride/”americanness”

      • Ed, your argument may seem to you reasonable, but you’re making a fool of yourself. “Euro sounding” name?
        “Americanness”? Do you mean you wish these guys had grown up with names like Ed in the mostly white suburb you did so it would be easier to have them be the proxies for your athletic failures? That kind of Americanness?

      • I said nothing of what i wished these guys to be like. My point is that theres a difference between Michael Bradley and Fabian Johnson. One person is not “better” or “worse” than the other as a person. They are just vastly different people with different backgrounds who happen to both be eligible for the US

      • Also i think you misread my original post. Omar Gonzalez is a perfect example, he has a latino name, latino parents, etc. BUT GREW UP IN THE US.. why is it so bad to suggest that Omar is probably more “American” than say, Tim Chandler?

      • Ed, they don’t both “happen to be eligible”… as if by some strange indecipherable coincidence. They are both eligible because they are both American citizens. Period.

      • what? The fact that they are both American citizens IS a coincidence. I’m saying the NATURE of their citizenship is very different. Again, not saying one way is better, or more legitimate, they are just different.

      • Ed,
        You are now being completely disingenuous. By asserting that someone has a greater claim, or more “Americanness”, you clearly are insinuating one is better or more qualified than the other.

        The fact that they both meet the letter of the law’s requirements to be an American citizen is NOT a coincidence. The fact that the law makes no distinction, nor grants greater status or privilege is no coincidence either.

      • He used the term “true americans” which would imply that the players he was referencing weren’t “true americans.” “True americans” are defined by statute which is derived from the Constitution.

        You use the term “americanness” as if there is some dispositive test to determine “americanness.” There is no such test. In fact, instituting such tests have been historically used to deny citizens their constitutional rights.

        The Supreme Court has said that the Constitution ‘was made for an undefined and expanding future, and for a people gathered, and to be gathered, from many nations and of many tongues. Baumgartner v. U.S., 322 U.S. 665, 673 (1944)

        I choose to acknowledge that they are Americans. I don’t think where they were born or their proficiency in English means they are less of an American than I am.

        You and Ty are entitled to your own opinion’s and I am entitled to disagree with you.

      • “Americanness” – hahaha. I’m picturing a Sasha Baron Cohen character with a super thick foreign accent acting out every US stereotype.

      • You forgot an “n” and it’s not capitalized … americannness. Now you’ve got it. You’re almost a true american.

        But that’s hilarious and so true. It would work.

      • + 1

        Measuring the “Americanness” whatever the hell that crap means using a language that is not the official language of the country as the measuring stick is ridiculous at least and something else at worse.

        This is a very large country made up of a vast many people with varying backgrounds. I myself am a naturalized citizen and speak perfect English while there are many born here who speak what may be subtitled as English. By your criteria does that make me more American than those born here? What does that rank on my Americanness scale?

        That’s the problem with measuring things like this. I don’t know you Ed or Ty, but how dare you guys challenge the love that is in another American’s heart for their flag and country based on their language, or knowledge of history? There are many of our brothers and sisters dying on the field of battle for us right now who just may fail you litmus test. How do they rate on the Americanness scale?

        For Pete’s sake, folks.

      • You are way more articulate than I am (a regular white American as it were, though I was born in Madrid, Spain to Air Force parents), and I agree wholeheartedly with everything you wrote….so could you please read above where Ed is trying to argue his point with me and just shut him up lol. You express your thoughts a lot more coherently than I can. Please and thanks.

      • Its pretty simple really. We’re talking about a set of soccer players who are playing in an international context. Theres one set of players who have no choice but to play for the US, were born here, and generally identify with being “American”. Then you have another set of players who have grown up in Germany, speak primarily German, and only recently indentified with the US, and at that only for soccer purposes. I’m not saying natural americans are “good” and german-americans are “bad”, or that any one is better than the other. I’m just saying, theres a difference. if you can’t acknowledge that you’re being obtuse.

      • I love that YOU use the word obtuse. Good word choice.

        How you can presume to know anything about our “unAmerican” players and their feelings regarding the issue is beyond me. Seriously. How can you know that?

        You need a history lesson in players that played for USA that weren’t born here but wore the shirt and donned the Stars and Stripes as proudly as any other player. A list of players born abroad who played for USA:

        134 – Jeff Agoos – Geneva, Switzerland
        101 – Earnie Stewart – Veghel, Netherlands
        81 – Thomas Dooley – Bechhofen, Germany
        81 – Tab Ramos – Montevideo, Uruguay
        73 – Hugo Perez – El Salvador
        61 – Fernando Clavijo – Maldonado, Uruguay
        57 – Pablo Mastroeni – Mendoza, Argentina
        41 – Roy Wegerle – Pretoria, South Africa
        29 – Carlos Llamosa – Palmira, Colombia
        28 – Preki – Belgrade, SFR Yugoslavia
        27 – David Regis – La Trinité, Martinique
        16 – Benny Feilhaber – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
        4 – Freddy Adu – Tema, Ghana

      • There are many, many things wrong with your reasoning, dude. Being accused of being obtuse aside – you have no idea, none, of how those German guys felt or what was in their hearts growing up. Did they grow up in Germany, yes. But can you say for certain that they cannot feel or have never felt any deep connection with the US? I am not sure how you can say that. It is a reckless assumption to make.

        The beef that many have here and what is manifesting itself in where your posts are now headed is an issue with picking German born players over American born players in our current US set up. This is a sentiment that we see in Europe quite a bit. Not so sure how that translates to the US – a country that is based on broader principles and ideologies like Freedom, Justice and Liberty more so than tribe (which is the where you were born argument).

        Personally I don’t give a crap about who plays or starts as long as they are getting the business done for the shirt. I’ve seen those guys play with purpose and pride for their country. Go ahead and taint them because they weren’t born here – that’s your prerogative. But I see Americans accepting callups, celebrating wins together, suffering losses together and fighting their hardest together. The best American players are called up and start and make the bench – regardless of the country of their birth.

      • I also acknowledge them as Americans. You guys are making this out to be black and white, you’re either American or you’re not. I’m not even trying to say these guys are not “american enough” which is what i think you are all trying to make this out to be. Not true. I’m just saying theres a difference between people who’ve identified themselves as an American their whole life, vs. someone who only recently identified as American, and solely for the purpose of soccer.. How can you not see the difference????

      • Ed the point your missing is that is not how Americans, the majority of us anyway, look at things. We are different. Yes. But take strength from our differences.

        Plus you continue on this very insulting take by saying these guys are identifying themselves as American for soccer purposes. First it was language now you have a new measuring criterion. Dude, that’s the trap with thinking like this – you’ll always come up with some measure to challenge the status of someone’s citizenship. I don’t know you and cannot dare to claim what is in your heart but based on your comments and the way you’re looking at things I can presume some very ugly things about you – and that would be unfortunate and unfair. That is exactly what you are doing to our American brothers and sisters because they do not meet some narrow set of criteria that you’ve come up with.

        Some people play soccer, some are entrepreneurs, some teachers, some laborers – different but in the end we are all American citizens who were either born here or made a conscious decision to take a vow, an oath of allegiance to our country. We are all American and playing the measuring police (which to be fair you are not. To me it seems you’re just trying to make a point about the quality of one’s Americanness based on…I don’t know one’s origin or place of birth – which is still utterly ridiculous to me, sir) is in itself a most un-American thing to do, sir.

      • Way, way way out of proportion. Also, do you REALLY think, had Bob Bradley or Klinsmann not called some of the guys, they would have just woke up one day and said, “Gee, i think im going to start embracing being an American.” Maybe they did, i don’t know. Again, please let me reiterate, im not saying one is better or more legitimate, im just asking for people to be real and acknowledge that there’s a difference.

      • Ed, I agree with what you are saying. I do not know each individuals’ situation, so I can not say for certain, but I do find it hard to believe that some one who group up in Germany, watching the German national team, dreaming of one day representing them would play with the same conviction for the US as someone who grew up supporting the US team. If they grew up in Germany, with their American father raising them there, then I could see them being fully comiited to the US team (beyond the normal, this is my team, to this is my country). But if their father was absent, and they were raised by Germans, in Germany, then is it so inconceivable that the person may not identify as American, or maybe even resent the US. Again, I do not know each individuals’ situation, but it is not an absurd claim.

        Also, this team seems to lack the determination and never say die attitude that used to characertize it. While that, and this debate may be totally unrelated, it is a valid question to ask. It could be just that coach has no clue what he is doing, or we could have a German Coach, with German ways of thinking, with a half German team, that does not blend well with those on the team with American ways of the thinking (I know many people will question this, don’t read too far into, I am just saying that there are cultural differences between the US and Germany, they might be big or small, but there are differences and thos difefrences influence how one behaves). This team is broken, all of this may or may not be part of the problem, but it is not absurd to at least ask the question.

        Also, In response to MemRock’s list of US players who were not born in the US, all but three of those players moved to the US before they joined the team. They spent a good amount of their life (in many cases formative years of their life) living in the US, unlike most of the German-Americans that are currently on the squad.

      • They are not citizens of the U.S. They are German citizens who happen to have one parent that allows them to play a soccer game for a team that has USA on it’s uniforms.

    • I’d like to see our entire team drawn from Diego Hill in St. Louis again. Then we’d have some reel murican soccer!

      Well, okay, that team was only half from St. Louis. And it had a Haitian (who scored the only goal against England)… But it was still Team Murican!

      Reply
      • So you can’t possibly find any difference in a person who has lived their entire life in a country and identified with it, vs someone who only identified with a country the last couple years, exclusively for soccer purposes. Theres no difference there?

        And for the record, NOWHERE did i say that i think the German-americans don’t deserve to be on the team. Sorry, thats just what you WANT me to be saying. i actually like them and think they are crucial for us. but you can’t tell me theres not a difference.

      • Well now that you put it THAT way…..

        Thanks for being the voice of the German-Americans and their true feelings about America, being America and their motivations for playing for the USA. Obviously you have intimate knowledge of their experiences growing up with an American serviceman father and everything that happened in their life as a dual citizen etc. It’s good to know their deepest and most personal feelings on the matter. What we would do without you…..

      • I agree with you that there is a difference and the deafness to the idea that we share more in common with our neighbors than with people who live on the other side of the globe infuriates me. By law, my immigrant neighbors may not be citizens(I honestly don’t know), but I think that they are very American regardless of what the law says. I mean, after all, they have chosen the difficult path of leaving their home behind to forge a new life and raise their children in America. The legalistic, rigid Manichean understanding of Americanness of the other commentators of this thread does not baffle me. To think without any nuance what constitutes a community really does disappoint me, especially given that I think many of the other posters would rather that more Americans recognize that we do not merely live as subjects under a vast, empire sized government, but rather form a community, with the attendant obligations and duties implied.

      • Yeah but acting as though anyone can possibly know how “American” someone feels or identifies themselves by, regardless of their country of birth, citizenship, etc is also dangerous. How can Ty or Ed or anyone possibly know, despite JJ’s cultural differences, how American he does or doesn’t feel? Has he stated so? Has he come out and said, “hey guys, look, I like playing for the US but I just don’t feel very American or like anything about the place…”? If so, then please forgive my total ignorance. I haven’t heard anything like that, however, so I have made no judgements on the status of his feeling less or more American (Ed’s original argument; surely he MUST be less American because he wasn’t born here).

        Are there cultural differences? Clearly. Did anyone ever argue tonight that there aren’t? No. We are confounded by Ed’s horrible definition of “americannness” and his conviction that because a player X was born in Country Y means that he is a different degree of American than a Michael Bradley or Deuce. It’s just a slippery slope, faulty logic, and quite frankly tinged with ignorance.

      • FFS, Ed. I don’t think so:

        “Why is that so offensive to some people? Its totally absurd to suggest that someone who barely speaks English and lived their ENTIRE life in Germany is just as “American” as the next guy. Their citizenship and FIFA affiliation are perfectly legitimate of course, but come on, have some common sense. for the record, i like our german-american players and am glad as h_ll we have them. But lets not pretend some of these guys don’t know more than 5 words of the star spangled banner…”

        Again. How in the world can you possibly know what these guys think and feel about it?

        Is there cultural differences between me and them? Probably. But am I more American than them? I mean how they feel in their heart and mind?

        I couldn’t possibly know that. Neither could you. The only thing we have to go on is their commitment to country and the the team, which is good enough IMO. But should I ever presume to guess to which degree they feel those things????

        Just one more time so we are clear:

        “Its totally absurd to suggest that someone who barely speaks English and lived their ENTIRE life in Germany is just as “American” as the next guy.”

        I think I “represented” your point just fine, Ed.

      • I disagree; if a person’s fate is not tied up with the fate of a particular community, I think that it is right to question just how committed that person is to said community. I understand the concerns about ugly undercurrents; however, I believe that it is fallacious to believe that our nation is held together merely by laws. Rather, to the extent that our nation is held together at all, it is held together by collective action, i.e. institutions of civil society. That is to say, our nation is held together by culture and by participation, even passive participation, in a community. If someone was born in a foreign country, yet lives in the U.S. and goes to work, goes to church, attends their cousin’s wedding and enjoys a good barbecue with their neighbors, I think that makes them American. Whereas someone born and raised overseas who lives in another nation, that person may hold American citizenship, but so far as I can tell they are not a part of maintaining our towns, cities, states, churches(I don’t know what the atheistic or agnostic equivalent is?), universities, schools, social clubs, professions, businesses, non-profits, unions, political and advocacy organizations, etc. Granted, the player born and/or raised in the US playing overseas may not be contributing much to our culture, communities, and institutions, but they are much more clearly a reflection of our culture, communities, and institutions. Those things are not merely incidental to America or its laws and it constitution, but rather they are the (imperfect) embodiment of those laws. Hence, I think it makes sense to talk about players born, raised, and living overseas as less American than players born and raised in the US. They have not been shaped by our laws, constitution, communities, culture, or institutions; nor do they contribute or participate much in them either. This is why I think that virtually all of the immigrants in the country are more American than Diskeruud and the German-American soccer players; immigrants live here, they toil here, their families live here, or if they don’t, many immigrants work tirelessly to find a way to bring their families here. Immigrants go to church here, they participate in civic life, they coach youth soccer teams, etc. However much JJ feels American, he hasn’t done any of those things.

        On a much lighter note

        “Yeah but acting as though anyone can possibly know how “Kenyan” someone feels or identifies themselves by, regardless of their country of birth, citizenship, etc is also dangerous. How can Ty or Ed or anyone possibly know, despite the President’s cultural differences, how Kenyan he does or doesn’t feel?”

        I am pretty sure that Obama feels very American and really not very Kenyan, but unlike D’Souza I cannot peer into his heart of hearts. He may well be a Kenyan anit-colonial socialist.

    • We have a history of adopting dual citizen players going back to Gaetjens (Haiti), Dooley (German), Mastroeni (Argentina), Ramos (Uruguay), Stewart (Dutch), Agoos (Swiss), on and on. Is it something about Germans? Geez, they’re only a leading football nation. Do they have to be from the Falklands pub league or something non-threatening? Or Cuba or something political? Take the gift and enjoy it. Can you imagine what the US would be without them? This is something of a hint right now what stands behind many of them.

      Reply
  10. Remember after the Honduras match when many fans would’ve been happy to not see D. Williams, T. Chandler or F. Johnson in a USMNT uniform for a while? Now we’re upset they’re not in camp?

    Remember how proud we all were when we won at Italy and at Mexico in 2012? Now some are upset that Jurgen didn’t use those friendlies for developing young players?

    17 points has always qualified for the World Cup since the HEX has been in place for CONCACAF. We have 9 games left to get 17 points. Our team is very capable of accomplishing that.

    Reply
    • I’m not upset. I like the idea of true Americans playing. I’d love to see Besler team up with Gonzo as CB or even George John. I’m just upset he did nothing to expand out defender player pool prior to WCQ.

      Reply
      • True Americans?!? What does that mean? All of our Germany-based players are sons of US servicemen. Are you saying the children of American servicemen aren’t citizens?

      • Those German-Americans are the sons of our servicemen.

        They are as American as they get. You sully your citizenship by demeaning the children of our soldiers.

      • While I do not know the situation of each of the German-Americans in the pool, it is my understanding that most of them have a US serviceman father who left them in Germany with their German mother to be raised culturally German. I would assume that most children in that situation would grow up resenting their father, and everything associated wirth them (especially the country that they served while in Germany, which led to the whole situation). Again, I do not know each individual situation, so I might not have any of the facts straight. However, I also don’t think we can clearly say that all of the German-American’s are fully dedicated to the US like someone who was raised here (Although, anyone who has attended a USMNT game knows that being raised here doesn’t mean you will even support the USMNT).

      • “He’s done nothing to expand our defender player pool.”

        You make it sound as if there are a ton of American defenders out there that Klinsmann should have been calling up all this time that he’s been ignoring. If you would, please enlighten me as to who those players are, because I’d love to know. Also, Geoff Cameron and Fabian Johnson might take exception to the sentiment that Jurgen has done “nothing” to expand the defensive player pool.

      • Wasn’t your true American George John considering playing for Greece? Just sayin…

        “It is a tremendous honor to be invited to join the Greek national team,” John said in a released statement. “I would like to thank EPO (Hellenic Football Federation) president Sofoklis Pilavios, national team technical director Takis Fyssas and national team coach Fernando Santos for this opportunity. I am looking forward to meeting the team in New York. As a new player, I need to use that time to get to know the staff and the players.” George John, May 2011

  11. Funny too that 3 of our key “injuries” are German Americans. Maybe this is a way of trying to show they/he are making our team better. Who knows.

    Reply
    • Please, can we drop the conspiracy theories about those three? They are all cap-tied to the US. And, they are Americans…Period…Full stop.

      Reply
    • You are right. A professional manager is willing to risk his entire career to show us American who’s better: German-Americans or Americans. Except, he strangely decided to keep Jones.

      I have no problem with Williams and Johnson missing this match. They both have shown their loyalties to the team. I don’t doubt their allegiance at all. As for Chandler, who knows.

      Reply
      • Chandler is captied to the US. He would be a fool to not try and play for us and help us win. It only helps his chances to make it to the World Cup.

      • Absolutely. It’s ridiculous to think any of these guys would jeopardize their chances to be in Brazil pulling something like that. Even if the U.S. was nothing to them but a team that would have them, that would be enough for their best efforts in qualifiers.

      • you know Chandler struggled in the Honduran heat. I think he would have been awful at altitude. This is a blessing in disguise…maybe

  12. Alright, I know it’s a qualifier and he might not of wanted to be cap tied just yet. But as I’m reading these comments from klinsmann about young defenders stepping up, I can’t help but bring up the name John Anthony Brooks. I know he’s becoming a bit of an adu type guy as, he who shall not be named, but come on now. How can he make these statements about young defenders and call up these guys with no mention of Brooks. Of course I could just be completely ignorant to the situation and brooks might have been given a call and declined, wasn’t ready or committed fully to US, more concerned with U20s or whatever else. But in my own opinion. he is either the best or second best up and coming cb in our pool, so if gonzo is ready how can he not be?

    I don’t know maybe I just live in a dream land where the best, no better players get called up routinely and are player in a formation and manner that utilizes there qualities adequately. I’m just tired of thes ”Meh” line ups and call ups we have been subjected too since the bob days. I just don’t get it I guess, but like I said it’s my opinion.

    Reply
      • Considering MLS is 3 games in, and many of the players involved don’t have spotless appearance records, who cares why he missed one game, unless he’s hurt.

        If you’re going to call in Goodson, who has actually hurt the team when played, and we are in this dire of straits, why not? And if the kid doesn’t want to commit, bluntly, this helps cross him off the list.

  13. I do not understand why KBeckerman, MEdu, JJones, and SashaK get called up. Beckerman is not a national team-caliber player. Edu can’t make a pass to save his life, and he plays in Turkey, which is not necessarily a hotbed for soccer. JJones plays in a great league but simply isn’t the answer in the midfield (and his emotional maturity is subpar for a player his age, and it gets his teams into trouble). Sasha looked horrible last time he played for the Nats.

    Reply
    • Kljestan doesn’t have the speed to be a winger. He does, however, possess first touch and passing vision on par with if not exceeding Bradley.

      We should play a 4-2-3-1 and SK should be CAM. With Dempsey on the left, one of our mediocre attackers up top and Bradley coming from behind, SK could direct a CONCACAF-decent attack.

      Reply
      • Kljestan swings for homers on passes and often does not connect. He plays slow and thus makes it easier for the defense. His cutesy shots haven’t worked above a “C” level game. He’s the middie equivalent of Wondo or Twellman, a guy with an interesting technical game that doesn’t translate to “A” play. I’d rather see Feilhaber or Torres or Mixx or a list of people instead.

    • I agree about Beckerman. You are so wrong on the rest of what you said though, that it makes me question my own judgement of Beckerman. Do you know who plays for Galatasary now? JJones is our second best midfielder period. Sacha was played out of position.

      Reply
      • Regarding Galatasary, surely you’re not using the fact that since a 35 yo Drogba (who just signed a couple of weeks ago) is playing as justification that Mo is now playing in a good league. He’s not at Stoke for a reason. If you think Mo should play with the Nats, try actually supporting your argument.
        Disagree about JJones being the 2nd best midfielder in the pool. Tell me the last time SashaK played well for the Nats? Beckerman would not make the roster for any other country in WCQ. He’s a very good mls player though.

      • Man you are quit off on everything but Beckerman. J jones is one of our best midfield options, and Edu while not the most skilled mid provides great qualities.

  14. Out of curiosity, why no Beitashour? That guy was a real hot topic last season and I think he even got a callp when the US went down to Mexico? I don’t follow SJ so is he hurt? Dip in form?

    Reply
    • Beitashour is out injured. He’s hasn’t suited up with San Jose yet this season, and from what I understand, he’s still a few weeks away, possibly longer.

      Reply
    • He got injured just before the January game. Beltran filled in for him then too. It’s too bad, I think he’d be a great option.

      Reply
  15. If you are upset at Klinsi it can only be for potentially not pushing the clubs hard enough for Fabian and chandler and especially Williams. Suspect injuries.

    Hopefully he team can scrape out a win versus Costa Rica. The mex game realistically was probably not counted on for points anyway.

    Hoping he makes Bradley captain.

    Reply
      • Yea, but the clubs are claiming injuries. The insinuation is that the clubs invented minor injuries so they don’t have to release players.

      • Fabian Johnson didn’t play in a very important relegation game for his club so his injury is legit. Chandler and Williams both played so it might’ve been a knock they took in training or during the game.

      • i saw on soccernet that Williams has the stomach flu. So him having a bug now is keeping him out of the squad for mexico next tuesday? If true that’s a shame.

      • I don’t know what the truth is on this but if ever there was a game for gutcheck it’s Azteca. Panama and Jamaica are kid’s stuff by comparison.

    • how about for not vetting more options at these positions so that in the event of injuries there would not be the need to experiment right now?

      is that too much to expect from a national team caoch?

      Reply
      • +1

        When I read Klinsmann’s quote above, I can only shake my head in disbelief: “You’ll only get experience if you play,” Klinsmann said. “If you don’t have the experience yet, like Carlos Bocanegra (110 caps), then you have to get games under your belt.”

  16. With weak fullback options Klinsmann can further surprise us with a lineup like this:

    ————Guzan
    –Cameron-Gonzalez-Edu
    –Zusi-Jones-Bradley-Beasley
    ————Dempsey
    ——–Gomez-Altidore

    Reply
      • If they had time to practice with a 3-man back line, yeah, I like that one. But Bradley is the only player in that lineup that has experience in that system.

      • Enough with the three man back. To play it you need an excellent group of defenders that can win balls and distribute effectively. I haven’t seen anyone of our boys be able to do that at an international level, let alone a top-tier league.

        Just play a simple 4-4-2. It’s the easiest formation to play with young players who don’t train together. There’s no need to be so drastic with the tactics at this point. We’re fielding second and third tier defenders that probably have never played any system other than a four man back. Why would we change it?

  17. well let’s be honest, how can he not be seen to be experimenting with these options? heck of a time to be hit with the injury bug, that’s for sure.

    Reply
    • That’s why I don’t understand the absence of Heath Pearce. He seems a good, versatile option who has experience at the national team level. Also he’s just 28, so he would be useful come 2014 if he proves himself and the team makes it to Brazil.

      Reply
    • With the amount of injuries out there and the injury bug continue to decimate our ranks, any of you on this board who is under 50 years old, has an obligation to stay in shape, pay attention to tactics and not tie up your cell phone.

      Your turn may come, and you’d better be ready.

      I think i’m currently No. 3,231 in the left back depth chart.

      Reply
    • Considering he chose not to use Friendlies for those…this is all he can do now. Where was that fire Klinsy petition again…?

      Reply
    • If you asked him he’d say he experimented with them v. Canada and that’s why they’re back.

      Except we all watched that game and know better than to think they earned it then.

      And, what’s odd is the Cupcake callins were constrained by the usual January camp issues, in-season players, etc. Odd to me to default back to that bunch, there are better players than the Cupcake bunch. It appears to be simply that they are recent callins.

      Reply
      • a win at home would be an impressive result, because it either mean that USMNT shut out the opponent with the weakest backline in a qualifier since 2-2 at El Salvador…(only one of four starting defenders made it to the WC a year later) OR scored more than one goal-something of a treasured rarity under Klinsmann…

        so yes 3 points will be gladly taken…

        to play for draw in MX USMNT would need a wall in the back, which again with an inexperienced back line is tough to hope for…

        maybe throw all caution to the wind and play a Bielsa 3-3-1-3, a run and gun game

  18. I don’t understand the Beltran call up personally. Brad Evans, while horrible at CM against Canada, put in a far better performance at RB in the 2nd half of that match than did Beltran.

    Reply
    • Of that match – perhaps. But JK saw these guys for a whole month. He knows his depth chart. That is how he makes the call-ups, regardless of whether we get or like it (or not).

      Personally, I have no beef with giving the young guys a shot. Everyone starts somewhere. Are these the best conditions? Depends on the player and how they respond, but these are the cards and you play your hand.

      Reply
      • Sometimes you fold. But in this scenario I’d rather us go all in rather than fold. Young guns it is. As a fan I’m hoping for the best! What else is there? These boys need our support too. It wouldnt do sny good in pulling a Chelsea fans v Rafa now!

    • I do not get the snub to Brad Friedel (almost an f-you from Klinsman) and the continued snub of Eric Lichaj. Friedel may be better than Howard and Lichaj has got pace and experience against top flight competition (he also has a strong long throw in that could be used well against smaller teams).

      Reply
      • Friedel offered himself this week.

        I’ve generally been critical of Friedel for retiring, but if you look at the other options, I’d say suck it up, just like with Chandler.

      • Eric hasn’t been playin either. What would he look like calling Eric Lichaj in and not Carlos? C’mon now.

      • Because Lichaj and Bocanegra are not in the same boat. Lichaj has played 15 games for first division Villa this season including starts as recently as January. Boca has played 5 games for second division Santander SINCE AUGUST, has visibly physically broken down in a US game recently, and has not played well in the colors of late.

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