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Cherundolo sets up winner in Hannover season finale

Steve Cherundolo Hannover (UEFA)

Hannover re-signed Steve Cherundolo on Friday with the idea that the steady right back still has something left in the tank. Saturday was proof that that is indeed the case.

A day after agreeing to a one-year extension with Hannover, Cherundolo played in his 300th league game for the club and celebrated the occasion by setting up the game-winner in a 3-0 victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf. Cherundolo’s assist came in the the 36th minute and helped Hannover finish the season in ninth place.

Cherundolo, who recently became Hannover’s all-time leader in league appearances, ends the campaign with 32 appearances across all competitions. He will now set his sights towards resting and recovering after not being called up by U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the upcoming friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.

Here’s the assist:

What do you think of Cherundolo’s assist? Wishing Klinsmann would have called him in for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. To everyone who is whining that Dolo didn’t get picked, he just came off an injury, he just had a baby, and the decision to leave him off was mutual. My understanding was that he actually asked to be left off, which is perfectly fine with me.

    I have a feeling that 90% of the posters on this board wouldn’t be happy if we won every game 5-0. Bottom line: so far his roster moves have worked. Has it been pretty? No. Was the original goal to get 4 points from the first 3 games? Yes. Did we do that? Yes. So shut it and look ahead.

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  2. Well, here we go again, Klinsmann being bashed again for a roster decision. Why all this negativism being directed toward Jurgen Klinsmann. He is the coach of the USMNT and has final say in all roster decisions. If he doesn’t want Donovan and Cherundolo on the roster, well, sorry folks, this is his decision to make. Just the simple fact that Cherundolo played 90 minutes now for two games indicates that he does not need to be in camp for a little Klinsmann TLC and chemistry building like some of the other injured guys and bench warmers that Klinsmann has called in.

    In Klinsmann we trust and I am certain he has very logical and strategic reasons for omitting the two best players at their respective positions in the US player pool, not to mention two highly experienced players who are captains of their club teams and would provide valuable leadership and guidance for the younger USMNT players. And maybe Klinsmann, with all his experience and leadership, wants to be the one to alone provide that leadership. He is the boss and that is his right. Get over it an move on.

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    • Why? Because he’s picking lineups that are incapable of producing any goals….and, because they are under constant pressure, are not as good on defense, too. Because he picks the wrong players and stupid formations for no good reason other than to have his own stamp on things. Because this has the feel of a coach who is responding to public criticisms from his own players by making decisions that seem aimed more at asserting his control and less about putting the best team out there.

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  3. If Dolo asked for time off, then fine. But if not, leaving him out of the qualifiers does not make sense. He was injured about 6 weeks ago. But he’s played 3 of the last 4 games. He sat out for one game so he could break the Hannover record at home. He looks healthy, fit, and in good form. We need to qualify, he’s the best right back for us right now.

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    • Reports from US soccer are that it was” precautionary and by mutual consent”. They also said it had nothing to do with his play. Klinsmann says he was unavailable so in other words everyone worked out it’d be best to give the knee a rest right now.

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  4. Where and why does Ives get these downloads? I can only see this video in fits and starts. It’s from a Russian source because I happen to know Russian and can understand a good part of it as well as recognize the writing, but the video quality is bad. Ives, couldn’t you get something from Germany that is better?

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  5. I was wondering at first why wouldn’t be called to the USMNT.

    But considering that he just came back to surgery and his AGE…. I understand now. USMNT will need him in the long run so it’s best if he rest that 30-something old knee.

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  6. Looking at what Klinsmann has said he was unavailable to be brought in. Reports are Cherundolo might have asked for some more time to recover. I understand putting everything on Klinsmann is popular right now but this might not have been up to him.

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    • You mean everything isn’t JK’s fault?

      Huh.

      Amazing what happens when some thought is applied to decisions made instead of rushing to judgment.

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      • you know who could’ve cleared this up? klinsmann.

        i don’t think i’ve ever seen a manager who talked so much while saying so little.

      • He did clear it up. He said that Cherundolo was coming off a long injury, and even though he was back playing, they felt it was important that he rest the knee after the season to ensure it returned to 100%. How much clearer would you have liked him to make it?

      • Coming off a long injury…like Holden!! Wasn’t Klinsmann who said; “he’s coming off a long injury, the last thing he needs now is rest.” ???

        I see a double standard here.

      • There’s only a double standard if you’re incapable of looking at the individual situations critically. Holden is coming off a long-term injury and needs to regain fitness. He’s coming into camp to get back up to speed, and not necessarily to contribute immediately. Cherundolo, on the other hand, is coming off a long season and needs a break to rest, recover, and recuperate. There is no double standard happening here.

      • Holden has been playing for 2-3 months. Dolo has not. I swear that axe you’re grinding is just about a nub by now don’t you think?

      • If that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black…. If you bought that nonsense, you’re quite the doofus. If injuries had anything to do with anything, Shea and Holden wouldn’t be getting looks while ‘Dolo and LD are on the outside looking in.

      • ? no really, Dolo’s just coming off an injury. Shea’s surgery came in 2012 and Holden has been playing for several months.

      • Doublespeak.

        Shea’s surgery was last year…but he’s not playing at all. Holden is not match fit and his coches were reluctant to use him in important matches because his play isn’t there yet.

        But, Boca, who has been starting for more than 6 weeks and “dolo, who is playing 90, and actually creating goals in the Bundesliga, isn’t ready to dis[lace the no-talents and inexperienced kids we’vegot on defense,? And , then there’s Donovan.

        Come back tome and make your case when the USA can’t score during the qualifiers,

      • Well, in Gooch’s case, Klinsi might be right. But, as to the others, it’s all his ego at work — trying to bring in people who didn’t get there without his picking them.

      • NO. I”m not even the one who brought GOoch into the conversation. There’s a universe of players one could mention. I’m just discussing the players that are better than the ones he is calling in.

        The national team manager should bring in the best players. Klinsmann isn’t doing that. It’s not about whether I agree with him. It’s about whether the soccer world would. There are 3 players who don’t just belong in the camp, or even on the roster — they should be in the starting lineup.

        Not having them there has already cost us points, and it might cost us more.

      • NO. I”m not even the one who brought GOoch into the conversation. There’s a universe of players one could mention. I’m just discussing the players that are better than the ones he is calling in.

        The national team manager should bring in the best players. Klinsmann isn’t doing that. It’s not about whether I agree with him. It’s about whether the soccer world would. There are 3 players who don’t just belong in the camp, or even on the roster — they should be in the starting lineup.

        Not having them there has already cost us points, and it might cost us more.

      • If only it were that simple. Mexico has pretty much played with its full strength squad and look at where they sit point wise. The “I, we, or the soccer world hates your lineup and thinks that if you don’t pick who we like we are in danger” argument? I have a hard time buying. Especially when we are getting the points.

        Are our chances better with these guys? On paper – yes. But the game is not played on paper. Plus having these guys in the team does not lock in the win. These arguments also forget to factor in the other guys who are in the team. You count 3 that should be starting but the coach who has to manage 20 something more guys who knows the team better than any of us on here and knows the costs, risks and his own reward system (which is a perk of being a coach by the way) went the other way. I don’t see how that’s ego.

        By resume and history these guys have done amazing things for us and I sure do hope that they are not done with the USMNT just yet. But in this very moment the guy hired to do the job does not see how they fit into his immediate plans. He’s the coach and presumptions of ego and world soccer opinion aside, it’s his team, his reputation and his head on the line. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.

    • From my understanding it was a combination: Dolo wanted time to recover from his injury. Yes, he just played but that’s different from extending his season an extra month and frankly Hannover pays the bills, if they want him, he plays. And he just had a baby so he wants time for his family.

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      • +1.
        Cherundolo wasn’t avaiable for a call-in. Still some problems with his knee. Why he did play for 90min? I don’t know and I didn’t take care if Sakai was on the bench. As it was the last game of the season Sakai might have already been off to Japan.
        Hereto USSoccer pointed out:
        “As in March, both Steve Cherundolo (knee) and Timmy Chandler (knee) will be unavailable. Cherundolo has not fully recovered from the injury that kept him out for four months, while Chandler suffered ligament damage May 6 in training.”
        (http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2013/05/klinsmann-calls-26-players-to-begin-training-camp-for-may-and-june-mnt-matches.aspx )

        But one thing was misinterpreted (or due to my defective knowledge of English): Cherundolo will become a father this year and him and his wife are still waiting for the baby.

    • You have to be joking… Steve is the the most dependable and experienced right back the US has ever had. Not only a long time American captain of a top flight Bundeslinge team (which is amassing itself), he set the team appearances record. He is like the Tony Gwynn of Hannover and competes with the top talent in the world day in and day out. Dortmund, Bayern ring a bell? He has gone toe to toe with other world class players longer that you have know how to type comments on a web page…
      One last World Cup with Dolo will be a fitting end for our the US’s best right back ever. If he can manage his health and be 100%, every US fan will stoked to have him on the pitch. He is definitely good enough for the US.

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