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Cherundolo set for knee surgery after picking up injury in Hannover training

SteveCherundoloHannover (SIDImages)

By DAN KARELL

A new injury has Hannover and U.S. Men’s National Team right back Steve Cherundolo set for another spell on the sidelines.

The 34-year-old fullback picked up a knock in training on Tuesday, and after the diagnosis being worse than initially feared, Cherundolo is set for arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left knee. The club has not listed a timetable for a return to first-team soccer.

“The injury is frustrating, as is the timing. But I am in good hands with the medical team here and I’m convinced that this operation will help me to come back and train without pain,” said Cherundolo on the club’s website.

Cherundolo, who missed the May/June World Cup qualifiers and friendlies with the USMNT in order to prepare for the upcoming Bundesliga season and a run at a place on the U.S. World Cup team, played in his 300th Bundesliga match last month for Hannover, where he has been ever since 1999.

Cherundolo’s medical advisors recommended he pass on playing in the recent run of USMNT matches in order to give him the best chance of passing through the upcoming Bundesliga season healthy enough to play in the 2014 World Cup.

The latest injury is another setback for Cherundolo, who has endured a series of injuries in 2013, but he has plenty of time to recover and work his way back into the Hannover 96 rotation.

As for when he might return to the USMNT, that remains far less clear. The team’s next set of qualifiers are less than three months away.

What do you make of this news? Starting to worry about Cherundolo’s durability? Who do you see starting at right back for the U.S. in Brazil?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. If everyone is thinking of putting Donovan at lb, why dont theyu consider Zusi there? Everyone is clamoring about Zusi’s defensive prowess lol, and lets face it…..LD can score goals for the national team and asist them. Zusi just asists them.

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  2. Biiiig time bummer, but, in light of age, wear and tear, the last year Steve’s had, this isn’t a surprise at all is it. When a guy like Cherundolo asks for the summer off, you know he ain’t right. Well… much better to know this now when we have time and games with which develop some options rather than further down the road. The injury sounds like something he can recover from, but to count on him as a guy who’ll get you through a whole WC…. no way. Probably more reasonable to expect he’ll be more suited to be a quality sub/lockeroom guy if he returns to form.

    Things change so fast in this game. Players come out of nowhere… consistent guys suddenly decline. We have no clear cut RB ready to plug in, but fortunately, there’s plenty of time for him to step forward.

    Lichaj? Can’t say I’m confident he is the guy, but he certainly merits a look. Like so many others, I am a bit baffled as to why he hasn’t got so much as a sniff when a guy like Evans has.

    Parkhurst.

    Evans? Steady, admirable. Nice insurance policy.

    Cameron? Emergency fill in? Sure. Full time RB? No. The man is quite obviously much better suited and comfortable in the middle of the park @ CB CM.

    Chandler? Can’t say I have more confidence or know much more about him now than I did a year ago… which is telling. What I do know is he is enticingly speedy going forward… but very shaky and unreliable when it comes to marking on D and well… showing up. Hardly a guy you can ink for WC2014 at this point.

    Biiiig time bummer, but, in light of age, wear and tear, the last year Steve’s had, this isn’t a surprise at all is it. When a guy like Cherundolo asks for the summer off, you know he ain’t right. The injury sounds like something he can recover from, but to count on him as a guy who’ll get you through a whole WC…. no way. Probably more reasonable to expect he’ll be more suited to be a quality sub/lockeroom guy if he returns to form.

    All I can say is, it’s much better to know/explore this now when we have time and games with which develop some options rather than say…. May.

    Things change so fast in this game. Players come out of nowhere… consistent guys suddenly decline. We have no clear cut RB ready to plug in, but lots of capable guys. Fortunately, there’s plenty of time for a MORE than capable option to step forward.

    Lichaj? Can’t say I’m confident he is the guy, but he most certainly merits a look. Like so many others, I am a bit baffled as to why he hasn’t got so much as a sniff when a guy like Evans has.

    Parkhurst. Serviceable.

    Evans? Steady, admirable, quick study… in short, a nice insurance policy. Wouldn’t count him out, but… biggest problem is he won’t be getting runs at RB with club, so his learning curve will be greatly hindered.

    Cameron? Emergency fill in? Sure. Full time RB? No. The man is quite obviously much better suited and comfortable in the middle of the park @ CB CM.

    Chandler? Can’t say I have more confidence or know much more about him now than I did a year ago… which is telling. What I do know is he is enticingly speedy going forward… but very shaky and unreliable when it comes to marking on D and well… showing up. Hardly a guy you can ink for WC2014 at this point.

    I know, I know… I hate to say it, because I go nuts at how kids are over-hyped and pushed too fast. This is a runner… a projection… a gut feeling. Given his current trajectory, give him another season in MLS, give him some runs with the Nats, a guy like Cherundolo in his ear.. by 2014… I think Yedlin may be too good to ignore, be our guy. The kid has great physical tools… speed to recover/make up for errors. He’s a prototype modern day RB, but most importantly, a natural born soccer player that doesn’t shrink in the spotlight or after mistakes. He seems to learn and adjust on the fly. Not just game to game, but within a game. Any of our options will be imperfect, make mistakes. Just think given another year, this guy will have by far the greatest upside. Think he has the look of a player that is exceptional and I’d be more wiling to gamble/risk youth than…… whatever is up with Chandler.

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  3. I typically try to stay away from calling for individual players. I’m not a professional evaluator of talent, I’m not a coach and I’m not in and around the USMNT camps. However, with the news that Dolo is going to have to endure another surgery, combined with the fact that Timmy Chandler is about as committed to the US as Tiger Woods is to monogamy, I simply can not understand why Eric Lihaj is not at least being given a chance. And before people start spouting off with “he doesn’t get consistent PT, he’s not good enough, etc.”, let’s look at our options.

    – Dolo is the #1, but he’s getting old and injured.

    – Chandler, in addition to being in piss poor form at the end of last season, apparently hates airplanes. That’ll work out….

    – Geoff Cameron is much better served playing in the middle of the field.

    – Michael Parkhurst hasn’t seen a meaningful game since 2012, and even when he is playing he’s borderline international quality at best, not to mention he’s almost 30.

    – Brad Evans, his recent success very much appreciated, is emergency cover at best once we get out of CONCACAF.

    Then where do you go? Tony Beltran? Steven Beitashour? Chance Myers? Sean Franklin?

    At a certain point you have to stop looking at a guy in comparison to your ideal option and start looking at him in comparison to your ACTUAL options. And right now, Eric Lihaj is as good as or better than any other option we have. The fact that he provides more than adequate cover at left back (certainly better than we’ve seen from Castillo), should only bump him up further. And lest we forget, the dude is only 24.

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  4. It might be a disaster but I’d kind of like to see Klinsmann try Gatt at right back during the Gold Cup. How aware in the position he would be makes it a problem but that speed could cover up some mistakes. Like I said probably a bad idea but I thought I’d throw it out there.

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    • Now that sounds like an entertaining option, Gatt as a RB, he is strong and fast enough. I’m just not sure he has the required training to play RB at the national level.

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  5. Why would JK consider LD at right back? Two reasons:

    1. Because then he would get to claim that he was clever putting him there.

    2. Because then he could get Donovan on the field without having to admit that he’s better than Zuzi.

    The odd thing is that Donovan could do it, and it would actually make sense in a weird way fi JK when back to his Jones-Bradley-third option middle three because Donovan would supply attacking width. Believe me, I hate the idea, just trying to give it a fair hearing…

    As a side note, when I read comments from people who don’t think DOnovan does defensive work, I really wonder what they have been watching the last decade. His defensive work rate is immense, and his defensive performances against Italy in the WC draw is one of the great unheralded performances in Nats history…

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    • I have watched the kid since almost infancy here in the redlands area. To come up with sample of an Italy game so long ago proofs my point that LD is not a good, tough defender. I also wonder what games you have been watching, maybe you are one of those that think he is still playing at the same level as 2010. Some LD fanboys need to take their rose color glasses off. LD is good just not as good as some people think he still is.

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  6. “Cherundolo’s medical advisers recommended he p@ss on playing in the recent run of USMNT matches in order to give him the best chance of passing through the upcoming Bundesliga season healthy enough to play in the 2014 World Cup.”

    i remember getting absolutely burned by a good number of people on here for saying there HAD to be a reason he was left off the May/June roster. but no, i was told JK just hates America and was trying to sabotage the team. Dolo was “perfectly healthy” and there was no way Hannover would ask he stay back for the long-term health of his knee. the evidence?

    “dude, he’s played 90 minutes the last two weeks!”

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  7. “Cherundolo’s medical advisers recommended he pass on playing in the recent run of USMNT matches in order to give him the best chance of passing through the upcoming Bundesliga season healthy enough to play in the 2014 World Cup.”

    i remember getting absolutely burned by a good number of people on here for saying there HAD to be a reason he was left off the May/June roster. but no, i was told JK just hates America and was trying to sabotage the team. that Dolo was perfectly healthy and there was no way Hannover would ask he stay back for the long-term health of his knee. the evidence?

    “dude, he’s played 90 minutes the last two weeks!”

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  8. Sorry Stevie, but when your body can’t handle knocks in training without surgery it might be time to hang up the boots.

    I know everyone wants Yedlin to develop more, but I think he’s the best option we have. We can’t keep just plugging in defensive guys and saying “Don’t go forward”. We need attacking options down the right flank that don’t involve one of our centers drifting out and leaving us open in the middle for a counter.

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    • Attacking outside backs are great but first and foremost we need to be solid defensively. Yedlin just is not an option at RB this cycle. He has less than 1/2 a professional season under his belt. I’d rather see Brad Evans lobbing balls over the top from the mid field line than Yedlin bombing forward and leaving us exposed time and again.

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  9. It’s hard to get a lot of information out of this piece, but it sounds like they’re going to be trimming loose or frayed cartilage. Recovery from that is almost instantaneous. On the other hand “smoothing tissues” (Google’s translation) could be an attempt to repair the cartilage. That means 2 months on the shelf, but the long run prognosis would be better.

    Either way, he can recover to an extent. Missing cartilage means the knee is even more unstable and it means less cushioning, which means he’s going to be in more pain when he plays (or trains). The biggest problem either way would be relying on a player with an unstable knee. Anyone can have a knee injury at any time, but the likelihood goes up for a player who has an unstable knee.

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  10. Guys lets be real. We need Landon to be a spark for the offense, not a stop gap defender. His pace, even if not quite what it once was is still useful in breaking things open at times and there have to be more fundamentally grounded defenders that can step up. I don’t have time to think through the list of potential right backs, but there have to be a few.

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  11. A number of folks have raised the LD at right back option, most recently ESPN’s Mark Connolly. He’s a very smart player, and if Brad Evans could adjust to the position, I am sure that Landon could as well…if he wanted to. My concern would be him sacrificing his body to stop someone. LD is not exactly known for seeking contact, and I can’t remember the last time I saw him slide tackle anyone. Still, If he were up for it, I would try him in a second, because it would allow us to get our best 11 on the field. (Don’t think he’s up for it, though)

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  12. I may be speaking too soon, but this may be the end of Dolo’s international career. He might get well enough to have some type of send-off match, but the injuries, serious or not, or coming frequently now, and he’s in his mid-30s.

    He’s had a great career and has been a loyal servant to the USMNT, regardless if this is it or not.

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    • When a 36 year old gets a knee injury I think its always within realms of taste and hypotheticals to suggest maybe their career is going to end sooner.

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  13. That is a pity for Dolo and bad news for the USMNT (thank gosh this did not happen in USMNT training). Never say never, but this will no doubt drastically reduce the chances of Cherundolo being able to bounce back and get a spot on the WC 2014 roster. This makes it all the more frustrating that Klinsmann has failed to call in Eric Lichaj for a look. Just a look. Maybe he flops, but maybe he is a revelation.

    I’m skeptical that Brad Evans can handle right back next summer in Brazil. I know there are a few Timothy Chandler fanboys who think he is Number One on the RB depth chart for the USMNT, but I have seen no evidence of this in his 2 USMNT games in the last 20 months or in his club play at Nurnberg, which was generally so bad last year that he was pulled from RB and moved first to right wing where he was no better and then finally moved to the bench at the end of the season.

    Cameron is a better RB than Chandler, but we need a second RB and Lichaj should be called in for a look.

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    • We really need to be considering our options at RB now. Like many others have said, I’m not sold on Evans long term. He did a very admirable job for us but can’t see that happening next summer. Chandler is a huge question mark. How good is he really? how committed is he? Lichaj would seem next in line but Klinsmann doesn’t seem to rate him. Could Cameron be forced back in to that role? Could we see Fabian on the right and DMB on the left? Is there a dark horse candidate like Spector who could emerge?

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      • Spector at right back, that’s a movie we’ve seen before and I would venture to say it left many USMNT fans with nightmares.

      • I was really just tossing a name out there that we hadn’t seen lately. Just meant that we need to evaluate all our options at this point to establish 3-4 potential players who could be the 2 RBs on our squad next summer.

      • Univision was showing past confed cups on cable not too long ago and I happened to tune into the USA-Brasil game of last cycle…no Spector….just no.

    • Its not that Chandler is a lock, he is the #1 by default, lets review the options:

      1) Cherundolo can’t stay healthy

      2) Cameron is a true defensive mid or CB (take your pick) who played RB at Stoke because of Pulis’ throwback system. He’s a capable backup but not a lockdown starter and is better served playing at other positions.

      3) Evans is a poor man’s Cameron. He’s a capable backup at a couple positions, but not a lockdown starter, especially against elite competition.

      4) Yedelin has shown promise, but he’s still very raw and to expect him to step up from academy to pros to u-20s to WCQ/WCs is a huge ask for a 20 yr old.

      5) Lichaj has had a inconsistent club career so far, and if were honest has had mixed results as a national team player as well (he did play a lot in the ’11 GC).

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      • I think we’re forgetting about Parkhurst here. His recent run on the bench doesn’t inspire much confidence but he was clearly a player Klinsmann liked before. Can’t rule him out at this point. He is one of many options

      • @Felix, actually, I think by default — at the current time — Evans and Cameron are running neck and neck at #1 RB depth chart. Possibly Evans winning by a nose. Both have shown the committment and determination to do what it takes for the team. On the contrary, Chandler has not.

        As for skills, Cameron is a darn good fullback. I agree that Tony Pulis cannot be considered a tactical genius and judge of talent, but nonetheless Cameron played most of the season at fullback (mostly RB but a few times at LB) in one of the top leagues in the world. Make not mistake, he can play the position against some of the best players in the world.

        As for Lichaj, true he has had an inconsistent club career. But so has Giovanni Dos Santos, not to mention other players who despite bad club stats are starting for national teams and excelling. Lichaj even two years younger and less experienced than now proved to Bob Bradley (who with each passing Egypt game I respect more and more) that he has the right stuff to play for the USMNT.

        Klinsmann needs to give Lichaj a chance to show what he can do (or not do). And, likewise, Chandler is now far down the RB depth chart. He would have to earn the spot by proving that he can play the position internationally, not to mention try to repair the damaged chemistry he has with other USMNT players. And Timothy he had the chance in this Gold Cup. Klinsmann asked him to be on the roster and it would have been a perfect opportunity not only to evaluate him, but also for Timothy to prove he is dedicated to the team.

        The September roster will be interesting.

    • +1 speedy recovery Dolo!

      looking short term; September qualifiers – i doubt that Dolo will be ready to go that leaves 2 tested options Cameron and Evans and 2 potential options Chandler and Lichaj. Still 4 qualifiers left and a couple of friendlies to sort it out…

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    • Chandler had impressive run of games at USA and club. This past season he had an up and down year, I wouldn’t bypass him yet, let’s see what he has this first couple of months in the BL. If he can regain his form, then we are ok, if not, start looking for the panic bottom

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  14. When your knees start to go, the end is usually near.

    Stinks because Cherundolo is far and away the #1 true right back on the USMNT. Timmy Chandler has flashed a load of potential…but while the light has flickered at times for Chandler, it has never truly come on and with his continued absenteeism he’s running out of time to establish himself this cycle. Evans did OK…but he strikes me more as a utility/depth guy you want in your 23, and he doesn’t have the catch-up speed or ability to attack out of the back that Cherundolo and Chandler have. If Cherundolo can’t recover, this without question leaves right back as the remaining position of greatest need for the USA.

    As well as Graham Zusi and at times Eddie Johnson have done at right wing, and with Fabian Johnson and DaMarcus Beasley seemingly locking down the first-choice slots at LW and LB, you have to wonder if Landon Donovan’s place on the USMNT might be at right back when he returns if Cherundolo can’t get and stay healthy very quickly. Definitely would be a different look to have Run DMB and Donovan making those blazing runs out of the back.

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    • LD is very short to play RB and he’s never been know for his defense. Seems odd move to me. Better at left wing with Fabian as LB. Run DMB makes squad but doesn’t start.

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      • Let’s go to the video for that.

        This is the USA-Argentina match from 2011. Fast-forward to the 5:00 mark and take a look at what happens when Lionel Messi picks up the ball just outside the 18…watch who runs him down, and then sticks when Messi pulls out the PlayStation moves.

        If LD can stick with Messi, I think he has some potential for defense.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nvFDy5zn-0

      • A sample size of one play? I don’t think that Landon has the same level of defensive instinct as Demarcus. Plus Landon isn’t know for getting stuck in. Beasley is a rag doll but is willing to take a beating. I’d rather chandler or maybe Yedlin if he shows great progress. Or maybe even Evans.

      • This isn’t an idea I would favor at all. LD has been known for his defensive work rate, but actually playing right back is a whole different animal. His positioning and 1v1 defending would be a huge challenge. There are better options than that.

      • That could be true. Just saying, if he can make the transition – and these last four Hex matches would be a good time to test the proposition – it would give the USA a whole different dimension off the right side.

        Personally, as a coach myself, I always try to get my best 11 on the field. Great soccer players quite often thrive no matter where you put them…and LD is a great soccer player.

        It might be a wash…but if it works….

      • Think I would rather try Zusi at rb with Donovan at right wing. LD excellent defender from wing position but is not physical enough to play right back.

      • I’m not worried about his height – he’s actually 1″ taller than Leighton Baines and of the same build. His soccer IQ can handle it. It’s his having the heart/mentality for defense that seems to be the question. Still I like someone else’s idea of Best 11 on the field. …and ref someone’s cmt about “need him for offensive spark”, a R/L back can do just that. Again, look at Baines (yes, Evertonian here). Maybe there’s other ways to make it happen to get LD on the field, but this might be an option.

  15. Feel for the Mayor. It must have been hard to make the decision to sit out the USMNT for your career’s sake and still end up further injuring yourself.

    This is probably the end for the Mayor.

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    • This could end up being a fairly minor injury though. Its certainly worrisome considering his age, but it might just be cleaning up a meniscus.

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      • Arthroscopic is the least intrusive and has the quickest turnaround, so I imagine he will be back with the team in Sept. I think JK will put him in at least one qualifier, providing he has no further injuries. The US is pretty thin on the corners and have been using CB’s a mids to fill the gap. Having good healthy and experienced players at the corners is always a plus. ‘Dolo’s runs up the wings and his passing/crossing ability make him still very valuable to the USMNT despite his age and recent injuries.

  16. His knee has been an issue for awhile. I have said it before and I will say it again: I could Klinsmann move on from Dolo permanently. Dolo will play much less this season for Hannover, and his body is starting to break down.

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  17. This is unfortunate for the Mayor of Hannover and the USMNT. Now will Timmy Chandler finally step up and show the heart and will to take over as our RB? Can’t see Evans with his limited skills at WC2014 and Yedlin is just not ready yet. Just got an idea….maybe Landon at RB – if DMB can hold his own at LB, why not Landon and Zeus tearing up the right side of the pitch?

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    • Really? Yedlin in front of Lichaj? Why does eveyone hate him? He played well in the Gold Cup. He did not amaze at AV, but played well. He has never did anything bad… Why so much hate? Ok, maybe not hate, but why is he always ignored?

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      • Lichaj is not good enough…much like Castillo. We have seen both good and bad from Chandler but beyond doubt, Chandler brings much more to the field than Lichaj. As for Yedlin, he hasnt even played a full season in MLS! He is promising but way too young and inexperienced to be counted on at this point. We need depth but Lighaj isnt the answer and Yedlin is not ready yet.

      • I don’t hate him, I just don’t rate him that well. If he can get some consistant playing time and not get a yellow card every game, then I’ll be yelling at JK to bring him in. Maybe he gets his shot in Jan,

      • I’m with you about Lichaj, I pull for the guy since we are both Chicago-area guys, but he struggled for minutes on a terrible AV defense most of the season – that says a lot.

        I’m not saying he would be a solid international backup, but he’s too inconsistent.

        Brad Evans is a solid backup, but nothing further, Chandler is a mental midget, and Yedellin is too wasteful in the final 3rd in the games I’ve seen. Young but not ready for primetime.

      • Too wasteful in the final third for Yedlin? Guys like Evans are too scared to even get into the final third, let alone try to make things happen. Yedlin’s talent is undeniable, he should be on the fast track to the Nats for 2014. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough

    • Very much my own thought.

      We are increasingly in need an impactful right back. I don’t see a more impactful guy available than Landon Donovan. I think he’s got the IQ to make the transition and we KNOW he’s got the catch-up speed and work rate to make those runs out of the back that a Klinsmann outside back must have. Plus it gives you a way to put your best 11 on the field.

      Would definitely make for some exciting soccer…albiet very possibly in both directions. I think you’d see a bunch of 3-2 scorelines, for sure. 😉

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    • Chandler will likely be the 1st option if Dolo isn’t recovered by September Qualifiers.

      If he gets a good consistent run at Forrest look for Lichaj to break into the conversation of wing backs.

      LD will be deployed as a LM, RM, or withdrawn striker option. I just don’t see him making the transition to the back line. After the GC I expect LD (if he impresses) to spend a game or 2 as an off the bench option…before he reclaims a starting role with the “A” Squad.

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    • what is it with people mentioning LD as a possible right back? He’s never played anywhere on the defensive line. I understand that he contributes well defensively when he plays on the wing, but these occasional references to trying him at RB are non-sensical. he’s not DMB nor should we try to convert him that way. If he’s going to make the WC roster, it’ll be in the midfield or forward.

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      • WHen has the fact that a guy has never played a position stop Klinsmann from putting him there? It’s one of the two or three most consistent characteristics of his reign here. (The other two being capricious selection criteria and other being three d-mids. At least that last one may be disappearing.)

    • anyone that thinks LD can play RB are just fooling themselves, LD defense is to contain, I can even remember once where LD has gone to battle to take the ball away from someone. And let’s not talk about LD constant complaining about opponents getting to physical with him. A RB needs to be able to take or dish it out which I don’t think is in LD’s DNA.

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  18. As great as he has been for the US and club, i don’t want to have to count on him being healthy come 2014. Evans was good also, but likely not a solution for the world cup. Ugh, to bad Chandler has turned out the be a flake, so far.

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    • Agreed. Everyone tossing him on the plane at this stage is grasping for straws. That’s two big injuries in a year. At his age, we can’t depend on his legs to carry anything more than leadership.

      Which leaves our RB options open. Does Chandler ever find himself? Will Lichaj get his call up? Does Evans continue to over perform? Will one of the young lads step up? Is Johnson forced to a RB spot?

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    • Why does everybody act and type as if Chandler turned down a call up again? He was INJURED……and so Klinsmann didn’t call him up…..granted you could ask why call up Shea, Edu and Williams and not Chandler….but it was known that Chandler was injured when his German league season ended….

      I think he will probably be our starter, just hope he fares much better in Costa Rica than in Honduras….wonder if Tony Beltran or someone in MLS can play their way into a qualifier with good form? After all Evans is doing it and there’s plenty of guys in the league more capable of playing Right Back than Evans as they are actually naturally Right Backs playing the position week in and week out

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