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A look at the players who missed out on the latest USMNT roster

GilFeilhaber (ISIPhotos.com)

By IVES GALARCEP

When the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the upcoming Mexico friendly was announced on Wednesday, there were a few names that stood out in their absence. Benny Feilhaber and Jose Torres were left out of the squad, raising serious questions about whether either still has a realistic chance of returning to the World Cup after playing in the 2010 tournament.

In my latest Goal.com column, I look at Feilhaber and Torres’ absences from the latest roster, and what that says for their futures on the national team. I also discuss Maurice Edu’s return to the fold, and the positional switch that could help boost his chances of a place on the plane to Brazil.

As I note in the column, being left out of the upcoming squad doesn’t necessarily mean the end for players who missed out, like Feilhaber, Torres and Mike Magee, but it certainly doesn’t make for a resounding endorsement of their chances of making it to the World Cup.

Here is the question for you. What player was left out of the squad for the Mexico friendly that you feel should have been included? Who do you consider to be the biggest snub? What up-and-coming MLS player do you think has shown enough to earn a look?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I don’t get this idea of Dempsey as playmaker. That’s not his game. He’s a late-arriving-in-the-box finisher. If JK builds the attack around Dempsey as a playmaker, it’s just not going to work.

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  2. To be honest with both evans and parkhurst capable of playing right back I would’ve preferred to see Klute called up over Yedlin but I guess JK has his reasons.

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    • It could just be he is younger and wants to bring him along, get him experience building towards the next U-23 Olympic team, that or he just rates him higher.

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  3. I honestly don’t feel Benny is that much of an exclusion. Sure he’s an option but he’s not like he’s in his prime or anything.

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  4. Does anyone know when the US (and other nations) will start their World Cup camp? I ask because I was htinking about going to Toronto for TFC-NYRB on May 17th and it would stink if Cahill, Bradley, Cesar and Defoe were all away already.

    Thanks!

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  5. Yes, I read that script and I’m afraid it’s mostly plagiarized from sources ranging from Danielle Steele to Ian Darke. I had to put it down when they got to the “Things could be on here for the U.S.” bit. Shaking my head…

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  6. In the event Benny is not selected, I invite him to bring his excellent moustache along join my new project. I will be making an adult film starring him, Sacha Kliejstan, Marcelo Balboa, John Harkes and hopefully some women…

    Those who only watch adult movies for the terrible dialogue can rest assured– Alexi Lalas and Taylor Twellman are already attached to write the script.

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  7. I think Davis from the Dynamo should be included in that list. His left foot has to be considered. I don’t think there is a better cross in the business. If nothing else, he needs to be included as a sub in tight games. His crosses can decide a game.

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    • I actually really agree with this… especially for late set piece crosses… he at least always beats the first man with the cross… unlike most of our other guys…

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  8. My 23 for Brazil

    1. Tim Howard
    2. Brad Guzan
    3. Nick Rimando

    4. Matt Besler
    5. Omar Gonzalez
    6. Geoff Cameron
    7. Brad Evans
    8. DaMarcus Beasley
    9. Fabian Johnson
    10. Clarence Goodson

    11. Clint Dempsey
    12. Michael Bradley
    13. Jermaine Jones
    14. Landon Donovan
    15. Mix Diskerud
    16. Graham Zusi
    17. Kyle Beckerman
    18. Alejandro Bedoya
    19. Julian Green

    20. Terrence Boyd
    21. Jozy Altidore
    22. Eddie Johnson
    23. Aron Johannsson

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    • 10, 15, 17-20 are the only question marks IMO. I think Agudelo deserves a spot (or at least a chance to prove himself); the kid always sparks some good play when he comes off the bench. I also think Corona is good enough for a spot.

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    • I have a feeling Onyewu will replace Goodson and She will replace Green.

      Boyd will have to prove something in a USMNT shirt otherwise it will be Wondo

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    • Barring injuries, that’s the list JK will be going with. The only difference might depend on how Green looks next week – Shea would be the name replacing him.

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      • I agree on Brad Evans, although I don’t quit I will just be disappointed. Who take the place of one of the 3 you are calling out and why?

    • Eddie Johnson has to really work hard to make an impression against Mexico. I don’t think Boyd is going to be there.

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  9. Good article, I think it hits on point. More so about JKs decision to go with 2 holding mids and where these guys are in the pecking order as opposed to their current play. Especially in Bennys case.

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  10. These guys left off the list really don’t matter. They weren’t making the fight anyway. The 12 Midfield and Forward Positions are pretty much set barring injury. The only place people might be able to squeeze in last minute are at defensive positions.

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  11. Benny – I really think JK just flat out doesn’t like him. We are hurting for midfielders that can create, he can and JK shuns him

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    • Klinsmann may still remember when Feilhaber played in Hamburg. He wasn’t one of the better players then. When I watched the last KC game he didn’t look that sharp. But there may be one more player Klinsmann is going to call up. We’ll see who that is.

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    • Lloyd,

      JK would not be alone.

      Benny and Mikey should have been the USMNT’s main central pairing all these years.

      That is what I thought when I first saw the two together in 2007. But Benny is inconsistent and is rumored to be a head case. All I know is he went from sure fire US starter to second half sub to 20 minute late game sub to now nowhere.
      Still, I don’t think Benny is quite done yet and I would not be surprised to see him invited to the US camp.
      After all, I’m pretty sure JK knows all he needs to about Benny at this point. But Benny just needs to keep playing really well for SKC.

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      • I was in the stands in 2007 in tampa against Ecuador. Donovan was the big story of the game with his hat trick. But it was also the first starts for Bradley and Feilhaber. I remember watching Feilhaber spray the ball around the field like nothing I had ever seen for the US. He was amazing, and an absolute joy to watch. For the US to play like JK says he wants them to (Possesion, attacking, etc…), Feilhaber is the key. There is simply no one else in the pool who can pass like him.

    • As I was sitting in the stands watching SKC-SJ last weekend what kept going through my head was “Benny, moments of brilliance, followed by overwhelming stretches of utter mediocrity.”, and I love Benny. This is why he is not in the picture.

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      • Benny;s 2007 Gold Cup Final golazo was arguably one of the great all time US goals.

        And as I said before in 2007 I was sure it was going to be the Mikey-Benny show in midfield for the next 8 years.

        I sometimes wonder what the USMNT would look like if I had been right about Benny instead of being right about Mikey.

      • I don’t think he was injured. He got food poisoning though. I agree with you on “old” and “not that good”

    • I’m curious too. Magee consistently made a significant contribution as a member of the Galaxy, which was acknowledged by both Keane and Donovan, among others. It was said, at the time, that of all the Galaxy players Magee had the most consistently accurate shot from around the box. And he followed his Galaxy success with an MVP performance in Chicago. Yes, he’s not a youngster. He’s not a likely candidate for 2018. But we don’t have many in-form sharpshooters this time around. And that’s not an insignificant consideration. It would have cost Klinsmann little or nothing to give Magee a chance to show what he can do against a decent-quality opponent. I like Klinsmann. But, to me, this is a significant unforced error on his part.

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      • As a Galaxy season ticket holder I feel qualified to say, this is not a snub. Magee was never that good. Often wasn’t even a starter.

      • As a Galaxy season ticket holder I feel qualified to say what I said. I understand, of course, that even if given a chance it’s more likely than not that Magee would not make the team. But he’s at least on a par with some of them and has the not insignificant advantage of having played — and played well — a couple of seasons with Donovan.

      • Being a contributor with Keane and Donovan against MLS competition is not the same as showing skills that translate to higher levels. There are numerous solid MLS players who we don’t consider national team prospects. Magee just doesn’t have the skill set. He would be awesome on a rec league team though.

      • ” It would have cost Klinsmann little or nothing to give Magee a chance to show what he can do against a decent-quality opponent. I like Klinsmann. But, to me, this is a significant unforced error on his part.”

        Easy for you to say. Are you familiar with the ins and outs of the USMNT’s schedule relative to Magee’s form?

        It’s not JK’s fault if Magee gets food poisoning.

      • I’m not aware that food poisoning is the reason why Magee hasn’t been called for the Mexico game, which is the subject of discussion. Since Magee would have played against Korea but for his food poisoning, I think most people expected him to be given another chance in the Mexico game. Perhaps Dennis has it right in his comment below, that Magee simply hasn’t been playing and is coming back from an injury.

      • Maybe Magee didn’t impress in camp. Maybe Klinnsman wasn’t going to give him any playing time in the Korea game. Maybe the food poisoning was just a story to allow Magee to save face. We don’t know.

      • Re: food poisoning.

        It kept Magee from consideration for the Korea game.

        I don’t think Magee was going in any case but had he played and done well then maybe the ball starts rolling for him. Maybe he forces JK to pick him for this Mexico game.and then the World Cup.

        But as Jesse D points out, maybe JK would not have brought him on for the Korea game.

        Regardless Magee being unavailable for Korea hurt his overall chances to go to Brazil, which is mainly what we are talking about here.

    • I think Magee was not called because he has yet to play for the Fire due to injury. He is reportedly healthy now, but with no senior team caps and not playing, it is a stretch to say he deserved it. Timing of injuries can be a biotch. Still, Robby Keane can’t understand why Magee hasn’t been cal;led in a lot earlier.

      Benny was the closest to a snub, but …

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  12. Feilhaber, your career was over the moment you came back to MLS. You are not worthy of a DP spot. should have stayed in Denmark, son

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