Photo by ISIphotos.com
The U.S. men's national team has called in defender Jonathan Bornstein ahead of its World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday. Also, goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has left camp and returned to England.
The Bornstein call-up comes on the heels of a thoroughly disappointing performance by both left fullback Heath Pearce and left winger DaMarcus Beasley in the U.S. team's 2-2 vs. El Salvador on Saturday. Bornstein arrival could mean that he earns a start after not initially being called into camp. The U.S. team's other option at left back is Jonathan Spector, who is probably the safer bet to start, with Bornstein a left back/left wing option off the bench.
What do you think of this news? Releaved? Surprised? Disappointed? Ecstatic? Who do you want to see start at left back? Spector? Bornstein? Beasley?
Share your thoughts below.
Bornstien did shut down Messi for the whole first half. Then Argentina moved Messi to the other side where he ran us around. I’m not saying that makes Bornstien the end of our LB situation, but that did happen. By the way, where did everyone get the idea that Orozco is a left back? The US didn’t even bring a real LB to the olympics and it was a disaster. Spector is the answer, whether he is in the middle and Bocanegra comes out wide or if we just drop Spector out on the left. Maybe if we throw Donovan in at LB he’ll actually get involved in the play.
Heath Pearce needs to go! Sacha should not start on thursday and we need to start looking for another central midfielder to pin our hopes on. My mind is not made up on Spector or Borenstein. Lets give them more looks!! They have to be better than Pearce. Pearce should have been gone long ago. I liked the way Torres played, though he held it a couple times when he should have played earlier, but i like his confidence on the ball. I would like to see more looks with Beasley at left back even though he got burned on the second goal on Saturday.
How in the world is Bornstein ahead of Orozco in the pecking order?
Orozco is ten times the left back of Bornstein or Pearce in spite of the fact that he isn’t left footed.
Some may bring up the Olympics red card – get over it.
Orozco never gets beat and can actually complete a pass out of the back.
This is what I would have gone with if I were in charge:
Orozco – Boca – Gooch – Spector
That should be our back line in SA unless Cherundelo fully recovers from his injury, in which case Orozco and Spector fight for the LB spot.
I was one of the folks that though Beasley could be converted there – no longer. He looks absolutely terrible and has in the last few matches he’s appeared in.
I disaree with the people saying Donovan on the wing,Hes best as an attacking mid,his vision would help with two up top,I cant see him doing great out wide
I like fcd fan’s lineup:
———–Ching/Altidore————
——————-Donovan———–
Torres—Bradley—Kljestan—Dempsey
Spector—–Boca—-Gooch——Hejduk
————–Howard—————–
This isn’t a popular thing to say right now, but I’m not ready to give up on Kljestan just yet. He’s been good on the balance over the past year. Beasley, on the other hand, has been consistently below where we need him to be.
One more thought: I like Torres on the left way more than I like him in the center because I’m skeptical that he has enough defensive bite to start in the center in the World Cup.
I think it will be Spector on Wednesday but I’ve been underwhelmed with his performances in the EPL. He’s only made 6 appearances for West Ham this season. He’s being kept out of the first team by a journeyman defender who arrived from the French league on loan.
I’m glad BB has brought more cover in. I would have toyed with the idea of calling in Marvell Wynne and moving Heydude to LB for the T&T game. What I ultimately would have settled on is moving Boca to LB for the T&T game and keeping Califf in at CB. Going up against a tricky winger like Carlos Edwards it might be best to have your most solid defender on the flank, not worrying about going forward.
It seems simple to me…
Bease isn’t good enough out wide, Landon isn’t good enough in the middle, Jozy is too good to sit.
So Bease on the bench next to Bornstien, Landon on the wing and Jozy next to Ching.
Dudinho can you please tell me how Orozoco has contributed to the US team though?Im waiting…..
He plays for San Luis,your having a laugh if you think hes a better outside back than Bornstein or Spector
Orozco cost us the olympics? We would have lost the final! Who won that tourney by the way. Man talk about being delusional. I guess mastro getting a stupid red card at in 06 vs Italy cost us that tournament too? players make mistakes doesnt mean we blackball them for life.
Fire Bradley, hire Roy Hodgson.
Turtle–My suggestions for LB could it be guys with a lots of experience, For example move Bocanegra and call Orozco to played along with Ouchie, or have both Bocanegra and Orozco switch. or get Spector play left. Bob Bradley call DeMerit, Spector and not use them. I think if we used a solid Back can be use like Spector BR, Ouche MBR, Orozco MBL, Bocanegra LB and used DeMerit for coming as a sub. at the middle we can used Adu, Bradley, Torres, Dempsey and at top Donovan with Altidore. We need at lease Orozco and Torres cause they play alot with this type of style of Futball that are very slow tempo and technical. Plus they know the Mexican Futball. So when we go to the Azteca we need this two guys.
dudes – anyone else think we should have called in orozco? kidding…
im not necessarily sure that pearce doesn’t dress. maybe this will motivate him to play better…
Orozco is not FTW….Im still not over his stupidity in the olympics,thanks for costing us the tournament!
I dont think you can not start frakie… his heart is amazing
THIS IS the solution for once Cherundalo gets back….
Cherdundalo on the right, Frankie Hejduk on the left….until Spector is ready
Hahnemann would have made the saves that Guzan didn’t. The second goal slipped right under Guzan.
pete, I have not played fifa 09 but that was good….
I think Bob Bradley is getting Domenech syndrome. LMAO
Why give Dempsey a pass for playing a shitty game? Why blame Damarcus his natural position is not at left back?
Imo, Dempsey was totally and utterly useless, he always seemed to try and do the most complicated action instead of playing simple. Someone should tell him this isn’t Fifa 09, its a real game.
“I love intellengent fans”
Alex, you assume I was referring to losing a player to a different national team.
1. I was actually speaking to the talent level we lost. (case in point) Adu and his talent is riding the pine. His skill is not being utilized. You can make the same arguement for a couple of other players that are not seeing playing time.
2. Your post was written to insult my inteligence with respect to my futbol knowledge. But, you ended up validating what you automatically assumed I was referring too. With that said, you should really keep your thoughts to yourself because your thought process is counter-productive. At the end of the day, you might hurt yourself.
I think that BB will shove Bornstein down our throats until people start to think he actually belongs. He isn’t good enough and never will be. End of story.
Left back was only ONE glaring hole the other night. IMO the central of the midfield was a black hole. Klestan was the worst player on the field and why does Bradley get a free pass? Neither of them showed vision or holding prowess.
—-Altidore—-Ching
Dempsey–Torres–Edu—Donovan
Spector–Boca–Onyewu–Heyduk
I say that Han is done because he this was the prime opp for him to get a cap. Its clear now that he is the #3. So if your 3rd would you keep flying over to be in camp or just stay at home since you know you won’t play.
I’m telling you. This was going to happen no matter what the out come of the El Salvador game was.
Howards back. No need for 3 GK. Bornstein was left with Chivas until after the weekend.
Keep in mind Spector has also been played in the mid-field at West Ham – left side if i’m not mistaken.
If Gooch is healthy our back 4 will be back in their comfort zone. I don’t expect to see any changes back their if Gooch is healthy.
Best quote of the day:
“think many of you forget that Bornstein shut down Messi… ”
Posted by: andy in atlanta | March 30, 2009 at 03:25 PM
——————————————
LMAO…Andy, you really have a good sense of humor. You just made my day.
In all seriousness, I agree with some of you who want to call Orozco in. Yes, he’s naturally a CB, but I saw him played LB at San Luis (once or twice, I think) and did OK; not great, but would probably better than Pearce.
Bornstein played a great game against FC Dallas yesterday, but I am not sure about his inclusion as a left back for the US.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Michael Parkhurst get a look.
sayerville – what will whining about edgar castillo do for us now? subotic + rossi’d be nice, too, but we gotta move on man.
————timmy———-
-Hejduk–gooch-boca–Spector
-Deuce—-Bradley—-Torres-
——Donovan—Altidore—-
———-Ching————-
Meh…another Bradley/Chivas guy coming to camp. Hopefully his choke-chain is a bit tighter than Klejstan’s has been.
I really hope Torres gets the start. Sacha’s out of his element at this level.
I really think Beasley would be a terrible left back. He’s 5’3″ and weighs 80 lbs soaking wet, not exactly a physical presence. All he’d have going for him is the quicks, and are we in such bad shape that we just put a fast guy out there and hope for the best?
When Cherundalo is healthy, can we put Frankie on the left? He played there in the ’02 cup, no?
If only there was an American born-and-raised left back who was good enough to start for one of the better teams in the Americas like, say, Club America….
We have issues at:
1) LB
2) Both wings
3) Forward
4) CB depth
About the only spots I feel comfortable with are GK (Howard), one CM (Bradley), and our stable of RB’s (Dolo, Hejduk, Spector, Wynne, Simek). Everywhere else we need help, including the manager.
Is it my imagination, or does Guzan seem to rarely make the big save?
We need to start looking at new faces on the outside (Rogers, Rolfe, White, J. Johnson, Convey, Mapp, Arnaud, and maybe even Donovan). Dempsey is OK but not a big threat, and DMB looks past it. We need wingers who can scare people. I’m willing to try Donovan wide again.
CM is still a trouble spot. Who to partner with MB? Time to give Torres a look. He looked good there.
What I’d like to see:
———-Howard———
Hejduk–Gooch–Boca–Spector
—–Bradley—–Torres—–
Donovan—————-Adu
——Ching—Altidore——
Bench: Guzan, Bornstein, DeMerit, Mastroeni, Kljestan, Beasley, Dempsey.
What we will see:
———Howard———
Hejduk–Gooch–Boca–Spector
—–Bradley–Kljestan—-
Dempsey—Donovan—Beasley
———Ching————-
Bench: Guzan, Califf, Bornstein, Mastroeni, Torres, Edu, Altidore.
Really, 3 CM’s on the bench (like last game) should be a fireable offense.
Micheal Harrington is better than Bornstein…
IF Califf never again plays for the NATS in my lifetime I will die a happy man
LB sitch, overview – in rough depth order with (birth year)
A: Most Likely Options
———————–
1. Heath Pearce (84): incumbent; finally getting some time (at LM, not LB) for Rostock after prolonged benching; good speed, decent athleticism, natural left-sided player; varies from decent to shaky for US.
2. Jonathan Spector (86): Battled injuries, seeing time in various backline spots for West Ham when healthy; hasn’t appeared for US in 12 months due to injuries; good height, good composure on the ball, strong enough to hold his own in the EPL; could be used at LB, RB, or CB for US.
3. Jonathan Bornstein (84): BB’s pet project form 2007; spent 08 injured and/or playing all over the pitch for shaky ChivasUSA squad; versatile but not international skill level; showed good composure for a newbie in 07, but hasn’t done much to impress overall in US kit.
B: Possible Conversion Projects
———————————–
4. Carlos Bocanegra (79): incumbent CB under BB; regular starter as a stay-at-home LB for Rennes; on the pitch leader often given armband; demonstrated knack for scoring off set pieces; old-ish (30) with below average speed for an outside back; US fans seem strongly divide don his performance as a CB, but BB seems to have committed to him at that spot.
5. DaMarcus Beasley (82): incumbent LM; can’t get any meaningful minutes at Rangers; rumored to be transferring to Schalke in the summer; has generally been outstanding attacking presence for US from the LM spot, but recent form has been inconsistent; has speed and tackling ability to be an option at LB, but has virtually no experience in back for club or country.
6. Frankie Hejduk (74): Currently starting at RB with Cherundolo still recovering; has been a fill-in LB for US in the past; old (35), but still maintains excellent fitness; often criticized for poor technique, including off-target crosses and unintentionally comical stepovers; has assumed important ‘veteran leader’ role for US in the past 1-2 years; feisty (at times reckless) tackler, plays with emotion, can contribute to offense with overlapping runs.
7. Michael Orozco (86): regular started at CB for San Luis; experimented with playing LB for Olympic squad, with mixed results; only 1 senior team cap so far (at CB), so no indication as to whether BB views him as a LB prospect.
C: Mixed-Bag of MLS Prospects
——————————-
8. Chris Wingert (82): looked good playing both LB and RB for RSL last season; earned a camp invite and first cap from BB in Jan 09; not particularly fast, but good mix of tackling and crossing.
9. Michael Harrington (86): regular LB starter for KC; gets up and down and can provide some offensive sparks.
10. Ramiro Corrales (77): regular holding mid for SJ; has experience as a LB and got brief look from BB at LB in 08, but looked shaky.
D: Maybe Someday Youth Prospects
———————————-
11. Anthony Wallace (89): has been used in various backline and midfield spots in youth career; on second cycle with US U20 squad, where Rongen has recently slotted him in as a LB; stuck on FCD bench behind B. Wagner – what does that say?
12. Brek Shea (90): has played forward and midfield as well as in the back; natural left-sided player with good height and attacking flair; has barely gotten off bench for FCD despite internet hype.
13. Guiseppe Nazzanni (90): Italian-eligible developed by Bologna FC who has (for now) chosen to play in US youth system; left-sided player earned some initial hype with U20s but was left of qualifying roster, possibly due to discipline issues, or just to Rongen not thinking he’s that good.
I still feel it is a shame about Hahnemann not being the #2. To have performed so consistently in both Coca-Cola league and in the Premiership (behind not the greatest of defensive lines) and not even get a sniff at the #2 spot is a bit shocking.
Oh well, I’m not the coach and I’ll cheer for whoever is on the field.
Orozco is a much better CB. He’s not a LB naturally. He only plays there when necessary like the Olympics.
Beasley will get better. His situation at Rangers is improving.
Bornstein is there for cover.
I am entirely on board with those (WK, ThaDeuce) who prefer Orozco to Bornstein. Even though Bornstein started his MLS career as a left back, he remains a lightweight at that position.
After coming down a bit from Pearce’s non-performance on Saturday, I’ve been able to convince myself that was a temporary blip in a tough environment. I mean, he played okay against Argentina, didn’t he?
Not ever having seen Spector there, I would say that Bocanegra is the safest option we have at left back, but I would rather take a risk there than in the middle so he should stay where he is.
Finally, I remember in that same unforgettable Argentina game Hejduk making an appearance on the left. Maybe that’s the answer: move Hejduk to the left and put somebody more comfortable on the right than the left (like DeMerit or Spector) in Hejduk’s usual place.
Why does the US constantly try and manufacture offense from the left back when they simply don’t have it? Boca starts in Ligue 1 at left back for a top of the table team, not because of his “marauding runs up the left flank” but because he plays solid D.
Spector has great touch on his long passes and if you are going to waste a roster spot on Brian Ching you might as well have guys at the back who can accurately get him the ball.
I am starting to think that the US needs to worry less about attacking from the back and more about attacking from the front. Our offense is dull and not particularly creative. It has no flare and no one fears it. And for some reason we think that having a left back with some speed and semi-decent service is going to fix all that. Here’s a good back line:
Boca—-Demerit—-Gooch—-Spector
Is it the most offensive minded back line? No. But put Tim Howard behind it and see how many goals you give up.
I’m more concerned about LM that LB. Beasley was frightening. I’d like to see Ives config of Deuce on the left, LD on right, Chingy and Jozy up top.
Left back? Pearce. With Gooch back, Boca won’t be running around nervously. Things will be back. There’s obviously a big drop off from Gooch to everyone else. That messed the organization up big time. Bornstein is here for depth.
I wouldn’t be suprised if this was the plan all along.
two questions:
why are some people high on beasley as a left-back? isnt he a little small for that position?
doesn’t dempsey play on the left wing for fulham? why dont they have him switch flanks and call up rogers or lewis to play on the right?
Beasley was a force vs. Mexico so I wouldn’t put too much stock in the El Salvador game. The entire team had problems with their first touch and the entire team looked tentative for most of the game. Sure, bench Pearce because he is clearly struggling but don’t let one game dictate lineup preferences.
MBradley frankly looked awkward as hell vs. ES but I doubt we’re all for benching him, right? LD looked like crap too. Face it, it was a bad game anit’s still a road point. Don’t tinker too much.
Maybe Bornstein was called in because Gooch will still be hurt and Califf cannot get another call up…
Bornstein-Boca-Spector-Heyduk
Then again, a goochless back 4 could look like this too
Spector-Boca-Demeritt-Heyduk
aye yae yae, this is making my head hurt. It is hard to be USMNT fan 😉
The Deuce, keep posting(..you’re a pretty bright guy to be in rural Mississippi)…to answer your questions:
How good is Spector at right back? Good enough for RB to be considered his best position in the EPL.
How good is Spector at center back? This is his natural postion, accoring to him.
Can Spector really also be the best option for left back when its his 3rd position? EXACTLY (I’m with you)
Who is better at CB, Demeritt or Spector or Bocanegra? Perhaps Spector, though we haven’t seen it at the NATS level
Who is better at right back, Spector, Dolo, or Heyduk? I think that is an interesting order…
Who is the best LEFT BACK? Spector, Orozco, Bornstein, or Bocanegra? Reverse order, though I still rate Pearce over Bornstein…Orozco is a better CB than LB
From Barksdale: “I don’t know what we have coming in the youth ranks, but a left back better arrive fast.” …Anthony Wallace…keep an eye out for him.
Ives and SBI Mafia….I’ve got Boca rated almost as poorly as Califf and worse than Pearce. Boca was terrible, and when your 2 CB’s rate an average of 3 (2 for Califf 4 for Boca) …bad things happen
keep boca in the middle.
he and gooch have an understanding.
the mess ups in the middle were based on califf and boca’s positioning as a tandem.
also, what is the latest on cherundolo? i know he is coming back from injury, but if hedjuk stays in form, i would consider frankie out right and cherundolo on the left. cherundolo is more comfortable on the ball and will enable us to play out of the back instead of bypassing the midfield with long balls to ching.
for the next game i would go with spector out left. we don’t need a left footed player on the left. just a player that doesn’t suck.
also, kleistan needs to sit. his head is not in it right now. give torres a shot in the middle. his vision and confidence on the ball make him a player for the middle of the field not the outside.
one last thing. altidore, altidore, altidore.
Why all the heat of Sacha?? Yes, he had a poor game, but in general he has performed well for us, and for people here to throw him under the train is a bit hasty and ridiculous. Now Beasley…that’s another story. I know he had an injury, but he hasn’t been on form in over a year, and he really has to start to evaluate whether he is ready or willing to give his best to the NT. If not, Bradley needs to cut him loose.
As expected, Howard returning to the starting line-up, a goalie had to leave camp. I like Bornstein. I don’t know why Bradley doesn’t use him more.
Calif looked awful Saturday. Not just the hair cut, but his way of playing D.
Angel – suggestions for LB???