Photo by ISIphotos.com
U.S. men's national team midfielder Jose Francisco Torres will not play in Wednesday's friendly against Demmark after he was excused from the U.S. team's camp for personal reasons.
Torres was one of four new players called in to the U.S. camp ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Denmark, but now just Edgar Castillo, Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark are new additions to a camp that also saw Clint Dempsey, Steve Cherundolo and Chad Marshall leave camp.
The U.S. team faces Denmark on Wednesday (2:30pm, ESPN Classic, will switch to ESPN2 after Greece-Ukraine World Cup playoff).
why isn’t Jermaine Jones showing up?
On SBI comments like that particular one are often completely serious. Which should tell you something about the people who make them.
jimmygreaves, get a hold of yourself, it’s humor, facts not required
agreed with all but a terrible touch and lead foot
Bradley may have told him all kinds of things.
Do you have any facts?
If you don’t then you’ll just have to takes Torres’ word, and it is Torres who turned down the invite, that he has personal reasons which could include any number of things from a death in the family, to a legal matter to maybe he Danish food.
Can you imagine that?
I hope this doesn’t turn to another Danny Califf. He was excused during the Confed Cup and is never heard from again. I don’t even think he’s getting minutes at his club team.
Didn’t we go over this like a million times? Torres said he was tired, and that’s why he didn’t play. He would have been a liability.
Bradley may have told him that he was Kljestan’s back-up.
I agree with those above:
Torres is excellent. He brings qualities we desperately need: Vision; the ability to work in tight quarters; the ability to maintain possession. He’s an excellent passer.
The fact that Bob Bradley has not given him more time is a crying shame.
Sasha Kljestan over Torres in South Africa this past summer? I was speechless at the time. I still think that decision tells us much of what we need to know about our current manager.
Ideally, we’d see Jermaine Jones sitting as a shield with Bradley as a central midfielder, Torres tucked in on the left and Donovan on the right. Leaving Dempsey free to push forwards in a more attacking role and Altidore as an out and out striker.
Spector has to start somewhere. It may be that the best set-up would have him either in the center or on the left with Cherundolo on the right.
Let’s see what Edgar Castillo brings on Wednesday…
Thanks for that. I think it’s the same clip Jen Chang hyperlinked on a blog once. Sure it’s only League One. But do we really have ANY other players that seem capable of pulling those stunts? Maybe Donovan, (maaaaybe Cunningham)… but other than that, I don’t think so.
or maybe it wouldnt make sense if he’s not good enough.
My guess is that he was informed he’d get the same amount of minutes as he usually does for Bradley – bupkis – and said screw it, I could use the time off instead of wasting time on the pine halfway around the world.
In response to your Jemal Johnson comment, see this video for proof: http://watchsocceronline.blogspot.com/2009/02/jemal-johnson-highlights-must-see.html
I was at the Fire/RSL match Saturday and saw Findley play for the first time live. Even though he didn’t finish any chances, he certainly showed he was a step above the competition (even if it was the depleted Fire back line). He’s certainly got the speed to take up that spot opposite Jozy and wouldn’t be surprised to see him take his game to the next level with some superior teammates…
Would really like to know the full story about Torres.
I’ve noticed that Pachuca is also reluctant to give him a full 90 minutes. With Pachuca I understand why, because they have a few other players who have somewhat similar skill levels. With the US on the other hand, he’s the only midfielder we have with that combination of vision, close ball control, decision making ability, range of passing…. I could go on.
I thought he looked VERY good when he came on in the second half against Costa Rica.
Would really just like to know more.
The media wants to make Altidore our up and coming superstar, but for me (and I think a lot of fans) the real hero in waiting is Torres.
Would really be happy with the following for the next friendly (after Denmark):
Spector–Demerit–Boca–Castillo(if he pans out)
———-Bradley/Jones————–
Dempsey——-JFT———-Donovan
———Jozy—–EJ/Cunningham/Findley
ps What the heck happened with Jemal Johnson from MK Dons? I know he’s mostly a winger, but he looks fast as heck–and he’s got a rocket of a shot with both feet.
I agree. He’s gotten enough minutes to warrant a call-up. It’s not like he’s going to cost them airfare!
Guys, what if Jose just didn’t want to risk getting hurt in what is ultimately a meaningless game? This is a good chance to take a look at what Castillo could bring to the National set-up, but I wonder why we didn’t just wait until January and give the guys a week off.
I’ve probably just got the yips, but I don’t want to see anyone go down like Van Persie playing in a game that really means nothing. Maybe Jose took that into account, knows Bradley knows what he can bring to the table, and decided to sit this one out.
Why no Jeremiah White. It’s his club stadium. would make sense to include him. More Bradley zzzz’s.
he’s in the background.
Hmmm wonder why
Ehhh I don’t recall seeing JFT in that video at all
“he is better skilled with the ball than Benny”
No. I don’t mind McCarty, but Feilhaber is up there for best touch on the team.
Damn. I really wanted to see him get some good time. Ives, we need the scoop on this one…
good grief…another 90 minutes of Benny Fail-haber
Benny has soo much potential but he cant step it up another gear with the Nats…its sad.
I would rather see Dax in the CM role..that kid plays with balls…and he is better skilled with the ball than Benny. he is money.
craps!
since demark is a better offensive team i wouldnt be surpised if we see clark start with bradley in the middle
benny–bradley-clark—holden-
dman, I’d have to look back at all the youtube clips, but I remember seeing him in the background, in the bowels of crew stadium, staying out of it.
good for mike bradley
that sucks
never realized jft in the video… where is he? Kinda intrigued to see him.
Torres has played non-stop for 2 years now so I can only assume he opted out for rest and recuperation. If this is indeed the case; he’s a smart man. I’m sure he consulted with the Bradley and staff. When need all of our players fresh going into the WC. I’d rather JFT take this time for himself than have him break down next Spring (affecting form) or heaven forbid next summer.
Bradley should call up Jeremiah White for this game. come on, their playing at the home stadium for him. and his club teammate Benny is going to play.
I just hope his family is OK. We’ve had enough tragedy around the national team lately to last us for years.
This guy seems like a good kid. I remember the look on his face after that Mexico assistant slapped Hejduk and they got into it. It seems this kid is really humble but confident at the same time.
Why has he not gotten more chances then? I think it is exactly what Bob Bradley says, that he is young and that he wants to work him in at the right pace. Might be more Boring Bob, but I have no reason to believe it’s not entirely the truth.
Theres always a logical reason that makes sense in hind-sight. Relax, he did come out of the game on Saturday at half-time. He may have picked up a knock, or maybe he is settling on the romoured european move. Could be lots of things.
The 18 we got will take us to Denmark, play farily well and tie or lose with little finishing ability, little creativity and we’ll have to remember that the creative players are at home.
uhh Mexico’s in season in January right?
Dang. That sucks. He’s good.
What is it with this guy, first the Gold Cup ..now this..
I hope it’s not serious. Hopefully he gets more of a look in January so that this doesn’t hurt him MNT wise.
are his “personal problems” part of the reason he doesn’t get minutes?
i hope nothing bad happened family-wise.
People are definitely bound to complain about this. He may not get as much playing time as the fans would like him to, but it should speak volumes that we see him in the squad alongside our other regulars consistently. Let the guy take care of what he needs to take care, and he’ll be back in the squad the next time around.
Was this the official press release, that he was excused? That makes it sound like a bust up. Hopefully this was fatigue related.
Any reason on this Ives?