Recently-signed Philadelphia Union defender Michael Orozco and Houston Dynamo striker Brian Ching were among the 23 players chosen for the upcoming training camp roster for the U.S. men's national team match vs. El Salvador in Tampa on Feb. 24.
The camp squad is made up entirely of MLS players, with the El Salvador match not being played on a FIFA date.
Here is the full training camp roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Troy Perkins (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)
DEFENDERS (7): Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Orozco (Philadelphia Union), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (4): Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
So what kind of starting lineup might we see from this group? Here's a potential starting XI:
———————–Ching————-Findley——————–
Pontius——————————————————-Rogers
——————–Beckerman———Kljestan———————
Bornstein———Gonzalez———-Marshall————–Alston
——————————-Perkins——————————–
————
Geoff Cameron is also a candidate to start, but would he start on the right flank or in central midfield (he won't play central defense). Heath Pearce is in camp again and could get a look at left back, but only if Bradley decides to give Bornstein an extended look in central defense.
Dax McCarty could get a start, which could potentially lead to Robbie Rogers moving over to the left wing and Kljestan sliding on to the right. I still think Kevin Alston is capable of starting if healthy. Marvell Wynne didn't exactly lock down a starting role after his match against Honduras.
At forward, Ching's return should mean a start for him if he's healthy and fit. I could see any combination of strikers but Ching-Casey. I'll give Findley the edge over Cunningham right now.
————
What do you think of the squad? Glad to see Orozco getting a look? Hoping Chris Pontius and Omar Gonzalez gets some minutes vs. El Salvador?
Share your thoughts below.
Not that it is really important, but Conrad is suspended for this one.
not sure I agree that Findley is better than Cunningham. as of the past few months i think Cunningham is a better option for the world cup if CD is still unavailable. in the near future Findley or Tracey fill that void but for now I want to see more of Cunningham.
Instead of using the “A, B, C” paradigm, I would call it the “MLS” national team, or “domestic league national team”
World beaters.
ya, any reason why Feihaber, Bedoya, Goodson or Tracey are not involved? is Denmark starting preseason soon?
(SBI-Scandinavian pre-season.)
Based on the players called in…(due to this being a Non-FIFA Date), and with the understanding that we’re looking for 2 things out of this match for 2010…
1) Forward Options (Replacement/Backup for CD)
Findley, has shown me more than Cunningham.
so I give him the start and majority of Min
Interested to see how Pontius does as a
Mid/forward option. Could really use the
versitility (Donovan/Dempsey like).
NO CASEY. Sick of seeing his lazy A$$ with
the Nats. would rather see Ching who at
least tries.
2) Depth at Center Back
Marshall & Gonzalez is what I hope to see.
I have High hopes for Gonzolez, but see
Cameron & maybe Orozco getting some time
as well.
Midfield really doesn’t matter, as I don’t see any of those listed above making an impact until the 2014 cycle. Therefore would give the nod to Davis, Gaven, Pontius, & Rogers. Sub Dax on in the 2nd with Sacha or Cameron if BB’s insistant on having him as a Mid instead of a CB.
Wing-Backs…Bornstein needs as much practice as he can get. So give JB the full 90. Give Alston a shot, along with Pearce. Wynne can’t cut it at the international level. Speed isn’t enough, so until he learns to control the ball, pass, cross, etc…he shouldn’t be called up any more.
That’s my 2 Cents….
Hmmm….interesting that Jermaine Jones is on there.
He actually did live in Chicago for a while as a kid (as well as Greenwood, MS).
I’d call this the C team…
I see that after his 2 yellow card performance Conrad was told to take a hike.
I really hope to see Alston in this one. I’ve had enough of Marvell Wynne.
Why the hell is Heath Pearce still getting call ups? I for one would like to see Sean Franklin back in the mix.
So no Danny Califf in the 23? I’m not really a fan, but kind of surprised. He’s not even on the USMNT player pool list for 2010. Interestingly, Jermaine Jones of Chicago is.
goddddamit
The only way I could stomach Ching playing a minute is if the rationale is to give Findley a vet that can provide some service.
I don’t understand the belief that Parkhurst is a good player.
But yes this is not a B team. More like a C team
Put Orozco at LB instead of Bornstein and I’d be happy. Give someone else a chance there.
I’m always a fan second tier teams and lads trying to make a mark for themselves….but I’m a bit too tired of being beat, and not seeing our full potential on the field. Almost all of these guys where at the January camp and the Honduras game. Therefore, some sort of chemistry should have stuck, I just hope they can have a positive game, and I mean collectively not just a few bright spots. Bring it on B Team USA, show us what you got!!!
Bring in Franklin at RB? He played CB for a season too. Just saying…
Davis made the whole difference in the 2nd half in the Honduras match, and we know how Orozco struggles at LB….I’d like to see
——–Ching—-Findley
Davis, McCarty, Beckerman, Rogers
Pearce—Orozco—Gonzles—–Alston
—–Perkins—–
sorry my bad, Mistake of name “Marvell Wynne”
It would be interesting to see Orozco, and I would not mind seeing Omar Gonzalez. Otherwise, we have seen this group and what they couldn’t do against Honduras!
This isn’t really a B team. I’m sure a true B team would include several people (Parkhurst, Holden, Guzan, Simek, etc) playing over seas.
I don’t get who keep putting Orozco on the Right when he played the middle for San Luis and played Left for the USA National Olympic Team. Stop been like MR BOB BRADLEY and stop looking for position that they never played before.. YES I Agree now that Orozco move to the MLS he is calling him UMMM!!!
Ching-Findley
Davis-Beckerman-Cameron-Rogers
Bornstein-Gonzalez-Marshall-Alston
Frankly, I’d rather see someone new get a chance at Bornstein’s spot too, as he is guaranteed a South Africa spot at this point. But I’m not sure who else really can play that position? Can Orozco play left back?
Wow! Only 3 players likely to be on the roster (Bornstein, Casey, and one of Cunningham, Findley or Ching). Those 3, Marshall, Davis and Rogers are 6 who still have a shot of at least a seat on the bench in S.A.
There is only one chance to see the first team before the final camp, (on Mar. 2 vs The Netherlands).
Between March and mid May, any games will be call-ups to look at players with marginal chances. But since MLS begins in April, there will likely be at most one game.
I hope some of the guys like Torres, Clark, Holden, Dempsey and Onweyu are all healthy enough for the Netherlands game (Dempsey and Onweyu seem unlikely).
This isn’t on a fifa date and MLS isn’t in season and Mexico is.. Maybe the only person who should be careful is you, take your i hate BB glasses off and actually think objectivly at the situation.
Surprised none is reporting this
I heard it this morning on Espn Deportes Radio
I’m totally with this — with the exception of Ching, who I still think has an outside shot of making the World Cup roster.
But Gonzalez and Alston should start, if healthy. And I’d much rather see Cameron than either Rogers or Kljestan again. Also Brad Davis was a bright spot against Honduras and deserves more time.
No Torres, He’s injured as well Add him to the long list of injured on the USMNT
I’d like to see Santino Quarranta get a look. Is he hurt?
Who is Wayne? If you mean Wynne I hope you’ve been in a coma for a few years…or, at least, since before the last match.
Conrad, Hartman, McDonald, Larentowicz, Feilhaber, Bedoya, Goodson, Tracy, and Braun.
he wouldnt of been there if goodson didnt have to leave
———–Ching————-Findley———-
Pontius———————————–Rogers
———-Beckerman———Evans————–
Pearce——Orozco——Gonzalez————Wayne
——————-Perkins——————–
Oh boy. I fear another embarrassment coming.
So, Orozco doesn’t get a look all the time while in Mexico but he moves to MLS and before even playing a game, gets invited to camp?
BB better be careful otherwise it will look suspiciously like he’s trying to get players to MLS.
I would much rather see Dax start with Beckerman in the middle.
I think Davis deserves to start this match, Ching does not. While neither have a future with the national team, at least Davis looks like he could contribute something in South Africa, crosses from the left and set piece ability. I really can’t fathom a Ching spot on the plane.
Also, Klejstan will provide great instability in the midfield, causing Beckerman to overheat, and it will be another rout. Better to use one of the more workmanlike options.
Hope Gonzalez shows better than his counter part.
Ditto
What I would like to see:
—-Ching/Cunningham—–Findley——-
Davis—Beckerman–SK—-Rogers
Bronstien–Marshall-Cameron–Orozco
———Perkins——–
don’t spazz out – this is just a chance for Bob to see some potential players and figure out (A) bench seats #20-23 for South Africa, and (B) who gets pulled into the camps after the World Cup when we start prepping for the next Gold Cup.
Another US injury
Jose Francisco Torres has a slight hamstring tear out at least two weeks.
Interesting that Cameron is on the list. One local sports radio show they had an interview with Brad Davis the friday after the Hondurus match. They asked about Cameron not playing and he hinted that Bradley wants him on the right (either MF or RB) but he was trying to get time at CB and illuded to the fact that Cameron thinks his best chance to impact the game is at CB and was a little down that he did not get a shot to play the position in camp. I know he is listed as a MF here but with 4 fullback and only two true CB I hope he gets a chance to show what he can do there. I know many think CB is not in his future but I think he is a great option there and brings alot to the table at that position.
Is this the last trial friendly I hope. Do we go on to trying to put together our best squad after this?
I can see everyone freaking out about the Kljestan inclusion, possibly Wynne and Thornton too.
The Wynne and Thornton invites don’t bother me so much, as long as they don’t start. Wynne needs to learn how to play at the international level, and these camps are ideal for that – again I don’t think he should start, we know he isn’t ready for this level. Thornton is there as a veteran presence, which doesn’t bother me.
As for Kljestan, he has experience and ability, but his game has regressed a lot in the past year (since the Celtic FC move fell through). I don’t want to see him start, we know how inconsistent he is at this level.
As for the other picks, I don’t mind them, remember we are just trying to find the last few bench spots for the final 23 and one (or two) more forwards.
who was left off the roster from last camp besides Conrad? Is Conrad allowed to play?
I hope Omar at least gets a chance to get on the field.
Let’s see what the new guys can do. We’ve seen what the others got in the game vs Honduras. About that, since I don’t have anything good to say, I won’t say anything at all.
Pretty terrible team. The drop off from the A team to this team is terrifying.
Strange roster to build a team from… I do want to see Pontius, but maybe up top with a speedy strike partner. His passing is good, but better in close then from the wing.
Hopefully Alston will finally get some action.
It’s definitely cool to see (Philadelphia Union) next to someone’s name. Hopefully Orozco can impress.