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Sizing up the USMNT Player Pool

Maurice Edu 2 (ISIphotos.com) 

Photo by ISIphotos.com

With a month to go before the U.S. men's national team convenes for its pre-World Cup training camp, we are down to a month to go for players to impress and earn invites to that camp, and a month for players to play themselves off the radar.

My recent Fox Soccer column took a closer look at the national team pool and discusses 20 players who fall into four different categories: those players on the rise, those on the decline, those who have fallen out of the running and those who are still holding on to slight hopes.

Give the piece a read and let me know which selections you agreed and/or disagreed with.

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Um, Rolfe is scoring goals? Really? He scored one this week, and so did Bedoya (both firsts of the seasons).

    As for his two performances, if you think they were mediocre you need to go back and watch the film.

    By the way, your last sentence said it all. Bedoya is a midfielder/forward? What games have you been watching?

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  2. You’re pretty much spot on with your analysis. I think Bedoya won’t get consideration unless Holden and Beasley are both injured, but besides that you may have hit the nails on the head.

    It’s a few weeks old, but here’s a different breakdown. Other than Ching’s injury and the Buddle/Gomez explosions, nothing’s really changed.

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  3. Sacha …alive????

    C’mon, didn’t you see him at the last big Tournament(Confed Cup)…he looked like a deer in the headlights.

    HE LOOKED TERRIFIED TO BE OUT THERE!

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  4. You Adu haters need to stop. You might be right in regards to not playing a whole lot but you can not take away the skill he has above anyone else on the roster (Even our number 1 Goal Keeper has said it.) He is not a starter now but you bring him in to change the game and create something during the last 10-15 minutes. Who else is going to do it? Sacha? Bornstein? they were used in the confed cup and they were deplorable.

    You need someone with skill and freddy has it. I hope Bradley does get him to WC even if its the 23rd spot. All he needs is to be given a chance and you will see the skill come on and take over. If he is needed, then use him if not, then he got the experience of being around a loud world cup that you can not duplicate anywhere else. Prepare for the future.

    If Bradley would have used Adu and Torres during the Confederation cup, they would have been better prepared but his desire to use his favorite players that do not possess the skills have limited their progress.

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  5. Even though the present USMNT has achieved some respectability in the world of soccer, and many of our best players have played or are playing on clubs in the best leagues in the world, I still can’t explain why I’m not as confident going into this World Cup as I was back in the days when we had,

    (in no particular order and off the top of my head)-

    Reyna, Wynalda, Max-Moore, Harkes, Cobi Jones, Mcbride, Ramos, Keller, Olsen, Pope, Balboa, Lalas, Agoos, Stewart, Armas, Lewis, Wolff, Hejduk, O’brien, Mastroeni etc. etc.

    (I know I’ve accidentally left off some of my other favorite players from this era, but you get the idea)

    Except for Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Howard, Davies, Bocanegra, and Beasley I’m a tad worried about our team.

    Then again… maybe this is where our new heroes will emerge.

    Let’s hope so!!!!

    GO USA!!!!!!!

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  6. Pele is is about 70 and is more skilled than Adu. The reason he doesn’t play anymore is because at his age, he can no longer run and is not strong anymore. Still, he ‘d be about as useful as that lazy little twit. Yes he’s doing better at Aris but compared to what? No production at Monaco? Litle production at Benfica. There is a long line of younger, more skilled, better , cheaper players than Adu just dying (almost literally) for half the chances he has had. I’ll shed no tears for the fool.

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  7. I was only kidding about Caligiuri. But between your assumptions and straw men, I am struggling to take you seriously. Ream has played in 3 professional games in his ENTIRE LIFE.

    I am not basing my opinion of Bedoya on the fact that he got a couple of caps. I have watched–through live streams–the Orebro games that he has played in and his national team games. There is a noticeable improvement in his performances over the course of his time with Orebro. His game against GAIS last week was very lively–he was the most dangerous player on the field.

    You made too many assumptions about my argument. I don’t claim that Bedoya should be selected because he has caps. I claim that he has gotten caps and should be selected because he is playing well, playing well consistently, and is maturing into a national-team-caliber player. His tactical awareness, technical ability, and ability to find the ball should make USMNT fans excited.

    I don’t call Bedoya’s success in this instance much greater than any MLS player’s success. Again, and please be clear: my point is that it is ludicrous to suggest that Tim Ream should be called up when he has played THREE GAMES IN HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER against the Fire, Sounders, and Chivas. There is simply no basis at all in your argument to suggest that he is prepared, at this moment, to compete with national team players (ours or other countries’).

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  8. Hey, what about Brad Davis as a midfielder off the bench?

    He’s got great skills… fantastic ball control…excellent free kicks… hustle… soccer savvy and awareness…leadership … can create tons of opportunities for scoring…he’s played for the USMNT before… he’s been a major factor and contributor on Championship teams in MLS…he’s still young and he has a vast amount of confidence.

    C’mon Coach Bradley…we can certainly use him.

    GO USA GO USA GO USA GO USA GO USA GO USA GO USA GO

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  9. Don’t get me wrong, I think both of them are studs, and I sincerely hope they are able to make it back in time, but I am starting to get pretty skeptical that that will happen. I haven’t read anything to suggest they won’t make it back, but I certainly haven’t seen much lately that’s given me cause to be overly hopeful. When Gooch is targeting a return for Milan? Even an appearance in a reserve match would be grounds for optimism at this point.

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  10. The starters will be the same team that beat Spain except Edu for Clark and assuming Daives can start. I doubt very much that the back of bench will be used at all, parituclarly on the back line, unless the third Group Stage game is meaningless or we pick up a typical red card. If Daives can’t start, Dempsey is the one who gets pushed up top and there is one question mark in midfield, which is relatively deep and is probably Holden’s to lose if he is healthy because he is a natural winger. I don’t see Bradley essentially relying on an unknown to pair with Jozy or, for lack of anyone else, Ching, who is extremely limited on a good day. Gomez, who should be at least on the bus with the team to the airport at this point, could be a well-used striker sub (though he must be given a shot up top with Jozy before SA). Torres, Feilheiber, and Bedoya will see time, and Bornstein might come on late for offense (not for defense) reasons because he is decent in the air. But that’s probably about it barring injury. Finally, I’d take Daives and use him as a sub as long as he can go 30 minutes.

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  11. how is it less likely that gooch and davies will be healthy? There ahve been no reports of setbacks, and by all accounts CD9 is a freak and should be back in w or 3 weeks. Gooch has gotten clearance from the surgeon and physios and will be back in training rather soon. I think its likely BOTH will make it with no problem

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  12. Obviously, Bornstein would be a no-brainer over Ream in the end. The other three, I hope, are just you clowning around. Ream wouldn’t be abused any more than a lot of these names being thrown around. I never said anything about him even going to the WC anyway–just defended his name in consideration for a role in camp along with other prospectives.

    Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard the whole Bedoya’s a different story chant. He’s got plenty of talent and upside but, again, you’re just basing everythign off of getting a few caps. As long as the circumstances are favorable, a lot of different players could possibly get a handleful of caps early on (Johnson, Pearce, Convey) That doesn’t mean he is entitled to that role going into the future.

    He chose not to enter the draft and other young players went into the MLS, so I see where it’s easier for you to call Bedoya’s early success in Sweden much greater than another MLS-based player’s at the same time. My argument is not with Bedoya’s skill or his ability to make the WC roster–know that. But I love how there is such a sense of entitlement with players who are young playing overseas. Look at our core of players. They all started here and played solid for the MLS before going to their Euro clubs. These things will all work themselves out soon enough, but it’s always better to have healthy competition with ANY and ALL players who are playing at a quality level. Honestly, who knows who the backups are and could be right now? Speculation.

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  13. Adu and Cunningham should be put on the dead list, while Dan Williams, Jermaine Jones, and Sacha Kljestan should still be alive…lets face it, BB will call Sacha into that 30, there is still very slight hope for Jones, and Williams could be called in as a wild card too

    I also think Jimmy Conrad ruined any hopes with the red earlier in the year

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  14. Wow. You’re right, he is 22. Let’s count the “big boy” games he has played in: 3. And before that, he was in the PDL. 3 GAMES??? And yes, I would take Heath Pearce, Jonathan Bornstein, Edgar Castillo, and, Paul Caligiuri before I took Tim Ream.

    Bedoya is a completely different story. He has played well in a couple of national team games and is proving to be very effective for his club team (over the span of a year and a half). You cannot compare the two players.

    @madmax: You are welcome to prefer skill and energy over experience, but Ream would be abused in the World Cup.

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  15. I’d like to see Gonzales and Gomez in the final 23 for SA, especially since it seems less and less likely by the day that CD9 and Gooch will be healthy in time.

    I’m sure I’ll get criticized for suggesting this, but why isn’t Daniel Williams’ name floated at least as a possibility? Ives mentioned in his article that beyond dolo and spector depth at RB is an issues. I’m not saying he should be an automatic inclusion in the final 23, but still, why no love for Williams?

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  16. Great post and very true. It is ridiculous how many people assume players never change, never develop, never slump, never rebound, etc. Grant Wahl’s article today on Adu mentions Ribery as a late bloomer. How many people in France gave up on him early in his career? The fact is that Sacha and Adu both have shown flashes of being very, very good. As a Nats fan, you should be hoping they find away to reach their peak and stay there, rather than decided today that they should never get looked at again

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  17. Bornstein is not about to make anyone forget Palo Maldini, but his shortcomings, while real, are routinely exaggerated in blogland and the internet boards.

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  18. “…beasley looked ok recently…”

    coach at Rangers disagrees with you, and keeps Beasley off the pitch more often than not.

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  19. Why does everyone keep saying that Edu is more valuable because he can play center back? The only way that would happen is if Onyewu, Boca, or DeMerit got a red card and Spector isnt playing. He would never start at center back or be subbed in there when we have 4 or 5 centerbacks (including Spector) who are better than him there.

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  20. He’s 22, not 14. He’s a big boy and holds it down in big boy games. Who are you to say that he’s not good enough to be in the discussion for our thinnest (and possible weakest) position. If we’re talking about in form players in Denmark, Sweden, Coca Cola CC, why not an in form player in MLS?

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  21. Don’t agree. If they along with Bedoya outperform the current back-ups at next two camps all four should be highly considered.

    I won’t list the back-ups who could be beaten, but it’s not hard to figure out.

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  22. “I hope that Freddy Adu, Sasha Kleistian, and US National Team are never mentioned in the same sentence again.” That’s a little harsh to say about a 20 year old. He has come on of late and put in back-to-back 90 minute performances. He may not be ready for SA but I still have faith that he will be a class player in the near future

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  23. i still don’t know much about bedoya but i would take beasley over him. beasley looked ok recently and has more experience. either one probably won’t play much.

    conrad can’t do it anymore, please leave him off the time.

    looks like there will be no jermaine jones on the team. i’m so disappointed about this. he would have been a difference maker. too bad…

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  24. Then you might as well throw in Marcus Tracy and Eric Lichaj. Mark it down here, Lichaj will be Aston Villa’s starting right back by September 2011.

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  25. Bedoya is listed because he is a hot player right now and in good form and deserves as much a chance at getting on the plane as the rest of them. I believe Bradley will bring him to SA. The reason we are having these debates are three fold, 1. a number of players have been injured 2. players have not anchored themselves as locks to make the team. 2. Another set of players do not fit with Bob Bradley’s or the teams style of play (see Gringo Torres).

    I could have included Eddie Johnson as a player who should be brought into camp and could make the squad but frankly I think he has had a number of opportunities and proven that he does not belong. I think everyone would love to see him return to form and build on his potential and become a threat for US. Unfortunately I do not see that happening for this cycle. I think I could say the same statements about a number of US players (Beasley, Klestjan, Clark, etc).

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  26. “I hope that Freddy Adu, Sasha Kleistian, and US National Team are never mentioned in the same sentence again…”

    I agree for this WC. The USA deserves better. However the myth persists that both are playing well enough for the MNT. It might happen.

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  27. Bornstein played as a left midfield and a forward in the waining moments of the Honduras (2-1) game, he played as a left midfield in the Spain towards the end, he played as a center back against Holland and El Salvador and as good enough with his right to play right back. I’d say that’s versatile. Bornstein’s speed, stamina, energy, and work rate are definitely things that come in handy when the USA needs to fill in a gap late in the game and get some help across the finish line. I’m not saying he should necesarilly start, but his versatility probably wins him a spot.

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  28. Bornstien can be versatile? what the hell is wrong with you? He’s eaten alive wherever he plays as soon as we leave the hemisphere.

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  29. Ives, drive a stake into 12 of those 20. They can comeback in another life. Wouldn’t mind seeing Cameron, Gonzales, and Ream in camp.

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  30. Buddle Bedoya and Gomez are all worthy of a look, but I’m not ready to give up on Beasely. If Hedjuk gets a call I’ll poop my pants with rage.

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  31. He’s been producing for Aris. He’s had some very nice goals and assists.

    I think the problem with Adu is work ethic, not “being in it for the money.” However, I think he may now be getting the point that there are PLENTY of good players in the world, and no coach has to play him if he’s not going to work and hustle. They have many other options.

    He’s been better since going to Aris, and let’s not forget that he is still one of the most skilled players on the ball in the MNT pool.

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  32. “I hope that Freddy Adu and Sacha Kljestan and U.S. National team are never metnioned in the same sentence again”

    Statements like this piss me OFF and I honestly don’t understand why anybody would say something this (in my opinion) Idiotic. How do you know the next time these guys are on a roster it will be a bad thing and they’ll be in bad form? Moreover, why would you want less players playing well when this national team has always been lacking depth? Statements like that are very personal, and whether you know it or not, reduce your credibility as a commenter. I’m not saying that Freddy and Sacha are playing well, I’m saying that assuming they never will is one of the less intelligent statements I’ve heard this decade, not just in application to those two players, but anybody that people use this kind of statement against.

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