Photo by ISIphotos.com
U.S. national team fans shed tears and let out screams after the USA's loss to Ghana last weekend, but for some, the thoughts turned quickly to 2014 and what they might have to look forward too.
So what might the U.S. national team look like in 2014? It should be a stronger attacking side than in 2010, with many of the key players expected to return. There are major question marks in defense, and there continues to be uncertainty about the forward position, but there is no denying that the American talent pool is deeper than it has ever been, and the number of young prospects emerging seems to grow by the day.
Here is the 23-man squad I can see the United States taking to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, along with a look at all the positions in question, with players to watch for:
SBI's Projected USA World Cup Roster for 2014
GOALKEEPER– Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Chris Seitz
DEFENDERS– Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Jonathan Bornstein, Tim Ream, Omar Gonzalez, Ike Opara, Kevin Alston, Kofi Sarkodie
MIDFIELDERS– Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, Alejandro Bedoya, Sacha Kljestan
FORWARDS– Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies, Yura Movsisyan
Some thoughts on some of the picks:
There are a total of 10 players on this squad who weren't on the 2010 team. That might not seem like enough turnover, but the 2010 was a young team, especially in midfield.
Here are some player thoughts:
Seitz- Okay, the memories of his awful start to the season are still fresh, but he's now starting to show the qualities that made him a "Goalkeeper of the Future" label wearer since he came into MLS. The pipeline for goalkeeping prospects has dried up and Seitz is young and playing games.
Sarkodie- He's an exciting fullback who can overlap well and deliver dangerous crosses. He'll be in MLS by 2011 and is one of the most exciting college prospects around. Yes, he's our long-shot young player on the squad.
Ream/Opara/Gonzalez- All three are quality prospects, and while Gonzalez is arguably the best pro right now, both Ream and Opara have more upside for the international game. Ream's technical skills are unmatched in the pool and Opara is a freak athlete who should have no trouble adjusting to the challenges of the international game.
Kljestan- He's skillful and desperately needed a move away from Chivas USA to maximize his ability. Anderlecht is a respected European club where Kljestan's skills can be honed.
Movsisyan- Much like Herculez Gomez, Movsisyan went from top goal-scorer, to ice cold, to out of MLS, to succeeding in a foreign league. He's young and should only get better with time. He's not an American citizen yet, but he's in the process of securing citizenship.
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Here is a closer look at the positions in the pool:
GOALKEEPERS
Tim Howard will be the starter. Don't buy the retirement talk. He will be there in Brazil in 2014.
Don't forget about– Dominic Cervi. He's been on the bench in Europe for two years, but if he could get some steady playing time over the next four years, he could push his way into the conversation.
Long-Term Prospect– Bill Hamid. He might be too young, but there's no denying he's the best young goalkeeping prospect in the league.
CENTRAL DEFENDERS
Will Oguchi Onyewu still be around in 2014? My money is on him being around. If not, it will be interesting to see who the United States turns to for some veteran leadership at centerback. Clarence Goodson could still be in the mix, and has really improved, but it's tough to picture him not being slower in four years when he really didn't have a step to lose. Chad Marshall is someone who can't be forgotten, but he needs to stay healthy and show he can dominate the way he did in 2008 before he's considered a strong option for 2014.
Don't forget about– Geoff Cameron. No, Dom Kinnear is probably not going to play Cameron at centerback in 2011, but there's no denying Cameron looked great there in 2010. If Cameron can move to Europe and play central defense, he could definitely be in the mix for the national team.
Long-Term Prospect– Gale Agbossoumonde. Currently at Portuguese power Sporting Braga, Agbossoumonde is likely a long-shot for 2014, but it's exciting to consider a centerback with his physical tools moving to an established European club at age 18.
FULLBACKS
Left back remains an area where depth isn't a luxury. There are several quality right back prospects, which makes you wonder whether Spector will make a permanent move to left back on the national team (assuming he's not moved to central defense). If someone like Alston could make the move to left back, things would clear up quite a bit. And no, I didn't forget about Edgar Castillo. He's a glorified winger playing fullback who rivals Freddy Adu for club instability. Once he settles down, matures, and shows he can defend, he'll definitely be on the radar.
Don't forget about– Sean Franklin. The Los Angeles Galaxy fullback is fast and has shown improved technical ability. Playing for Bruce Arena can only help him and he should push Kevin Alston for best young American fullback honors (if Kofi Sarkodie doesn't steal the crown).
Long-Term Prospect– Eric Lichaj. He's just 21, is paying his dues in England and very well could play his way onto the 2014 roster. Sarkodie fits in this category, but he made our 23.
WING MIDFIELDERS
The top of the pool is pretty strong with Donovan and Dempsey likely to be around and Bedoya and Holden also in the mix. Robbie Rogers is another popular name, but he needs to work on his game to be seriously considered for this squad.
Don't forget about– Bobby Convey. Remember him? The guy who played a role in 2006 at age 23? He'll be 31 in 2014 and is enjoying a standout season for the San Jose Earthquakes. If he can stay healthy and continue playing well, he'd give the national team pool one of its few natural wing options.
Long-Term Prospect– Brek Shea. Whether he develops into a forward, or continues to be a marauding winger, Shea has loads of talent and potential. He's still just 20, but is starting to really blossom with FC Dallas.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
There is no Mesut Ozil on the horizon, at least not one that we've seen emerge yet, but there are plenty of talented young players with upside. Will any unseat veterans like Bradley and Edu? That's tough to project at this point. The chances of that happening in 2018 seem more likely.
Don't forget about– Freddy Adu. He's just 21, and is still one of the most skilled players in the American pool, but his club situation remains unsettled as he looks to be on the way out at Greek club Aris FC. Seems crazy to think we could "forget" about a 21-year-old, but at this point it's tough to project him onto the 2014 team until he settles at a club and establishes some longevity and success.
Long-Term Prospect– Charlie Renken. The prodigal playmaker fell off the radar after being sidelined by knee surgery, but there has been raving about Renken for some time. If he can stay healthy, and find some playing time sooner rather than later, he just might be able to crack the roster. Luis Gil and Sebastian Lletget are others in this category, as is Mikkel Diskerud. One intriguing player is Tony Tchani, who could develop into a difference-maker. He still needs to secure his citizenship though, assuming he wants to play for the United States.
FORWARDS
Charlie Davies needs to come back and be the old Davies for this position to look much better than it does right now. There are a lot of question marks here. Can Marcus Tracy stay healthy? Will Mike Grella continue to develop? Will Yura Movsisyan get his citizenship and keep scoring goals in Europe? It's tough to envision Dempsey not making a permanent move to forward by 2014.
Don't forget about– Chris Pontius. The D.C. United striker hasn't had the best sophomore campaign, but the tools are there for him to develop into a quality striker. Marcus Tracy is also a player to consider as long as he can overcome his lingering knee injuries.
Long-Term Prospect– Tristan Bowen. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker is just beginning his pro career, but he's already showing some impressive characteristics and could be part of the youth movement in 2014. He isn't alone though, with Juan Agudelo, Jack McInerney and Joseph Gyau also on the radar as potential stars of the future.
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What do you think about the above 23-man roster? Which player do you like seeing on the team? Which player do you think was the most glaring omission?
Share your thoughts below.
Howard/Guzan
spector-gooch-gonzalez-alston
dempsey-bradley-edu-donovan
altidore-davies
We’ll see how torres, feilhaber,holden, and edu develop and if dempsey and donovan can still perform.
Spector should be better and hopefully in form next time but we’ll need him on the left because were weak there. Hopefully davies can reach a high level again. Overall, we wont be among the elite quite yet but we’ll be a good teams that is expected to advance no matter which group were in barring we aren’t put in the group of death.
You’re crazy, Ream’s technical abilities are something that U.S. center backs have been lacking for a long time. He has some height and can win head balls, not to mention driving 60 yard balls onto teammates feet. He is only going to improve over the next four years
if Yura Movsisyan is an eligable American, and B Bradley didn’t use him over the scoreless/useless Altidore, then it is really time for Brad to go away.
I thought Movs was Russian or Ukranian or something… Leaving Beckerman and Movsisyan of the team and starting Clarke… Bye Bye Bob. We’ll keep your son though, good work there mate. Why not start Dempsey and Movs up front with Donovan playing linker off center? With Bradley, Beckerman (or Edu) and Specktor in the mid? Come on Brad, you are supposed to be smart mate! You lost this world cup on your own. Live with that…Time to pay the piper!
IT’s Time for the Jorgen Klinsmen era to shine. Gonzales and Alliston will be key to our new D. Hope Gooch can be there and fit. Oh, why didn’t brad use Goodson in C-Deffence? WTF???
no buddle? he’s too old?
Sooooooooooooooooooo Wrong. your are off base mate. He is a midget of a talent.
cruz sucks on the ball. no where near as technically gifted technically as his teamates Davis, Mullan or even ashe for that matter.
Stefan Jerome and Joseph Gyau. Are these two too young and more suited for 2018? After watching Ghana I’m thinking youth is a good thing as long as some vets like Landon, Clint, Michael and Tim are mixed in. Germany is young, too. I like Ives’ roster but I feel it’s just a bit too MLS caliber, meaning not quite what it takes to compete at a World Cup semis level. I mean, Findlay? Gomez? Eddie Johnson? That’s like putting in Arena Football players against the Indianapolis Colts. And Sarkodie is like 5’9″ 160#. He’d be knocked around like a pinball against most good teams. I like Sacha, Alejandro, Ike and it is imperative for Jozy to improve and Charlie to heal 100%. Mix Youth with Experience. Aim high. Swing for the fences. MLS is currently too low, imo. Jurgen Klinsmann changed soccer in Germany. Perhaps he can do that for USA. Perhaps not. Who knows? I’m okay with Bob Bradley. But the talent is there. Young guys like Gabe will be ready in four years. Whoever the coach is, he needs to bring in new blood and give them a chance. Defenders who would knock over Gyan before letting him go free. Etc.
Is that picture really of Ives? He looks like he’s about 58 years old.
Would be nice to get some more speed in the back, and Mo is pretty fast, though not blazing.
Ives
You have too many guys from 2010.
Where are Rongen’s picks for the under twenties? He has something like 10 players from pro club teams (most from Mexico)
Most will be in the 23-24 year old age bracket by 2014. some should make it.
Great stuff, Ives. Can we do this every week?
Would love to see renken, lleget, diskerud all vie for 2014 spots. i think in the next three-four years one of these three will develop and be a better option then edu.
hopefully adu gets it together. and davies gets back to his old form before developing even more.
very intriguing prospects at midfield and forward.
defenders, not so much, hopefully lichaj becomes something.
I know Findley is a popular scapegoat, but I really don’t think you can write him off for 2014. He is young and still has TONS of potential plus lots of pace.
I love the World cup but I hate the feeling afterwards because I gotta wait another four years for excitement.
Relive it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXbgfW4b3Tw
Friedel and Keller both retired @ 35+ though. That is when any player needs to limit number of matches. Howard isn’t at that age. There’s no reason at all he can’t play another WC other than his own wishes. And though managers don’t want players sent out for meaningless matches, Moyes is not going to complain about the US#1 playing in qualifiers in 2 years.
I think that you have to add a player like Chad Barret to the mix… he is strong has some pace and could have a break out year. He was suffering from injury early on this season and is looking like he is finding his step… look at him to make a strong finish to this season and continue that into next season.
Amobi Okugo should be on this list as well… at just 18 years old he is strong fast and has loads of skill. He is from my home town and I have played against this kid, crazy good.
Danny Cruz with the Dynamo needs to be in the conversation as well. He has lightening pace and good skill. He is scoring goals and pushing defenders already and he is only 20.
With the MLS competition getting noticeably better each year, the US player pool looks like it will be the deepest pool yet. It is an exciting time to be a US fan.
http://blog.pennlive.com/upper90/2010/06/jack_mcinerney_and_nick_zimmer.html
Union has loaned players to Harrisburg all year, just don’t hear about it because we don’t a good Union beat reporter
What about Andy Najar? he’ll be 21 by the time ’14 rolls around…
Bradley is not the reason Adu did not make the cut. Adu did not get any playing time with his teams in Portugal (2 teams) and France (1 team) and did not look sharp when called to the national team. He played sporadically with Aris and is on the way out of their. He has skills, but he also has some flaws in his game. The best thing he could do now is to start getting regular time in a second or third tier league in Europe and start building his confidence. He has plenty of talent, but the only way he can improve is by getting regular playing time for his club team.
The kid hustles and works hard, but in terms of sheer ability? He’s not a bone-crunching tackler, nor is he a playmaker. Let’s not kid ourselves: Bradley is an average player who works hard. There’s no shame in that, but he’s hardly the type of player you build a midfield around.
If Michael Bradley’s our most talented player four years from now, we’re in trouble.
What? Did you ever watch Yura play? Findley is twice the striker Yura is (who pulled RSL through the playoffs last year? Hint: it wasn’t Yura). Yura’s finishing is terrible, he has the aim of a blind man. In addition, he has ONE move. It tends to work against lesser opponents, but against world class defenders (and even oftentimes against good MLS defenders!) it doesn’t. And saying he’s as fast as Robbie, that doesn’t even merit a true response. RSL is better off without him and unless he gets a “Pele implant” while in Europe, the USMNT is better off without him as well.
I think Edu moves to central defense by 2014 for the National team.
Just my opinion.
A better CB because his lack of pace? speed kills and GYAN tore us up because we couldnt match his speed and strength
Great rates available on life insurance
Does anyone else think that the best position for Cameron and Shea is CB and that they would be a great pair in 2014 if their clubs move them this season? Am I crazy?
What about prospect of Yevgeni Starikov, who has been playing for Zenit St. Petersburg, and Vincenzo Bernardo, who was signed on with Napoli?
Surely you must be a 200 pound chimpanzee who learned to type.
More thoughts: Clearly our best player in 2014 will undoubtedly be Michael Bradley. He was the most consistent player in South Africa and is only 22. We need to build our midfield around him. We desperately need a hard-working defensive midfielder like Jermaine Jones minus 4 years and a busted leg.
Gonzalez will be IN the Gold Cup. Hopefully…
Marvell Wynne?
Isn’t it awesome that some of these guys are in the MLS. We wouldn’t even have some of these guys without the MLS. Props to the MLS for grooming potential USMNT players.
Agreed.
Also, I believe Adu’s loan with Aris was for a year and half, keeping him there for the entire 2010/2011 season. that’s why there was some delay in the official announcement of the deal.
Ives, has there been a change to that agreement?
I think one player that is going to be there fiting for a position is Da Luz… he is good.. unfortunately he has been out injured..
31? I highly doubt that.
I’m a big fan of Edu and Bradley, but in the end they are both defensive midfielders. It’s true that one of them may develop over the next four years into a player that can better control possession and lead the attack, but as it stands, we need a playmaker in the middle. This time around are D was so shaky that we needed two defensive mids in at the same time, but to progress further, we need a more dynamic midfield duo than Bradley and Edu. If no better striking options emerges, the team should start exploring ways to play five across the middle and capitalize on our strength.
Bowen is a carbon copy Buddle and Pontius is an excellent striker of the ball
I wish that were the case for Fabian Johnson, but maybe he is a future Jermaine Jones, maybe he wont make the decision right away
He is a possibility but to say he is very likely to be in the mix for 2014 is just a little much yet. What I meant was that he should be in the watch list and not on the 23. Should have clarified that.
our defense is fine, if you really look at all the talent that will be available in 2 years, we are good….btw, Bocanegra will still be used alot this cycle, much like Hejduk this last
If Spector is our best hope at that spot for 2014, then Lichaj will have every reason to make the final 23, if not start.
If we played a 4-4-2 diamond, Adu would do well in that system. At the U20s, he shined in the withdrawn forward spot directing traffic in the midfield. You could use Michael Bradley or Gringo Torres in the D-mid spot.
But alas, we don’t play that style of 4-4-2 because we still have a Euro-centric view of the game. Bradley has said in numerous interviews that he admired Italian tactics of defense first, offense 2nd.
It worked well for us.
You are sleeping on Mike Parkhurst…when have you really seen him play poorly?? He will make the next World Cup team is a starter
teams use the inside out wingers, but I haven’t heard of too many using inside out backs.
As you saw Charlie, we missed you. Get better soon!
sal to the zizzo
no love at all yet in the comments? i’d put him on top of the diamond (or maybe trapezoid) in midfield, especially if dempsey stays out wide.
Inevitably there will be names on the roster in 4 years we never foresaw, even if we are familiar with the names now.
It is his blog and he can do what he wants, that is true, but he reacts to any criticism or strongly worded point by childish put downs and sarcastic, caustic remarks.
Clearly some people here try to cause trouble, but most of us are here for serious soccer talk. Just take it easy.
He can do whatever he wants, it’s his blog ya know. Compared to a lot of sports blogs, he’s more than patient with the lot of you thsn I would be.
Ives, do you think Luis Gil’s realistic outlook is the 2018 Cup? Goes nearly without saying that he has a long way to go, but that the tools are there.
47 months from the next WC, this list is the best around.