By IVES GALARCEP
As expected, Jurgen Klinsmann has called in a roster made up almost exclusively of non-MLS players for Wednesday’s friendly vs. Bosnia Herzegovina. A few top veterans will be missing the match, but some intriguing new faces will be making their first appearances in a USMNT camp.
Neither Clint Dempsey or Landon Donovan have been called in for the match on Wednesday in Sarajevo, but there is still plenty of firepower on the squad, with Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Tim Howard leading the veteran contingent selected for the match.
Young German-American centerback John Anthony Brooks and Aron Johannsson are among the new faces who will be attending their first USMNT camp, along with U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team goalkeeper Cody Cropper and German-based forward Bobby Wood.
Here is the full USMNT squad that will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday (as well as Klinsmann’s thoughts on the call-ups as well as Dempsey’s move to MLS):
USMNT ROSTER vs. BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA
GOALKEEPERS: Cody Cropper (Southampton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS: John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Michael Orozco Fiscal (Puebla), Michael Parkhurst (Augsburg), Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers)
MIDFIELDERS: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Roma), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Danny Williams (Reading)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich)
———
Klinsmann offered his thoughts on several of the call-ups, as well as Clint Dempsey’s return to MLS:
On Johannsson:
“We are very excited to have Aron with us. It’s a similar conversation that we have with all our dual-citizenship players. They have to make up their mind and they have to make their own decision. We can only hope they go toward the United States. Aron has made that big, big step which is huge for us because he’s one of the up and coming promising strikers in Europe. He played really, really well in Denmark before he moved to AK Alkmaar, Jozy Altidore’s old club, and is scoring goals there so we’re really thrilled he chose to join us and to have him in our group. We just want to integrate Aron and make him feel comfortable, make him feel at home with us. Once he’s comfortable and eligible and all the FIFA stuff is done, then we want to see him in real games and see if he can connect with something special to our game.”
On Brooks:
“Having John Anthony Brooks is another exciting move that we can feel proud about in a certain way. Having followed him over the years now, we always are in touch with his club and coaches and it’s easy to see John is a very special talent growing through the Bundesliga ranks. He’s a center back with wonderful vision of the game, very decisive in one-on-one situations and very mature for his age. He was already with us one and half years ago in a U-20 camp we had, so we followed him and he’s breaking through in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin. Similar to Aron, we want to have him get integrated into the group and get to know his new buddies and to feel comfortable with us. I think our group is a wonderful bunch of guys that make you feel comfortable from the first second you join them. And of course we’re curious from a coaching perspective to see what he can add to our team, how he’s taking things in during training and possibly in the game against Bosnia. It’s another element we can add and we’re very happy about that.”
On Dempsey’s move to MLS:
It’s been a huge week. Having Clint back in the United States and joining MLS is big and I think everyone in the U.S. is excited about the news. I am thrilled for MLS because you have an outstanding player now hopefully filling more stadiums and getting even more kids and people excited about the game. For Clint it’s a challenge, coming from one of the top leagues in the world, coming back to the U.S. and being back in MLS where we still have to work on a lot of things. Clint himself has set the highest benchmark for himself over the last year. He became our captain and he has to keep that benchmark and he knows that. I told him that over the last two years that he’s got to go for the next level. Obviously we want the best Clint Dempsey ever and that’s what we’re going to push him toward as we begin to look toward Brazil. He has set a high standard for himself, and it’s up to us coaches to make sure he keeps that high standard.”
On leaving most MLS players off this roster:
“For the most part we wanted to leave the MLS players behind because it’s a long way to go for a mid-week game in the heart of the season and many of them were with us a lot during the summer. This gives us a chance to look at some different players as well. At the same time, we still want a strong team so we have some guys from MLS and also from Liga MX. I told (Sounders head coach) Sigi Schmid that it’s no problem to leave Clint off this roster. It’s been a long week for Clint and he is still in preseason and getting a rhythm, so we leave him in Seattle and get him ready for the games in September.”
—————–
What do you think of the roster? Who are you surprised to not see make the cut?
Share your thoughts below.
Lichaj is a good player, but guys, get real 2 starts on a Championship side (it is not the EPL, Bundesliga, Serie A, or for that probably not any better than any number of professional leagues) does not mean he is a definite “must pick” for the USMNT. He appeared in just under half of Villa’s games last season. I just don’t see how that makes him any better choice than others unless he has also impressed in those appearances (and I think in truth, it takes more than a few games to fully evaluate a defender since the quality of the attack he must defend will have a very big impact on that evaluation and because so much of how a defender’s worth is evaluated is his mistakes, which one expects are fairly rare, rather than by his positives.)
Well then it begs the question? Why does Parkhurst get a pass on not getting games, hell even games when he dresses there’s very few of them.So even if the Bundesliga and Augsburg are Better than the Championship and Nottingham Forest, Michael isn’t playing and I think out doesn’t take much to make the argument that Lichaj is,better and,played in a betfer league than Evans. Maybe the Championship isn’t better than MLS but is not that far behind it. Plus Evans not a true right back as Lichaj is.
I agree with you in theory, Edwin, but Parkhurst did have a string of decent appearances in the recent Gold Cup.
The fact that Tim Ream is on the roster blows any anti-Lichaj arguments out of the water, though.
Point of interest is that Parkhurst WAS on the bench for a Bundesliga club that got religated to the 2nd division. Now hes riding the bench in 2nd Bundesliga….which is on Par with the Championship in England.
MLS is equal to 2nd Bundes & Championship so the argument is that there is if a player is seeing minutes at a position is a league equal to the other 2 players (1 playing at a different position, 1 riding the bench) which one do people want to see?
How about we consider an argument that doesn’t purely focus on how much or where they play. Instead the discussion is how well the play when in. How many goals was Lichaj directly responsible for in just the handful of games he played for Aston Villa? How sad was AV that they had to play him when the starter went down with injury? How hard was it for them to decide to let him go on a free transfer? Lichaj has a lot left to prove, first and foremost that he can play intelligent defense.
Counterpoint: Tim Ream is in this camp.
He had barely a handful of substitute appearances for Bolton all last season. When he did not play well enough to be considered for international minutes.
There is no excuse to not at least evaluate Lichaj in camp, unless he has secretly communicated to JK that he has no interest in playing for the US anymore.
how can everyone say there is “no reason”. Maybe JK has evaluated his talent and said “just not very good”. Isn’t that a real possibility? AV wasn’t in love with him. Jurgen has been good about giving people an opportunity if he thought they had a chance. Maybe he doesn’t think Lichaj does. I’d love to hear Jurgen get asked a question about him, but I’m so tired of everyone assuming Lichaj would solve all our problems. He did not play well for AV, in fact, quite the opposite.
I wouldn’t assume Lichaj would even threaten a bench spot on the A team but JK has looked at so many people down in the depth chart and defense is one of our weaker positions. It just seems strange he wouldn’t even be brought into camp at all, ever.
Whoa when did the comments start going from newest at the top to oldest at bottom? Makes sense but was very confused at first
Amen. It started right after I submitted a comment. WTF IS GOING ON?!
JK called in Castillo but not Lichaj? Pitiful.
Agreed good sir
indeed!
Amen. Castillo looked ok on the attack but defensively couldn’t catch a cold in the Gold Cup. Twice in the friendlies and Gold Cup he got absolutely torched. Next!
And if deployed as RB rather than LB, in the absence of Dolo and Chandler, I don’t understand the resume-based criticism. Part time at Villa is in the ballpark with utility man at Stoke or overrated Augsburg transferee or Seattle Sounders dude, and people always leave out he looked good in the Gold Cup 2 years ago. Bottom line the defense has remained leaky — even if effective enough for this Gold Cup — so I don’t understand the dibs.
has anyone ever seen Lichaj play D?
Has anyone ever seen Castillo stand next to Omar Gonzalez. He is tiny. How tall is he?
like 5’6
Castillo is JK’s Bornstein.
and Lichaj is all of the fans Bornstein.
lol
I think any Liga MX or MLS player getting called in is high on JK’s list for Brazil at this point. Players like Corona, Castillo, Orozco, and Evans have little to no experience playing against European style teams. The style is so much different than CONCACAF that he must be wanting to get them some of that exposure in preparation for the World Cup.
I don’t think it means they’re “high on JK’s list” I think it means he’s on the fence about them and wants to see them play against high level European competition. With the exception of Eddie Johnson, those guys are all bubble players. He’s weeding out the pretenders.
Beg to disagree I think EJ has an incumbency advantage but I think save Jozy the whole point to the callins is to see who beyond Dempsey and Donovan (and Jozy) should be the tail end of the forward bench. He wants to see if EJ’s veteran sloppy is better than Boyd et al. If EJ plays well he stays at the tail end of the pool. If EJ gets outplayed by the young blood he may become passe. So EJ is a bubble guy. The one who isn’t is Jozy.
In that sense I see the Wondo omit as telling.
That’s what I think too…good opportunity to see them vs. Different competition for further evaluation
the questions about lichaj should involve ream. ream is a warm body to play CB in full field preparation.
the big question regarding lichaj is castillo – a guy who made no impact at the gold cup and is apparently being brought from tijuana mexico to (i assume) come in for fabian in the second half and get 20 min or so. unless (god forbid) he starts.
lichaj primarily RB but has plenty of experience at LB. plus, with evans and parkhurst 1/2 on RB depth chart, couldnt JK stand to get a good look at lichaj?
sorry, should “not” involve ream
Don’t worry, if Castillo gets on the field Wednesday, he will prove once and for all why he should not be in a US kit. I never ranked him as a senior team member. I have yet to see any reason why Klinsi calls him in over other fullback prospects.
Bornstein 2.0
Not even that. Bornstein actually played well for the Nats until the 2011 Gold Cup.
I don’t see the point in futureless filler. We really need camp bodies for a couple days and a game? Call in people who might have a chance.
Ream is a no hoper. Next!
Will everyone quit pushing for Lichaj he’s obviously fallen off the usmnt picture. He wasn’t good enough for a very bad Aston Villa team last season and when he did feature he leaked goals left and right on his flank. Now Castillo has started to play LM for Tijuana idk if you watch soccer or your one of those castillo haters that never watch him play for Tijuana. He’s been in great form just so you know. We’ll see Yedlin before we see Lichaj.
Castillo is awful. Theres no other way to spin it. Being decent in Mexico doesnt mean sh!t on the international stage. The fact remains Lichaj played well for the US while Castillo has not. Michael Bradley “wasnt good enough” for Aston Villa and look how that turned out
Thank God someone else sees it. Lichaj has played really awful soccer in the past. Maybe not for the Nat’s. But you have to show something positive at the club level (and being in the game isn’t enough). Lichaj has a long way to go to get back into the USMNT picture.
I love the rage about Eric Lichaj not getting a look in this friendly.
We have a good group, folks. One RB from a championship side isn’t going to make or break the group. Settle down.
yes, you are correct only insofar as better or equal options are healthy (Dolo), committed (Chandler), playing club games (Parkhurst) and at the same position (Evans)….
when that turns out not to be the case (like the previous 12-18 months) the snubs become worrying…. the last USMNT glimpse at Lichaj was Gold Cup 2011-he showed well in terms of speed and creating chances…and hasn’t been heard from since, despite ticking off the box on everything Klinsi supposedly cares about like 1) playing in top league-where he got more playing time for Villa than parkhurst for Augsburg and 2) getting playing time period-for both Villa and Forrest and 3) playing position of need given Dolo’s age and injuries and Chandler’s noncommitment
so the specious and circular arguments like “he is not as familiar with the group” etc… that justify his absence in favor of proven mediocrity like Castillo and out of form bench warming like Parkhurst and out of position playing like Evans become maddening to the fanbase
Perfect response
Playing time isn’t the end all. Lichaj’s playing time was “bad”. It was embarrassing at times. It got him a free transfer right out of Villa and the only reason he played in the first place was because of the injuries AV suffered at fullback. Get out of 2011, it is time to focus on how good they are now.
Interesting roster. The defense has me a little worried, as I’m trying to guess at a starting lineup. I’ve seen Brooks penciled in every other poster’s lineup, but do we really think JK will start a young guy in his FIRST ever call-up to the senior team at CB? Seems a late cameo would be more reasonable. Which means the starting CBs almost have to be Cameron and Orozco. Evans/Parkhurst on the right and I think you have to play F Johnson at leftback.
The only thing I would say about that is that it can be really difficult to sub in a CB mid-game as the other team has had to time to get into the game and start to gel.
It seems to me (and I could be wrong) that CBs tend to get subbed far less in friendlies than other positions, so bringing him in the 75th minute or something like that might not really be all that telling, whereas starting him is.
Why not play Cameron at RB .. JAB and Fiscal at CB and Fabian at LB.
—————altidore—————
E. Johnson——-Diskerud——Bedoya
——-Jones——–Bradley——–
F. Johnson—-brooks—Cameron—Parkhurst
————-Howard—————-
Altidore as a lone striker with the three forwards pushing the attack along with Bradley holding it down in the middle, B&H is in for a fight…that just dont know it yet. Im being ballzy but 3-2 win for the USA!
I like this lineup.
Where is Chandler? Is he still recovering from an injury?
That is my biggest question mark at the moment.
Hes not that good! The collective woody people have for Chandler is crazy. He was awful last season and thats not hyperbole. He was the fans flop of the match numerous times and was quickly benched. He didnt even play RB the last two months of the season.
The fact that Castillo continues to get looks is a joke. Hes been bad in every game hes played for the US. Lichaj has actually performed well at both RB and LB in an actual first team meaningful competition but somehow a converted RB is a better option. Oh but wait Lichaj wasnt playing at Aston Villa but Parkhurst not playing for a worse team is ok. Now that Lichaj is starting in the Championship for a team that hasnt conceded a goal Tim Ream is a better option? hahaha a bunch of hypocritical bullish!t.
According to my sources, Klinnsman will not give a look to Lichaj until he proves he can score consistently from right back.
until he proves he can consistently not give up bad goals to the other team.
Love seeing Bedoya and Corona selling out for that roster spot in 2014, showing up whenever they are called. I think they are arguably playing for the same spot and the competition between them will undoubtedly make them better players.
Both have pushed Zusi out of the picture.
I’m starting to think Lichaj might have been “the rat” who talked to Brian Straus, and Parkhurst might have been the one to blow his cover.
ha-ha. Very good. The Parkhurst call-up verges on weird…
How could Lichaj rat out JK? He’s never been called up by him.
Since Lichaj has not been a part of the US Squad since JK took over as the coach he couldn’t be “the rat” who talked to Straus.
It is odd that neither Lichaj or Chandler were called into camp. But Castillo (who wasn’t even good enough to get minuest during the GC) has been called in again. Hopefully this will be the last time we see Castillo listed as a defender.
Parkhurst I can understand being included (a little) after an OK run in the GC. However, if he doesn’t begin to see minutes for his club soon…he’ll need to be dropped/replaced with someone else.
This could be the last time we see either Castillo or Parkhurst till after qualification.
Other players could voice their concerns/opinions to Lichaj thinking there was no way the info was going to get back to JK. Then Lichaj goes to Sporting News with a bunch of anonymous quotes.
Doesn’t make sense you fly Evans and Castillo in interrupting their league play preparations and not call in Lichaj
Can someone please explain to me why the only two MLS players called are from Seattle – 5,709 miles of travel to Sarajevo?
I don’t get it. Just don’t call in MLS or Liga MX players for this one (6,400 miles from Tijuana to Sarajevo).
It’s hardly worth the trip.
I suspect all of those forced to make such a journey to be in the staring 11, barring injury. Otherwise it makes almost no sense whatsoever.
So expect to see Evans, Orozco, and Castillo as three of the back four.
And EJ and Corona starting on the wings in the midfield.
my full prediction based on this logic:
Howard
Evans-Orozco-Cameron-Castillo
Bradley-Jones
Corona-Mix-EJ
Altidore
Though I suppose it’s possible Corona starts in the middle and Bedoya on the right wing.
That line-up is really one of the only few that makes sense with the people Klinnsmann called in from the MLS and Mexico. And actually, that is a line-up I would love to see, with the possible exception of Castillo at left wing and Fabian at left back.
I see your logic, but EJ might of been included because of his MLS suspension. I think EJ will start on the bench, and FJ will start at LM.
MLS suspensions carry over until the player has to actually miss an MLS game. In other words, EJ has to be available to play in order for the suspension to be applied. He will need to hustle back, join the team in Houston, miss the game, in order to play vs. Portland on 8/25.
Because they’re bubble guys. I think he wants to see Evans vs. Parkhurst and EJ vs. The Field on those spots. He’s not completely sold and wants to see more. I don’t think he factored travel in.
Using the same heuristic, Landon and Dempsey were not called in despite similarly lengthy trips because he does trust them.
Well, the Sounders were already in Toronto on Sunday when they started their trip, so that saved 2,070 miles.
Since FJ will likely not play as a back, and the rest are untested, I predict that both Howard and Guzan will start.
Funniest post of the day. Well played, sir.
I’m in London this week. Can anyone suggest where to watch the game? Is there a group of supporters that get together for the match here?
Thanks!
Sports Cafe right off Trafalgar Square always has a gathering of Americans. Unfortunately the place itself isn’t that great.
Thanks. Will check it out.
And I will add that if Castillo and Orozco and Corona, after flying over from Mexico, do not get some playing time on Wednesday then what is the point of bringing them in as their new season is kicking off.
ask Gonzo about his Gold Cup callup
Count me with the group who is baffled by yet another snub to Lichaj while calling in Michael Parkhurst, who has not played for his club since, I think March. This reeks of favoritism from Klinsmann and is possibly an attempt to help Parkhurst get a transfer this summer which is not fair to other player’s hoping for a spot on the team. In other words, Klinsmann brings in a guy who hasn’t played club ball for months and refuses to give Lichaj one chance to show what he can do. It is time for the sports press to question Klinsmann on this. Was Lichah too much of a Bob Bradley man? Was he quoted back then saying he did not like Klinsmann? I can think of no other reason for these repeated snubs.
The sporting director of Augsburg was quoted in the German press last week saying Parkhurst’s long absence hurt his preseason preparation. And now missing another week mean’s Parkhurst probably won’t make Augsburg’s roster again and then he is in a deep hole. I don’t get it.
I’m puzzled by it too. It was defensible last season because Lichaj was getting spotty minutes at Villa. He’s played every minute for Forest so far. And then Klinsi calls in guys who haven’t seen the field for their clubs.
I think it’s a little early to start the witch hunt and conspiracy theories over this. If Lichaj locks down his spot for Forest and continues not to get called up, then we can grab the pitchforks and torches.
But not too early to question what Parkhurst has done to be getting all these call-ups, especially this one, that totally wrecks his preseason at Augsburg. The only explanation I can think is that Klinsmann wants Parkhurst playing so scouts can see him and open up the door for a transfer and I think that is wrong for national coach to be doing, if that is what is happening. And the downside is that if Parkhurst does not get a transfer, then he goes back to Augsburg and walks in to the locker room and players are asking, who is that stranger over there?
Why should Klinsmann give him a chance to prove what he can do in practice if the coaching staff doesn’t think he proved anything for his club to even get a call-up?
You want to talk about favoritism? You’re saying that despite the coaching staff not thinking he’s good enough and that his play didn’t warrant a call up that you want them to still call him up and you’re upset they aren’t giving him a shot to prove himself after he didn’t prove himself.
What do you think club ball is? The try out.
What has Parkhurst proved at the club level since january of this year? Please. Tell me.
You must have just missed the Gold Cup where he was a rock for the record setting US squad that won the entire thing.
So when you say something like he didn’t earn any call-ups, especially this one–you should just be laughed at.
He more than earned this call up with his great play for the USMNT just weeks ago.
You didnt answer the question.
A “rock” during the Gold Cup? That’s a little generous, I’d say adequate at best. And I’ll echo Biff, how does sitting on the bench for who knows how long trump playing well in the Championship?
In that case what earned Parkhurst the call over Lichaj for the Gold Cup?
I think the issue is that Klinsi called up multiple defenders who are not seeing the field for their club team when he has said you have to be seeing regular minutes with your club to be on the Nats roster. And then Lichaj isn’t there when he has been getting regular minutes. It’s counter-intuitive given Klinsi’s past comments and call-ups.
Lichaj starts two matches in a row and you all freak out claiming he’s been getting steady minutes.
He’s gotten more minutes in the last two weeks than Ream and Parkhurst have gotten in the last six months. Combined.
Exactly, SanFran turns his head up at 2 games while completely ignoring that fact that Parkhurst and Ream haven’t even dreamed of that kind of club action in forever.
Ream played 90 just last midweek. You know that right?
The 90 Ream played was for a reserve squad in the Carling Cup (or Coca Cola, or Capital One or whatever that thing is). Against a League 1 side.
So while factually he may have played last week, it’s not indicative of him being in line for first team minutes.
And how has club ball worked out for parkhurst lately?
Of course JK is showing favortism, his job is literally to select who he thinks make the best team. Those are the players he favors.
This isn’t an objective process and it cannot be reduced to a single variable (club playing time, domestic league, champions league participation, etc).
I will repeat what I have said in the past… It is a bit of a touchy subject but the I believe JK has issue with players of Polish descent… Lichaj has Polish parents and JK has had problems with Klose and Podolski in the past…
People are going to bash me again for saying it but prove that I am wrong…
BTW… Wondo is about 1/8 Polish and has far more Native American heritage so don’t bring up that argument.
“…but prove that I am wrong…”
Um no, I’m afraid when you imply someone is discriminating against a certain ancestry, the burden of proof lies entirely with you.
Even if you’re right that JK had “problems” with klose and podolski, it hardly demonstrates an anti-polish prejudice. Managers have problems with players all the time.
The fact is klose and podolski continued to play starring roles with die mannschaft despite well-documented struggles with their respective clubs. If anything, JK supported those players where other managers may have cast them aside.
Anything is possible with the Klinnsmann/Lichaj debacle. If a person has one excuse it could be believable, however when a person always has an excuse, they’re usually hiding something.
iAnd,
At RFK after the Germany game, I saw JK walk up to Miro hug him and then walk off the field together with JK’s arm around Miro’s shoulder.
This went on for few minutes. I have a hard time thinking they were cursing each other out or believing that they have problems with each other.
Dude why stop there? The blonde hair? The blue eyes? HE’S PROBABLY ASSEMBLING AN ARMY AS WE SPEAK!!!!
Yes that is right. The standard JK will be held to is how well his choices perform. It is a bit tough, since the coach must be able to predict the future in terms of how particular players will perform compared to how others might have performed. He can start only 11 and even in friendlies maybe 5 subs. It is impossible to know how the team’s performance would change if different players were selected. Basically JK picks his players and takes his chances. That is pretty much what a national team coach gets to do. Explaining why choose this particular player rather than a different specific player is something I think even JK will not talk about except in very general terms. Doing that would risk, in effect, publicly saying some player is not good enough. That is something that can hurt morale down the road.
“This reeks of favoritism from Klinsmann and is possibly an attempt to help Parkhurst get a transfer this summer which is not fair to other player’s hoping for a spot on the team. “
If that is what JK is doing, i.e showcasing Parkhurst, then it is part of his job. It is SOP for national team coaches to do what they can to help players on their team. If Parkhurst benefits then the team benefits. Bradley did this for Freddy, Benny and Mikey.
“In other words, Klinsmann brings in a guy who hasn’t played club ball for months”
JK brings in a guy who just played a good run of games for him in the Gold Cup.
“and refuses to give Lichaj one chance to show what he can do”
Not true. Lichaj has had nearly two years to show what he can do. Obviously JK has not been impressed.
A nice run for another manager in the Gold Cup two years ago is so 2011. The USMNT is very different now. Bedoya impressed in that 2011 Gold Cup too and he has done a lot more than Lichaj since then to try to get back. JK left Sacha out in the cold even though he had a nice run of games, some in the CL, for Anderlecht.
It is supposed to be hard to get called up for the USMNT. You are supposed to do more than just show up for two games for Forest, especially if you are trying to impress a manager who clearly isn’t impressed by you.
“It is time for the sports press to question Klinsmann on this. Was Lichah too much of a Bob Bradley man?”
That is amusing. Dempsey and Mikey are on record as being pretty big “Bob Bradley men”.
“Was he quoted back then saying he did not like Klinsmann? I can think of no other reason for these repeated snubs.”
How about JK does not think Lichaj has played well enough to earn a call up? Or maybe he thinks Lichaj does not fit into what JK wants from a right back?
Love when people critique the German-Americans for lack of commitment, then can’t even remember what their names are without mixing them up…real USMNT fans for you, there.
As for Lichaj, if you’ve watched him lately, you’ll understand why he wasn’t called. Tim Ream may be a case of inclusion for the sake of cover and perhaps trying to see if they can’t get the lad confident again. He had a pretty good start at first at Bolton, then fell pretty hard very fast.
As for Chandler (the real reason I’m posting), if you hadn’t noticed, this squad is deep enough where we don’t HAVE to keep calling people in that A. aren’t fit B. aren’t performing C. aren’t committed. I remember the days where a Donovan/Dempsey omission would have been like a white towel thrown on the pitch. This team is so much deeper than it has ever been, and players like Parkhurst and Evans have shown real ability to step up and perform in the absence of players like Stevie Cherundolo, Fabian Johnson, and Beasley. So, if Timmy Chandler is ailing, out of form, or whatever…it matters less than it would have, say, two years ago. Players with potential to play for the USA are drawn to the team now for the style we play, which has taken some time to develop, and for the personnel we already have. Players like Dempsey, Bradley, Altidore, and Jones have international reputations as strong players. There’s no coincidence that players like john Brooks and Aron Johannson are lining up to play for the USA. Our reputation is evolving, and with it, our need to beg euro-based players to play with us.
Also, think about how the improvement of MLS has helped the national team! Graham Zusi and Matt Beisler are proving that the league is growing and producing talent that can compete on the bug stage with players that aren’t named Landon Donovan.
Curious about your comment about Lichaj. He’s started and played 90 in Forest’s two games so far this season. Have more info to share? Serious question, as I haven’t seen him play for Forest yet.
b,
If you haven’t seen Lichaj play then why are you questioning the US’ decision to not call him up?
Do you think JK’s staff just reads articles on the internet people?
Actually b never questioned the decision to snub Lichaj. He simply asked gabe to elaborate on his statement on Lichaj, which was an opinion on his thoughts of watching Forest.
“As for Lichaj, if you’ve watched him lately, you’ll understand why he wasn’t called.”
Pretty vague don’t you think. Ives, who is not a fan, also thought Lichaj was good enough to warrant a call up. Be careful before you call out others.
Word.
Laughed at “bug stage” at the bottom there.
yeah. big stage now looks like a bunch of ants and beetles playing the beautiful game
Weird comment about Lichaj. He has looked quite good for Forest so far this year, have you watched his games? Of course Ream and Pakrhurst have looked much better sitting on the bench…
I have watched him. In my opinion, he hasn’t played his way into a call-up in any way. Like I said in my post above, simply being a european-based player doesn’t cut it anymore. I think I explained my Ream inclusion, and Parkhurst played well in the Gold Cup which merits his continued inclusion.
Interesting, to me he’s looked much, much better than Parkhurst did in the Gold Cup or on the bench for his club for the lats 10 years. Forest fans seem to agree that he’s been very good. Not saying playing well in the Championship is word-beating or anything, but it sure beats sitting on the bench anywhere else.
“There’s no coincidence that players like john Brooks and Aron Johannson are lining up to play for the USA. ”
Yeah they both know that this is the easiest way to play at a WC, raise their profile and therefore make more $ in their club careers. And many USMNT fans fall all over themselves to have these guys in the team because deep down they still think “foreign” players are better.
John Anthony Brooks is far and away a more exciting prospect than any MLS center back his age. He is a towering 6’4″ body that moves extremely well, sees the pitch, distributes well, and is decisive in the tackle. To think people are excited simply because he’s foreign-based is madness. Those “euro-snobs” are the ones calling for Lichaj, a player they have scarcely seen play (if they did, they’d realize how prone to error and gaffe he has been). Johannson is another player who is young, skilled, and highly-rated in a superior league to MLS. This doesn’t mean MLS isn’t producing highly-rated players (see Evans, Zusi, Beisler, Omar, etc.). Also, your comment seems to ignore that Germany wants Brooks and Iceland about blew a blood vessel when Johannson filed for switch. Good talk, buddy.
The term ‘euro-snob’ is quickly becoming one of the most overused, cliche terms in American soccer vernacular.
I don’t believe most people calling for Lichaj believe he is some savior for us at left or right back. He is a decent player who can play multiple positions where we are pretty thin. This is a friendly game which means next to nothing in the long run. We do not have our A team, and this is an opportunity to take a quick look at a player who could potentially help fill a hole in our roster. Simple as that. Some (not you necessarily) are able to make quick excuses for a player like Ream to be called in (I don’t disagree with his call up) but are just as quick to shoot down any claim that Lichaj could be given the benefit of the doubt for a no risk call up as well. Unless there is something going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about I see no reason not to call him in.
If Ream was called up for cover why not Lichaj.He can play LB RB and even in the middle of defense.Like with Holden the Usmnt should not be used to give players confidence that they lack because they don’t play for their club.That should happen at…you guessed it the club itself.
Never been a Ream fan, even in his “glory” NYRB days (disclaimer, I support the Red Bulls). Seemed like an average defender, weak on the ball, and blunder-prone. How he was recruited for the EPL still baffles me. He’s not any better of a defensive option than a Parkhurst at this point. His upside is he’s left footed and is a decent passer. But that’s not enough for international play. Just my opinion.
But…. I guess it’s a friendly and it’s always a good opportunity to evaluate some long forgotten players, so why not. Of course, why him and not Lichaj? Well, it’s a coache’s call really. So far Klinsy has been pretty spot on; he knows what he’s doing so let’s give him the benefit of the doubt relative to Lichaj.
Klinsmann will be done.
With dinner? WIth grocery shopping? With his stylist?
Klinsmann’s Will be done.
missed the possessive there.
Whatever happened to Jonathon Spector? Was in the past WC mix. I know he’s playing the English championship division, but he seemed like a possible RB or MF.
Injured I believe. Something along the lines of a facial fracture
He’s been out for several weeks with something like five hairline fractures to the face suffered in a friendly in mid-July. In some respects, Evans is really in lieu of a guy like Spector – a utility player who can play outside back and give you some minutes at midfield if necessary.
Even if he was healthy he’s had issues because of glacial speed at the international level. A guy the other team can run right by is a liability.
Orozco/Brooks could be quite the pairing.
I hope FIFA rules on the switch tomorrow so AJ can play.
Orozco is a better RB than lichaj
Kind of surprised to see Ream but he wouldn’t be taking Lichaj’s spot. More surprised Castillo got the call over Lichaj since Castillo didn’t even feature in the Gold Cup and he is not based in Europe. Seems like Lichaj would have been the obvious choice unless you really don’t rate him at all. That still really amazes me though.
Also what is the story with Chandler?
Looks like he wasn’t called up because he got benched for his team.
He was on the bench on Saturday for Nurnberg. Not sure if there’s more to it than that.
That sucks but at least he isn’t wriggling out of a call up.
How do you know that? Maybe he wasn’t called up exactly because he expressed his disinterest to Klinsmann. Fabian Johnson was on the bench too last Saturday — he still got called up. So was Ream. And Parkhurst wasn’t even dressed for Augsburg this past weekend.
Ream was an LB in college. Personally, it JK has bought him in to give him a look at LB, I think it’s a great move. It’s only a freindly folks, andif he performs, maybe he gets some momentuem back. (Every one likes to forget that he was terrific as a rookie and polayed well his first half season at Bolton.) And if he becomes a LB optiion, well, that’s exactly what we need.
What is the scoop on Chandler’s absence? Did someone ask Klinsi? If this is another one of those “needs to get settled with club during preseason” excuses, can we just be done with him??? I get that he’s talented, but no man is bigger than the team. The same way Klinsi snubbed donovan for his winter break, he should stop calling fabian through the world cup. Tolerating chandler’s insidious lack of commitment sets a poor example.
stop calling “chandler”
First off–when a coach says a player needs to get settled during preseason it is never an excuse. That’s beyond reasonable and more than likely indicates the the club coach said he needs him to stay and learn the system.
Chandler most likely isn’t here because he’s been really bad lately and didn’t get a call-up.
Chandler’s first name is Tim, not Fabian.
I, too, am very confused by the comment to which you replied.
Unless the original commenter was talking about Fabian Chandler, in which case, I’ve never heard of that guy, and I don’t even know if he’s eligible to play for the US, or if he even plays soccer. I say ignore the bum. Fabian Chandler is NO GOOD!!1!
i meant chandler, not fabian. hence the correction. sorry you guys were apparently so confused by that.
You are 100% wrong! Cap Fabian Chandler NOW! Eurosnobs unite!
Careful, we may get a sternly worded hand-written letter from the Iceland commish again…with the faint hint of teardrops on the stationary.
but you can’t always chose club over country. repping your country involves some sacrafice. for chandler, there have just been too many snubs where the proffered reason has to do with his club: he’s too tired, he needs to get settled, his coach doesnt’ want him to go. you may be right about the reason for the non-call, but klinsi should give us the actual reason (and given how forthright he is with the press, i’m sure he would if asked.)
My Thoughts. They are going to need more defensive help with the B&H Attack. Allow Williams to hold in D middle and lets Bradley & Jones do their thing. Not sure if we will see Brooks or Johannson. Does JK normally play new guys on their first call up? Would like to see the Liga MX guys come on in 2nd half to change pace.
__________Altidore__________
________________Boyd______
Bedoya_____________Kljestian
______Jones____Bradley_____
_________Williams__________
F. Johnson____________Evans
_______Cameron__Ream_____
__________Howard__________
This is the worse line up I’ve seen in a long time
You’re right, playing 12 is probably the team’s best chance to win.
I’d rather we went with a 2-4-2-4-1.
Interesting approach… quantity over quality.
Surely with 12 players on the field we could overcome our backlines’ inexperience. Good thinking. Lol
Wow, Blonde moment.
Mean’t to take out Williams
Epic Fail
Heroic travesty. Hire this guy, JK.
So we are flying Brad Evans 5700 miles to play right back and Luis Castillo 6500 miles to play left back instead of giving Eric Lichaj a look? Thats worse than a snub. That’s an outright insult. I would love for some media memeber to get an answer on this.
HE
ISN’T
GOOD
ENOUGH
Despite the fact that I disagree with you, I’ll play your game.
Brad Evans is a converted RB at best. A stopgap due to injuries of Dolo and Chandler that (thankfully) didn’t come back to bite us in the ass. Castillo has claimed himself that he is a sub par defender. They are the definition of not good enough.
Yet we are flying them half way around the world for this match to sit on the bench behind Parkhurst and Fab Johnson. Lichaj is not not good enough to practice/train with the squad and sit on the bench while Parkhurst and Fab Johnson play?
Evans might have been playing a position in the WC Qualifiers that is not his normal position, but I thought he handled the job quite well, certainly better than most central mids might have done. He seemed to have the mental capacity, discipline and positiioning to do what was expected in that position and rather seldom was guilty of abandoning his defensive duties to stay more actively engaged in things like a CM might do. The only real question I have is about his speed, can he be burned by fast wingers?
Freegle,
Evans has performed very well for JK. Lichaj is, I think, younger and potentially has more upside down the road. But right now the smart man sticks with Evans who also has the potential to get better in this role in preparation for the World Cup.
If Lichaj continues to do well for Forest then yes maybe he can earn a call up. But right now he has been crap for a year and a half and two games in the Championship don’t suddenly change that.
As for bringing him into camp, they have these things called DVD’s . If he isn’t impressive there why should he be more impressive in person?
Lichaj wasn’t getting consistent minutes last year with Villa. He’s been starting for Forest and they haven’t conceded a goal in their first two games. Haven’t seen the games myself, but it seems like he’s doing all the right things to work his way into the squad. If he locks down a spot on their backline, it’ll be silly for Klinsi to keep him out. Especially with options like Dolo and Chandler out at the moment.
I think Lichaj’s problem, b, is that he has been getting too much playing time. If he had not played for his club since March, like Michael Parkhurst, then Klinsmann no doubt would have call in Lichaj and been starting him 🙂
Lichaj not getting minutes at Villa is not a reason for a snub.We all repeat MICHAEL AVERAGEHURST HAS PLAYED 3 CLUB GAMES IN 2013.
Also, How would Klinsmann know? He’s never had Lichaj in for any camp or match. On the other hand, if he doesn’t know what he has in Castillo and Evans after all the time they’ve spent with the USMNT this year he hasnt been paying attention.
How would Klinsmann know? Scouts, assistant coaches, game footage, practice and scrimmage footage, etc.
There are dozens of professionals who do this for a living making these calls.
The same scouts, coaches, and practice/scrimmage footage that made him good enough to play in the EPL and a current starter on a Championship side while Ream languishes on the bench? Oh yeah those scouts.
The scouts have already spoken. That’s why Lichaj has played at a higher level than Ream his entire career. BTW, Lichaj has also had far and away better performances in a USMNT shirt that Ream.
Ha! Not even close to the same as bringing someone in to personally evaluate them
Clearly Klinsmann has his reasons but your reason doesn’t fly
you should add ” in Klinsi’s opinion” to that post.In Klinsi we trust?
Compared to Castillo who admits he’s not a very good defender? Compared to the slow Parkhurst? Compared to the mediocre Evans? Totally decontextualized criticism.
People play up the half time starting bit but leave out the EPL part. Similar people then start touting that Parkhurst is bottom barrel B.1.
The thing to me is with the exception of Evans and Cameron, we’ve seen enough. Parkhurst and Castillo don’t have it. Won’t find it. Waste of time.
Luis Castillo?
He’ll hit for close to average, and he’s alright with the glove, but he won’t bring any power to the plate. And at his current age, I think he’s probably too much of a liability in the batting order. All in all, I think it would be unwise for Klinsmann to try to get Luis Castillo to come out of retirement as a shortstop to come play right back for us. Just too much of a stretch.
BWAHAHAHAHA. Well-played.
well played. agreed. He may also get to the QB when lined up over center (if the Chargers hadn’t released him). My Bad. Thanks for keeping me honest.
Haha, as a Twins fan who endured Luis Castillo for a couple of seasons, I could pass up the opportunity. I like Edgar Castillo even less, as it turns out.
Wasn’t there a PED suspension in there somewhere?
In Klinsi talk “great for mls” “challenge for Clint Dempsey”= Why the he!! didnt you go to a champions league team in a lesser league.
I don’t think JK cares if Deuce plays in CL or not, he’s pissed that Deuce is in a lesser league week in and week out. many MNT fans would prefer to see Deuce in one of the big leagues keeping up his fitness and competing against the type of talen he’ll likely see in the WC next summer.
Others have reported Klinnsmann wasn’t happy with Dempsey’s move to MLS. I don’t blame Klinnsmann I wouldn’t be happy if I was him either. However, the move is good for Dempsey’s family and his financial future. Can’t blame the guy. There’s also a high probability that Dempsey will go on loan in the winter to an EPL team(that was a condition of his contract).
Maybe because he’s going to make $7m a year and prefers living in the US. If the petty one doesn’t pick one of our best players simply because he plays in MLS, hopefully we show him the door.
Is it really advantageous in any respect to pick up, move ones family to a new team, new league, in another country, different culture and language @ lesser pay for likely a shorter term contract…. to play for a CL team in a lesser league and likely bow out early?
I’m sure Dempsey and his agent explored their options. There is no telling if there were any quality takers, is there? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that if there was a good club poised to make a run in CL looking for his services, Clint would have jumped at it. The likes of Suarez, Bale and Rooney are begging out of their clubs and having a hard time getting it done. Sometimes things don’t line up when another year they would. Seattle on the other hand was willing to over pay because Demps has enormous PR value here that doesn’t apply in Europe. So… big picture, Seattle Sounders was the best offer for Clint and his family. I know lots of folks are PO’d that their sh*t talking at the bar has been undermined, but that probably doesn’t rate in Clint’s decision making process.
Kilnsi’s likely a wee bit annoyed at the loss of CD as his shining example, but he played and empathizes/understands. He’ll get over it and find another way to spin his message, it’s what managers do..
Ream vs Brooks. I think I will go with the young 20 year old.
Why did we have to wait until 2 days before the game to get this info?
Honest question here–but why does it matter when the roster is released? You probably spend 10 minutes talking about it–does it matter if that 10 minutes was Friday or 2 weeks ago or 2 days before the match?
Waited for the weekend to finish so he’d know if anyone got injured. Makes sense when some of our guys are flying halfway around the world. And at the end of the day, sadly, fans are at the bottom of the “who needs to know” list.
Though roster release day is one of the best days as a fan. Good debates and all.
But he’s routinely called up injured people doing this same hide and seek before. Remember FJ earlier in the year.
I think the concept is giving him an injury out but the reality is the players already know. And he calls up some hurt people every time anyway. Maybe he does it so the other side can’t tailor a roster to an announced opposition.
Try following some other national teams who release their rosters a week or so ahead of time. What you’ll find is that sometimes players drop out in dribs and drabs due to injuries and whatever.
I’ve seen it so bad that the original list is basically meaningless.
If I’m the manager I’d rather just release one list of guys I know will be available. And if it is for a competitive game not a friendly, then I’d release it as close to gameday as I could get away with .
I dunno… Klinsi saves himself a good 3 or 4 days of the annoying but inevitable ritual of repetitive questions about why so & so was selected and some other so & so was not. Being denied a full week of this sport is likely the reason why some get so aggravated by the delay. I was going to say it probably cost Ives a lot of traffic, but then again… a few projected line up posts more than makes up for it, doesn’t it? Prognostication has to be better for ones health than complaining, so I’m thinking it’s a positive for everyone involved.
I think Brooks has to start at Center Back in the match. If for no other reason, you want to make him feel like he is a big part of the team going forward.
And right back looks like a major area of concern going forward… We can only hope that Cherundolo gets healthy and regains his form for Hannover.
Evans and Parkhurst and even Cameron play right back quite well. We’re more than fine there.
I’d agree and say we’re “fine,” as in, we can fill that position, but I would say we’ll also hurt from a lack of quality there. None of the players you listed are quite as capable as a healthy/in-form Cherundolo, or a potential-fulfilled chandler, however.
That’s also a bit unfair though, don’t you think? Steve Cherundolo was widely regarded as one of the top right backs in the Bundesliga.
But Parkhurst is no slouch and is actually one of the only US players to play UCL ball.
Parkhurst can’t get off the bench at Augsburg so I don’t think he’s a viable candidate.
dude isn’t even dressing.
That’s my point. We have guys who can fill in but not guys who can replace a player regarded as one of the top in his position in one of the top leagues in the world. Like, Cameron is a serviceable right back, even if it’s not his best position. Evans got the job done in June, playing out of position. Parkhurst defended well against CONCACAF B teams but doesn’t make the bench at a cellar-dwelling Bundesliga club. So yeah, these guys aren’t exactly liabilities on the field, but they’re not exactly the highest quality either.
I have the same concerns. Our right back options outside of Cherundolo are not bad players, but they are a pretty significant drop in quality compared to the rest of our starting 11.
I thought Parkhurst was underwhelming at the Gold Cup save for 1 game.
How many games did the US lose in the Gold Cup with Parkhurst at fullback?
I agree — Brooks has to start at Center Back in the match. If not we’ll be starting Orozco Fiscal (or Ream!) next to Cameron. I think Orozco Fiscal is a good player, but I’m not sure he’s good enough to face Bosnia Herzegovina on the road. And I don’t have any faith in Ream playing as a CB.
I would start Brooks because no one but Besler has consistently impressed and this may be your only chance before we clinch to see if he can help us qualify. If you don’t play him now you pretty much have to stand pat and only start playing him when the games don’t matter again.
Because Klinsmann always does the expected?..cough cough…Bocanegara on the bench v Honduras…cough cough….Brad Evans at right back…EJohnson as Wide LM…Donovan semi-banishment…etc etc etc
Klinsmann doesn’t need to do anything based on expected or linear thinking.
Glad we cap tied timmy chandler… Not like he wanted to play internationally anywhere.. For anyone..
Yeah, dude finally realized he’s German.
Tim Ream was not and is not competing for Eric Lichaj’s position. Also–nobody here has seen Tim Ream play recently. How can you reasonable complain about something you can’t know?
Furthemore–Lichaj just joined a new team and it is their preseason. Castillo is in-season, in-form and a familiar commodity for the coaching staff.
I actually think Lichaj’s season started a week or so ago. Same as Ream’s.
I haven’t seen Ream play recently and will trust Klinnsman and the scouts to know who is in decent form. Having said that, by everything I’ve read (and him getting playing time), Lichaj seems like he would’ve been a good call, particularly given that he is based in Europe and it wouldn’t be pulling him out of rhythm or anything.
It is not their pre-season; the Championship season began and many have already played 3 matches. At the same time, MX Liga is 5 games into the season. Frankly, there is not much difference.
Is it really all that unreasonable to suggest Lichaj should be afforded the opportunity over 1) Parkhurst, who doesn’t play and 2) Evans, who has to go to europe midweek and is not a right back?
Why should Lichaj be afforded an opportunity if the coaching staff doesn’t think he’s good enough?
This isn’t daycare. Not everybody wins.
How do they know he’s not good enough? He’s never been called in.
And I didnt know there were winners and losers in daycare..
My guess is US coaching staff monitors Ream and Lichaj a lot closer than any of us, including you, do.
After all it is their job.
Are you saying you know Lichaj better than they do?
+ 1
Thank you, GW. Thank you.
Well Villa and Forest scouts seem to think he’s a decent enough player. Bob Bradley thought enough of him to call him up.
Is klinsmanns staff that much more superior at evaluating talent than people at villa, forest, or Bradleys staff? Maybe, but quit acting like its just stupid and ridiculous to simply say, you know what, I think Eric Lichaj should have been called up.
No one is saying Lichaj does not have talent.
But what the US is saying is that Lichaj isn’t good enough right now to get called in.
More to the point, they have other players they would rather look at.
You have no idea what their options are when they make these call ups so for you to react as if they have no idea who Lichaj is or what he can do and where he stands relative to the rest of the US players is rather lame.
By the way Villa did let him go and Forest are the same people who signed Robbie Findley.
By the way OKC, yes, JK’s staff is better than Villa and Bradley’s people in terms of knowing what the CURRENT USMNT needs.
It ain’t 2011 anymore.
“You have no idea what their options are when they make these call ups so for you to react as if they have no idea who Lichaj is or what he can do and where he stands relative to the rest of the US players is rather lame”
I think you’re reading too much into my reaction. My whole point is that, given what we know, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to ask the question of Why no Lichaj, but yes to Castillo and Evans? If the answer is, as you suggest, he simply isn’t good enough, that’s fine I can live with that. But it’s frustrating when people like you write the question off entirely. It is perfectly reasonable to ask why lichaj cant get a callup
Thats a stupid comment. In that case why should any fans, analysts, announcers or journalists in any country debate call-ups and tactics. According to your theory the coaching staff always knows what’s best. Do you also believe that no coach should ever be fired because he is always doing what’s best for the team?
Vic,
You are exaggerating.
People are criticizing the exclusion of Lichaj. I’m merely pointing out the flaws in the criticism.
If they can’t defend their criticism then they shouldn’t make them.
And if you are asking me is the US coaching staff a more credible decision maker on player’s suitability for the USMNT than “any fans, analysts, announcers or journalists” I’d say sure they are.
Does that mean they are perfect? Of course not. Why don’t you just ask JK why he isn’t picking Lichaj? He’s got a website right?
My guess is he’ll tell you nothing or if he does he’ll say Eric needs to prove he can fit into the current team’s scheme, meaning most of the fullbacks who have played for JK’s USMNT are really withdrawn wingers of a sort. And Eric, a solid one vs one defender isn’t really strong on the withdrawn winger role.
Go back and watch how the fullbacks have played for this team.
No one has seen Ream play because he doesn’t – which indicates he’s not playing well.
I’m happy to see Ream called in, but I wouldn’t read too much into it. He’s providing cover and the coaches probably want to have him in briefly to evaluate him first hand to kick the tires on him again.
I have not seen him play, but it’s my understanding that he was not especially good last year and his playing time suffered due to that. They guy has all the tools to be a very good centreback, but you have to wonder if mentally he’s tough enough to compete day in an day out and maintain his focus. I for one hope he figures it out and can contribute to the Nats more in the future as he has a lot of offer if he can find his groove.
I don’t think anyone would care about Ream being called in if Lichaj was alongside him in the roster.
RB options are looking worse and worse. Evans or Parkhurst would easily be the worst member of the starting 11. I don’t want to rag on them much because they seem like great teammates and give it all for us when they step on the field. They are just limited players. Chandler not called in makes me think we are trying to move on. Cherundolo has known issues….I think its time we start seriously considering FJ as a right back option.
Forgot to mention Cameron. He’s a serviceable right back but has looked far more comfortable when playing centrally.
You’re right, nobody has seen Ream play because he isn’t getting off the bench. If he isn’t good enough to play in the championship then why would he get called in? Lichaj’s season started 2 weeks ago, and he has looked very good in both games, helping his defense keep a clean sheet both times. And Parkhurst is horrible and also not playing, not sure what Klinsi’s beef with Lichaj is.
Yes, you know one reason no one has seen him play recently? He can’t in the Bolton team. Because he stinks. And so does Lichaj. The calls for his selection are baffling. I understand Castillo isn’t very good and Beasley is not a natural LB but Lichaj is not the answer.
Tim Ream just went 90 last midweek for Bolton.
The calls for Lichaj are the opposite of baffling.They’re logical, he got beat out by a guy who doesn’t play RB for his club and has only looked average there for he USMNT.He got beat out by a guy who doesn’t play at all.In 2013 Michael has been almost always sitting on his couch in Germany eating Cheetos.
it’s one thing to not see someone play because they aren’t TV and another to not see them play because they don’t ever dress.
Because Lichaj played well for the team before whereas Ream got burned at the same Gold Cup and embarrassed himself.
To read Klinsmann’s remarks, it’s not entirely clear as to whether either Brooks or Johannsson are eligible to play this week. It sounds like Johannsson, at least, has been brought along in order to train a bit with the group and get to know everybody; and Klinsmann made it sound pretty much the same with Brooks. Without Brooks, our defense looks dangerously thin, but I’d be curious to see who’s actually eligible to step in for us on Wednesday.
Brooks can play immediately. Johannson still needs that switch to go through.
Is that true for friendlies though–re: AJ? I thought a player could essentially represent any nation in a friendly, but I could be way off.
The switch is relevant, of course, for the upcoming WCQs…assuming he gets called up.
One you are provisionally cap-tied (play in a U17+ official competition), you can no longer play in friendlies at youth or NT level. Before that, you can play in all the friendlies you want.
AJ played in UEFA U21 for Iceland, so he has to have the switch completed before he can play.
Try that again…
“One is provisionally…”
Might be a good idea to play Fabian Johnson at LB. He’s the only solid option from this roster to play the position. Meanwhile, we have plenty of very good options for the offensive midfield spot: Corona, Mix, Bedoya, Castillo.
I have no complaints-long trip for midweek/quick turnaround friendly at beginning of season for some, mid season for others….
With this crop, wouldnt be surprised to see FabJo at LB-though I like him in midfield
Clear message to Chandler:.. “If you’re flaky, probably hurts your chances,.. if you’re flaky & your form and playing time is decreasing.. you have no more chances”
Why would you like FJ in the midfield? He is the best LB in the pool and the drop from FJ to Beasley at LB is >>>>>>>>>> than the drop between FJ to Corona/Donovan/Shea
Why?
For the same reason that JK has liked him in the midfield. With him on the left wing our attack has been the most balanced it has ever been. And thats without LD, add LD back in to that attack and it gets even better, but not neccesarily as the LW…. FB gives you what no other player on our team gives you, a complete player on the left side who can play wide, deliver the ball, cut inside, use both feet,play offense & defense, and has a natural soccer I.Q.
As far as the drop off you mentioned?
FJ to Donovan- Fair enough, once they are on the team at the same time with a full compliment of other attackers- but that hasnt happened yet
FJ to Corona or Shea?- Not even close, neither is in FJ’s league as of now as a complete player on the left wing, and probably never will be. Lets face it, Corona is improving, but wont see field time in Brazil, and Shea is so inconsistent that he is a 15 minute sub at best..
Theres a reason why the guy is a full time starter in Germany & was moved into the midfield more & more later in the season
The reason why Beasley is continuing to get the look at LB and JK hasnt switched them is Beasley can haul @ss down the wing on the overlap, but his skill as a complete LM being able to cut inside, use both feet, play great 1-2 passes in tight spaces in the midfield just doesnt exist anymore…
JK knows what he’s doing
+10
Well, it was a nice winning streak..
Sad, but true. Only needed three more to beat the record. Alas.
Seriously. Once I saw the D we called in my goal for the team dropped to avoiding a blowout loss.
People said the same thing about the azteca friendly last summer.
And to a lesser degree about the azteca qualifier last spring. Everyone remembers where they were when they heard some guy named besler would be starting that one.
I think there is a typo there, I think you spelled Matt Besler as Tim Ream.
Alright here goes for the lineup game…
Howard
Evans, Cameron, Brooks, Castillo (ouch)
Jones, Bradley
Bedoya, Johnson
Altidore, Johannsson.
switch johnson and castillo.
Will pile on here . . . not sure I follow the Ream call up, with no Licahaj.
Ream has been playing left back for Bolton
It makes more sense why people are making that comparison then. Thanks for that info.
Not competing for the same position. Still, I understand the sentiment. Ream hasn’t shown anything.
So I’m guessing:
—————altidore—————
Corona——-Diskerud——Bedoya
——-jones——–Bradley——–
FJ—-brooks—Cameron—Evans
————-Howard—————-
I like this. As others have said, not sure FJ will play in the back, but I’d like it better if he was, especially with a back line that is… ahem, not first choice.
Why Fiscal at center back with Cameron at Right back. He is playinv there right now for Stoke and has not done a bad job in pre season. I ultimately think he ends up there and if you need a late goal Evans comes in pushing Cameron up to the Jones slot.
This is the best line up for the roster he has called in. I don’t think he will play it as I doubt he put’s FJ in his natural position because no one on this team seems to play their natural position for the USMNT.
Honestly, I’m getting concerned our back 4 for the World cup will never have played a game together going into the tournament.
I agree that FJ should be in the midfield, but with this roster, I don’t think we can afford to have anyone else at Left Back.
I a not sure why you would not call in Dempsey and Donovan to get some of the chemistry back. How many games have they played together in the last 2 years ….like 3 maybe?? And they have been occupying the same position when on the field.
Is Chandler injured? If not it is VERY TELLING that he is not on the roster. Guess the search for our FBs continues.
Supposedly looked poor initially (preseason etc), got bad reviews from fans & press, no injuries reported
Was on the bench vs. Hoffenheim over the weekend (listed as a forward), didnt play
At least he’s not being flaky I guess.
Dempsey is still in pre-season form, but I’m sure he’ll play a lot at Houston where he’ll likely have his whole family along with a huge Texas entourage there to watch him play this coming weekend….
Not too happy with Eddie Johnson called, but good to see Kevin Bacon, Brooks, Wood, Mix, Bedoya and Corona, I would like to Williams as rightback, instead of DM, basically that’s what Evans is doing.
EJ is suspended next game anyway so it isnt a big deal. However calling in Evans is annoying, youre telling me there isnt a RB based in Europe that could have been called in? If only Jurgen didn’t have some hatred of Lichaj
Williams at RB, that would be interesting to see.
leaving aside the friendly being relatively meaningless, why are there certain MLS/Liga MX players here and not others? If Castillo and Corona can fly from the West Coast, why not Besler/Gonzo/Beasley? Donovan/Dempsey? when did they last play together for USMNT?
The backline looks very shaky given lack of experience and lack of experience playing together…I guess FJ-Cameron-Fiscal-Evans? Since Castillo didn’t even start at GC down the stretch against CONCACAF, why play him vs Bosnia (unless it’s his last chance to show something)
midfield looks more solid with Bradley Jones in the middle and Corona/Bedoya on the wings?
forward would be Jozy/EJ
——————Jozy————–
–EJ———Corona—-Bedoya–
——-Jones——-Bradley——–
FJ——–Brooks—Cameron–Evans
—————Howard————–
Subs: Guzan, Castillo, Orozco, Williams, Sasha, Mix, Boyd
Bench: Ream, Parkhurst, Morales, AJo
I almost chose FJ as my LB, but he’s listed as a midfielder so I went with the roster preliminary position. But I agree, F. Johnson as a LB is far better than tossing Castillo there.
Still: In Klinsi We Trust.
Im a big fan of Castillo, but so far he has been a huge liability in defense. FJ will be a FB starter in the WC .. Keep him there. ….
FJ won’t be the starter at LB if Klinnsman keeps playing other people there. FJ should be the starting LB for the USMNT it’s FJ best position and FJ is the best LB in the pool. Unfortunately there has been such a gaping hole on the left wing lately due to injury and other players not being available that FJ has been pushed into that spot where he is OK and we take a decent but not huge step back at LB with Beasley.
FJ is the best LB in the pool.Hes a better LM than LB though.
Just switch EJ and Corona and that would be my line up as well.EJ looks more dangerous through the middle.Corona can give better work rate and service from wide than EJ.
Excited to see what JAB and AJ bring. The open striker position next to Jozy looks very interesting with EJ playing great for us, Boyd doing well at RV, an exciting new talent in AJ and the young wildcard in Bobby Wood.
Speaking of johannsson, does anyone know his eligibility for this game?
Doubtful the paperwork gets done in time.
But he can still play.
Not if the paperwork isn’t through on time…
No magee? He deserves it
A one off game in Europe with virtually no camp isn’t the best place to call him in.
I could see Mike getting called in for the October slate of qualifiers, especially if our ticket is already punched.
Most of these guys have had no camp or experience with the USMNT at all.
Much better options currently in the pool. Maybe he gets a look next January in camp cupcakes if he keeps it up.
He’s also listed as questionable for MLS. Didn’t play on the weekend. Didn’t expect to see him anyway, but especially not right now.
If JK was taking him seriously he would have made Gold Cup. He didn’t and this is like a tryout camp for marginal A team/Gold Cuppers.
I think Magee deserves a callup, but there is no point in bringing him in for this game. The Fire are working their way back into the picture in the East in MLS and he is by far their most important player. Not to mention he has a small knock that he is rehabbing.
Save him for October or January camp when he can focus and spend an extended amount of time with the team.
Extremely inexperienced backline to bring to such a hostile stadium, against such an in-form team. Really disappointed Lichaj didn’t get invited as he’d start at LB instead of Castillo. Chandler is another big disappointment, but I don’t blame Klinsi for that.
At least this team is an attacking one so we won’t be bunkering. Hope we see Aron and Woods at some point.
My starting XI:
—————-Howard——————-
Evans-Cameron-Brooks-Castillo
—————-Jones——————
———–Mix———Bradley——–
Corona——-Jozy———F. Johnson
I think only inexperienced with one another. If you think playing away against the likes of Dortmund, Bayern, Chelsea, Man U, Club America, and Chivas doesn’t qualify as experience in hostile environments, I’m not sure what to tell you.
Who has played against Dortmund and Bayern? Brooks was in the second division. Cameron has a solitary season in the BPL. Evans and Castillo have never played outside N. America. They’re inexperienced. But who cares?? It’s a friendly– gotta get experience somewhere.
The defense is scary, but not in the good way. Should be interesting…
stop worrying you guys. Parkhurst hasn’t given up a goal for his club at RB this entire calendar year and Ream has kept a clean sheet from the bench for the most part as well. Then add Castillo who was part of the record-setting Gold Cup squad and made no defensive errors in either the semis or the final-this defense is full or rock solid options
Tim Ream but no Eric Lichaj?
+1000
I see your logic, but different positions. Ream is brought in as CB cover. Lichaj would have been a LB/RB option. So you’d blame Klinsi for choosing Evans or Castillo or Parkhurst.
I agree Lichaj’s snub is absurd but Ream is a CB, currently at least, and we are thin on Cb. I am glad ream got the call and belser, goodson or gonzalez didnt have to make the trip
When was the last time you saw either one play?
When was the last time Ream played? At least Lichaj is playing this season.
Ream has been playing left back for Bolton.. Lichaj has made it clear he is uncomfortable at left back.
Oh, well then I guess it’s OK now.
Lichaj has played in every match. Ream played in one club match in a cup fixture against a League One team, but has yet to appear in the Championship matches. In that cup match, Mark Tierney played left back for Bolton, not Ream.
When has Ream been playing left back at Bolton? The stats I looked at show that he hasn’t played yet this season for them.
He played there one game during preseason, but he’s been on the bench for both games so far.
He played 90 minutes in Bolton’s Capital One Cup victory in last week’s mid-week game.
Lichaj has played plenty of LB and has played it with USMNT before, and he’s playing 90 for his club while Ream is sitting. Weird.
GW,
Your man crush apologist perspective on anything Coach does is nauseating, and not necessary; it’s not unreasonable to wonder why Lichay can’t get a sniff at a position of need
It’s not a rip on Klinsmann to question what’s going on here
CB is the position of need, not LB. Lichaj does not play CB. Ream at least has some experience at CB. That is the logic.
RB is a position in need of depth.
the 2 players that have shown the highest quality there(‘dolo and Chandler) are currently question marks.
Right now, the US has 1 decent pool fullback, and that’s Fabian Johnson.
Lichaj is an RB who can also play LB. It’s silly to not bring him into this camp of all camps.
beachbum,
It sure doesn’t take much to get y’all hysterical does it? I can think of lot of sensible reasons why Lichaj was not called up at this time.
Lichaj has not had a shot? He has never been evaluated? If you believe that you have not been paying attention.
Eric has been crap for Villa for about a year and half. Two good games with Forest does not suddenly change that. What games he has played in for Villa were/are probably available on video. And I’d bet some of JK’s scouts or contacts have caught a game or two of his live.
Plus there is always the Villa coaching staff you can call up. Paul Lambert did play for Borussia Dortmund and win the Champions league with them so he knows German people. I don’t know if the USMNT coaching staff did their due diligence with that material but if that is all they did and they were not impressed that is enough for me.
Villa have no conflict of interest one way or the other. In fact, it would be a feather in their cap if Lichaj would have been called up, so one would think they would be as postive as they could be.
If all that turned out to be negative I see no reason why calling him into camp would change anything. Yes it would give him a boost to have have his national team believe in him but it seems, his national team does not believe in him. So he won’t get a boost there. Bradley believed in Adu, in Benny and in MB90 guys who were capped or called in during extended club “vacations”. .
JK does not believe in Lichaj; and that is Eric’s problem not JK’s . If he want’s to go to Brazil he better tear up the Championship.
As for Parkhurst, that is absolutely favoritism. JK favors Parkhurst over Lichaj. He apparently seems to think Parkhurst can play for him and that Lichaj can’t.
Coaches are supposed to do that, pick one guy over another.
And don’t tell me Lichaj is done as far as the World Cup.
There is still quite a bit of time before that final 23 gets picked.
Ream has not played much for Bolton lately. He played the full 90 there in preseason, at most a few times. He has yet to play a minute this season. There was, however, an article circulating about how breaking into the starting XI at LB might be Tim Ream’s last chance.
Lichaj, however, has played the full 90 in both of Forest’s first two matches, incidentally both shutouts. Even last year, he played frequently enough for a poor Aston Villa team. Ream wasn’t getting anything during the same time period.
Whatever your opinion of Lichaj (under- or overrated), it is highly suspicious that he has not been brought into a single camp under Klinsmann. JK has shown he doesn’t throw out pool players just because of brief spells of bad club form (Danny Williams, Parkhurst, Shea, Orozco).
If Tim Ream is worth taking a look at (and I don’t see the harm in that), so is Eric Lichaj.
Your comment “Lichaj has made it clear he is uncomfortable at left back” can’t be entirely true. Yes, he did struggle there last season for Villa. But, that team was atrocious and barely managed to avoid the drop. Lichaj has had success at both FB positions in the past.
If you think we’re covered at RB between Evans, Parkhurst, and a 35 y.o. Cherundolo who may never recover fully from his latest surgery, you’re fooling yourself. At least Lichaj has the pace and strength to keep up with higher level international players, even if his last club year was subpar.
Hogatroge,
I’m not a fan of conspiracies when there is probably a much simpler answer:
Dolo, Chandler, Fabian, DMB, Castillo, Cameron, Fiscal, Evans, Torres,Parkhurst,Beltran
I think those are all the fullbacks who have played significant time for JK
What do they have in common? As a group I would say they are stronger attacking than defending.
Go back over the this latest winning streak and watch the fullbacks, I think you will find they are very offensively oriented almost to a fault.
And that can’t be by accident.
The way this US team is playing lately requires the backs to be comfortable on offense the way most of the guys I listed are.
My best guess would be that JK sees the current pool of candidates as suiting the current US style better..
Lichaj as I recall is a very solid one on one guy but not so comfortable on the ball going forward…
I have watched a couple of Lichaj’s games, and he has looked good. Also, the Nottingham newspaper writers and fan sites have praised him. Cheers.
Lichaj does deserve to be there. He’s been starting for a Forest squad that’s recorded two clean sheets in two games. Anyone know where he’s been playing on the backline? RB?
Whatever your opinion on Lichaj, it’s definitely strange that a young fullback playing in England hasn’t even been evaluated by the new coach.
Maybe a Brad Evans, Edgar Castillo, or Tony Beltran wins the starting spot over Lichaj in camp, but I don’t see how you don’t even bring the guy in.
How the h*ll is Tim Ream in this camp, but Eric Lichaj isn’t?
Strange indeed. Something is definitely going on. Many people speculate that Eric was not to fond of how JK was managing the team at one point and it got out. Who knows though? There was a time when Eric was playing a lot and well and still not getting call ups. Something smells fishy.
When Robbie Findley went over to Forest and had a run of good games I did not hear a lot of calls for him to get called up.
By run of good games you mean went to Forest to play forward and had 3 goals in 25 appearances? It’s a production spot.
And the Forest slap leaves out the fact Lichaj was playing for Villa last season. Like US regular Guzan. I understand one is a more stable starter than the other but Lichaj is like the exception to the rule of giving some credit for playing on a decent team. Meanwhile you can play sometimes in the Championship, Belgium, Denmark, etc. and that makes you brilliant. But Lichaj we suddenly start parsing the game log. Strange.