Photo by Soobum Im/USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Ahead of October’s CONCACAF Cup, both the U.S. Men’s National Team and Mexico have narrowed their player pool down to 35 and 32, respectively.
Required by CONCACAF to submit preliminary rosters, the USMNT and Mexico did just that Tuesday. Each team must select a final 23-man roster by a deadline of Oct. 1 ahead of the clash at the Rose Bowl nine days later.
Headlining the USMNT roster is a slew of regulars, with only goalkeepers William Yarbrough and Sean Johnson left off from the team’s recent squads to face Peru and Brazil. Clint Dempsey, Fabian Johnson and DaMarcus Beasley have all been included after missing out on the recent friendlies due to injury.
Mexico’s squad also featured many familiar faces, with Giovani Dos Santos, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, Carlos Vela and Guillermo Ochoa all included.
The two teams will collide Oct. 10 at the Rose Bowl with a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup on the line.
Take a closer look at the preliminary rosters below:
USMNT
GOALKEEPERS – Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/England); Bill Hamid (D.C. United/USA); Tim Howard (Everton/England); Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake/USA)
DEFENDERS– Ventura Alvarado (Club America/Mexico); DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo/USA); Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City/USA); John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/Germany); Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/England); Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC/USA); Greg Garza (Atlas/Mexico); Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy/USA); Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana/Mexico); Tim Ream (Fulham/England); Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City/England); DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland/England)
MIDFIELDERS – Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake/USA); Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes/France); Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/Canada); Joe Corona (Veracruz/Mexico); Mix Diskerud (New York City FC/USA); Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany); Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution/USA); Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt/Germany); Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution/USA); Danny Williams (Reading/England); Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy/USA); Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City/USA)
FORWARDS – Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/Canada); Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC/USA); Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy/USA); Aron Johansson (Werder Bremen/Germany); Jordan Morris (Stanford University/USA); Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes/USA); Bobby Wood (Union Berlin/Germany)
MEXICO
GOALKEEPERS – Guillermo Ochoa (Malaga/Spain); Moises Munoz (Club America/Mexico); Alfredo Talavera (Toluca/Mexico); Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey/Mexico)
DEDENDERS – Paul Aguilar (Club America/Mexico); Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad/Spain); Rafael Marquez (Hellas Verona/Italy); Hector Moreno (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands); Miguel Layun (Porto/Portugal); Hector Herrera (Porto, Portugal); Oswaldo Alanis (Guadalajara/Mexico); Arturo Rivas (Tigres/Mexico); Miguel Herrera (Pachuca/Mexico); Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres/Mexico)
MIDFIELDERS – Israel Jimenez (Tigres/Mexico); Andres Guardado (PSV Eindhoven; Netherlands); Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon/Mexico); Jesus Duenas (Tigres/Mexico); Javier Aquino (Tigres/Mexico); Jonathan Dos Santos (Villarreal/ Spain); Luis Montes (Leon/Mexico); Carlos Pena (Leon/Mexico); Javier Guemez (Club America/Mexico)
FORWARDS – Oribe Peralta (Club America/Mexico); Raul Jimenez (Benfica/Portugal); Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad/Spain); Carlos Esquivel (Toluca/Mexico); Jesus Corona (Porto/Portugal); Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany); Elias Hernandez (Leon/Mexico); Jurgen Damm (Tigres/Mexico); Giovani Dos Santos (LA Galaxy/United States)
—
What do you think of the rosters? Which players to do you expect the final 23-man squads?
Share your thoughts below.
Altidore is NEVER fit. Even when he is fit, he plays like he is not. A lazy lumbering forward. Totally inconsistent. I do not understand why JK stick with him. Aron Johansson is a much better choice at forward. Let’s develop some new strikers and throw Altidore on the dustbin of USMNT history!
That ankle that Guardado turned vs Man U. looked pretty bad to me.
It may be the most significant injury of all if he isn’t sharp three weeks from now.
For JK its a lose lose. He loses his haters complain he isn’t a good manager if he wins his haters make excuses why he won. I can see it now if he wins, Mexico has a new manager or someone was hurt. Results matter and take away this years gold cup where they were lacking important players his results in non friendlies is pretty good. So let’s hear the backlash
“if he wins his haters make excuses why he won”…if he wins?
Lets put things into perspective
1. We got beaten by Panama and Jamaica (and sadly that line-up will not change)
2. Even with the 35 man roster the Klinsmann favorites 23 are locked in place (with Altidore up top)
3. EL TRI played Brazil in June and went down only 2-0
4. 3 months later EL Tri scored 2 goals on and tied a fully decked out Argentine squad, the number one ranked team in the world.
they are improving while we are descending due to poor planning
and you say “If he wins”? (the way things are not even the “I believe” will save us)
Ok in June usa beat Germany and the Netherlands on their field. So your June point is worthless. They were missing Jones, Cameron, a fit altidore, Danny Williams and Tim Howard in the gold cup and not to forget bedoya was half his normal self due to injury.
you compare 2 friendlies …….friendlies and 2 actual tournament games?
Danny Williams wasn’t included because other players where ahead of him
Altidore, fit or unfit is the same…..he can’t score goals when the game is on the line
Cameron wasn’t selected by choice…which always seems to be the case with Klinsmann
…..and unless you are clueless Klinsmann is sticking with Guzan
“Ok in June usa beat Germany and the Netherlands on their field.”……but get beaten by Jamaica and Panama months after (we were not even good enough for 3rd place). Isn’t the whole idea win the games that matter?
Stoke asked Cameron to not play and so did Reading with Williams and the only reason guzan was the number 1 is Howard took a year off from usmnt.
USMNT II
(with the exception of Dempsey)
—————————————Dempsey——————————-
——Lletget———————–Feilhaber————————Nagbe
———————Klesjan————————-McCarthy————–
Parkhurst———-Hedges—————Marshall————–Lichaj
————————————–Bill Hamid——————————–
Coach: Bruce Arena
……… and I bet you we qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup,
5-2 Mexico you can not seriously believe that backline could stop El Tri.
Top 10 Defenders of the 2014 MLS Season
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2208481-top-10-defenders-of-the-2014-mls-season
not to stop EL TRI because our strongest back-line couldnt stop them either, but to do enough to get a positive result. And yes I do believe so (Hedges No.8, Marshall No.1 FYI)
The error in your thesis, is you are looking for the best MLS players (not sure why Lichaj was included, you got something against Robbie Rogers) not the best American players. Why no Gonzo he’s rated above your Hedges (38th rated by Whoscored.com this season by the way).
If you are determined to go all MLS it should look like this
——-Dempsey—–
Grella–Bradley—Finlay
——Dax —- Acosta
Rogers-Gonzo-Kevin Ellis-Jalil Anibaba
Those are the highest rated in the position you listed by whoscored.com which is what bleacher report used for their slideshow you linked to for last season.
Johnnyrazor,
You missed the whole point (it happens sometimes).
This team wasn’t “MLS best “
I have nothing against Robbie Rogers; I just used Castillo because he has seen a lot of time with the USMNT and is a regular 90 min player with Monterrey
I didn’t include Gonzalez because he IS included on Klinsmann’s 35 man roster (get it)
“Top 10 Defenders of the 2014 MLS Season” was to justify Hedges and Marshall on the back-line (if the 2015 season was over I would have used it)
Eric Lichaj plays regularly for Nottingham forest , in a full 90 minute player (as a matter of fact they just beat Birmingham city) no intro needed
NYRB are on top of the Eastern conference and their success is mainly due to the midfield (Hence Sasha and Dax)
Dempsey….well, you need someone to finish the chances you have as best as you can….hence deuce
Hope you understand
that team would get torched. Parkhurst at LB is hilarious.
I would replace lazy/Jozy with Aron Johansson and Charlie Davies in a two striker formation up top. With Clint Dempsey as attacking mid/3rd forward.
You can’t do that.
Davies is not in the preliminary roster.
Lot of names on this roster. There were a lot of names on the Gold Cup preliminary roster too but when the smoke cleared, it was the same old stuff.
If we go down to Mexico, and I think we will, I hope Klinsmann has the guts to go down with HIS ship and not throw the players HE has picked under the bus ….. again. He has to own the results this time
Yeah, I kind of hope Klinsmann sticks with Alvarado and Brooks actually. That’s the pair he’s talked up and given the most time together. Wouldn’t really be fair to now throw Omar and Besler out there, with a game on the line, after not playing them together in a year.
Right. Because actual performance, of course, shouldn’t matter. Just throw them out there again, in a big game, and hope they suddenly gel.
Get rid of Lazy Altidore once and for all.
Who you replace him with is the problem.
@ Ives… when is the US Soccer journalist contingent… going to get enough stones to put JK on the spot about Benny and Lichaj constantly being ignored…
We all know there is something more going on… Somebody needs to make JK admit that he flat out does not like them for personal reasons… Benny is an instant starter in most US Soccer fans eyes yet he can’t make a 35 man prelim roster… The guy is an MLS MVP candidtate…
I want answers and I know I am not alone…
Andy I don’t disagree that should be asked, but I question that Ives troubles himself with the comments section of this website.
He reads it from time to time… or at least one of his site admins does.. they have interacted on here before when someone is out of line or sock puppeting…
I am just going to continue to trumpet this until some be it Ives, Wahl… somebody… just flat out make Jurgen answer honestly without doule talk.
+1000
Saying Benny is not in form or has not done enough to break back into the roster is baloney
Brad Guzan and Tim Howard are scrap material. Guzan is just average, in an average league on a poor team. And Howard is no longer the Howard we all loved in the past. We will lose if either Guzan or Howard are in goal. Time to turn the team over to Bill Hamid.
I don’t even know how to respond to that.
are you high?
That was my first thought but I was trying to be diplomatic.
Did you watch how we got eliminated from Gold Cup? Brad Guzan’s penalty coming out of the box was horrendous. That cost us the tournament. That was a blunder from the playground. How about Neymar’s penalty shot which hit Guzan in the hands before going in? This is not quality goalkeeping.
Of all the players fielded in the Gold Cup, you think Guzan was the most at fault? Really? Yes, the penalty that he incurred was costly but it was a very ticky-tack call that is almost never called in league play. I don’t feel that it is reflective of his ability as a goalkeeper. And, the fact that Guzan even got his hands to Neymar’s (let me say that again, NEYMAR’s!) penalty shot in the first place was impressive. You can argue all you want about what the best league in the world is, I am uninterested, but to say that the Premier League is average is laughable. Finally, to claim that Howard is “scrap material” after his first 5 games for Everton this year is outrageous. So, I repeat, are you high?
Just to add to what you say. I have been watching soccer for 40 years. I see a lot of times where I think GK’s go over the line when kicking the ball up field. I never see it called. I never watch closely on GK throws, but I have never seen it called. I doubt this is the first time it has happened, but certainly the first time I have seen it called in a couple of thousand games. If I haven’t made myself clear yet, it was a total fluke that nobody would have ever expected and nobody could have expected because it is never called.
I’ve seen were the same foul, it’s not a penalty could have been called at least 5 times today in the Champions League.
EASTERN
1 New York Red Bulls – McCarthy, Grella, Klestan
2 D.C. United – (Bill Hamid)
3 Columbus Crew SC – Finley, Tchani, Parkhurst
4 New England Revolution – (Nyugen sure will not make the final 23), (Jermaine Jones), Bunbury, Agudelo, Davis, Tierney
————————————————————————————————————
5 Toronto FC – (Bradely), (Altidore)
6 Montreal Impact
7 Orlando City SC
8 Philadelphia Union
9 New York City FC – (Diskerud)
WESTERN
1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2 FC Dallas – Hedges, Lloyd
3 LA Galaxy – Lletget, Rogers, (Gordon) , (Zardes)
4 Seattle Sounders FC – (Dempsey), (Evans)
5 Sporting Kansas City – Feilhaber, Sinovic, (Zusi)
—————————————————————————————————————
6 Portland Timbers – Dalington Nagbe
7 San Jose Earthquakes – (Wondolowski)
8 Houston Dynamo – (Beasley)
9 Real Salt Lake – (Beckerman)(Rimando)
10 Colorado Rapids
Some observations
**Mexico has of 5 players from Tigres UNAL, 4 players from Leon, 4 players from Club America —-all these teams are in the TOP 5 in Liga MX…….very interesting
And pretty much the rest are playing on Champions or Europa League teams in Europe and for the most part playing consistently. And those three teams you named would likely finish 1,2,3 in MLS and one of them will most likely win CCL.
bizzy, does Liga MX have an allocation process for NTers like the MLS does? one reason why our MLS NTers are spread out is because they set it up to do exactly that; other wise they most likely would gravitate towards the top clubs naturally. i get your point but i think there are other factors that detract from your implied theory
Corona, Mix, Morris?? Really ??
Where is Dax McCarthy, Where is Klejstan?
Klinsman please go home.
I think Dax merits a look at some point but there should be no experimenting in this game.
you really think bringing in Dax for the first time since 2011 is a good idea for a one-off game?
how many times does Kljestan need to show his play at the international level is not good enough?
Dax is the guy who will fight on the field for every ball and leave every bit of sweat for the country if given a chance. 30% of the guys on that list I am not sure even speak English much or care to break a sweat when putting on a US jersey
i know, that’s about all he brings to the international level. but we have plenty of CMs already integrated:
Jones
Bradley
Bedoya
Williams
Morales
Mix
Corona
Beckerman
and guess what quality those players all bring as well? work ethic. so your snide “30%” comment shows a complete disregard for reality.
Is Mix even starting for NYCFC still?
honestly i don’t even know. either way, he’s not making much of an impact.
Sorry, I’ve heard them all speak and they all speak English fluently.
Bringing in Dax instead of Corona or Mix wouldn’t matter… in fact Dax is more deserving than either given his play and the position he could play IMO.
Sacha is becoming more of a two-way mid with NYRB and doing a pretty solid job at it… another guy deserving of a look… then again if JK wants to insist on playing him on the wing, he probably would look like he doesn’t belong at the international level.
Sacha has been tried by the USMNT in a variety of positions in the midfield several times by two managers over a number of years.
This was during a time when he was a regular started for Anderlecht.and before
He has never convinced anyone that he deserves a full time gig.
what are you talking about? Dax plays a position we have plenty of depth in. that’s it, it’s that simple. Corona and Mix are not competing with Dax. that said, i certainly don’t think Mix deserves a call up. as for Corona, when he does get on the field for his club, he’s been solid enough. plus, he can play wide.
as for Sasha, he has had many chances in the MIDDLE and it never works. under both Bob and JK. too many other two-way CMs in the pool. Feilhaber and Nguyen are the type of CMs who need to be in consideration. not Sasha/Dax.
Sorry I like Dax as an MLS player but he’s not an international player. Could he play against Guatemala or St. V&G sure, but against WC quality teams no.
For how long was the same said of Beckerman?
And it’s pretty much always been true. Good enough against Concacaf and overmatched internationally. If Josh isn’t hurt he probably doesn’t play much in WC.
Josh?
Sorry autocorrect on my phone Jozy.
Beckerman’s game is different from what Dax does.
Klinsmann gave Sascha a lot of chances and he he never did better than mediocre and often looked to be a liability. I have liked Dax for a long time and I think he could be a future Beckerman. Dax was called into the last January camp and played about 10 minutes in one of the following friendlies. Apparently Klinsmann doesn’t rate him high enough at this point. He bases that on actually watching Dax play with our other players in camp. I haven’t seen that and I imagine nobody else here has. We have a lot of pretty good midfielders and Dax is one of them. Is he better than half a dozen others? I don’t know and it’s probably a crap shoot on ranking them. Personally I would put him ahead of Mix, but that’s one of those that’s tough to judge. Maybe next year.
Yes, agreed. Where is Charlie Davies?. He has been playing well and is a much better choice than lazy Jozy Altidore. As for the game, it is not as important as it is hyped. Germany did not go to Confed..Cup, and won WC tournament. Neither did Brazil. Let’s have some perspective. yes, and important game, nut not the end all and be all. But would be good game with the pressure, to get some youngsters playing time, and experience, not a bunch of over the hill, old farts like Gordon and Beas, even if it is one game only. And 4 goalies? Geez what a waste of roster spots. JK is nuts!
Blunt, but I agree
Germany has the Euros every 2 years to really test itself, we don’t. We just rarely see top teams in real games.
Euros are every 4, but your point remains the same.
Charle Davies last played for the US in the fall of 2009, nearly 6 years ago.
He is doing a nice job at New England but that is not the same thing as what he would be dealing with in the playoff game.
If he keeps it up then sure bring him in the January camp.
But ask yourself this:
Would you rather give meaningful USMNT time to Charlie or to younger forwards with more future 2018 potential like AJ, Agudelo, Wood, Morris or Rubin?
I said a couple of weeks ago, the schedule is so packed I don’t know how you bring in any new players. Can’t experiment this game, unless you don’t care about results, which JK and Sunil claim they do, then its right into qualifying yes it St.V&G but at T&T is no gimmie, then you have Jan. camp the traditional experiment camp, but its now the prep for the home and away with Guatamala. Then next Summer is prep for Copa America if it happens and on US soil you have to send your best possible lineup, before final two qualifiers next Sept. (hopefully we’ll have place locked up and could test here). Then the Hex would have the first 6 hex matches before the Confed Cup, followed by the final 6 hex matches before the send off series for Russia. That’s a lot of pressure filled games.
Honestly, I don’t think it would be bad if Copa got canceled and we missed the Confed Cup and could play friendlies in these periods to test new players.
There is a friendly against Costa Rica on the 13th if JK needs time for more experimenting.
I had forgotten about that one, I think that roster will be very dependent on MLS Playoff races. I think we’ll see the European players that are in country for Mex game and then guys that aren’t needed for that weekend, and there are 3 games on that Thursday including Toronto vs NYRB and Portland vs RSL so no Nagbe on Oct.13 sorry guys and probably no MB or Jozy.
You can call in some new guys to the 23 and play them vs. the little guys (and I consider Guatemala at home a gimmee) and then use your regulars for T&T and Guatemala away. My guess is that Klinsmann won’t care how high the US places in the South American tournament and will mix in some younger guys with the regulars. If we make the Confed Cup, the only crucial games will be a couple of the first round in the qualifiers, all the games in the Hex, and the Confed Cup. With some friendlies sure to be thrown into the mix, that still gives the US quite a few games to mix in younger, newer players.
Jraz,
Copa America would give the USMNT 3-6 significant, competitive games to further evaluate the team.
Losing them would significantly alter the USMNT’s preparations for 2018.
Right now the US will have the following competitive games to prepare for Russia:
Playoff Game 1
WC qualifying
4th round 6
Hex 10
That is 17 games assuming they don’t make the Confed Cup.
With Confed Cup you add 3-5 games, giving you 20-25 games
If they have to play in a WC playoff that adds 2 games giving, you 20-27 games.
As far as I know there is no 2017 Gold Cup
Copa America would give them the potential to have 33 competitive games before Russia, if they get there.
Qualifying for the Olympics adds another 3-6 games but probably only for the young guys
It should be clear to the most observers that JK, with three years to go, is still looking for his 10 outfield starters for Russia. He probably has his goal keepers but that is about it for locks for the roster
You can’t replace Copa America with a bunch of friendlies.
JK looks at friendlies as somewhere between practice scrimmages and NFL pre- season games. Which is how most of the rest of the world looks at friendlies. They are not meaningless but they don’t mean the same thing to JK and his staff that they might to SBI fans who expect the USMNT to win every exhibition while playing their favorite players.
Which is one reason why y’all get so angry.
Even if you are very optimistic and believe that US player pool is as deep and talented as Brazil’s or Argentina’s the fact is not enough of them, at their clubs, get tested against top level opposition with the same intensity and regularity as the Brazilians and the Argentinians.
Americans at foreign clubs, with one or two exceptions, are not with Champions’ League contenders. MLS still does not provide the kind of competitive pressure and intensity that the top 4 leagues in Europe demand
Since there is no probable remedy for this situation before 2018, at the very least, it would be good to get the USMNT in as many tough competitive games before Russia as possible.
Changes non-stop, but he won’t call in Nagbe.
this is literally the first chance since he’s been eligible…
at least wait until the roster for the 10/13 game is out.
or january……. lol
Portland has a game on Oct. 14 doubtful you will see Nagbe in Oct. with Timbers in their playoff run.
that’s a fair point.
What stands out to me is Yedlin listed as a defender and Johnson at midfield. I think that the zardes and yedlin as wingers didn’t work out the way JK thought. with Johnson starting at LM and prolly Bedoya at RM gives JK more possession that they truly need
They are usually listed that way as its how they are listed with their clubs. Although it is interesting Zardes is usually listed as a forward both by US Soccer and the Galaxy.
look at the last roster for the USA yedlin was a midfielder and Johnson was a defender
I said usually didn’t say always.
out with old,
There is a simple solution.
List Fabian as a midfielder and Yedlin as a defender.
Feel better now?
Lichaj couldn’t get into the roster with a 70 man limit.
I don’t see better alternatives at RB… Evans? Chandler? they’ve had their chances and underwhelmed
Dont worry this lineup looks solid but uninspiring. We need a new look. How about this for next year. Zardes and dempsey up top. Lletget and nagbe at wings with bradley and williams holding down the fort. Shea brooks geoff and johnson on back line. FielhAber could come in for dwill. Morris davies off bench for speed.
i’m surprised no Nagbe honestly. that said, i’ll bet money on him being included in the 10/13 game since that roster does not need to be cut from this 35-man list.
Klinsmann has never called in a MLS player to first get a look, anytime other then January camp. I don’t see that trend changing for Nagbe.
oh i know, i follow Matt Doyle. he loves repeating that. i’d bet just about anything on Nagbe getting a call up outside of a January camp though.
how much? lol
i’ll take that bet
so you are convinced Nagbe doesn’t get a call up until January. is that correct?
That’d be my bet anyway
Last season Zardes had a much better year than Nagbe. In fact, he had a better year than almost every other US player in MLS, if you go by goals scored. He didn’t get called in until the January camp. You don’t plunk a player into the middle of the team until you see him practice with the other players to see how well he stacks up and how well he fits in. That’s what I see as Klinsmann’s thinking.
my 12 cuts:
Morris (needs to be with U-23s)
Wondo (nope)
Gordo (nope)
Rimando (rather see Hamid)
Zusi (others I’d prefer)
Garza (he can’t even get a minute at Atlas)
Mix (hasn’t looked all that good)
Beckerman (so long as Williams & Morales are healthy)
Brad Evans (simply had to cut, but has proven to be a nice depth option at RB)
Michael Orozco (just don’t see him making it unless FJ is still out)
Tim Ream (if Beasley, Besler, and JAB are there, I think Ream loses out)
Jonathan Spector (like him but almost positive he is only an option if FJ is out)
sorry but Ream will make the final cut, and will probably start especially if Beas is still unfit due to that calf strain. Imho Ream was MoM for both Sept friendlies and I think you have to strongly consider sticking with him against a not so fleet of foot(sans Gio)mejico team!
those were MY picks, not JK’s. and yes, Ream probably will….especially if Beasley is out injured.
also, you’re smoking some good stuff if you think Ream put in a good performance against Brazil. torched repeatably. all Mexico needs to do is throw speed at his side.
Definitely wasn’t smoking that night so my opinion still stands but if you want to get technical about it the whole team got torched by Brazil but Ream never gave up a goal from his side unlike those playing in the midfield which is where all of the pressure and goal scoring opportunities came from. I recall Ream trying to cover for either Orozco or Alvarado because they stepped too far upfield and the Brazil player ended up scoring on a cut back but Ream still played it well considering he had to cover for the CB’s. Disliking Ream is one thing but don’t make stuff up because of your distaste for the player. Why no mention of the number of times he intercepted a pass or his ability to get forward and his ability to complete penetrating passes in the Brazil half of the field?? Watch the game again my friend haha
Your defense of Ream is sort of like saying some of the lifeboats on the Titanic worked.
Obviously, you will defend Ream even if he was awful but, that was not the sort of game where you can say anyone on the US looked very good.
Nothing I said was made up nor do I dislike Ream. No one had a good game but we are talking about Ream who had nothing close to a MoTM performance.
Ream will make the cut as the backup for Beasley.
probably. in hindsight cutting Garza and Ream is not a great idea. someone needs to be there to back up Beasley.
———Altidore———-Zardes—
—————–Dempsey————
———Jones———Bradley—–
—————-Williams—————
-Ream-Besler-Cameron-Johnson-
——————Guzan——————-
subs: Bedoya, Yedlin, Wood
bench: Johannsson, Nguyen, Beckerman, Spector, Gonzalez, Brooks, Beasley, Hamid, Howard
did not make the 23: Morris, Gordon, Wondo, Zusi, Mix, Corona, Morales, Garza, Orozco, Alvarado, Evans, Rimando
or the 4-5-1
——————Dempsey————-
-Bedoya——Bradley—-Zardes–
———Jones——–Williams——-
-Ream-Besler-Cameron-Johnson-
—————Guzan———————-
That’s a fair prediction, although I don’t see Spector making this game over Alvarado or even Orozco. And even though I prefer Nguyen over Mix, it doesn’t seem likely that JK agrees. I still think Beasley is our first LB option for this upcoming game.
what you are saying is JK true.
I think that Spector is more useful than Alvarado and Orozco – especially if the other RB’s Johnson and Yedlin are very likely to be played higher up the field. Spector is also a decent CM in a practice setting – verses having a 5th cb around.. if so Orozco looks to be more prepared for big games than Alvarado.
Beasley certainly has a role in this team and JK did state that he is LB for this game. I am leaning towards Ream who is in his prime and looked well at LB recently.
i agree a lot with your first lineup except I see it more as a false 9 433 tactically but yea.
I wish we could have seen a Ream/Cameron trial at CB during the sept friendlies. Given that CBs hit their prime later in career, I don’t see the rush to implement Brooks, Alvarado, etc right now. I guess, idk, would a Ream/Cameron CB look be a bit too old for WC 2018?
Am I the only one who thinks Charlie Davies should absolutely be getting a call-up? He has been hit and miss the past two seasons, but I can’t think of any forward in the pool who wants it more than him. Reward the grueling work he put into rehab to get where he is. Are wood or Altidore miles ahead of him? No way.
I guarantee he would give his all if given the chance to represent the US, and I, for one, don’t understand why he isn’t afforded the opportunity.
i would 100% prefer him over Wondo or Gordon. this guy is 28, has loads of experience, and is back to his best.
Amen. It’s time.
yep would love to see Charlie Davies in there.
Let’s not forget the Davis put himself in this position because he was out partying late into the night, the night before a qualifier (the accident occurred at 3:45 AM). I know its been a few years and everyone deserves second chances, but that’s a pretty big act of forgiveness in a game with so much meaning.
That’s a fair point.
This is not the time or place. Gordon is actually a very good choice because he is so good in the air. If we need a goal in the last 10 minutes and can get some crosses in, he’s our best bet. I’m not a Wondo fan, but he has played with the other players a lot more. People complain about JK throwing players in different positions or bringing in new players, then they insist that we should play someone who hasn’t played with the national team at all (Lletget, Finlay), or who hasn’t played with them in years (Feilhaber, Davies). People keep saying we need to have continuity and build team chemistry. You don’t build it by bringing in a new guy (Davies hasn’t played with most of the current US players) for one important game. The first round of qualifying against the minnows (we need a good lineup for T&T) is when we can give guys like that a chance. Then, if he does that, people will complain again about his selections.
I see your logic, but the problem is that our current squad did awful in the gold cup, as well as against Brazil (though there were a few changes). The reason we need to try new players is that the current team isn’t getting the job done. Consistency is key, UNLESS the team is consistently underachieving.
The reason for taking a risk on new blood (or old blood in the case of Davies or Benny), at least on the bench, is because the current squad has had their chance to deliver in the must-win games (going back to the world cup… see Wondo, for instance), and they haven’t done it.
Klinsmann is rolling the dice either way. If this group wins and plays well, he deserves credit. If they lose, he deserves blame. But the same is true with him calling in new players. The US doesn’t have a greater chance of beating Mexico just because they have a consistent group of players. The question isn’t really about consistency; it’s about who is playing better, and who may give us a better chance of winning a “must-win” game.
That’s what I’m debating, at least. Consistency is good, but not when there are “perhaps” better players who can give us a better chance of winning. In conclusion, I wish Klinsmann would take a risk by calling on new players, rather than taking a risk by calling on this same group.
Watching the SKC game the other night, Lalas cautioned US fans that Lee and Bennie’s success in MLS doesn’t necessarily mean success on the NT level. I know Lex can be a tool, but he does know I thing or two about professional and national team soccer and he usually can’t stand Jk so if he agrees about those two I think its cause to listen.
So being pretty average in MLS like Mix and Bradley means they’ll be good on the National team?
Nice!
Mix and Mikey have already shown they can be useful to the USMNT. certainly more than Benny or Lee ever have.
,
They earn the benefit of the doubt more because of their previous experience.
And they are younger than Benny and Lee meaning they are more likely to be around for 2018
I agree with that, but Davies has had success in the kit. I’m not saying it isn’t risky. It most definitely is. But, in my opinion, so is playing this same crop of players.
Well, the reason I would caution against not bringing at least Benny in is because a lot of us have seen him get it done for the Nats, in a GC and WC. Listen I think most people, including myself, are fine with this roster for this one off game because ultimately in this scenario continuity is very important but going forward we need to test the youngins to see what we have in meaningful games and guys like Benny and Lee who are just 30, still have a lot to offer the team especially considering they have seemingly gotten better with age. Now if JK continues to imply there are guys ahead of a BF, which I think a lot of fans would call vs, but it Klinsys perogative as manager and we’ll just have to live with it because it will not be the first or the last time a seemingly deserving player is left out in the cold
*would call bs*
Ronniet
Bennie’s last successful Gold Cup was in 2007 nearly 8 years ago.
He was a good sub in South Africa 5 years ago but that was for a different manager and he was not playing the role that you want him to play for the USMNT today.
It’s one thing to be a good half time sub it is another to be the offensive fulcrum for the USMNT.
There is a long list of outstanding MLS players who were busts at the international level.
I think the final 23 will be close to the team we took to the World Cup. That’s the team, with maybe 3 or 4 changes, that Klinsmann knows he can count on. The Brazil game means very little, Peru is a better gauge. BTW, for both games we were missing about half of our usual starting outfield players, a crucial fact that a lot of people overlook.
Still think a 4-3-3 is the way to go. Give Zardes and Yedlin as much space as possible to be 1v1 on the flanks with Dempsy finishing and Nguyen creating. 4-3-3 also gives more space for FJ to get into the attack
While a lot of people criticized the U”S formation against Brazil, thinking about it I suspect that Klinsmann’s hope was that by playing Bedoya defensively he would then have two speedy wingers in Zardes and Yedlin, Then when the ball was turned over, those wingers could quickly transform our formation to a 4-3-3. Given that, he may want to play three up top vs. Mexico. However, I think he would go with Altidore, Dempsey and Zardes in that situation, with Yedlin as a substitute in the last 20 minutes, as he has done so often in the past.
I’m very ok with that. almost a false 9 (CD) there. put DW as CDM and MB/JJ as CMs and i can live with that.
Wait now we are making Yedlin a forward?
Guys, 9 of these players will be cut. At least save your hysteria until that point.
9? you mean 12.
4-3-3
Guzan
Garza-Cameron-Bessler-Johnson
J Jones-Nguyen-Bradley
Zardes-Dempsy-Yedlin
Morris in for Dempsy at 65′ mark
Beasley for Garza and should be Nguyen at AM and Bradley at DM but won’t
Garza has hardly played for Atlas. i like him but he’s not playing so we can’t rely on him for a game this big.
Yet another stupid roster selection by JK. Alan Gordon, Wondo, Beasley, Beckerman? All too old. no future! So much for getting new blood in the lineup. And Jozy again? Good lord. Give it up on this guy already!!! Don’t even get me started on that one. And yeah, why no Brek Shea? Timmy Chandler must still be injured too! Klinsmann needs to retire! Stick to recruiting. Philip Lamm was right, no clue to coaching. No tactics! We will lose to Mexico with this lineup, I predict.
You’re going to make a lot of enemies with this post. But people who tell the truth usually do.
Spot on.
agreed about Wondo. Beckerman on a 35 man roster to provide depth as a true #6 in case Williams goes down is smart. Beasley is apparently our LB for now and I certainly have no issue with him in a 35-man roster anyway.
clearly disagree about Jozy. not sure how you can argue he shouldn’t be on the 35 man list…
as for Brek Shea, I would be ok with him on the 35-man list but he just got back from being out for awhile.
One game roster. Win or go home. Not an experiment game. You aren’t “too old” for one game in a future tense of “value.” You either can or can’t play.
This is a preliminary roster for one important game and one game only. If you can’t recognize how that affects the decisions, it is hopeless to reason with you.
“All too old. no future! So much for getting new blood in the lineup. ”
It’s a roster for one game. An important game too. Are you aware of that?
Yeah I have to agree with the fellas on this one, thithis on off game is the last place you want to be bringing in newbies or untested players because it’s too important of a match. However, if we continue to see these “old heads” in the aftermath of this game I will absolutely be on board with your line of thinking. But you never know with Klinsy though!!
I would have tried to get Shea in there somewhere, just to bring him off the bench.
Happy to see Morris and Nguyen.
I have to admit I am a little surprised to see Jordan Morris. I figured he would be left out for Olympic Qualifying. Unless they keep him for a while in training and then cut him loose for the U-23’s.
Well the U23 tournament starts first
You are right. I hate to lose him for Olympic qualification.
The Mexico game is more important than Olympic qualification. Plus, this is a 34 man preliminary squad. He could be cut from the final squad and still go to Olympic qualifying.
I’m surprised too, and think it’s a complete joke that JK continues to name someone who has shunned a pro contract to senior team rosters. You like the kid, great, put him on every U23 roster and give him tons of responsibility. Give the senior team caps to guys who have committed themselves to soccer at the highest level they can. To do otherwise flies in the face of everything JK has been advising players to do. Say one thing then do the opposite is no way to run a program or inspire players.
True, at least spare us the endless talk about having to push yourself and prove it the highest level you can find.
The reality is that Morris has impressed given the chances he’s had on Nats, and it’s not like anyone has been tearing it up at striker for us. You give a guy chances and he delivers and we are weak at that position… I dare say we may need this amateur to help the team win and winning is all that matters in this game.
Have you considered the possibility that he has featured Morris so that he can attract interest from places other than Seattle? Just like he played Bobby Wood, who was out of contract and largely forgotten, in the friendlies against Holland and Germany. I think he was showcasing Wood to help him get a club. He may be doing the same with Morris, hoping he can get a European contract. There could be a number of things going on here, but people don’t consider the possibilities. Also, this is a preliminary roster that he has to cut down by about 10 players so there is no guarantee Morris will actually be at the Mexico game.
Wouldn’t playing for Seattle be preferable to college soccer?
Yes, and playing in Europe would be even better. I really think Holland would be perfect for Morris. He would probably get a bigger paycheck, allowing him to pay for a Stanford education in the future and open the door for moving on to even more lucrative clubs and better competition. If you recall, Ernie Stewart, the American GM at Alkmaar, was in the stands watching when the US played Holland. He previously signed Altidore and then Johannsson.
Who said he wanted to turn pro? I for one hope he doesnt. Your college years are short enough. I hope he enjoys them and savors every minute. Plenty of time to turn pro if thats what he wants. AND he will have a Stanford degree to fall back on if he blows out his knee and can’t play anymore. Stay in school…it’s in your best interest
I don’t think Stanford is going to close anytime soon. You can always go back, especially when you have a load of cash like you would get playing professional soccer in Europe or when you crash out of Europe and sign a DP contract in a few years.
He has produced. It’s a production spot. He scored on Mexico just this year, geez.
I also think he’s being groomed to push Jozy. I look at his frame and approach and I think JK wants him to be a target striker that can help him shove Jozy off the field.
I really hope that happens.
+1000
Can’t see Morris being anything but a seasonal fad. I know you can’t teach speed, but there are lots of fast defenders internationally. Just like Jozy’s reliance on his big frame (even though he doesn’t use it well) has made him one dimensional and predictable. Morris will do the same with his speed. The only forwards in the pool who have a diverse skill set are an aging Dempsey and rarely used AJ.
Did you see him in the Toulon Tournament? He showed some real skill there. And he’s still young and very inexperienced. I see a lot of potential.
You can never have too many good strikers and the US doesn’t have any real quality except Dempsey. Altidore is pretty good, but we need better and Johannsson hasn’t really blossomed yet. A future of two of those 3 ()Altidore, Johannsson, Morris) in the lineup together looks possible right now.
he’s included in here merely as a back up option. i think it’s safe to say he won’t be on the 23 but JK wanted to have him in the pool of players to choose from if someone goes down injured.
nothing is really safe to say when it comes to Klinsmann, who knows he could start
yeah but everyone reported during the last round of friendlies that JK seemed to imply Morris would be with the U-23s and not in the Mexico game. we’ll see though.
Agree that Morris likely won’t make the final 23; that’s part of the reason I think he should have named someone like a Bruin or Rolfe or Boyd (is he healthy?) if they’re likely not going to be in the final squad anyway. Heck Nagbe can play forward and I have to think he could give Mexico all kinds of trouble. The U23s are going to need Morris and the kid is in school so likely very busy. It would probably be helpful for him to just know where he will need to be in October rather than be strung along
Bruin or Rolfe? as a DC fan, i love Rolfe, but I would much rather see Charlie Davies who has the experience.
totally agree about Nagbe. he’s not having an amazing club play right now but he provides what we desperately need.
What, you think Klinsmann named Morris to the preliminary roster without talking to Morris and discussing the options and possibilities? And maybe he also discussed how it would affect Morris’ academic situation. We know from the past that Klinsmann will talk to players beforehand and, when applicable, their clubs regarding their playing, etc. People who don’t like him assume he is also a doofus and doesn’t do the most common sensical things..
Just because it isn’t released to the public sphere doesn’t mean Jordan doesn’t know what the plan is. Not everything is released by US Soccer to the public.
Boyd hasn’t played or sat the bench for Leipzig since surgery. Bruin falls into the young but not considered, Rolfe falls into the old and not considered by JK.
Think before you post absurdities.
That is true, he could be on the provo list, left off for the game roster, and suit up for the U23s. But if the wrong people off the provos get hurt, he suits up.
But this does put him well up the team depth chart.
agreed.
Let me spare you the suspense: Sunil has already said that win or lose this game, JK will remain coach through WC 2018
Doesnt mean a thing. If we really fall he would have to do something
One of the first things that catches my eye is looking at the clubs from which Mexican strikers are featuring on compared to US defenders. Will JK continue to experiment? Either way I don’t see him getting out of this one. I’m just curious to know if he will keep his job prior to the game.
post**
the amount of players they have on top Portuguese clubs right now is interesting. Benfica and Porto are two of the best clubs in the world for younger talents and two of the most underrated clubs in Europe.
that and Miguel Herrera is returning the Mexican back line are two things to be concerned about!
I think he does use players according to the competition at times. Thus, he is likely to go with Alvarado and DMB because both play or have played in the Mexican league and know their style of play and many of their players.
Wow JK really went out on a limb here.
JK’s starting 11 will be this:
Guzan
Fab. Johnson, Alvarado, Brooks, Beasley (if healthy)
D. Williams
Bedoya Bradley Jones
Jozy Dempsey
and somehow we will win.
Bingo. This will be the lineup barring a complete JK shocker; although I could see Beckerman for Williams. Disagree completely with this lineup for so many reasons, but hope your victory prediction holds true despite JK’s ineptitude.
I think it’s close to the line up we’ll see. I have a feeling Klinsi might insert Besler in the back. And i know he was played out of position, but i’d like to see someone other than Bedoya at the right. Thinking we might see Zardes there.
Where does Zardes go? Klinsmann obviously likes him a lot, so I think he will be in there instead of either Williams or Jones. It is possible, though, that he comes in early in the second half for Jones, especially if we need a goal.
and JK basically hinted after the Peru game that Zardes will play a major part in the Mexico game. sure he then had an off night against Brazil, but i have a feeling Zardes is going to start.
The lineup looks good. re: Jones, I only see Zardes replacing him if Jones is not having a good game.
The only big surprise in here was Nguyen (which is nice). It´s a pretty “solid” roster but as soon as the Mexico game is over we need to start testing the new guys. Will Trapp, Ethan Finlay, Sebastian Lleget, Rubio Rubin, Mike Miazga, Gedion Zelalem, Paul Arriola, Harry Ship, among others… Our roster is getting old and if we don´t start to integrate does guys to our USMNT… dark days are coming. Go US!
You nailed it on the “our roster is getting old” comment.
I appreciate what they’ve done for the US, but I’m tired of seeing names like Zusi and Wondolowski on this list. I would also say Altidore, but that wouldn’t go over too well.
I like Jozy and he delivered many times for the national team, but he has regressed since moving to MLS and is no longer an automatic starter.
You’re definitely right about that regression. I would say, however, that his regression began as soon as he left Alkmaar. I watched every game he played in a Sunderland shirt, and many of them were cringe-worthy.
In my opinion, Jozy is only a starter b/c we can’t seem to find a consistent replacement. If Terrence Boyd would have been able to stay healthy he would have been a good option. Bobby Wood and Jordan Morris are both big, strong boys and I’m sure in the near future will be able to fill Jozy’s inconsistent shoes.
Boyd was garbage every time he got in the field for the US except for one game.
As opposed to his Sunderland career? It’s hard to judge his regression since its all different degrees of downhill.
Watched both Bradley and Jozy Sat night in their game against the Revs. Neither got a point though Jozy is getting better at diving. Meanwhile Lee got 2 assists against them.
We seriously need to find another answer instead of Jozy
Jozy has never scored on either Costa RIca or Mexico in games that matter.
Is that because he can’t or because he hasn’t had much opportunity?
His first international goal was against Mexico.
And RImando. Let Hamid, Johnson, Yarborough or whomever battle it out for the 3rd keeper.
Third keeper is essentially there to help with training sessions, and Rimando is solid and steady thus good to help out in training sessions. Yarborough isn’t playing for his home club right now either and Johnson is letting in a lot of goals but mostly because the defense in front of him is bad.
really hope that we see a lot of USMNT debuts in the first round of qualifiers (T&T and SVG) and the January camp games.
agree with you that the US pool has all kinds of options but the consistent roster that JK calls in is looking a bit tired. obviously this October is not the time to experiment.
T&T will be a quality opponent. Looking at their form during the Gold Cup and the couple matches since they have shown themselves to have the quality this time around to potentially challenge the Big 3 of CONCACAF.
SVG on the other hand is an excellent opponent to blood some new/younger players. Especially at some of the positions of need/concern for the USMNT. I’m hoping that JK doesn’t hold off until January to blood some of the new, younger, and faster options…..
Nagbe, Lleget, Finlay, & Wooten. Would like to see some other outside defenders as well, but besides Lichaj & Shea returning I can’t think of anyone worth trying.
Some of the guys you mention are likely to be on the Olympic qualifying team and will probably play considerably on that team, assuming they qualify, in some friendlies next year before the Olympics. Regarding Nguyen, perhaps because of his unhappiness with his contract, he didn’t start this MLS season really well. He has really come on in the last month, art least according to the commentator at this last weekend’s match in which he looked very good.
Yabbut, I heard “roster is getting old” against Jones and look what the CBs are doing now. You want the champ’s belt you have to knock him out. The key problem is, where is the next generation to shove Dempsey, Bradley, Jones, et al. aside? Someone has to step up.
Houston Dynamo have the same conundrum, ageing core but it’s also most of their good players, too. Team is already not playoffs, gut the veterans, even worse. But there have to be replacements.
Hard to argue too much here. No glaring omissions given the circumstances. Guys like Hedges, Feilhaber, Lletget, Finlay, Wooten, Dax, Lichaj were never going to feature in the CONCACAF CUP. Hopefully some of those guys will get opportunities soon, but now was the time to integrate new faces.
Now was NOT* the time to integrate
No Timmy chandler. Is it because his injury is sure to keep him out, or has he finally fallen out of favor after performing poorly in the Gold Cup?
he’s injured. he would start otherwise, can guarantee it.
You can’t experiment in a “final” situation. At best you dress on the bench some phenom. But in a situation where you blow the whole thing with one mistake you don’t want to learn under that pressure someone is not ready to play.
Look at all those new CB combo pairings JK can test out. He will be like a kid in a Haribo factory.
My money is on Zardes and Vela as the starting pair, with Lee Nguyen in D-mid protecting them.
When your obsession to change positions leads you to try players of the opposing team, it’s time to go.
Vela? No way. I hear JK is going to try him in goal.
Wow, i was pleasantly surprised by one name on here: Lee Nguyen. I still think he has the ability to help our team (nor has he been given much of a chance to do so), so i’m glad he at least has a shot of making the team.
+1
I would love to see him get a real chance! Won’t happen in the game against Mexico but soon hopefully
That was the name that jumped out to me also. I doubt he makes the 23, to be real, but it might point to things down the road.
Yeah, but still funny how Feilhaber and Lichaj still can’t get in on the action, even on a 35 man roster…Drop any combination of Rimando, Wondo, Beckerman, Evans, or Corona, and you have two more spots available.
Now, I understand to some extent that playing with the roster now isn’t exactly smart, so I don’t find it all that much of a problem for this one game, but hopefully those guys can at least see some action in the coming friendlies.
Also, kind of interesting just how early this roster came out (apparently due to CONCACAF requiring it). I’m used to seeing it the day before everyone is supposed to join the camp. Nice to be able to see what we are looking at way before the game.
Corona & Mix still being given chances? no thanks
Mix & Corona are the least disturbing of the players on the preliminary roster. The fact that Wondolowski, Beckerman, and to an extent Rimando are all on the preliminary roster IMO is the biggest issue.
Wondo is crap and shouldn’t be anywhere near the USMNT.
Beckerman showed that he no longer has what it takes to play at this level as seen during the Gold Cup.
Rimando….with Howard & Guzan there is no reason to have the 40 year old mini-mouse with the team. They need to get the next generation exposed to this competition.
hard to argue here.. except rimando is a good cheerleader.
Wondo has never been an international player. agreed.
beckerman should be on this preliminary, not the 23 though.
Your calling Wondo crap speaks for your ignorance of the game. Wondo is the most prolific scorer in MLS and is also USMNT eligible. It is to the discredit of some of the team members that Wondo has not scored recently. He is usually not a starter. But in my opinion he should be. Players can only score if they get minutes to play. This national team needs to start playing and passing to team members that are open, not to the friends they think are the most influential.
As we all know club performance does not always translate to the International Level. Wondo may be the most prolific goal scorer in MLS but it has never translated to his performances with the USMNT. Wondo has had his time with the national team (both minutes and games played) and has not done anything positive with them. At 32 there is nothing that suggests that there is anything worthwhile to be gained from having him in even the preliminary squad.
I would take Wooten, Bunbury, Nagbe, Agudelo, and even CD9 over Wondo any day of the week and twice anytime the National Team is playing.
So why do you think Klinsmann chooses him? Klinsmann is an excellent judge of player quality. The German national team that won the world-cup largely consisted of players Klinsmann chose. That gives him pretty good credentials. There is a misconception that a player has to be flashy to score goals. What Wondo doesn’t have in speed, but he has in endurance. Wondo can score if players behind him are good enough to serve him balls that can be played. Soccer is a team sport. It takes team members who want to win. Unfortunately there are players on this national team who find it unnecessary to look up to see where the open man is, There are team members who do not see it necessary to move off the ball into a serviceable position. But that takes energy that that some players do not want to expend.
“Klinsmann is an excellent judge of player quality”. Oh really? I’ll relay the message to LD.
Yes!
Wondo is a pure givah!
and yes JK is excellent judge of talent. Glad that Alvarado is our centreback.
Oh, and since Germany won with a talented technician as coach, why doesnt Klinsi get someone who knows tctics to be on the sidelines with him?
Is it too late to trade one juerguen for another? Can we get Klopp?