With World Cup qualifiers around the corner, and MLS now in full swing, it’s a perfect time for an SBI Q&A.
SBI editor-in-chief Ives Galarcep will be answering reader questions on Wednesday, and taking on topics ranging from the USMNT to MLS to European soccer and even pop culture questions about movies and TV shows.
Submit your questions in the comments section below and Ives will answer them. Unlike past Q&As, responses will appear directly in the comments section here, so be sure to check back in throughout the day as questions get answered all day Wednesday.
Send your questions our way!
Any word on the recovery of Gyau?
Hey Ives. So I saw you had the USA in the quarterfinals in a realistic scenario but where do you think the other Concacaf powers place? You think having crowd support will help some Concacaf sides go further than expected?
This is a pretty inefficient Q/A, what happened to the old format?
Trying something new out. The Live Q&A format will be gone after this month, and wanted to do something different rather than having the old-school Q&A format.
With Bradley playing as a 6 in toronto do you see a three man midfield of Bradley (6), Nagbe (8) and Ngyuen (10) being deployed for the USMNT anytime soon?
Do you think there is any chance the Russia or Qatar world cups get moved in light of FIFA admitting to accepting bribes for votes?
Do you foresee any surprises when the rosters are announced for the upcoming USMNT WC qualifiers?
Who do you believe WILL NOT be picked, but should be on the WC qualifiers roster?
Which young MLS player should we arrange to host Wondo’s brain, for the good of the NT?
You once referred to Perry Kitchen in a Q&A as ‘future captain of the national team material’ (coming out of Akron). What do you make of his career so far and, at 24, is he as good as he’ll ever be?
You took it way back my man. Kitchen always had the mental makeup to succeed as a pro, but lacks the high-level technical quality to reach a truly elite level. I think his work ethic, professionalism and ability to read the game can help him achieve success in Europe and I wouldn’t say he’s reached his peak just yet.
MLS has made some noise about overseas TV agreements over that last year or so. But as someone who works in the Middle East, I can say only the early afternoon kick-offs are a viable viewing option in Europe and many places further east. Do you think MLS should consider putting more games with recognizable stars on from noon to 2pm, so that more of the world could realistically watch?
Was JK recruiting this guy? Would love to read what JK thought he would add. Have a source to share?
Are RBNY broken, or is it just a matter of integrating the new guys? On second thought, there’s only one new guy — Gideon Baah. Has Curtis gambled and lost by failing to improve the squad, especially along the back line? Will the flurry of signings (draft picks and Homegrowns) be exposed as an illusion as the team continues to quietly release them? Will Marsch be a one-season wonder as opponents figure out how to deal with his system?
Do you see USA calling up players like Brooks and Yedlin who qualify to the u-23 games vs Colombia, I would, we should be able to beat Guatemala without them right?
USA should be able to beat Guatemala without them, but Klinsmann is intent on having a full-strength senior team in March. I can’t really blame him because you never really should take qualifiers for granted. Now, if it were two matches against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines then that might be different.
Timmy Chandler and Alfredo Morales have been MIA in recent game day rosters. Is it still due to injury or are they out of favor?
Bob Bradley is the perfect replacement for Wenger, right?
Where is boxi yomba, had such high hopes. Injury?
Why don’t the USMNT play Geoff Cameron in the CDM role? With so many options at CB succeeding (Brooks, Gonzalez, Besler) and upcoming (Miazga, Birnbaun, Carter-Vicks, Alvarado) I get confused why there is so much confusion over where he should be on the field. The USMNT has only older destroyers, why not fix that?
That is something Klinsmann will have to think about going forward as Jones and Beckerman reach the point of no return age wise. Danny Williams is someone else to consider. I’m not sure we’ll ever see Cameron at DM for Stoke again though so his days in midfield for the USMNT may be over as well.
Any comments on the Red Bulls signing 7 homegrowns and then waiving 3? Just business? Have they all been offered contracts with the USL squad?
You’re “Oh, what-might-have-been best 11.”
That is, somewhere in a parallel universe these players are playing for the USMNT and a Champions league team. But in this universe, injuries, choices and happenstance never happened.
Players in the pool: Rossi, Mathis, O’Brian, Subotic, Davies, Donovan, Gooch, Adu?!, Carlos Salcido?!, Renken?!, Wanchope?!
Any word as to why Tim Ream has fallen out of favor with Fulham’s manager? Has there been any specific issues spoken of?
Have you heard any rumors about a CCV loan move? Seems like he’s at the point he needs first team minutes but with Tottenham sporting the best defense in the Premier League he probably won’t see many minutes there.
MLS Question: Do you have any sources that indicate when can we expect a soccer specific stadium for NYCFC?
The pitch size is an embarrassment, the quality looks absolutely horrible on TV and fails to showcase the league in such a big market with notable names.
Does Hercules Gomez end up retiring or signing with an MLS squad for one more year?
Do you think Leicester City could make the top four in the Bundesliga or La Liga?
Will Y is looking pretty good for Leon so far this year, is there a chance he might pick up a start in these qualifiers or a friendly before the copa this summer
USSF has always, for years now, released their rosters really late, often weeks after the opposition. I recall a time or two where we found out the roster as the players were in transport to the stadium.. Is this a tactic or some kind of pr mistake at USSF?
Now that FIFA admitted WC votes were sold (at least for 2010), what are the realistic chances we see something happen for 2018/ 2022? Of course they have said these bids are solid, but it’s the same voters casting votes as 2010.
Sonora started and played 90 mins with Stuttgart II the other day and Perez is playing for fiorentina reserves, how close are they to first team mins? It seems both have been impressive so far.
What’s the likelihood of MLS transitioning into the World Football season model? i.e. late summer-spring season, to better align with the various international tournaments (as we just saw the MLS sides crash out of the CCL with no game fitness).
Paul arriola is getting a good amount of mins these days, will he be apart of the Olympic qualifiers
I would bet on Paul Arriola being on the U-23 squad for the Colombia playoff. He’s playing well and gives you something different in attack.
would you have Yedlin and JAB play with the U-23s? or bring them in for WCQs?
I would have them play for the U-23s but it seems like they will play with senior team based on everything Jurgen Klinsmann has said.
Would the potential AC Milan move be a good fit for Julian Green or should he set his sights somewhere like the Dutch league where he will get a better chance for playing time?
I’m not convinced AC Milan would be a good move for him. I think a League Championship or Bundesliga 2 team would be a good next step.
Do you see the Sounders adding a DP in the primary window or waiting until summer?
I would expect them to add one this window, especially if their early-season struggles carry on. It should be noted though that there would probably be significantly better talent available in the summer window.
All else aside, do you believe Pulisic is good enough to contribute to the u-23’s?
It would seem to be a no-brainer given the fact he has earned minutes for Borussia Dortmund’s first team (in some big matches at that). He hasn’t been playing lately though so no sure he would step in and make an impact in the Colombia playoff. His time with the national team will come though.
The most important question:
When will Bjorn Maars Johnsen get a call up?
What is a realistic result for the US at this summer’s Copa America?
Semifinals would be a best-case scenario, but I think a quarterfinal exit is a more realistic scenario.
Who do you see as the next few players to make the jump to Europe?
Will Pulisic make the 2018 wc squad?
Who do you see as the next few players who will make there national team debuts this year?
Sebastian Lletget, Jorge Villafana, Paul Arriola are some I could see earning their first caps.