Sunday was a solid day for two centerbacks looking to lock down a more regular role with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Both Omar Gonzalez and Matt Miazga started and played 90 minutes for their respective clubs on Sunday. Gonzalez went the distance for Liga MX side Pachuca in a 2-1 win over Chivas de Guadalajara, while Miazga’s effort came in Vitesse’s 1-1 draw with NEC Nijmegen.
The only other American to see action was Aron Johannsson, who couldn’t quite turn the tide as RB Leipzig topped Werder Bremen to remain in contention atop the Bundesliga.
Here’s a closer look at Sunday’s Americans Abroad:
Aron Johannsson entered as a 70th minute substitute while Terrence Boyd did not dress in RB Leipzig’s 3-1 win over Werder Bremen.
Jose Torres and Luis Silva did not dress in Tigres’ 3-1 win over Pumas.
Jorge Villafana did not dress for Santos Laguna’s 2-2 tie with Atlas.
Omar Gonzalez started and played 90 minutes in Pachuca’s 2-1 win over Chivas de Guadalajara.
Matt Miazga started and played 90 minutes in Vitesse’s 1-1 tie with NEC Nijmegen.
Desevio Payne did not dress in FC Groningen’s 2-0 win over AZ Alkmaar.
A.J. Soares did not dress in AGF Aarhus’ 1-0 loss to Brondby.
My CB pool today:
Starters/Back Up:
LCB: Brooks/Besler
RCB: Cameron/Gonzo
Future WC starters/Former WC Starters
Youngins’ got to earn 1 of those 4 spots
Vickers, Miazga, Birnbaum, Hedges et al..
Hedges isn’t young
He is compared to Besler, Gonzo, and Cameron
CCV is clearly a prospect for next cycle. He’s 18 and has I think 1 senior appearance. Huge upside with him but he is really far away from being a national team contender. A long long way to go before he had the necessary experience.
Brooks, Yedlin, Johannsson, and Green were all players at this point last cycle you would have never have thought of for 2014. At this point last cycle Chandler didn’t know if he wanted to play for the US and he ended up going to Brazil, although he didn’t play. Even Graham Zusi has only made six appearances by 2012.
If CCV can earn a starting spot next season either with Spurs or on loan to another EPL club he will have a good chance to beat out guys like Gonzo, Birnbaum, and Besler. Don’t discount that he goes against the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli on a daily basis and physically he is much further along than his age would indicate. (He has no senior caps)
Assuming Brooks and Cameron are the starting CBs, and that Miazga and Gonzalez continue to be 90 minute players for their clubs, do you bring in Gonzalez or Miazga for the November qualifiers? You can’t say both.
Gonzalez.. that’s a no brainer.
Fair enough. Although, Besler started against Mexico in a WCQ after receiving his first minutes for the national team just a couple months prior. Granted, the center-back pool looked a little different in 2013 than it does now.
To be clear, I don’t disagree with you. I’m mostly just curious about people’s arguments for each and am bored at work.
I’d take Birnbaum. He’s more athletic than Gonzalez and has more experience than Miazga. He also doesn’t fall asleep during games the way that Gonzalez does.
For Mexico and Costa Rica Gonzo for sure, for friendlies or later opponents Miazga.
Trick question–the right answer is Orozco.
Anyone know if Villafana has an injury? He was a 90 minute player every week until just before the October international break….and hasn’t seen any time since then for his club.
Matthew Doyle from the MLS website said he had been benched before the call ups but I haven’t seen that anywhere nor any report of injury. I even went to the Santos local newspaper when he didn’t get called and there was no mention as to why he isn’t playing.
Hopefully Miazaga going 90 minutes is an every week occurrence.
I think that is at least 2 in a row now, right?