n what will be a weekly feature.1. It seems to me the U.S. gained little if any real information of value in the Honduras game other than it's not a good idea to get a red card in the 17th minute with your second-team squad against a first-team squad with perhaps the exception of a solid performance by Jon Bornstein.
With so many big injury issues to the U.S. squad, how important do you feel the upcoming friendly with El Salvador will be for the completely MLS-based 23-man U.S. roster and who do you feel of those players will make a push to earn a World Cup roster spot?
Here is the list of Players Jeff Cunningham; Omar Gonzalez; Robbie Rogers; Chris Pontius; Sacha Kljestan; Geoff Cameron; Brad Evans; Heath Pearce; Marvell Wynne; Conor Casey; Jonathan Bornstein; Eddie Gaven; Troy Perkins; Michael Orozco; Kevin Alston; Brian Ching; Brad Davis; Zach Thornton; Nick Rimando; Dax McCarty; Kyle Beckerman
I don't think the Honduras game was worthless. When selecting a team it is just as important to eliminate players as it is to add players. The game gave Bob Bradley a chance to eliminate some of the guys who were on the bubble. Jeff Cunningham, Jimmy Conrad, Sacha Kljestan all played poorly and probably played themselves out of the picture. The red card should have caused some of these players to pick up the work rate and intensity - they didn't. So even though the game was a disaster, it was not meaningless and afforded Bradley with a look at some people.
The El Salvador game is huge. It is important for the players you listed, important for Bradley and important for the final WC squad. It is hard to predict which of these players have a chance. There is so much that goes into putting a team together and much of it is known only by the coach. What style will he play? What formation will he play? Who are we playing (we already know this and it is big)? These questions will impact the choices. My guess? Rogers, Cameron, Bornstein, Evans, Perkins, Ching, Davis and McCarty have a chance and this game will be huge for them.
2. What do you believe Bob Bradley will be emphasizing, concentrating on, focusing his interest in this game?
He will focus on the "bubble players." He will watch their preparation, professionalism and work rate. He will watch them off the field to determine how they interact with teammates. He will watch poise and how they handle problems. He will use this game to make some crucial decisions. This is a relatively weak team. I expect no more than 4 or 5 making the WC team. One thing a coach has to do is "give players a chance to make the team." You don't want to have a player tell you "I had no chance." BB is giving these guys a chance. The end.
3. What signs should the common fan look for?
Work rate, combining with teammates, energy, confidence, effort. That's what BB will look for.
4. Reportedly Clint Dempsey has a torn post cruciate ligament (PCL) and will be out until May. Charlie Davies is recovering at an unbelievable pace from his horrific car crash, but is still a doubt despite his comment that he can "easily be ready by the World Cup," and should be ready to play for his club in France by April. Oguchi Onyewu will be out until at least April with his torn patella tendon and may see little playing time with his club AC Milan when he returns. Jay Demeritt appears as if he is back from his injury issues with Watford in England, but has missed significant time since bursting onto the scene in the Confederations Cup last summer.
The El Salvador game is huge. It is important for the players you listed, important for Bradley and important for the final WC squad. It is hard to predict which of these players have a chance. There is so much that goes into putting a team together and much of it is known only by the coach. What style will he play? What formation will he play? Who are we playing (we already know this and it is big)? These questions will impact the choices. My guess? Rogers, Cameron, Bornstein, Evans, Perkins, Ching, Davis and McCarty have a chance and this game will be huge for them.
2. What do you believe Bob Bradley will be emphasizing, concentrating on, focusing his interest in this game?
He will focus on the "bubble players." He will watch their preparation, professionalism and work rate. He will watch them off the field to determine how they interact with teammates. He will watch poise and how they handle problems. He will use this game to make some crucial decisions. This is a relatively weak team. I expect no more than 4 or 5 making the WC team. One thing a coach has to do is "give players a chance to make the team." You don't want to have a player tell you "I had no chance." BB is giving these guys a chance. The end.
3. What signs should the common fan look for?
Work rate, combining with teammates, energy, confidence, effort. That's what BB will look for.
4. Reportedly Clint Dempsey has a torn post cruciate ligament (PCL) and will be out until May. Charlie Davies is recovering at an unbelievable pace from his horrific car crash, but is still a doubt despite his comment that he can "easily be ready by the World Cup," and should be ready to play for his club in France by April. Oguchi Onyewu will be out until at least April with his torn patella tendon and may see little playing time with his club AC Milan when he returns. Jay Demeritt appears as if he is back from his injury issues with Watford in England, but has missed significant time since bursting onto the scene in the Confederations Cup last summer.
Of these players, who do you think will be have the most difficult chance of earning a World Cup roster spot? What type of effect/impact would their absence have on the U.S. team? And how would their absence affect the chances of the U.S. getting out of the group stage into the knock-out round?
The question is: will they be "game ready?"
The question is: will they be "game ready?"
Oguchi will have a huge problem making the team. His was a bad injury and the rehab is brutal.
Even if he is fit - the injury is healed - he will not be game fit. His absence will be a problem. He is not the best soccer player on the team, but he is a physical presence in the middle of the field and will be missed. He is intimidating for forwards. He will be missed.
Davies has multiple injuries - not just one. I would be surprised if he plays. His speed and creativity will be missed. He brings great energy to the team. That energy was missing vs. Honduras.
Dempsey should play. The PCL is NOT like the ACL. The rehab is shorter and not as extensive. He should be ready to go. If he isn't, the US will miss the second of only two "well rated" attacking players. Dempsey has shown steady improvement since his arrival at Fulham. He is a true threat - as is Donovan. Without Dempsey opponents can and will key on Donovan and that will make it more difficult to score goals.
Davies has multiple injuries - not just one. I would be surprised if he plays. His speed and creativity will be missed. He brings great energy to the team. That energy was missing vs. Honduras.
Dempsey should play. The PCL is NOT like the ACL. The rehab is shorter and not as extensive. He should be ready to go. If he isn't, the US will miss the second of only two "well rated" attacking players. Dempsey has shown steady improvement since his arrival at Fulham. He is a true threat - as is Donovan. Without Dempsey opponents can and will key on Donovan and that will make it more difficult to score goals.
If both Onyewu and Dempsey are out, it will be VERY hard to get through....
chris pontius? aka party boy?
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