Jurgen Klinsmann has called in his 22 man roster for his first US camp as manager. Some interesting additions and subtractions... Game is 8/10 @ 8pm Central on ESPN2, ESPN3.com, and Univision. So, Clark is back along with Torres. I'm surprised at the addition of Beasley (I had no idea he was playing in Mexico) and no Altidore. Good to see Buddle back in the fold. It will be interesting to see how Bradley plays without daddy on the bench. It's just a friendly...but that's never really the case with Mexico. So, I'm sure it will be a fun game to watch...even if my expectations are tempered with a new manager only days into the job.
^ FAIL (to the OP). *so you've baited me* (to DaveElLoco) At least write down what time, on what channel, etc., the game will be. It will be easy to break that 3-game in a row skid. We own you this DECADE.
Yeah DMB moved to Mexico last month. He's started off well but I think a return to the fold is too soon. I don't get a couple of the callups. What's the point in bringing Tim Howard and Stevie C in for this match? You know what they're about and in a more meaningful match they'll be sure starters. Why not call up Nick Rimando as well as Bill Hamid(who I feel will be the Nats starter in 2018). I figure Yeldell would be in line for a callup but perhaps he's getting a chance to cement his place in the BLeverkusen lineup with Adler out injured. I like the call ups for Timmy C and Edgar Castillo. I do not get the fawning over Tim Ream. I still can't understand how or why Omar Gonzalez can't get another call up? I also like the call up for Edson. I wouldn't mind seeing Herc Gomez get a call up for this match(considering he plays in Mexico, he would relish facing some of his teammates and league opponents if they're selected for the Mexican team). I also like the call up for Rico Clark. Well-deserved after his World Cup ineffectiveness. He's had a solid spell in Germany. I give this roster selection a C +.
Hamid is there. Though, I agree with you on questioning why bother with Howard and Cherundolo. There's really no point to having either of them...maybe even Boca, too. Let the kids play. I am not a Rimando fan. I don't think he's that good at all. Rico has done well in Germany? He's played 15 games in 2 years.
Glad to see a little turnover, I think he will bring a breath of fresh air to the team. But no Dempsey? That is surprising. DD
Yeah I saw Hamid's name. Steve Goff with the WaPo called it yesterday. If not Rimando then who would you go with?(With Yeldell possibly left in Germany like Gooch and Jozy, to cement his place with his new team). Guzan is getting no run with Villa (and won't see anytime unless Shay Given gets injured) Hahnemahn is a few months away from a return to MLS and won't be on the 2014 team. I rate Rimando highly, he's been one of the most consistent keepers in MLS the past four or five seasons I believe. Matt Pickens with Colorado perhaps? Hamid and Rimando are the pick of the litter in MLS imho. (Sean Johnson with Chicago is inconsistent this season, Tally Hall is doing a decent job this season and if he puts another solid season together next year then he could cause some ruffles amongst the other goalies). A lot of people on BigSoccer and elsewhere calling for Tim Howard to lose his place as the #1 seem to believe that it's 2002 and the USA has two goalkeepers on top of the world(Keller and Friedel). After Howard, the backups (Yeldell and Guzan) are in the process of proving themselves on the highest level of club football(Yeldell) or needing 1st team action(Guzan). The others are aging(Hahnemahn) or quite young(Hamid, Johnson, Cervi) and MLS quality(Rimando, Pickens). I think right now there's a little bit of a lull but by 2014 I feel the US goalkeeping competition will be as hot as ever. You're right on about Rico. I think he served his time in exile from the US Nats well. Any word on Freddy's status? Is he returning to Rizespor on loan?
Not really. He'll be an important piece for Fulham again this season and for the umpteenth time in his stay in England, he's got to prove himself to a new gaffer. This time Martin Jol. Grant Wahl of SI made a good point. You shouldn't consider the omission of any Euro based player to be a snub right now. If they've been omitted from this roster and get omitted from the roster for the Belgium friendly as well, then one can definitely say Klinsi is snubbing them.
Rimando has always struck me as a "style over substance" keeper. He has to make the save look pretty instead of just making the save. I honestly don't know much about Hamid and Yeldell. Guzan doesn't impress me. Hahnemahn is as good as done on the international level. I would like to see Tally Hall get a shot. I can't find a damn thing on Freddy other than he's listed as a reserve for Benfica.
I'm actually surprised at how many Euro players were called in. He's working out on his own in the DC area while trying to find a club. Benfica don't want him and his salary makes it tough for him to find a team.
I really believe Mexico are intent on putting a beatdown similar to the 09 Gold Cup scoreline on the US in this "friendly" match. I don't think it'll be a pretty debut for Klinsi.
For those interested, Brian Phillips of Grantland.com wrote a pretty good little piece on the history of the US-Mexico soccer rivalry. It's really pretty long or otherwise, I'd block quote the whole thing. http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6835319/on-border
Timmy Chandler backed out, claiming injury. If he backs out of playing for the United States, I'll see that as one of Bradley's biggest failures. He should have insisted that Chandler play during the Gold Cup, which would have locked him up. I still don't think Chandler could crack the German national team. They're spoiled with defenders and it seems like they would have already secured him if they wanted to.
