Both nations sending their B-Team. :kader:

Match is Saturday in San Jose.

United States Roster (http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=35812&itype=113&iCategoryID=0)



Wales Roster (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/wales/3034223.stm)

I remain optimistic about Wales' chances, but I think it'll be more like our C team with the amount of players that we will not have available due to injury, paternity leave, and other commitments (such as the playoffs). In all fairness, we haven't got the strength in depth to mount much of a challenge with a host of our best players missing let alone when we lose some of the back-ups too.

I think it could be a close game though.

:::Sigh::: US without Howard, Bocanegra, Beasley, Mathis, McBride, Hejduk, etc. Good thing is Reyna is back!!! Although I doubt he'll play. Agoos is back, hopefully he won't be striking for Wales. It'll be cool to see how Cannon plays, I haven't seen him in a while since he went to France. I seriously don't like this USA Roster.

Argh...who cares about sending their B teams ? I'm still optimistic the match is gonna be great. And, it will be live telecast on ESPN 2 in the US. :)

Mon May 26 07:00PM Pacific
Mon May 26 08:00PM Mountain
Mon May 26 09:00PM Central
Mon May 26 10:00PM Eastern
Length: 2 hr 5 min LIVE
ESPN2 (US)
International Friendly - CONCACAF/Europe
United States vs Wales
San Jose, CA

yea it should be nice. I think that Wales will beat usa

I think we'll win but I won't be able to watch the game on the TV as I will be in work.

i think it will be a tie in a boring game

If we'd have had our full squad we'd win but our squad resembles a skeleton crew... I don't think this game would be on a lot of fans' minds, because the Euro 2004 qualifiers are much more important.

I think the U.S. should win this one, maybe 2-0, or 2-1. Don't know why Arena selected Agoos again...he should be dropped from the team for good, way to sloooooow. And he can't mark international class forwards anymore, if he ever could. :kader:

gawdamn, i wanted to see giggsy play :(

neway, wales will win. lol.

Still quite a lot of big names for a "B" team.

Wales
Paul Jones
Gary Speed
Andy Melville
Mark Pembridge
Simon Davies
Jason Koumas

USA
Agoos, Jeff - Erm.
Cannon, Joe
Convey, Bobby
Corrales, Ramiro
Donovan, Landon
Mulrooney, Richard
Olsen, Ben
Reyna, Claudio

USA should win against the weak squad Wales will field.

Will this be Reyna's first match back?

crap. whats Agoos doing there ?

and why the hell are US sending their 'B" team ? its not like they have Euro qualifiers coming up :|

anyway, i think USA should win this.

The Confed. cup is coming up.

Let's assess this roster here (in alphabetical order):

Jeff Agoos: he's having a good season with Quakes but I still have nightmares from the last time I saw him wearing the red white and blue

C.J. Brown: uh-huh (:/)

Joe Cannon: our 6th-choice goalkeeper

Brian Ching: played in the A-league last year, because he wasn't good enough to play for the Galaxy

Ramiro Corrales: see C.J. Brown

Alecko Eskandarian: has barely even played for DC United, one of the worst teams in MLS

Richard Mulrooney: see Ramiro Corrales

Nick Rimando: our 5th-choice goalkeeper; so far this year has been beaten by two shots, both hit by Preki, both low and right down through the middle

Ryan Suarez: see Richard Mulrooney

TRANSLATION: the result of this game means jack ****. Arena is trying out completely different combinations of players with every match. After this match, earning a cap for the US national team will mean about as much as winning a Grammy or a Golden Globe.

Originally posted by Run DMB
After this match, earning a cap for the US national team will mean about as much as winning a Grammy or a Golden Globe.

Sad...but I think I might agree. We can fill out a quality roster from all-MLS players without having to bring in scrubs like Corrales, Ching and Mulrooney (All SJ players :confused: and Agoos :( ). Don't really know what Bruce is thinking here, he also brings in Vanney and Cannon from France for no good reason. Where's the quality Arena? :kader:

Originally posted by Ljungberg08
Will this be Reyna's first match back?
Yes, and I'm looking forward to it.

BTW, just a thought... if The Bruce has set the bar so low for who he's calling up for this game, why didn't he call up his son, Kenny Arena (MetroStars)? I mean, **** it, Kenny's probably played more minutes than Eskandarian has this season.

Originally posted by Run DMB
BTW, just a thought... if The Bruce has set the bar so low for who he's calling up for this game, why didn't he call up his son, Kenny Arena (MetroStars)? I mean, **** it, Kenny's probably played more minutes than Eskandarian has this season.

Didn't know Arena had a son in MLS...he any good?

And I am definitely glad to see Claudio back as well. :)

Hmmm....Vanney and Cannon brought from France, they play vs. some French NT players.

I think he's looking for info to use during the confed. cup.

I only listed Corrales, Mulrooney and Agoos because I follow SJE. Saying that, I should never have listed AOGose. Oops. Spelling mistake, it does not mean to state 'Own Goal'. :D. ;)

Originally posted by bjmenge
Sad...but I think I might agree. We can fill out a quality roster from all-MLS players without having to bring in scrubs like Corrales, Ching and Mulrooney (All SJ players :confused: and Agoos :( ). Don't really know what Bruce is thinking here, he also brings in Vanney and Cannon from France for no good reason. Where's the quality Arena? :kader:
It's good that Arena is giving lots of players a chance but... you have to set the limit somewhere. You can't have a pool of 60+ national team players. Calling up Ching and Eskandarian is just stupid if you ask me. At least wait for those guys to establish themselves in the league, THEN call them up for the NT. Why not give Twellman another chance instead? What about Cunningham?

Originally posted by bjmenge
Didn't know Arena had a son in MLS...he any good?
Well... no. Good enough to play in MLS. He comes on as a sub in the last 10 or so minutes for Metro. I think it's his first season though, so he could develop into a decent player later on.

Run DMB, I did a little research and...



From MLSnet.com

UNF POS PLAYER GP GS MIN G A PTS SHT SOG BLK FC FS OFF CK C E CP

22 MID Kenny Arena 2 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

11 FWD Alecko Eskandarian 4 2 187 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 4 1 0 0 0 0


I think Bruce's son would have been about as good a pick :rolleyes:

Originally posted by voetballiefhebb
Saying that, I should never have listed AOGose. Oops. Spelling mistake, it does not mean to state 'Own Goal'. :D. ;)
:D :rolleyes:

Did you see Agoos' goal last weak vs. Columbus? He's not THAT bad... just not good enough for the NT anymore.

Originally posted by Run DMB
It's good that Arena is giving lots of players a chance but... you have to set the limit somewhere. You can't have a pool of 60+ national team players. Calling up Ching and Eskandarian is just stupid if you ask me. At least wait for those guys to establish themselves in the league, THEN call them up for the NT. Why not give Twellman another chance instead? What about Cunningham?

Exactly. I want to see Cunningham given another shot. I think his creativity paired with Donovan and Beasley could really give the U.S a potent attack, with McBride as the target man. I'd even settle for Twellman over who's he got picked for this one.

Originally posted by bjmenge
Run DMB, I did a little research and...



From MLSnet.com

UNF POS PLAYER GP GS MIN G A PTS SHT SOG BLK FC FS OFF CK C E CP

22 MID Kenny Arena 2 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

11 FWD Alecko Eskandarian 4 2 187 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 4 1 0 0 0 0


I think Bruce's son would have been about as good a pick :rolleyes:
LOL! :D

Originally posted by IceBlu
anyway, i think USA should win this.

I hope you eat them words (H)

We will win 1-0

I would think that the reason that agoos is getting the call up is because this game is in San Jose, So maybe its kind of like a going away game for him.

I dont have a problem with this squad. Not at All. If Wales want to be dicks and bring the squad that they bring then why should Arena plull all the MLS guys that would get fatigued from such a meaningless game.

I couldnt give a rats ass as to what comes from this game.










Heineken is good!!!:crazyboy:

Originally posted by PScott
If Wales want to be dicks and bring the squad that they bring then why should Arena plull all the MLS guys that would get fatigued from such a meaningless game.


What a pile of crap. Most of Wales' top players are injured (yes, that means that they can't play), or otherwise preoccupied (by the play-offs, which is slightly more important than a meaningless friendly). Would you expect a player to forget completely about their club duties to play in a game which matters nothing?

Robbie Earnshaw and Daniel Gabbidon are going to be playing in the Millennium Stadium for their club in the play-off final, in front of 70,000 fans. To say that game is slightly more important than the meaningless friendly is a gross understatement.

Originally posted by PScott
If Wales want to be dicks and bring the squad that they bring then why should Arena plull all the MLS guys that would get fatigued from such a meaningless game.

I couldnt give a rats ass as to what comes from this game.

Thank you for calling our country "dicks" :f***:

What kind of stupid, immature, typically ignorant newbie comment is that? Bully for you if you don't give a rats arse about the game!

Duhhhh :rolleyes:

Originally posted by PScott
If Wales want to be dicks and bring the squad that they bring then why should Arena plull all the MLS guys that would get fatigued from such a meaningless game.
If you actually read the reasons that our key players are missing I'm sure you could be a bit more sympathetic. Great ignorant comment mate.

We've about 4 first choice players out through injury including Bellamy, and Hartson I think. Bang goes our strike force, especially when Earnshaw, the only good replacement for either is out too.

We've 3 players on paternity leave, and I think that's a lot more important than a meaningless friendly halfway around the World. These include Giggs and Savage, and no matter what you think of Savage he is important to the Welsh team.

We have Earnie and Gabbidon in the playoffs. I think Digi explained where this stands vs. this friendly.

I don't think Hughes had much choice of who he could pick, so I hardly think calling him and our national team dicks is a fair comment. I think the US coach is being more of a dick if he has his players available to him and decides not to play them.

Originally posted by monkee
I think the US coach is being more of a dick if he has his players available to him and decides not to play them.
Bruce Arena is bringing our "C" squad for two reasons:
- wants to give different players a chance
- knows that if he brings the "A" or "B" squad it would be unfair since Wales are missing players, and they'll get lit up for 5-0, 6-0, etc.

Final prediction:

USA "C" 1:0 Wales "B"

Originally posted by Run DMB
Bruce Arena is bringing our "C" squad for two reasons:
- wants to give different players a chance
- knows that if he brings the "A" or "B" squad it would be unfair since Wales are missing players, and they'll get lit up for 5-0, 6-0, etc.

Final prediction:

USA "C" 1:0 Wales "B"
I think you mean USA C vs Wales C. Don't try playing our lads up to give your team a sense of achievement from this game, or an excuse if we beat you in the USA. :crazyboy:

Arena has the choice, so if Hughes was being a dick in not selecting the injured Welsh players, Arena was being even more of a dick by not selecting perfectly fit USA players, if friendlies actually meant more to you than a game to test out new things than it does. That was all. Not having a dig at your team, or Arena's selection policy.

Originally posted by ::grandmasta::
Thank you for calling our country "dicks" :f***:

What kind of stupid, immature, typically ignorant newbie comment is that?

You seem to have forgotten your racist comments Mr Anti-Sais very quickly.

Did you see Agoos' goal last weak vs. Columbus? He's not THAT bad... just not good enough for the NT anymore.

Not a keen lover of MLS mate. I watch it, but not really a hardcore fan of it. I don't like the Liverpool pitches over there. Erm, I mean narrow and no width. :D

Originally posted by monkee
Arena has the choice, so if Hughes was being a dick in not selecting the injured Welsh players, Arena was being even more of a dick by not selecting perfectly fit USA players, if friendlies actually meant more to you than a game to test out new things than it does. That was all. Not having a dig at your team, or Arena's selection policy.
*I* never said anyone was being a dick. And that's what friendlies are - a game to test new things. Arena is doing Wales a ****ing favor, not bringing several A and B team players in. This way it will actually be fair, is all I'm saying.

BTW, if you think Wales are more depleted than USA, here's a list of players the US is missing (who are better than some of those selected, and have played for the NT this year; World Cup 2002 players in bold)

Bocanegra
Califf
Hejduk
Berhalter
Cherundolo
Armas
Mastroeni
Sanneh
Pope
Mathis
McBride
Razov
Wolff
Moore
O'Brien
Friedel
Keller
Howard
Klein
Jones

As I said before, the result of this game really doesn't matter. Having said that, we'll win. :)

In case you didn't notice Arena only called up MLS players from San Jose and DC United because they have this week off from league matches. Arena obviously realizes that this game is not important enough to take players from the other teams with Saturday games.

Originally posted by voetballiefhebb
You seem to have forgotten your racist comments Mr Anti-Sais very quickly.

What about you Mr. Gay? You were the one who said I did indespicable acts with sheep... :f***:

Stupid newbie (H) FFS... :rolleyes:

Erm, I have never said nothing about sheep towards you.

How mature you are.

Originally posted by PScott
I dont have a problem with this squad. Not at All. If Wales want to be dicks and bring the squad that they bring then why should Arena plull all the MLS guys that would get fatigued from such a meaningless game.

:kader: :f***: :kader: :f***:
What an ignorant comment! Learn something about the situation of the game before you make such a comment. Wales have very, very valid reasons for not having a full-strength squad. Their manager selected the best side he could. Doesn't make them dicks. Arena for some reason chose a very different squad. Doesn't make him one either. Get a clue before you make stupid, senseless remarks. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by PScott
I couldnt give a rats ass as to what comes from this game.


Some member of Sam's Army you are...:kader:

Originally posted by TheCreeper
In case you didn't notice Arena only called up MLS players from San Jose and DC United because they have this week off from league matches. Arena obviously realizes that this game is not important enough to take players from the other teams with Saturday games.

About damn time somebody brings this up. CJ Brown is playing for the National Team because he is suspended for being sent off.

Originally posted by ::grandmasta::
What about you Mr. Gay? You were the one who said I did indespicable acts with sheep... :f***:

Stupid newbie (H) FFS... :rolleyes:

:rolleyes: :kader:

Originally posted by TheCreeper
In case you didn't notice Arena only called up MLS players from San Jose and DC United because they have this week off from league matches. Arena obviously realizes that this game is not important enough to take players from the other teams with Saturday games.
But that leaves the question... who's bright idea was it to schedule the game on a Monday in the first place?

friendlies are a waste of time, and all european players are tired because the season just ended anyway... so they should just give them a vacation instead of trying to milk even more games out of them

Originally posted by bjmenge
Get a clue before you make stupid, senseless remarks. :rolleyes:


I will do no such thing. Im a newbie. Thats what newbies are supposed to do. You live and you learn. I will learn.

Some member of Sam's Army you are...:kader:[/QUOTE]
Who said i was a member of Sam's Army? UNderground Network? YES. Sams Army? NO.

They do good things and all, but why would i pay money to be a supporter of my own country. I could take that money and buy lollipops or something.

Underground Network. Alternative Communication.:rockman:

Originally posted by Run DMB
*I* never said anyone was being a dick. And that's what friendlies are - a game to test new things. Arena is doing Wales a ****ing favor, not bringing several A and B team players in. This way it will actually be fair, is all I'm saying.

As I said before, the result of this game really doesn't matter. Having said that, we'll win. :)
I never meant it to sound as if you said anyone was being a dick. Just thought you'd missed the point I was making, because I wasn't saying anyone was being a dick neither. Not to worry. :)

I agree Arena is doing us a bit of a favour by not picking his first choice team to play our, also largly depleted, team so it does make it a bit fairer. But I reckon you should use friendlies to either try new things or build up teamwork, which only comes by playing together.

Our players don't have World Cup experience, so when our best players are unavailable it's a lost harder to replace them with players with experience at the top level. Gabbidon (who's a first choice player) and Earnshaw seem to be the exception because they don't have that experience, but they seem more than able to perform on the International stage. Other than those our replacements will be low on experience and the occasion could get to them.

I'm not saying that the US' team will have that experience, but while they may be missing more players it'll even itself out more because their replacements will have equal-ish experience to the Welsh replacement. We'll both still have a sprinkling of first-teamers though.

The result doesn't mean much unless you are in a bad run and a win could build team confidence and lead to better things. I still think we'll beat your guys though. ;)

I don't know about that monkee, our strikeforce is so weak that I could probably mark them out. I think even James Thomas has to call it quits, and that says it all.

Originally posted by Digitarius
I don't know about that monkee, our strikeforce is so weak that I could probably mark them out. I think even James Thomas has to call it quits, and that says it all.
Hehe. I'm just being optimistic. :)

Originally posted by monkee
I'm not saying that the US' team will have that experience, but while they may be missing more players it'll even itself out more because their replacements will have equal-ish experience to the Welsh replacement. We'll both still have a sprinkling of first-teamers though.
Good point there, not to mention that Stewart, Reyna have both played in 3 World Cups. They, along with Donovan, are going to be the leaders of the team in this game.

My US starting line-up for this match:

Cannon

Vanney
Agoos
Petke
Brown

Lewis
Convey
Reyna
Olsen

Donovan
Kirovski

Subs:

45' Stewart for Kirovski
45' Suarez for Vanney
70' Corrales for Brown (if trailing)
70' Mulrooney for Reyna (if leading)
??' ANYONE for Agoos (if we start seeing World Cup deja vu)

Originally posted by valioso
friendlies are a waste of time, and all european players are tired because the season just ended anyway... so they should just give them a vacation instead of trying to milk even more games out of them

Poor diddums :rolleyes:

Originally posted by monkee
Hehe. I'm just being optimistic. :)

If we had one of our big three up front then we stand a chance, but when we have to field the likes of Neil Roberts (or is he also unavailable) we have little chance. Wales got a draw against Czech Republic when we had a patched up side and John Hartson, but this time we don't even have Big John.

Originally posted by PScott
I will do no such thing. Im a newbie. Thats what newbies are supposed to do. You live and you learn. I will learn.

Some member of Sam's Army you are...:kader:
Who said i was a member of Sam's Army? UNderground Network? YES. Sams Army? NO.

They do good things and all, but why would i pay money to be a supporter of my own country. I could take that money and buy lollipops or something.

Underground Network. Alternative Communication.:rockman:

Your excuse is not good enough for such a dumb comment. :rolleyes:

I never said you were an "official" member of Sam's Army. Neither am I. I used the term in reference to all those who support our national side. By not giving a sh*t about how the team does, you're not supporting it very well. And I don't care what you do with your money.

Originally posted by Digitarius
I don't know about that monkee, our strikeforce is so weak that I could probably mark them out. I think even James Thomas has to call it quits, and that says it all.

LOL, James Thomas... :D

Anyway I'm gutted that our own Steve Roberts had to pull out because he needs a heel operation. He's been one of our players of the season and deserved a call-up.

BTW his bruv Neil Roberts is in the squad, and he's not a bad striker in my opinion. Did well for Wigan this season in their successful promotion campaign... Though our side is full of Nationwide players and Premiership reserves.

I'm still hopeful we'll get a result.

I don't know what to expect out of this game. When I first heard Wales were coming I was so excited cause I wanted to see Giggs own our wingers just for fun cause Giggs own. Then go to find out he's on paternity leave kind of gutted me. WE don't get to see class players like that over here all the time. HOpefully he'll be here along with Becks on the Man U America tour. Overall Wales is on a 10 game international unbeaten streak and we've struggled against good squads. I see either 1-0 Wales or 2-1 Wales..hopefully it'll be 1-1.

While I don't disagree that Neil Roberts is not a bad Nationwide striker, he is well short of international class, IMO.

Nationwide players, especially those playing in Division Two or Three, generally struggle to play internationally, with Earnshaw and Gabbidon being exceptions rather than the rule.

I remember Neil Roberts playing up front once for Wales against Brazil at the Millennium (shamefully I wasn't there for that game, but just as well because we lost 3-0) and was diabolical. Hopefully he'll play better this time.

Its gonna be a toss up, any team can win it. I natuarally hope the usa wins but ill be happy with being able to see a good quality match(hope its that and not a boring stale pos). As to Reyna, his not going to be starting in this match from what i read, his just doing light training, getting him ready for the confed and gold cups. the only thing that bothers me about this match is that Agoos is playing. He really needs to be droped permantly from the nt. hopefully this is the last time we see his a$$.:mrpimp:

Arena should've used atleast Keller for this match, IMO.

He's had a small rest, and likes playing for the US.

Why id Cj BRown playing!?!?!?!?! I mean this guy hasent played for the team since 2000 when the US had a strpie across there shirt!!! Thats along time ago. This is more of 'b' game with some 'a' players like Landen Donovan, Eddie Lewis, Reyna, Stewart, Vanney and YEA Agoos hes not all that bad!!!!!:rolleyes:

CYMRU AM BYTH! Come on boys in red! Simon Davies will do the damage!

Of course he will :)

Reyna was on mls wrap yesterday and i dont think hes gonna even play in the confederation cup.....i could be wrong but i think thats what he said

Originally posted by uskid94
Why id Cj BRown playing!?!?!?!?!

CJ Brown "id" playing because Arena needed a Centreback and Brown is suspended from MLS this week for being sent off against San Jose. Please try reading the thread next time. :rolleyes:

I say US 3-0 Since I live on th east coast im gonna have to tape it! Lucky west coast bastards!!!

You're just 14, shouldn't soccer come before school? ;)

Originally posted by GoHawks4
You're just 14, shouldn't soccer come before school? ;)
NEVER!!!
School is Cool!!
So is peein yo' pants!!!(according to billy madison)

For the record, CJ Brown Sucks. He is a thug with no skill. And he looks like a poor mans Seba Veron. But whatever makes Coach Arena happy.

I'm not much of a fan of CJ Brown either but there's something to be said for somebody who can make a career out of putting the fear of his tackles into striker's hearts without tackling once in a match.

Game has started but there's baseball on ESPN2!!! :rolleyes: :f***:

Stupid ****s at ESPN screwing us loyal soccer fans yet again. Can anyone who understands baseball tell me approximately how much time there is left in the game?

**** you ESPN.

there is one out lef in other words it will end in one minute

This stupid sport doesn't even have a freaking clock. That's right... take your time... WALK to first base... lazy bastards.

Originally posted by Zidane420
there is one out lef in other words it will end in one minute
Good. Thanks man. :)

Nice job of scheduling by ESPN. (Y) :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Zidane420
there is one out lef in other words it will end in one minute

Or there could be 244 minutes left. F*cking baseball. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by PScott
For the record, CJ Brown Sucks. He is a thug with no skill. And he looks like a poor mans Seba Veron. But whatever makes Coach Arena happy.

Brown may not be the best or most talented defender out there, but I can think of a lot worse options for the U.S. in that spot. I think even Brown is better than Agoos.

Originally posted by bjmenge
Brown may not be the best or most talented defender out there, but I can think of a lot worse options for the U.S. in that spot. I think even Brown is better than Agoos.
By saying that he is better than Agoos you helped brown's cause this much > 0

IMHO i dont even think brown is better than Agoos. Hence the fact that Agoos was at Japorea and Brown was in Chicago last summer.