USA National Team Thread

[ShiftyPowers]

Von Trapps get stomped by Ukraine. I look at the player grades and see a who's who of awful players. What the hell kind of squad did Klinsman put out there? Does he seriously think these players can even draw a game at the World Cup?

 

[Xifio]

that was a barely recognizably squad though .. his aim was clearly to see if anyone from a mediocre group [amidst a couple of regulars] stood out ... but even with Gooch there, it was a bust ... no Mix Disk, no party ...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Yeah, as far as I'm concerned the obvious option next to Bradley is Mix. He is a creative and disciplined player competing at a... relatively high level compared to others. Jermaine Jones is a bum and he also is adventurous and selfish, which doesn't allow Bradley to get forward. Mix will operate in the double pivot much better IMO.

If it were me I'd play Bradley and Mix behind Deuce with Green and Donovan on the wings and Jóhannsson up top. The defense is a little trickier, but I reluctantly think Beasley is an acceptable option at LB (he has operated there in at least one WC, maybe two if I'm not mistaken), Brad Evans at RB (although I'm curious about Cherundolo's health even at his age), and then Cameron and I guess Gonzalez at CB. My key reserves would be Fabian Johnson (actually I might start him over Green, I just like the idea of Green), Kyle Beckerman, Benny Feilhaber, and Josh Gatt who deserves a damn chance with his pace.

 

[Bobby]

Dempsey worries me, he looks slow. Obviously there was going to be some natural fall off as he aged but his has been much more dramatic than Donovan and Beasley.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Bayern gives Julian Green permission to play for Team USA. Hope he is given every opportunity to start at this World Cup because our team is shitty, particularly at the forward positions.

 

[Bobby]

He has to be in the 23, even if he's number 23. He adds something we're lacking in the position. This is a huge get for us, he has the potential to be a talent like we've never had before. Shame we can't get Gedion too.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Yeah, Zelalem isn't a citizen, so I don't think we'll ever get that kid unfortunately. Still, the only attacking player I'm comfortable with right now is Donovan on one of the wings. Jozy and Aron are questionable and I have no idea who plays on that other flank... Zusi maybe? Surely there's a place on the field for such a prodigy if he really is as good as they say.

 

[RobbieD_PL]

Why would you guys take a random Icelander, instead of letting him play for a random team like Iceland?

 

[Bobby]

Fabian Johnson or Beasley, probably. Maybe one of the guys at Xolos.

Edit: Aron approached the US.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I'm convinced Beasley will play left back. I like Johnson, but he hasn't seized that position which rightfully should be his.

 

[Deisler]

Bayern gives Julian Green permission to play for Team USA. Hope he is given every opportunity to start at this World Cup because our team is shitty, particularly at the forward positions.

To me that sounds like they have given up on him already, otherwise no way in hell he opts to ply for USA ahead of Germany.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I disagree, I think Bayern wants him with the USA to assist them with marketing in America. The club opened a NYC office and is playing in the MLS All Star Game this year, clearly they are thinking about the US a lot.

 

[Back Door Skip]

Is he gonna be the US version of Nery Castillo?

 

[Xifio]

Josh Gatt who deserves a damn chance with his pace.

funny enough, this came up when playing FIFA the other day ... we've got a multiplayer manager mode save going right now (a rare excursion into the offline modes before the new World Cup game drops), and our international post is with the US; Gatt is a bonafide superstar thanks to an insane pace rating ... real life isn't as stupidly pace-based, but it's worth remembering that David Odonkor did make Klinsmann's 2006 World Cup squad, so maybe there's hope yet?

Dempsey worries me, he looks slow. Obviously there was going to be some natural fall off as he aged but his has been much more dramatic than Donovan and Beasley.

yup ...

I disagree, I think Bayern wants him with the USA to assist them with marketing in America. The club opened a NYC office and is playing in the MLS All Star Game this year, clearly they are thinking about the US a lot.

haha, what? recruiting a born/raised American achieves that; but encouraging one of their youth products to be poached by Klinsmann for The Von Trapps is a flimsy PR strategy ... anyway, whatever the case is, it's a win for the USA ... it makes for a change from the old stories of Pepito, Subotić, Ibisević, even Hangeland ... plus it gives USMNT fans here the chance to dream of Julian Green scoring against the Germans in the final group game to send the US through to the knockouts ...

 

[Mandieta6]

funny enough, this came up when playing FIFA the other day ... we've got a multiplayer manager mode save going right now

Who is 'we'?

 

[ShiftyPowers]

haha, what? recruiting a born/raised American achieves that; but encouraging one of their youth products to be poached by Klinsmann for The Von Trapps is a flimsy PR strategy

I completely disagree. No American is good enough to play for Bayern. So sure, they could recruit someone like Bradley or whoever to sit on the bench, which doesn't really make Bradley a huge star, or Bayern a household name, or they could encourage one of their most promising youth products, at a club that usually promotes homegrown talent, to go take over the star role of team USA.

 

[Mus]

If he succeeds in the US national team, there's no difference where he come from. He will still be an American

 

[Xifio]

If he succeeds in the US national team, there's no difference where he come from. He will still be an American

no doubt ...

No American is good enough to play for Bayern. So sure, they could recruit someone like Bradley or whoever to sit on the bench, which doesn't really make Bradley a huge star, or Bayern a household name, or they could encourage one of their most promising youth products, at a club that usually promotes homegrown talent, to go take over the star role of team USA.

do you expect Green to be a major first teamer for Bayern?

 

[Mandieta6]

Why did you ignore my question Xifio?

 

[ShiftyPowers]

do you expect Green to be a major first teamer for Bayern?

It's possible the way Pep and the players talk about him. It wouldn't surprise me if someone leaves (Pizarro, Shaqiri) and is replaced in the first team with Green next season.