Dear Bob,
Now that the World Cup is less that 100 days away, and in light of the last couple of games, a few changes need to be made to the starting 11. I'll also update you periodically on who should be included in the 23 man roster. Except for the host of injured players, every other player basically had a half to a full game to stake their claim. It's amazing how much you can get out of such a short audition.
Forwards:
Jozy Altidore: Definitely improving, needs a more experienced striker with him up front.
Clint Dempsey: Only goal scorer in last WC. Probably the only USA player who is truly not intimidated by the upper echelons of Europe. Will score goals.
(Sorry Charlie, when you get back on the pitch you'll be right back at the top)
Midfielders:
Landon Donovan (left): Where was he against the Dutch?
Michael Bradley (central): Definitely maturing in Germany. Good game in the Netherlands.
Maurice Edu (central): Lacks the creativity of Torres, offers intimidation factor and athleticism.
Stuart Holden (right): Latest to go out with injury: broken fibula, out 6 weeks. If Charlie isn't back and Dempsey is up front, a match fit Holden will be critical to USA's chances.
Defense:
Carlos Bocanegra (left): Bornstein is out, Demerit is tougher in the central defense, Carlos is too valuable of a team leader to not be on the field. Bocanegra has a lot of left back experience.
Jay Demerit (central): Strong and fearless. No big mistakes yet. Needs to keep healthy.
Oguchi Onyewu (central): Needs to start training with Milan. He is apparently recovering well.
Jonathan Spector (right): The weakest link in this line-up. Does have experience against the English players. Got beat a couple of times against the Dutch.
Goalie:
Tim Howard: New USA goalkeeper uniform is sweet.
Rest of the 23:
Forwards: Davies, Ching
(Ching blows but he really is all we've got right now)
Midfield: Feilhaber, Torres, Beasley, Clark, Bedoya
(Maybe Adu instead of Bedoya, though Bedoya seemed to have some good play against Holland)
Defense: Pearce, Cherundolo, Goodson
(I've learned my mistake in favoring Bornstien because of his good looks, have you Bob?)
Goalies: Guzan, Hahnemann
Bob, I'll keep you updated as players come off of injury and I evaluate their form over the next few months.
Love, Mike
P.S. - If your reading this and you know any of these names, comment with your starting 11.
5 comments:
Soccer is cool.
Gee whiz. I read ever word. Who's Charlie? He needs to get his game back apparently. Striker - what's a striker? I bet even Landon knows. I love the last name Demerit. Who is Bob?
Good post. Keep doing this. I'll keep reading. Do I have the World Cup channel? :)
Mike, the only name that I truly know here, is Landon Donovan and only because you named my grandson for him! I hope poor Ching doesn't read this because he'll surely cry himself to sleep into his pillow tonight. As for Bornstein . . . you wouldn't happen to have his phone number, would you? Hubba Hubba.
I finally had a chance to watch the dutch game. I'm glad that you have Bornstein out of the starting line up. He was terrible. He was often beat and when the US had possession the Dutch were able to force him into bad passes.
I like Maurice Edu in the starting line up. He didn't look great but I'm hoping he'll grow a bit after his huge goal for the Rangers last week.
What impressed me the most from this game was Josy Altidore. For so long we've heard "he has so much potential" and this was the first game where he looked like the real deal. He didn't just have flashes of greatness but was consistently putting on the pressure. If he was paired with any one except an inept Findley we would have seen a lot more too.
exactly what you said.
i agree.
Go team Michael usa!
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