What do you think of the roster? Looks like Arena should have just called the entire Revolution team in. I like that we'll definitely get a look at some of the youngsters regardless of their impending Costa Rica-like asswhipping. Here's the roster:

Goalkeepers (2) –Tim Howard (Manchester United), Matt Reis (New England Revolution)

Defenders (6) – Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Dan Califf (San Jose Earthquakes), Jay Heaps (New England Revolution), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake), Jonathan Spector (Charlton Athletic)

Midfielders (7) – Brian Carroll (D.C. United), Ricardo Clark (San Jose Earthquakes), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Daniel Hernandez (New England Revolution), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)

Forwards (3) – Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes), Santino Quaranta, (D.C. United), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)

I think the starting lineup could look like this:

Howard
Albright - Pope - Marshall - Spector

Clark
Ralston - Mapp
Dempsey
Ching - Twellman

I could see a little variation in the starting lineup, but, to me, that looks like our best team with this roster.

BTW, how the hell does Jay Heaps get a callup?

Personally, I think Quaranta should start ahead of either Ching or Twellman. I don't like the idea of having two target forwards up front who play better in the air and with their back to goal.

As for the roster, I'll never understand why Arena is wasting his time with players like Jay Heaps and Daniel Hernandez. Yeah...I'm real sure that this 30 year old defender is going to come in and make the roster in the back. What about bleeding some new talent? Guys like Szetela and Simek (who plays in a tougher league) who have a future with the national team should be looked at it. Hell, even give Freddy a look even if there's no way in hell he should make the team in Germany. The experience alone for these younger, more talented players would be worth it.

I could definitely see Quaranta in place of either Ching or Twellman. That was one of the "little variations" I was thinking of. As for Heaps, I really don't understand why he's here. He's a player like Hejduk, but with less skill(if that's possible). As for Hernandez, he's been playing in the Mexican league for the past couple of years, so he's been playing in a better league. That being said, I didn't really keep up with how he did, but I could definitely see him fighting with Clark and Mastroeni for the Dmid position and if O'Brien doesn't get healthy that's a position that will probably need more depth.

The way Adu's been playing recently I think there's a very good chance of him getting capped before the World Cup. The thing working against him to make the World Cup team, in my mind, is that if he goes to Germany he'll get so much publicity and the spotlight we'll be on him and it will take away from the team, which Arena wouldn't want. With this tournament happening only every 4 years I don't see Arena risking team continuity regardless of how good he is.

I'm still withholding judgement on Szetela, who hasn't played for the Crew in a while, I think he's injured and Simek, who is playing in a decent league, but might need a few more years of experience.

BTW, if you haven't seen Adu's most recent goal vs Real Salt Lake go watch it immediately on mlsnet.com at sights and sounds it's pretty damn good.

[This message has been edited by dubag (edited 10/12/2005 2:04a).]

Real Salt Lake???

Now THAT'S a great name!

HA!!!

'It's been......emotional'.

I know, it's horrible.

Anybody remember Eddie Gaven? I saw he got capped when we played Poland at Soldier Field, and hes never been called up again? I know Bruce doesn't want to call on anyone who's in a playoff chase, but it'd be nice to see another offensive midfielder sometime.

Gaven may get a call up in a friendly in the run up to Germany. If I remember correctly, he's performances for the full men's team haven't been superb and his performance at the U-20s earlier this year were inconsistent. Speaking of the U-20s, what happened to Marvell Wynne? That guy had a great tournament and I thought for sure someone would be taking a look at him. Don't think that he's ready for the national team but at the very least, an MLS team should be looking to draft him.

Apparently Wynne had a few offers overseas, but wanted to come back for another season with UCLA(maybe to graduate?). I'd love to see him play in the MLS for a few years. It's just too damn hard to catch an overseas game with our guys playing, which is why I love the MLS. Anyways, if you're wondering where I get this information usually it's from bigsoccer.com, but I do enjoy coming to this site to discuss soccer with my fellow Ags.

Bigsoccer is definitely the board when it comes to soccer talk.

Wow. That place is awesome. Now I have a new way to waste time at work. My employer does not thank you but I do!

I just have to warn you that there are some absolutely idiotic opinions on that message board, but they do provide a lot of information about soccer all over the world.

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I just have to warn you that there are some absolutely idiotic opinions on that message board

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Just like this one!

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I just have to warn you that there are some absolutely idiotic opinions on that message board, but they do provide a lot of information about soccer all over the world.

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You weren't kidding about either statement. Good to see a lot of US news and info in there. Most of the websites I'm aware of are decidedly slanted to UK info.

And WHY ISNT ADU STARTING?!?! (wink)

Quaranta has impressed me the most of guys upfront. In the 3-4 games I've seen him play, he has improved each game. He's one of the few new faces that appears to have adjusted to intl game speed.

The guy I don't understand is Twellman. He plays hard, just doesn't seem to ever make the play. Maybe I haven't seen enough of him, but he doesn't impress me on intl level. I think he's got just a few more games to show Arena something.

For 45 Martino looked like he didnt want any of the ball, then he puts one in the ol' onion bag out of nowhere. Hope Twellman can now get on track.

Who called it? WHO CALLED IT?!?!

Sorry if I missed it, but what was the final?

2-0 (Martino, Twellman) and Jorge Dely Valdes missed a PK in the last about 10 min.

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WHO CALLED IT?!?!

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I think just about everyone in the media called that one.

But, I have to give credit where credit is due. You called it on this board.

Sweet, thanks!

What did stillmerk call?

Twellman putting one in the net. It was a freebie, though, set up by a poor clearance.

dubag - whats your username over on Bigsoccer?

Twellman's goal was a hustle goal. Nice settle and quick finish. But at least he did something. Maybe my angry voice inspired him to great play. Or maybe just decent play.

Birdman,

Twellman did finish the goal nicely. But you have to admit, it was handwrapped with a bow on it. Every international forward should score that goal if given a chance.

Alexi Lalas could have scored that one. But it is always nice to get that first one. Hopefully Twellman has many more coming his way.

Sooner Born, it's ElRoss425 and I really don't post there that much unless it's to point out someone's insane ideas for the USMNT or to post my own. I pretty much stick to the US nats forum, MLS, Yanks Abroad, and occasionally College Soccer.

[This message has been edited by dubag (edited 10/14/2005 1:44a).]

I readily admit that Twellman's goal was cheap. I'm not a big fan of his, don't think he can compete. But maybe this will turn the corner.

But...Finish was nice and simple. Control the ball, shoot the ball. I've seen US forwards miss plenty of shots easier than that.

He wouldn't have made it without hustling. Good effort late in 'meaningless game'. Most guys wouldn't have been in position to capitalize on crappy clearance.

You see his post game interview? He was asked about the ball he whiffed on from Quaranta, and he said, "Yeah, it took a funny hop over my foot". We need depth at this position so i hope somebody steps up and stays healthy.

Twellman kind of seems like, well, a tool. Instead of "yeah, I made a mistake" we get "it was the ball's fault." Also, during halftime ESPN ran an interview in which Twellman was talking about how before he started playing with the national team he just expected to come in and set the world on fire. Even if he DID think that to himself, as I'm sure a lot of great competitors do, a little humility would serve him well, especially considering his mostly lackluster performances ever time Bruce has given him a shot.

Still, here's to hoping one of those third-tier strikers rounds the corner and becomes a truly great international player. We desperately need another legitimate threat up top.

[Edited for clarity.]

[This message has been edited by tool (edited 10/14/2005 9:08p).]