*** Soccer Post ***

[msudogsrule01]

I just wanted to talk about something other than football recruiting, the Saints, basketball, C34 or Sidney. So lets play predict the starting 11 for the World Cup. I will assume that despite the good news, that Charlie Davies will be unable to go.

GK: Howard<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span></a>

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D:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> Gooch, Bornstein,Bocanegra, Cherundolo (DeMerit will be in the hunt, of course)<span style="font-weight: bold;">
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M: Bradley, Dempsey, Donovan, Torres (I am considering Edu in here as well as Clark, I don't see Jones available or fit to play)
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F: Altidore, Johnson (I can't believe I am saying EJ, but I just have a feeling, Casey is a possibility)
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[Rebecca Lobo]

75% Charlie Davies > 100% Eddie Johnson. How healthy is Onyewu?

 

[patdog]

Not too bad a lineup, but Torres and Johnson are the weak links. I think I might rather go with a 4-5-1 if Johnson is the best we can put up there for a 2nd striker. Or maybe go back to having Donovan as the combo midfielder/striker in a 4-4-1-1 lineup. Hate to do that though since he's playing so well at outside midfield.</p>

 

[msudogsrule01]

I think gooch is pretty close. I want him to get out of Milan and go somewhere he can play, however.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

He is a better finisher than a creator.

 

[patdog]

I'm all for our players going to Europe to play. They need to go there. But damn it, they need to go somewhere where they will actually play. They'd almost be better off staying in MLS than sitting on the bench in Europe.</p>

 

[msudogsrule01]

Jones isn't fit, and doesn't look like he will get fit for the World Cup.

 

[FQDawg]

Not Torres. Castillo or something? I think he plays left back... I'd love to see him get a shot because I am not enamored with Johnathan Bornstein or anyone else we've had back there. I don't want to put too much stock in a few games, but the best back line we've had in a while was when Gooch and DeMerit were in the center, Bocanegra was on the left and Spector on the right during the Confed Cup last year.

 

[FQDawg]

x

 

[msudogsrule01]

We need a defensive midfielder. Bradley is an offensive midfielder, so we need someone to play destroyer and break up attacks. Jones would be perfect if healthy. But if he doesn't play against Holland, I just don't see him making the squad.

 

[Fresno Bob]

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/12/tgif-will-jermaine-jones-ever-get-healthy.html">http://www.soccerbyives.n...es-ever-get-healthy.html[/url]

 

[eurotrash]

Very disruptive and he was a beast--sort of a Roy Keane with better speed (but still not as good). He could have been our best field player but I'm not sure whether he'll be fit soon and have time to gel with the team (which is also why I don't expect to see Davies--too many opportunities for setbacks during rehab). It would have been nice to have seen Jones at the Confed Cup. Hopefully Ricardo Clark can get some minutes in Germany and learn not to tackle studs up. My guess is he's our starter against England.

I'm not sure Castillo is the answer at left back. He's a bit small and seems to be a better left mid--he can dribble and shoot. Kind of scary that Bornstein might be our starter in the back.

The injuries have really hurt our chances (don't forget that Dempsey is on the shelf as well). I'm just not that impressed with our depth. We're in a good group to advance--I'd be happy with that result. We should be favored to beat Slovenia and Algeria but we'll probably lose to England because they finally have a good coach and we have always seemed intimidated by them. Pisses me off because I've taken some **** from their dentally-challenged fans.

Eddie Johnson at forward--wow. He better get busy in Greece. Adu might have a better chance of making the team (if we move Donavon up top).

 

[MSUCostanza]

he has really been impressive at Everton. He's basically forced his way into the first team and was getting glowing praise from David Moyes. Maybe he's finally figured it out. When he's really good, the US is really good.

 

[PosterFormerlyKnownAsRFAA]

is exactly what the US needs. When he is on his game, the US is a completely different team.

My hope is that, in particular, he and Dempsey can head into the World Cup playing well. If Davies can return (and he sounds like a man determinded to do so) to form and play, then we will be that much better off.

It is too early to get too excited about it, but several overseas players are playing well right now.