US Soccer Gold Cup Team Named

[TexasTerror]

The Bradley Era begins with the first tournament and matches of note since Bradley became the head coach. Here's what his line-up looks like for the Gold Cup to begin June 6th. A mix of some new players (Parkhurst, Simek, among others) and some of the old guard. I'll be interested to see how the new players to the US MNT fare in the forthcoming matches...

• Goalkeepers (3) – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

• Defenders (8) – Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

• Midfielders (8) – DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)

• Forwards (4) – Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)

[TheValleyRaider]

Couple of things surprised me right away

-Keller at Keeper? I thought he had retired from the National Team. Oh well, good to have him, but Timmy should be the #1

-Donovan's a forward this time? His goal scoring seems to have improved for the National Team (that is, he's actually doing it), but we do seem pretty well set at the midfield and short a striker with McBride having retired

-Disappointed not to see Cory Gibbs on Defense, is he still injured?

-Clint Mathis must still be in the US doghouse, I caught the tailend of tonight's RBNY game and they showed he was hot as of late. I still think there's some hope/talent there, but there's still time before World Cup qualifying

I am looking forward to the Gold Cup with anticipation. Beating a full strength Mexico with a diminished side was a big plus for Bradley, and if these guys are playing well, we're still the best CONCACAF side out there. Not winning (or at least not making the final) would be a huge disappointment. Conversely is the tension surrounding the Copa America afterwards, which I think will reveal a lot more about Bradley's ability to push us forward towards regularly competing with the world's big boys. We certainly can be at least at the level of the Paraguays and Ecuadors, so a strong showing in South America will be huge boost.

[Grizalltheway]

The Bradley Era begins with the first tournament and matches of note since Bradley became the head coach. Here's what his line-up looks like for the Gold Cup to begin June 6th. A mix of some new players (Parkhurst, Simek, among others) and some of the old guard. I'll be interested to see how the new players to the US MNT fare in the forthcoming matches...

• Goalkeepers (3) – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

• Defenders (8) – Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

• Midfielders (8) – DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)

• Forwards (4) – Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)

Is he the starter for Borussia? I know they're headed for the 2nd Bundesliga...

[flea]

No McBride at striker????

[Mr. C]

To give this thread an FCS flavor, remember that DeMarcus Beasley is the cousin and childhood companion of 2004 College Sporting News/I-AA.org offensive player of the year DaVon Fowlkes from Appalachian State. DeMarcus (in Holland) and his brother JaMarcus (in MLS) both play pro soccer and Fowlkes is now with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Three pro athletes from one family is pretty impressive.

Hopefully, DeMarcus gets to use those jets in the Gold Cup. He can be a spectacular player when he is on form.

[Mr. C]

Is he the starter for Borussia? I know they're headed for the 2nd Bundesliga...
Keller is still considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, no matter where her plays. And yes, I believe he is the starter there. That doesn't take away from his ability as a great goalie. I wouldn't want ANYONE else in our nets.

[flea]

Has Friedel retired from internationals?

[Mr. C]

Has Friedel retired from internationals?
Yes, he has. He retired from them after the 2002 World Cup. Personally, I've always liked Kasey Keller better than Brad Friedel, anyway. Keller has always seemed a bit more decisive than Friedel, with better reactions, though both are great goalies.

[GannonFan]

Keller is still considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, no matter where her plays. And yes, I believe he is the starter there. That doesn't take away from his ability as a great goalie. I wouldn't want ANYONE else in our nets.

Actually, Bradley named Howard the #1 goalie right now so Keller's just the backup. Hey, I love Keller as well and he'll go down as one of the best goalies ever, regardless of country, but he's seen his better days and Howard is the better goalie right now. Of course, if we can't put a decent midfield out there in big competitions it won't matter much who's minding the net.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/05/24/bc.soc.goldcup.us.ap/index.html

[PaladinFan]

Mr C. I will one up you big time in the FCS comparison.

both Ricardo Clark and Clint Dempsey played for Furman. That's nuts for a school our size to produce two of the top soccer players in the country within a year of each other.

In Dempsey's last year with the Paladins (2003 I think) Furman went 15 straight games without surrendering a goal. They made it all the way national semifinals before losing to Stanford on the road.

[thirdgendin]

Mr C. I will one up you big time in the FCS comparison.

both Ricardo Clark and Clint Dempsey played for Furman. That's nuts for a school our size to produce two of the top soccer players in the country within a year of each other.

In Dempsey's last year with the Paladins (2003 I think) Furman went 15 straight games without surrendering a goal. They made it all the way national semifinals before losing to Stanford on the road.

We actually lost to Stanford in the round of 16 that year (2002). In 1999, Furman squandered a one-goal lead against UConn in the final 8 by giving up 2 late goals. We were so close to the Final Four! xbawlingx xbangx

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Only 4 forwards surprise me, as well as the inclusion of Justin Mapp. Why not stick in a 5th goalscorer, like a Clint Mathis?

Team USA to me just seems like they are in desperate need of the two things every national team needs, a world-class striker and a creative midfielder. They have neither. Hopefully one of those Euro midfielders are the next coming of Claudio Reyna.

[PaladinFan]

We actually lost to Stanford in the round of 16 that year (2002). In 1999, Furman squandered a one-goal lead against UConn in the final 8 by giving up 2 late goals. We were so close to the Final Four! xbawlingx xbangx

Thanks for the correction my purple wearing friend.

[Eyes of Old Main]

I don't know much about soccer and I don't follow it closely, but I am getting more interested in it. I hoep the changes with the U.S. National Team mean we won't get beaten like a hate crime as at the World Cup last year.

[Mr. C]

Only 4 forwards surprise me, as well as the inclusion of Justin Mapp. Why not stick in a 5th goalscorer, like a Clint Mathis?

Team USA to me just seems like they are in desperate need of the two things every national team needs, a world-class striker and a creative midfielder. They have neither. Hopefully one of those Euro midfielders are the next coming of Claudio Reyna.

Unfortunately, for all of his talent, Clint Mathis hasn't been much of a team player on the international level. He always seems more interested in being weird than giving his all to the team. Too much of a free spirit.

[Mr. C]

Mr C. I will one up you big time in the FCS comparison.

both Ricardo Clark and Clint Dempsey played for Furman. That's nuts for a school our size to produce two of the top soccer players in the country within a year of each other.

In Dempsey's last year with the Paladins (2003 I think) Furman went 15 straight games without surrendering a goal. They made it all the way national semifinals before losing to Stanford on the road.
You are not one-upping me. And I am well aware of the Furman influence on the national team. Dempsey and Beasley have worked pretty well together in the past.

BTW, Final Fours in soccer, like most NCAA sports are neutral site games. They go to one place each year for soccer's semifinals and final.

[Mr. C]

Actually, Bradley named Howard the #1 goalie right now so Keller's just the backup. Hey, I love Keller as well and he'll go down as one of the best goalies ever, regardless of country, but he's seen his better days and Howard is the better goalie right now. Of course, if we can't put a decent midfield out there in big competitions it won't matter much who's minding the net.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/05/24/bc.soc.goldcup.us.ap/index.html

I'd still go with Keller's experience over Howard's younger talent. But that is precisely the reason that Howard is playing in front of Keller to get Howard ready for the 2010 World Cup with more international experience.

[TheValleyRaider]

4 is the usual number of Forwards, about. We only took 4 to Germany, and only used 2. I also don't totally agree with excluding Mathis if you're going to include Eddie Johnson. I like them both, and think they are capable of bringing the kind of attitude you want on the field, but both are also just as likely to be headaches and cause unnecessary distractions combined with inconsistant play. There are certainly some good players in the midfield already, I suppose, so I guess it really depends on the kind of style Bradley wants to primarily use.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

4 is the usual number of Forwards, about. We only took 4 to Germany, and only used 2. I also don't totally agree with excluding Mathis if you're going to include Eddie Johnson. I like them both, and think they are capable of bringing the kind of attitude you want on the field, but both are also just as likely to be headaches and cause unnecessary distractions combined with inconsistant play. There are certainly some good players in the midfield already, I suppose, so I guess it really depends on the kind of style Bradley wants to primarily use.

In my mind, that was part of the problem with the Germany team. They kind of sit around, looking for some guy to score. Mathis in '02 was the closest we came to "that guy".

Ching, Johnson and Twellman have a chance of becoming "that guy", but this year I've been less than impressed with all three. Donovan is much better suited at midfield. With Mathis, you'd have two guys that could switch, and a much more natural goalscorer than Mapp.

But hey, what do I know? :)