Looking Towards the 2014 Roster
by Jaxon on Jun 27, 2010 12:07 PM EDT
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PrintIf nothing esle it was an exciting run the for the US team. Plenty to be both disappointed and excited about. This post will focus on the latter and which players will be around for the next, hoping even better squad.
Based on age I'm going to say the following will not be viable options (current age): Bocanegra (31), Cherundolo (31), DeMerit (31), and Hahnemann (GK, 38). Isn't that most of our back line? That's worrisome but with Gooch (28), Spector (26) and Bornstein (28) possibly returning there will still be some experience. I'm thinking GK Howard (31) could very well return at age 35.
Our returning youth conversely is at forward and midfield. Altidore (20) and Findley (24) will certainly be options in 2014 to lead the US attack along with youngsters Bradley (22), Torres (22) and Edu (24) to anchor the mid-field. Just as exciting is the list of experienced players who will hopefully be back for one more World Cup: Donovan (28), Dempsey (27), Beasley (28), Gomez (28) and Feilhaber (25).
The remaining are bubble players in my unprofessional opinion for different reasons, age or play: Buddle (29), Guzan (26), Goodson (28). I didn't really see enough of these guys to know if they still have potential.
I'm sure someone reading this can list some up-and-comers to be excited about. I wonder if Freddy Adu will ever reach his potential or was he simply over-hyped?
There is plenty to be excited about with the US Soccer progression. The national pride brought forth by the win over Algeria will help spur even more interest in the US league. I can't but hope for even better in 2014. Thoughts?
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Yep!
Was he injured or what? I haven’t really done my research to find out why he was left off the squad. Certainly feel like we could have used him
"I believe that basketball, when a certain level of unselfish team play is realized, can serve as a kind of metaphor for ultimate cooperation. It is a sport where success, as symbolized by the championship, requires that the dictates of the community prevail over selfish personal impulses. An exceptional player is simply one point on a five-pointed star. Statistics—such as points, rebounds, or assists per game—can never explain the remarkable interaction that takes place on a successful pro team."
~ Bill Bradley
~~~
http://www.youtube.com/bektur34 - denver nuggets videos
And the crash happened a day or two before the qualifier against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium in DC, IIRC
the game in which Onyewu tore his knee up desperately trying to reach a cross for a late equalizer.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
i dont freddy adu will ever be a vialbe option for us. i think demerit could play in 2014 as could gooch maybe if findley becomes the striker we thought he would be maybe but after watching him he couldnt bury any of his chances
Mike Green in regular season- Norris Canadiate. Mike Green in Playoffs- Nowhere to be found
You've given up on a 21 year old already?
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not giving up but doubt he will ever be a mainstay with the team. and you got to admit the hype has not been fulfilled yet. i mean how many club teams has he been on. but i do hope someday he ends up on the team
Mike Green in regular season- Norris Canadiate. Mike Green in Playoffs- Nowhere to be found
I've given up on him matching the hype
He certainly needs to quit hunting for a paycheck and just start playing.
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Sounder At Heart
I disagree
Adu definitely has the potential to be like mexicos dos Santos it just might take him some time to realize his potential and then play up to it
by Sawdawg12 on Jun 27, 2010 9:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What I meant to say is he may be like a version of super buddle over time
by Sawdawg12 on Jun 27, 2010 9:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
But Dos Santos Isn't even close to Adu's Hype
It’s one thing for Adu to be good, it’s another for him to live up to expectations. When I read the SI article earlier this decade, I thought this kid might take over the MLS at age 16. Expectations were out of control and his head got too big.
Dos Santos is good, but I think you don’t understand how this kid was hyped for a few years.
Tweeting via @jtkimbell
If you look at the recent callups almost all are young enough to be options in 2014
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_men’s_national_soccer_team#Recent_call-ups
Although the dearth of help in defense is annoying.
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Sounder At Heart
2014
I think the squad has a very solid core to build upon going forward (Bradley, Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore, Feilhaber, Howard). If Davies and Onyewu can regain their former glory, those are two more strong players to build upon. I think more players that none of us are thinking about (or possibly even heard of) will emerge, as well.
Not mediocre. Right about average
Our defense will most likely be complely different
Except for Onyewu, our first choice backline will be gone, Bornstein and Spector need to find consistency and class to remain in the picture, and of anyone on the fringe we mentioned, only Castillo is young. It’s hard to remember that Goodson while fresh to the team is Gooch’s age. I think it will be most interesting to see where our defense goes, because if our young players get better and don’t regress, our midfield is stacked as far as we are concerned. We also have two young strikers, as I think Davies exclusion will motivate him and Altidore is just getting started, that should feature prominently and a hopefully not-so-green Findley in reserve.
"It’s not about the guacamole itself," Greinke said. "I just don’t want to let them win."
I still hope we find another player like demerit
His fight could be matched by no one
by Sawdawg12 on Jun 27, 2010 9:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Jozy and Buddle need to be the starters in 2014
It’d be a good mix of young and experienced since Buddle will be 33, he should have started this WC but I think he is the type of player that can go well into his 30’s. As well as Donovan and Howard and Onyewu, they will definitely be ready for 2014. I think Cherundolo and Boconegra could come back but I don’t think as starters, Spector as well is on the bubble as a starter and back up. Buddle is sort of a late bloomer where I still think his best years will be ahead of him in a year or two since he may make the jump to europe. Dempsey will be back and will be fine as well.
The biggest questions are the back line and coaching. Lalas said it well today, usually coaches will be fine 1 WC but 4 years later do not do well at all. I think this may be the case here and we should explore options there. On defense Gooch to me is the only locked in guy, everything else is up for grabs
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
Also DaMarcus Beasley I think should be given another chance
I see him being able to still contribute
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
I agree. Buddle isn’t a speed guy to begin with, he relies on technique so I don’t see that declining in 4 years. Defense is definately our top priority. We need some better size back there (besides Gooch). I hope Demerit is still quality around then because he was definately our top defender. Keep an eye on college and the MLS to see what options we might have coming up. I want to see how this kid McInerny from Philly (I know bias) develops. He’s only 17 so with the right development who knows at age 21.
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee
"This fucking game is over!" Chuck Bednarik
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" Mike Tyson
by Talon Talent on Jun 27, 2010 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Old teams v young in this world
On the side of Old – England, France, Italy
On the side of Young – Ghana, Germany, Argentina
Which group looks better to you?
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Sounder At Heart
The young side , whats your point?
LD, Buddle and Gooch are the type of players that probably wont fall off too much, GK’s last a long time as well so Howard should be good to go. I think youth needs to be put in the back line with Gooch as the vet, our midfield will be developing as well. Dempsey and LD will be the vets and Bradley will be in his prime. We need to see if Edu in 4 years can take the other spot.
Jozy is only 20 so he’s good to go, I think Beasley should still be a sub but not forgotten
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
Almost no players are good into their 30s
In any sport, so why would we think that players that weren’t good this time will get better as they get past 30?
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Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jun 28, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
definitely agree
we are in good shape with so many young players on this roster but I feel the only significant contributors over 30 in 2014 will be:
Donovan
Dempsey
Gooch
Howard (Goalies are different, can play till they’re 40)
I think this list is a great topic. Missing some guys that I think could be key, though. Jose Torres and Stuart Holden will be in their mid-20’s and I’ve liked what I’ve seen from those two at a young age. Hopefully Stuey can stay with Bolton and gain some great EPL experience.
by I need more Esteban on Jun 28, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
This is basically what I said....
Dont leave Buddle off the list, he was absolutely snubbed by Bradley. I think since he’s not a big speed player and more of a skill one he can last longer
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
agreed Buddle could be an option but
you would really hope that younger, more in prime options step up. Plus, with Buddle’s injury history, I’m wary.
by I need more Esteban on Jun 29, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Almost no players are good into their 30s In any sport
Blatantly false beyond belief
Players will lose speed and quickness, guys like Buddle, Dempsey and LD dont rely on speed. It will not affect them much at all and the same goes for Gooch. Goalies can go for a long time so Howard may even have 2 more world cups in him.
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
No, this is not false
The fact that there are a handful of stars does not replace the fact that tens of thousands who are done by the Age of 30.
This is no longer up for debate. It has been proven time and again.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jun 28, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Kobe, Dirk, MJ, 99% of good QB's , Shaq, Gretzky, Dawkins, Jerry West, Hakeem
Ray Allen, Pierce, KG, Gasol, Duncan, Kahn, Iverson, Montana, Rice, Tim Brown, Maradona, Pele, Bill Russell,99% of great pitchers, Dion Sanders, Sapp, Rod Woodson, Rich Gannon, Romo, Elway, Marino, Tony Gonzalez, Ben Wallace, Ronaldo , Zidane, Manu Ginobli, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Grant Hill, Steve Nash, Pistol Pete, DR J, Rasheed Wallace, Odom, Artest, Jwill, Tarik Glenn, alot of NFL offensive lineman (example, J.Ogden), Derrick Brooks, Owens, Romo, Marc Colombo , Seymour, Brooking, NFL kickers/punters can go well into there 40’s, Brees, Darren Sharper, John Henderson, Magic, Kareem, Wilt, Bettis, James Farrior,
Do I need to go on?
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
TENS OF THOUSANDS
PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ATHLETES
So yes ,go on, go on for freaking ever
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Oh, and almost everyone you mentioned was better under 30 than over it
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Sure, I'm not saying people will get better over 30
I said that the best stars can keep going and a very good pace. You say tens of thousands of athletes after saying “stars”. Which is it? Cause there are stars that do go down, but saying no players are good in there 30 is false. Absolutely false. Athletes in general could be the high school start that becomes a fat drunk in his 30’s. Or a average role player who wasn’t great in the first place that can’t afford to lose a step. Most stars have multiple skills that keep them going
Players like Steve Nash though have played better late in there career than early (his MVPs were in his 30’s). I could go on forever but I’d be into my old age when I ran out of names
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
besides. For the world cup team, don’t we need the stars to win? We aren’t trying to put together a team of role players. When it comes to the world cup it is the best of the best that we look for.
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee
"This fucking game is over!" Chuck Bednarik
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" Mike Tyson
by Talon Talent on Jun 29, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Well we dont really have stars
IM think LD will still be a star, Dempsey will still be good as well. Howard is a “star” and goal keepers dont really lose anything with age either. LD I think has 1 last star WC left, we need young guys to develop into stars
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
by dubzfan on Jun 29, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also
LD’s speed is a big part of his game.
by the12thman11 on Jun 28, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that big
He relies on skill more than speed, he will be fine though. Hes that type of player
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
He will be fine
but you keep telling yourself that his speed isn’t a big deal. Take that away and you have simply an average overall player.
by the12thman11 on Jun 29, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
LD with average speed is still well more than a average player
Speed for SOME is a must. Take Chris Johnson on the Titans for example, 2000 yard rusher, he really only has 1 true skill. Speed, so when he loses it he will be far less affective, now lets look at someone like Adrian Peterson, he is fast and it will hurt him when he loses it. But he has many other skills that will keep him going.
Case and point, when players can make up for the lacking of elite speed they will most likely have careers that last longer than people who rely on it
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
I don't see it that way
Donovan does not beat defenders with tremendous deception, or by having the ball on a string. He’s not Robinho. He does have excellent skills, but they’re mainly passing and shot precision. His goal against Slovenia was a great example: the defense were so worried that he’d cross it that they let him get too close to the goal, and he nailed that shot in exactly the right place. But the reason the goal happened in the first place was his footspeed, which got him to the ball and allowed him to get behind the defense.
Maybe if he loses some speed they’d move him into the center from the wing, and he’d be more of a midfield distributor. I don’t think he’d be a top-class wing if he slowed down.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
agreed
Donovan’s pace is one of his most important skills
by I need more Esteban on Jun 29, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
If you guys want us to be better in 2014....
then we need to develop more players. by 2014, we want a WC squad that basically plays for european clubs. I think it was Lalas who said it, but we need that fwd who puts away 30-40 goals a year. Altidore played well, but as we all saw, he cant consistantly finish. Davies was well on his way, but we dont know how he will continue to grow, especially after his injuries.
30 is that strange age players start to decline, but I am hoping donavan and dempsey (at 31 and 31 in 2014) will still be able to perform and also act as leaders. Howard should be back to do the same.
As we saw, MLS players (except for donavan, who should be in europe anyway) did not have a very good WC.
In 2014, Bradley will be the key. he will be 26 and hopefully his game will have gotten better. The games he played well, we played well. when he doesnt,….ie england…both times…
I think Bradley will be the key
Our vets should be Buddle, LD, Dempsey, Gooch and Howard.I think everything else should be young guys
When I get older, I will be stronger.
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
Isn't Altidore only 20 years old?
Seems to me that he’s young enough to improve his shot-making and ball-control significantly in the next 4 years.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
definitely
and he needs to for the U.S. to keep improving
by I need more Esteban on Jun 29, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
The trick is getting him somewhere where he'll actuall play, and do so against good opponents
and where he can get experience as one of his team’s primary scorers.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
agreed..
he is only 20, and he has loads of talent. He just needs to get that consistant playing time to continue to improve. If he does so, he could become that scorer in 2014. But he needs a complimentary fwd. Davies looked like he was going to be the one. Hopefully he can recover and continue to improve.
Buddle plays in the MLS. He needs to prove he is better than that, and if he is going to be a playa, prove himself and go overseas.
only if jozy can find consistant playing time with a club team
Mike Green in regular season- Norris Canadiate. Mike Green in Playoffs- Nowhere to be found
Like most young Americans it seems he would rather get paid and be in Europe
then play and stay in the USA
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
So
you’re telling me you wouldn’t go work somewhere else for twice the pay?
by the12thman11 on Jul 3, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I would do exactly that
I just don’t want my national team players to do that, because I don’t think they develop by not playing.
Sure, I’m a hypocrite, but at least I’m not harming my nation’s development by doing it.
Actually maybe I wouldn’t I did once turn down an offer to be a security consultant in Iraq at 8 times my current pay…but maybe that’s different.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Jeff (no, the other one)
Altidore would benefit from regular high-level playing time, of course.
I see him make a powerful run (shot goes off the post) against England, and it’s like there’s a Drogba quality at work. Power; speed; determination.
I see him…. almost invisible against the rest of the US’ World Cup opponents, and wonder how we could get him more involved.
An interesting thought
I remember a comment someone said in which they described the U.S. soccer style as ’’incomplete and almost chaotic, unorganized, young".
Soccer giants (countries) of the world have built upon a technique that is their unique style and rarely stray from that style of play. It defines their individual players and it defines their national team.
I believe debating about who should(n’t) be on the team needs to take a backseat to the real question, which is.. What is our style, what technique defines the U.S. team? The team is incredibly young and, in a sense, looking at a blank canvas in which to paint a picture of who we are and will be for years to come. Now is the time to take a step towards giant status, now is the time to define a team.
TLDR; Pick a style and technique team, time to shine.
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