Landon Donovan will not travel to South Africa after suffering a calf strain during the Galaxy's penalty shootout victory against the Minnesota Thunder on Nov. 11 in Minneapolis. The 25-year-old ends 2007 with nine goals and four assists in 12 games played for the United States, his 34 career goals tied for number one on the USA's all-time scoring list. The coaching staff will not add a replacement, meaning the U.S. will dress 17 players for the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup this Saturday in Johannesburg.
Goalkeepers (2) – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
Defenders (7) –Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders (6) – Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA)
Forwards (2) – Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC)
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15 years ago
14 comments:
Well that throws a wrench into my previous theorization into the starting line-up.
Here's how I would start now.
Howard
Cherundolo
Onyewu
Boca
Pearce
Dempsey
Bradley
Edu
Beasley
Adu - Roaming the space in between midfield and attack
Altidore
That's how I would start. I think Bradley will pull Adu and put Feilhaber in and play 4 midfield and put Dempsey up top.
That or he may put Edu, Bradley, Feilhaber and Adu in the midfield and start Dempsey alone up top.
Here's hoping he gives Altidore a SERIOUS run-out and not just the last 10 minutes or something.
so, are we going to get one of those awesome benny and sacha podcasts since they are finally together again? (:
Why not call in forwards Eddie Johnson & Chris Rolfe?
Can Sacha play RW?
I find this one of the most exciting MNT rosters in ages. And I've watched every friendly & non-friendly US MNT game for the last four years (but watched 2007 Gold Cup final live). This is a much more attack minded set up. I love the fact that for once we have, a decent amount of confident, young, one-on-one-challenging, attack-minded offensive players. These midfielders can also play as strikers. Not to mention what I would consider a reliable, tough, and internationally-experienced defense. I LOVE IT!!! Can't wait to see how we play.
I would give rolfe some run.
Also hope that we can see altidore/ado together, with dempsey back in the attacking mid role.
most exciting roster ever? wow.bold statement to say the least.
Glad we could take this opportunity to call in our Serie A striker to give him a taste of things before the U-23's. Oh wait... we didn't. Maybe it's because we already have too many players... oh wait.
With the outlook of us playing two midfielders up top (Beas, Demp) this looks like it could be the least exciting roster of the year.
Rolfe isn't on the roster, so I doubt he'll make the starting XI.
But, yes, Donovan being away will definitely gaurantee that a number of the U-23s will see some considerable time on the field. I would assume the playing time would go to the yanks abroad who are in beginning/mid season form.
Rolfe?johnson?
do you people follow the Nats?
arggggggg! coming back from school to check the blog, i was so excited to try to see my fav player donovan break the scoring record, i was thinking "what if i went online and the blog said he was injured" i couldn't believe it, oh well maybe against sweden or mexico next year... by the way what do u guys think about lalas trying to get ronaldo (brazil) and selling donovan to help fund it
Rolfe and Ferrari would have been good call-ups.
Attack-minded? Not so sure about that. Superficially we have seven defenders, six midfielders, and two forwards. That doesn't sound attack minded to me.
What it does sound like is Deuce floating around up top as target man, and while I argue that Dempsey is the best man for the job, I would also like to point out that he produces his best when he's got plenty of support. He and Freddy seem to have something, but will Freddy start? Not likely.
Here's my lineup:
-------------Howard------------
'Dolo---Boca---Gooch---Bornstein
DMB--Edu--Benny--Bradley--Pearce
-------------Deuce-------------
... though I wouldn't be surprised if Kljestan got the start over Benny. I see Bradley and DMB pinching up for flank support.
Potential subs: Adu for Bradley, Pearce or Bornstein, depending on the score. Jozy for Deuce no later than the 80th. Spector for Bornstein in the 1st or 2nd half, depending on the score. Possibly Califf for Gooch. Possibly Guzan for Timmy, depending on the score.
Can Pearce cross well? I haven't seen him as a mid, though I understand he's had a bit of PT there at Rostock.
My comment about including Rolfe & Johnson was made because this roster is filled with some of our best young talent (most will be on the WC 2010 roster) and I consider Rolfe & Johnson a part of that group.
Have you seen Chris Rolfe's goals and play since coming back from an injury?
I may concede that EJ has had his chance and not sparkled but he gets paired with Twellman (worthless) most of those times. None of our forwards have played well with TT up top.
Adu/Altidore need a shot with the senior boys but what better match to get everyone's confidence up including Rolfe & EJ then RSA?
And yes I do follow the boys and have since WC 1990. I just want BB to have options at forward for this match.
You like it or not Donovan is our best player
I would start like this
Howard
Cherundolo Onyewu Bocanegra Spector
Pearce Bradley Adu
Dempsey Altidore Beasley
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