LiveBlog: USA Roster Announcement

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Would rather not see Frankie Hejduk or Ben Olsen. Would like to see Conor Casey as a surprise selection at forward.

I do not want to see Berhalter, especially after his performance against Germany.

I wouldn’t mind seing Armas. There are definitely health issues there, but he could be there provisionally with the chance to put an alternate on the list before the finalized roster.

Would rather not see Jeff Agoos. Sure, you laugh now…

The name Agoos never elicts laughter my friend…tears, screams, self-immolation perhaps.

No Brian Ching. I know that he’s on fire for Houston now, but he’s never the same in the USA shirt.

And I’d like to see Chris Albright in as well–Grabavoy should be there for left back, but that injury really took him out of the running.

Hopefully I think Zavagnin played his way out of a spot.

Ditto on Zavagnin.

Way to go, America. This is an excellent way to showcase the game on National TV. Football has come a long way in the US and I am so happy that the sweet scinece is being taken seriously now.

i thought boxing was the sweet science either way this is a good step in the right direction

minus 2 hours and counting. I’m anxious to see how SportsCenter treat the roster announcement. Will it be lavished with attention? Or will it be baseball, baseball, NFL Draft, 2005 Jump Rope Championship, and in other news Bruce Arena?

It will probably come after the Budweiser Hot Seat, but before the Coors Light Six Questions Six Pack…or maybe after the Pardon The Interruption segment, brought to us by Guinness.

Which beer company will present Arena’s announcement?

My guess is Budweiser, but it should be sponsored by a hard liquor. If Frankie Hejduk makes the squad it should be Wild Turkey.

[...] Livebloging it Tags: World Cup, World Cup 2006        [...]

By the way Daryl, coo idea. Hardcore!

Actually, I mean “cool” idea, but doves are pretty sweet, too.

Nice recovery Trent!

Since it’s in Germany, why not Jaegermeister?

How long into SportsCenter will it take before they get to this. Aren’t there 35 minutes of Yankees-Red Sox highlights to show?

A little fiddle playin’ at the intro…

They’ll probably milk it through all the commerical breaks…

DMB in the house…just not the soccer one.

Fingers crossed for: Cory Gibbs!

The NFL Draft is like Tony Meola’s career, it just won’t end…

I think I want open a gambling room, and only invite John Daly…

John Daly proving that Wayne Rooney isn’t the only terrible gambler.

Bonds hitting a homer probably means that Arena’s announcement has been pushed back a segment or two…I’m guessing he’ll be on a little after 3:30.

They announcer looked pained to say, “The World Cup. One of the most exciting events on the planet.”

Shhh!!! Keep it down! Breeder’s Cup and horse-raciing coverage!!!

Anyone want to liveblog the Kentucky Derby draw tomorrow?

“Not too soon to look forward to next year’s NFL Draft…”. Of course not.

Does the HUGE ratings boost (tongue firmly in cheek) they’re getting from the soccer-watching audience tuning in to see the roster announcement warrant these bizarre tease tactics? What the heck?

Well, very few people watch SportsCenter anymore–Pardon the Interruption gets higher ratings–so I’m guessing that the regular audience doesn’t mind how far back it airs.

Do you suppose they’ll have the full compliment of the ESPN soccer experts on set for the announcement? Shouldn’t be too crowded in the studio.

Well, they’ve done two moments from old WCs–1994 final, and Maradona’s “hand of God” goal…no mention of his other goal, but at least they’re trying to let the non-soccer viewer some stuff.

In response to Bob’s question…

I can see Bruce Arena, in his own way, announcing that Eric Wynalda will be announcing the selections for forward…

heh… only if Taylor Twellman were left off the roster, however…

I know. I’m bad.

daryl: “worst moment”? Only a genius would think to cheat like that, and it pissed off the English so much…quite classic, I think.

I am filling the time by putting together the worst ever US Team with World Cup experience. Would like nominations.

G: Meola.

D: Jim Windichman (remember him?)

M: thinking…

F: Bruce Murray, Roy Wegerle

I hope they get Dave O’Brien and ask his opinion about certain players. If he has to talk soccer and not German castles his head will explode.

Daryl,

Worst moment in WC history? That’d be a good debate…

I’d vote for Rivaldo’s “knee-bone connected to the…
HEAD-bone!” moment last WC vs. Turkey…

Bob, I’ll be working a block from the Kentucky Derby draw tomorrow. As soon as I think of an Ecuador tie-in, I’m on it.

I am hoping to see Kenny Cooper as a dark horse candidate.

Olsen. Drats

NOOOOOOO! Not Ching!!! Cooper before Ching. Jeese what strategy is he planning for Ching. He has to score on his first touch cuz he’ll loose the ball on his second touch.

Ching, double drats.

I guess Bruce has enough faith in his MLS quality to pick him over Twellman, even though he’s never been well for the national team.

Ching, Conrad, Olsen. Surprising. Ching and Conrad moreso.

Ching and Conrad…curses abound

Those 8-1 odds for the US seem very, very optimistic.

I wonder about the decision to leave Berhalter off the squad. I mean, my gut feeling has been that he makes me a little nervous, that he doesn’t seem to do well in big games, but I don’t really have specific evidence to back that up. But I have no idea what Arena’s thought are on this.

Twellmann, Berhalter and Armas being the biggest surprises…

Now… when will the jersey numbers be released?

I’ll forgive the Ching choice if he scores 5 goals in the first 4 games of the world cup.

If they gave me 8-1 for Brazil I’ll put my money on it. 8-1 for USA is still a losing proposition.

I saw Ching play in Houston and … tell me why was he picked again?

Overall I think this is a great roster, a good mix. Fine attacking options with McBride, Wolff, Beasley, Donovan, Dempsey, Johnson, and Convey. Lots of midfield skill, too, and our best defending options ever.
Conrad is a real puzzler to me, though. I like him, and I know he had a great year, but he looked SO overmatched in the last game. It seemed obvious that he was in over his head. Hopefully he won’t get in too many minutes in Germany. I feel about the same for Ching.

Jersey numbers posted

What’s with the page not found error?

My friend was in Vegas before last Christmas…he called me and asked for a tip based on the odds. I told him to put down money on the Czech Republic at 20-1.

I wish Greenberg had asked why Ching and not Twellman…oh, and I liked how Bruce subtly said the names of players that Greenberg mispronouced louder than others. “Well, ONYEWU is…”

Reyna must be the most unglamorous #10 in the tournament.

Sure, but Reyna is the best #10 the US has ever had. Not saying much, but the team is hugely different when he is healthy and playing well.

Twellman must be devestated right about now.

How many teams named Colorado is the US going to be playing at the World Cup that could have justified Brian Ching’s inclusion? I was never really a fan of Twellman either but I think he’s the better choice out of the two. Oh well, let’s hope he scores a ton and proves us all wrong.

No Twellmen?! Being from New England I may be biased, but what about his 2005 MLS performance made him NOT the better choice?

By the way, nice blog. Hope you don’t mind my dropping in.

Welcome, Lish. Stick around…

Bob, RE: Reyna. Hey… He’s the first American “bloke” to captain a premiership team, so IMHO, that’s alot!

ALL — anyone else catch the Bruce’s discussion on the GKs? He basically said Hahnemann would come in if something happened to Keller, meaning Tim Howard is basically the #3 option at keeper.

Ha how do you justify the number 4 world ranking by FIFA what a joke. you played NOBODY and when you face any type of competition you get hammered 4th has to be embarassing to you how can you possibly live up to it cant wait for the USA ITALY game Oh MY GOD HIDE YOUR HEAD ITS GONNA BE A DISASTER FOR AMERICANS CANT EVEN BEAT JAMAICA AND MOST OF CENTRAL AMERICAN TEAMS
YOU ARE BEYOND DEAD MEAT

OH YOU LOST 4 1 TO GERMANY ITALY BEAT THEM 4 1 HA HA CANT WAIT OUCH LOL

You’re right Jack, being ranked 4th is really embarassing. I’d much rather be ranked 84th.

Enjoy the World Cup.

Hi, Jack. Welcome.

There’s no need to blame us for the ranking FIFA has given us — we’re right there with you on the over-rated sentiment.

Here’s the funniest part, concerning the rankings. At the time we played Germany, we were actually ranked fifth! After the 1-4 debacle, we wound up moving up a spot into fourth.

Go figure.

How come Jeff Agoos wasnt on the team?

Mr Bruce, earnestly in hoping we’ll need to see those that can confidently hold and distribute the ball in the face of all offensive ;and come usa shine

I can’t believe Freddie Adu isn’t picked. I mean no disrespect to Wolff or Johnson but it seems Arena is opting for a pretty conservative line up one must say.And where the bloody hell is Clint Mathis as well?

But, yeah apart from the FIFA ranking this team would need to play its guts out if its to outscore Ghana, Italy or Czech Rep.

On the other hand, USA is doing relatively well at the moment so I do fancy their chances. But, I’m abit pessimistic about the attack or offense whatever you guys like to call it.

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Wher’es Freddy Adu??