The Final 23: as chosen by World Cup Blog readers

yet another person who can’t keep politics out of soccer.

Good overall selection except for Hejduk. I would have gone with Pearce with an eye towards 2010.

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Agree with the roster for the most part…

The final midfield position could go anywhere… Ralston, Noonan… I think even Kerry Zavagnin has a shot, but his inclusion would give you 4 holding midfielders.

I still think Ching could play his way past Josh Wolff…

And despite Jimmy Conrad’s horrible play v. Germany, I still believe he could play his way past Berhalter, given a couple of VERY strong performances.

As usual, the mere mention of Hejduk’s name created a debate amongst readers/voters.

I was surprised by how many people came out to support him (maybe he has family that read WCB).

In the end, the main thing Hejduk has going for him is the lack of other options at right back. After Cherundolo, there really isn’t anyone else that stands out.

What do y’all think about Eddie Johnson taking his jersey off after his goal this weekend? I sure hope he learns some modesty soon, or at least better judgement. What a dumb way to get a yellow card. He could very well embarass us at the world cup with those sorts of antics. He could also very well kick some major arse. But I’m afraid we might not be able to get the latter without the former.

Why the political jab? Can’t you just talk about soccer? No one gives a damn about your politics.

The political jab was just a little aside, nothing serious.

Sincere apologies to anyone who was offended.

Mexican bloger here:

No one wants Fredy Adu on Germany that’s bad, even if he doesn’t get to play just being with the players and being in a World Cup should be big for the promising american star.

Is Brad Friedel retired?? I would give him the second spot and leave howard out.

Need some work on the defenders, the only ones I know I’ve heard them in the “Sucky players group” If you know what I mean.

Solid Strikers and great midfielders. Good team.

LOL. That’s that for your freedom of speach. Come on cut him some slack on the politics, even I got a laugh or two. That’s what blogs are for! have fun.

Did anyone else see GAM’s 3rd nipple? Okey dokey….

Don’t forget to come back here in one month for a lively discussion of what kind of telepathy we have with the boss.

I like the selections overall… I actually think that the majority of our team can play with most of the world on any given day…

In response to Luis’ comment, our backs are better than your center back/ captain who disgustingly got a red in the last world cup because the US defense destroyed every option the Mexicans have… I am confident in our backs, esp Gibbs after Germany.

I also think the political comment was somewhat funny and totally in place… whether I agree or not could be a different story but, I appreciate the attempt at humor, keep it up Daryl

I agree with Steve. The political jab was funny, and clearly wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously.

Good work, keep it up.

I can’t believe feelings are hurt over the political quip. LOL

I guess they must fall into 51% of America that are missing a few screws =/.

And I’m with you Luis- what ever happened to Brad Friedal? He’s playing well in the Premiership.

Actually, Steve…

I disagree with you…somewhat.

First of all, yes… our backs our better than Mexico’s. Our whole team is. I’m still a little cranky that they got “seeded” for the draw and we didn’t. Especially since the only place they can beat us is in that 100,000 seat ashtray.

However, I still have some concern about our backs. Gibbs hasn’t proven his health yet, Pope is getting on in years, Onweyu is talented, but lacks a lot of international experience, Bocanegra has been sliding since WC ‘02, Berhalter has faltered a little lately, Lewis isn’t really a back, and Hejduk, as much as I love his motor, can get overmatched. Cherundolo is playing the best right now out of all of them.

I think our backs may cause us some problems.

Friedel retired from the national team. You’d hear a lot more whining about it if Keller weren’t so freaking good.

Our backs are a little suspect, but if they are, so are our midfield (Mastro, Reyna, O’brien hurt) and forwards (Twellmen and Johnson inexperienced). Think about the defenders on the squad in 2002. We remember Agoos because he messed up a few times (kind of sad that it’s so memorable), but we also took along Llamosa and Regis

The backs have their problems, but they are faster and more savy than four years ago. The problems you mention make sense, but they aren’t as glaringly weak as they have been before. Lewis isn’t a back, but neither was Bobby Convey (who looked a lot worse back there).

What I’m worried about in these games is how the attack gets from our midfield to our forwards. We tend to favor pushing up the wings and crossing the ball in, and I don’t know how well we can do this against Italy and the Czechs.

Onto strategies:

How would you guys take these 23 and put them on the field for a starting 11? Who are the subs who will come in the 60th minute if we are up or if we are tied or down?

Also what goes right for us to get through. In my opinion, we have to rely on our strengths and to that Keller has to be absolutely solid as a rock because i don’t see us keeping Italy especially away from the goal for 90 minutes. We need to attack early and put good pressure before they settle and by they i mean all three teams.

We need to keep mental focus because all three of our opposition will try to upset our delicate yankee mentality on European soil in front of a reasonably hostile crowd. Especially Essien and all 11 players on the field from Italy.

Thoughts anyone?

i think howard is ahead of hahnemann, playing or not playing. he’s just way more talented.

Colin…The defenders in ‘02 were mainly Pope, Sanneh and Hejduk. Regis, Agoos, Llamosa, Cherundolo, and Berhalter were there, but didn’t play much… And I think after Agoos got pulled early, the main three held their own… Are you sure you aren’t thinking of 1998? THAT was an abortion of defending…

As far as this year’s lineup?

I see this: 4-4-2
GK – Keller
DEF: (R-L) Cherundolo, Onweyu, Pope, Bocanegra (maybe Gibbs, perhaps even Lewis)
MID: (R-L) Donovan, Reyna, Mastroeni (or O’Brien), Beasley
F: McBride, Johnson

In the event that Johnson struggles, you could see more of a 4-4-1-1, with McBride as the lone striker, Donovan behind him and Dempsey (assuming he’s in form) as the RM.

Hejduk, Convey, Dempsey, the loser of the Mastroeni/O’Brien derby and Twellman will all see time…

Ethan–’02 was what i was thinking of. Going into ‘02 I was much more worried about the defenders than what’s listed above for ‘06. We have better options now (Boca wouldn’t *have* to start every game, for example), and for the first time I can think of, I’m not as worried about defense as other parts of our game. Barely, but still…

We’re deeper than we have been. But it’s also a very tough group.

I like your lineups.

One of my biggest concerns about or defenders is that they are very offensive minded…

Cherundolo, Lewis and Hejduk like to make those runs up the wing… and even Pope will sneak forward at times…

That’s great… as long as the Reynas, Mastroenis, and O’Briens fall back..

[...] Now that we’ve picked the 23, let us now debate the most optimal alignment. The Bruce most often seems to favor a 4-4-2 configuration, though he did begin the match with Germany in a 3-5-2 of sorts. [...]

I think Freddy should be rostered for the trip to Germany, but I would only play him for the last 5-10 minutes of a game that the fowards need a rest. Freddy did create a couple of good chances Saturday (DC United vs. Chivas USA) which did take creativity on his part and as well as his team-mates. I think he definately has potential but at least be rostered and play some time with USA MNT squad….

As for our defense, Many of you have not been watching the last year by your comments. Onyewu is tough and will do great as long as he doesn’t foul too much and cost set pieces around the box. Pope has the experience and will be solid bach there in the middle with him. Gibbs looked great against Germany and will get stronger with more games. Steve on the other side has been awesome as well. Give Lewis the thumbs up to battle Gibbs on the right and then I like Conrad for the top central back after Mooch and Pope. Conrad played well all year. It was Burhalters errors that cost us in that game. He should not be part of this roster. His brother as #3 in USSoccer is the only reason he is considered. Play back that game and concentrate on the central defending positioning. Easy call. Not to mention Conrad playing that game with a Hernia, of which is now cured. And then look at Carlos in the Poland game. Twice players got behind him. NO PLAYER has got behind Conrad all year. 1v1 defending is esential, especially if we see Brazil in the round of 16.

Lewis to battle Gibbs on the left obviously.

Our best defender in 2002 was Sanneh. How come he was not even given a chance to make the team.? This will have to be Reyna’s last World Cup and my question is how are we gonna create offense without him. I do not see one guy that can set up an attack like him and I do not see how we will succeed this summer relying so heavily on an injury prone player like him.

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What is this Arena? You are still coaching out of the Walt Chysowich era. Let the players play. They looked overcoached and shackled by rigid patterns of play. How can you not pick Friedal who would have come out like a shot to punch away that first goal. Five Minutes! Thats exactly how long it took for you to lose that game.

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