Official World Cup 2014 Thread

[Biocockanics]

USMNT's 23=man roster announced today...the only BIG surprise?

No Landon Donovan.

Wow, Klinsmann is out to make a statement.

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP –

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

I'm a little concerned but IN JURGEN I TRUST!

Notable missing names:
Terrence Boyd and Landon Donovan, Joe Corona and Maurice Edu, Brad Evans, Clarence Goodson and Michael Parkhurst.

Goodson and Donovan surprised me. But Klinsman has chosen 10 players from MLS teams

Has MLS caught up to the rest of the world? Maybe not, but the quality of football is much, much better than a few years ago!

[FilchCock]

Initially it appears to me that we are selling out to get Julian Green, and I don't like the sacrifice we just made.

[FearThethumbandDJ]

We wont even make it out of the group round. These moves make no difference.

[uscjeremynca]

Wow, I am SHOCKED to see this announced so early - especially with Donovan missing. I read soccer news every single day and follow it more than I do college football.

Edu is a mild surprise as well as Brad Evans. The rest of the squad I'm OK with.

I guess it's good that the roster is finalized and they can start working with the 23 guys to finalize formations and tactics while building chemistry. I am still shocked that this decision was made so early in camp rather than waiting on a date closer to the June 2 deadline.

I actually like the decision to take both Wondo and Aron Johannsson.

P.S. While he was always guaranteed a spot and is a VERY good goalkeeper (who would be starting if it weren't for one of the best in the world, Tim Howard), a shout out to Brad Guzan - a GAMECOCK!!

[uscjeremynca]

Originally Posted by FilchCock

Initially it appears to me that we are selling out to get Julian Green, and I don't like the sacrifice we just made.

Disagree. Donovan was only going to make it as a forward. Those were the guidelines laid out at the beginning of camp. He wasn't going as a midfielder. Are out striking options better without Donovan? Hard to say. However, benefit of doubt to Klinsmann and the coaches on this decision based on what they see in camp.

Team is still solid without LD and with Bradley, Howard, and Dempsey, leadership situation will be fine. Would I have liked LD to go? Sure but was he going to play? If not, what is his purpose and is the team better off with another play at a forward position. Coaches think yes.

I don't think this decision had anything to do with Green at all.

[Cockypantherfan]

Leaving off Landon hurts. Need a vet like him with experience and leadership.

[FurmanCock]

Originally Posted by Cockypantherfan

Leaving off Landon hurts. Need a vet like him with experience and leadership.

Not only this, but we will also miss his speed. It will be interesting to see who will now take the corner kick's and set pieces. I'm hoping this isn't payback by Klinsmann.

However, win anyway. Go USA!

[uscjeremynca]

Originally Posted by Cockypantherfan

Leaving off Landon hurts. Need a vet like him with experience and leadership.

Not having his experience may hurt. Not sure I agree about his leadership. See my post above. I think we have enough leadership.

[uscjeremynca]

Originally Posted by FurmanCock

Not only this, but we will also miss his speed. It will be interesting to see who will now take the corner kick's and set pieces. I'm hoping this isn't payback by Klinsman.

However, win anyway. Go USA!

Corner kicks. My guess is Dempsey or Bradley. I would favor Bradley. All depends who is starting. I wouldn't be surprised to see Zusi as well. LD was our man for corners but remember there was a 2 year period he wasn't even on the national team so there are plenty of guys with experience.

Set pieces aren't an issue either. Landon has experience but again Bradley, Dempsey, and even Beckerman are solid choices for free kicks.

[Thenardier]

Originally Posted by FearThethumbandDJ

We wont even make it out of the group round. These moves make no difference.

This

[Biocockanics]

I'm excited to see so many young STUD talents.

The coaching philos MAY be sacrifice the older guys to prepare for the future, but it's not personal. Donovan ISN'T what he was 5 years ago.

I dont think we sold anyone for green. Green is a Midfielder. Klins told Donovan he was more of a forward, I agree with Klins...Donovans pace and touch are IDEAL for a ST. But on the ball he isn't great.

I'm hoping to see Dempsey continue his Sounders form, he's looked spectacular and has played SMART. Not the ball hog Dumpster fire I've hated for 7 years. He's looking like a real leader.

I'm excited, I hate it for Landon...but he knows the score, IMHO.

[CockTail]

Someone please tell me what criteria enabled Altidore to make the team. In 31 games at Sunderland, he had 1 goal and 1 assist. He had a total of 5 shot, THIS SEASON. What has he ever done?

Who is going to score on this team? Dempsey?

[weatheredxtown]

Why is it 2016? Thought it was this year.

[myrtsmom]

Originally Posted by CockTail

Someone please tell me what criteria enabled Altidore to make the team. In 31 games at Sunderland, he had 1 goal and 1 assist. He had a total of 5 shot, THIS SEASON. What has he ever done?

Who is going to score on this team? Dempsey?

Don't really think you can question Altidore's place on the team based upon his stats at Sunderland. That team was an absolute dumpster fire from top to bottom this year. He has proven to be an effective goal scorer for the US Team, as well as AZ, the Dutch team he played for before going to Sunderland.

[myrtsmom]

Couple of thoughts on the roster:

1. I'm glad that they went ahead and trimmed the roster. In fact, I was hoping we might do what some of the other teams like France did, and come straight out with the 24-man roster. The guys can now totally focus on training and preparing as a team to the best of their ability without having to keep looking over their shoulders and worrying about whether they are going to make the team or not.

2. I'm fine with Klinnsman going with a younger line-up. In all honesty, it's very unlikely that we will make it out of our group, so why not use this as a learning experience for the younger guys in preparation for Russia in 2018. Italy as used this approach in the past, and we all know how successful they've been in the World Cup. The England fans are practically begging Roy Hdgson to use this approach, as they find themselves in a situation similar to us where their chances of advancing out of their group are slim to none.

[Cockypantherfan]

Originally Posted by Biocockanics

I'm excited to see so many young STUD talents.

The coaching philos MAY be sacrifice the older guys to prepare for the future, but it's not personal. Donovan ISN'T what he was 5 years ago.

I dont think we sold anyone for green. Green is a Midfielder. Klins told Donovan he was more of a forward, I agree with Klins...Donovans pace and touch are IDEAL for a ST. But on the ball he isn't great.

I'm hoping to see Dempsey continue his Sounders form, he's looked spectacular and has played SMART. Not the ball hog Dumpster fire I've hated for 7 years. He's looking like a real leader.

I'm excited, I hate it for Landon...but he knows the score, IMHO.

We don't have young players that I would consider STUDS just yet. Some quality players like Dempsey, Bradley, and Howard but none I would consider studs.

[robgusc76]

Originally Posted by Biocockanics

USMNT's 23=man roster announced today...the only BIG surprise?

No Landon Donovan.

Wow, Klinsmann is out to make a statement.

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP –

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

I'm a little concerned but IN JURGEN I TRUST!

Notable missing names:
Terrence Boyd and Landon Donovan, Joe Corona and Maurice Edu, Brad Evans, Clarence Goodson and Michael Parkhurst.

Goodson and Donovan surprised me. But Klinsman has chosen 10 players from MLS teams

Has MLS caught up to the rest of the world? Maybe not, but the quality of SOCCER is much, much better than a few years ago!

Fixed it for you. I always get into the world cup simply because the US, and I always end up dissapointed on the mens side. Is that gonna change this year?

[tkousc]

Is Donovan a top 5 player currently that is American? Maybe. Is he a top 23 player? 110% This is idiotic. This is starting to feel more and more like 2 and barbecue all the time.

[CockyLifer]

Thread title needs update it's 2014 World Cup team/thread. I think this is a bold move by the coaching staff to not include Landon however if any of you have ever played soccer you know how demanding it is and he had a good career on the national team. I would like to say thanks to you Mr. Donovan but it is time we move on.

[CockyLifer]

Originally Posted by FearThethumbandDJ

We wont even make it out of the group round. These moves make no difference.

You never know