USMNT WCQ Squad Selection Discussion (UPDATE: DONOVAN/SHEA OUT FOR BOTH MATCHES)

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re: USMNT WCQ Squad Selection Discussion (UPDATE: DONOVAN/SHEA OUT FOR BOTH MATCHES)

Posted by Tennessee Jed

on 10/8 at 12:32 pm to NOTORlOUSD

quote:
Jozy Altidore set off a rash of speculation this morning when he tweeted about attending an event with AZ teammates on Tuesday, a tweet that would suggest he is not joining the U.S. Men's national team for its training camp ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Why would Altidore, currently enjoying the best run of form on the club level of his career, be left out for two all-important qualifiers? It is tough to find a legitimate explanation or reason for it. There are plenty of potential theories, but none that ring true as passable.

Could Klinsmann really be trying something new because of unhappiness with Altidore's play with the national team? Might there have been a falling out between Klinsmann and Altidore? Did Altidore's red card for AZ over the weekend lead Klinsmann to want to send a message? Does Klinsmann possibly think there are four other American forwards who are currently better USMNT options than Altidore? Is Klinsmann trying to light a fire under a player who has yet to really get going for the national team since he took over as manager?

None of those explanations make much sense, not with Altidore clearly in great form on the club side, and not with the U.S. still trying to qualify for the next round of qualifying.

If Altidore is being snubbed it would make more sense out of Eddie Johnson's selection for these qualifiers (Johnson leaked news of his own call-up on Friday). Johnson has enjoyed an outstanding season for Seattle, but had not been with the national team this year.

Remember, an Altidore snub is not yet official, and for all we know Altidore and Klinsmann could be conspiring to pull off a prank on Twitter in the wake of Johnson's Twitter leak last Friday (when asked about a U.S. national team call-up on Sunday night Johnson avoided all conversation about it). We will find out the real story in a matter of hours.

What do you think about a potential Altidore snub? Why do you think Klinsmann might leave him home? See the remaining U.S. forwards being able to get the job done?

Share your thoughts below

Ives from Soccerbyives latest post.

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Posted by cwil177

on 10/8 at 12:44 pm to Tennessee Jed

I'm really hoping this is Altidore just being dumb and forgetting those super important qualifiers. Sadly, this is the best case scenario.

ETA: I found something potentially disturbing in the SBI comments. The poster is referencing the Klinsmann interview.

quote:
this tweet was linked next to the ESPN article:

"Love when people try to blame others for their own shortcomings and incompetence"

Probably not the best thing to say to your coach.

Supposedly Jozy deleted said tweet about ten minutes later. Someone had tweeted him a link to the article and that was his response, or something like that.

If there is a rift between the two, that is really, REALLY not good.

ETA2:

This post was edited on 10/8 at 1:05 pm

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Posted by Sheep

on 10/8 at 1:17 pm to cwil177

quote:
If there is a rift between the two, that is really, REALLY not good.

Sounds like Jozy is Brad Friedeling himself off the team.

I give Landon a 50% chance to make it to 2014 without giving up.

How ironic that the one guy left that's willing to carry the water on the field is the son of the coach US Soccer shite all over?

What an absolute shite show Sunil Gulati has created. We'll get the points we need to advance next week (I hope... I think...), but at this rate, we'll be lucky to make it out of the hex.

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Posted by Vicks Kennel Club

on 10/8 at 1:24 pm to Sheep

quote:

Sounds like Jozy is Brad Friedeling himself off the team.

I give Landon a 50% chance to make it to 2014 without giving up.

I hope you are completely wrong.

Jozy is currently our best striker in the pool.

I want to see a lineup something along the lines of:

Howard
Dolo - Cameron - Boca - Johnson
Zusi - Bradley - Torres
Donovan - Altidore - Dempsey

I really hope we do not lose any of these players in the pool, except for our old defenders if they are not in good enough form by 2014.

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Posted by Sheep

on 10/8 at 1:28 pm to Vicks Kennel Club

quote:
I hope you are completely wrong.

Me, too!

Friedel got sick of Arena's (and Steve Sampson's) BS of rotating goalkeepers without naming a #1, and quit.

And I really don't think Donovan's heart is in the game anymore.

Hope I'm wrong on that front, too.

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Posted by Vicks Kennel Club

on 10/8 at 1:34 pm to Sheep

I hope Donovan makes one last stand in Brazil. He is without a doubt my favorite player and his finishing skills are incredible. We just would not be the same without him. I think the best possible replacement for him would be Graham Zusi by 2014.

quote:
Friedel got sick of Arena's (and Steve Sampson's) BS of rotating goalkeepers without naming a #1, and quit.

At least it was a position we have been pretty stout at for awhile.

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Posted by Tennessee Jed

on 10/8 at 1:34 pm to Sheep

starting to sound like Jozy may have entitlement issues.

Not good for a 22 year old.

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Posted by DB10_AFC

on 10/8 at 1:35 pm to Sheep

quote:

And I really don't think Donovan's heart is in the game anymore.

Gotta agree here. Donovan has always moved to the beat of his own drum when it comes to his career. I could see him retiring from international play sooner rather than later.

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Posted by uway

on 10/8 at 1:37 pm to cwil177

quote:
ETA: I found something potentially disturbing in the SBI comments. The poster is referencing the Klinsmann interview.

Does that explain Jozy's tweet saying he "made a mistake last night"?

Can't call the coach incompetent and expect to get treated well

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Posted by Sheep

on 10/8 at 1:49 pm to Tennessee Jed

quote:
starting to sound like Jozy may have entitlement issues.

Is it "entitlement issues" when his play, history and current form all point to him being the best option?

I'm not sure I'd enjoy being the best striker in the pool, and being treated as a scrub, either.

I think Jozy IS entitled to feel that way.

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Posted by DB10_AFC

on 10/8 at 1:54 pm to Sheep

quote:
I think Jozy IS entitled to feel that way.

Agreed. Jozy is scoring goals in a legitimate European league and doesn't get to play? Doesn't make sense to me. Gomez has been good, don't get me wrong, but let Altidore show what he has. He is still young and could develop even more so play his arse Jurgen!

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Posted by Tennessee Jed

on 10/8 at 1:55 pm to Sheep

quote:
Is it "entitlement issues" when his play, history and current form all point to him being the best option?

I'm not sure I'd enjoy being the best striker in the pool, and being treated as a scrub, either.

I think Jozy IS entitled to feel that way

if Jozy wants to be a baby about not starting, and publicly call out the coach on twitter.

then yes, it's entitlement issues.

he's part of a team, support your piers, keep your head down, and treat the coach with some respect.

if he'd just kept his mouth shut, he's probably going 90 minutes on Friday and Tuesday.

This post was edited on 10/8 at 1:57 pm

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Posted by Sheep

on 10/8 at 1:58 pm to Tennessee Jed

quote:
if he'd just kept his mouth shut, he's probably getting subbed in at the 85th minute on Friday and Tuesday.

FTFY

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Posted by Sheep

on 10/8 at 1:58 pm to Sheep

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

DEFENDERS (8) : Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)

MIDFIELDERS (8) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Roma), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (5): Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders)

Alan Gordon?

frick it.

I'm out.

This post was edited on 10/8 at 1:59 pm

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Posted by DB10_AFC

on 10/8 at 2:01 pm to Sheep

Eddie Johnson and Alan Gordon? Really Jurgen? Really? At least Kljestan may get a chance.

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Posted by rdw1690

on 10/8 at 2:01 pm to Sheep

So again with no Gatt and now now Boyd but hey Alan Gordon gets another cap. Why does Jurgen insist on putting guys on the team he knows aren't going to step on the fricking field.

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Posted by Tennessee Jed

on 10/8 at 2:02 pm to DB10_AFC

EJ aka GAM is the consummate team mate and professional.

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Posted by Puddinhead

on 10/8 at 2:02 pm to rdw1690

Color me baffled.

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Posted by tigerfan88

on 10/8 at 2:02 pm to rdw1690

WTF is klinsman doing? Altidore and Boyd are doing really well in real leagues and you call up these clowns? I know he wants to use MLS players alot but if that's the case then at least include Wondo

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Posted by RayFinkleTTU

on 10/8 at 2:04 pm to Sheep

quote:
Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes)

No Jozy, Boyd, or Wondo?

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