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

quote:

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Jozy isn't a snub. The fact that he is the most skilled out-and-out American striker should have no bearing. The fact that he has been shite in an American shirt is all that matters.

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Not the best logic

So Wayne Rooney shouldn't play for England, because he's hot and cold with the national team? Mario Gomez has had his struggles with the German national team. Once he caught fire last season for Bayern Munich, Jogi Löw would have been roundly criticized for benching (let alone not calling up) his best goal scorer. Low didn't, and Gomez rewarded him with a near golden boot performance.

He has 13 goals in 52 appearances, most goals in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying amongst all USMNT players last cycle. Granted that's a low goals to caps ratio, it's a better rate than any striker in the pool besides Herculez Gomez with a meaningful future with the national team. (GAM may have a slightly better goals to game ratio)

shite lately, you may retort? Possibly, but who else has been scoring goals for us?

Last seven different scorers for the national team: Herculez Gomez, Clint Dempsey, Michael Orozco-Fiscal, Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, and Jermaine Jones

One of those seven is a true striker. Two are defenders. The other four are probably our best midfielders.

Hardly a prolific forward line. We don't have the luxury of bring the reigning Bundesliga player of the year in Marco Reus off the bench like Germany did at the Euros.

Example: Robert Lewandowski is the best Polish striker. Lewandowski will continue start for Poland, despite a less than desirable scoring record, because he's the best striker Poland has available. That's how international football works for 99% of national teams.


/rant