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

Matthew Doyle tries to defend Gordon's selection:

quote:

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The US roster was released, and the Twittersphere exploded — as per usual. To quote a noted philospher, "It is what it is."

And what "it is" is the inclusion of Alan Gordon over a host of other, "more deserving" candidates.

Please read those as air quotes, because that's what they are.

On a per-minute basis over the past two years, Gordon has actually been the most productive scorer in MLS. Better than teammate Chris Wondolowski (who was controversially left off), better than Eddie Johnson, better than almost anyone over any two-year stretch in league history. The only thing that's impeded him are the injuries he's had to deal with.

But even if he was less productive than he has been, he'd still be a good invite.

Gordon, you see, is a specialist. With so many players today we talk about versatility and flexibility, but that's often code for "he's a tweener." There's none of that with Gordon.

He's a No. 9. He's a forward who's going to get into the final third, put his back into a defender — or defenders — and hold the ball. Then, when he holds the ball, he'll make either an attacking, or possession-positive play with it.

It's not sexy, but it's effective, and it's crucial for Jugen Klinsmann's scheme. It's about holding the ball in the final third and building chances, not about forcing turnovers and hitting on the break. Gordon gives him a better chance to implement his plan than pretty much anyone in the pool — not only because he can make plays, but because he makes it significantly easier for the guys around him to make plays. When he occupies a defender, that defender stays occupied.

Consider: For years, the US played better with Brian Ching or Conor Casey on the field than they did without, in spite of what can be accurately described as "shoddy finishing." Those two guys largely have the same skillsets as Gordon, who is both bigger and a better finisher.

Here's how Klinsmann put it in his conference call:

"That's more tactical related," he told reporters on Monday. "...That's the reason we brought in Eddie [Johnson] and Alan, two guys that are good in the air, they can lay balls off."

Translation: They can take a beating, hold the ball, and bring our attacking midfielders — guys like Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Graham Zusi, maybe even Herculez Gomez — into the play. They give the US a better chance at combining and building a goal (I still don't think Johnson does, but whatever — I can live with it).

The invite for Gordon makes perfect sense. As for the Twittersphere explosion ... well, it is what it is.

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But can't Jozy and/or Boyd do this at a higher level?