2014 World Cup

[DirtyMagic97]

 

Lol. Suarez looks so funny. He says he'll be ready for the first match of the WC, but I'll wait until the doctors examine his knee before I really believe it.

[RoaringRiot]

I don't know more than everyone else. But I happen to strongly agree with the guy paid to make these decisions, and just about every country has and will make the same decision when it comes down to it. When it becomes difficult for players to play a full match or train to the level of other guys you bring, they have to go.

 

You're totally overlooking that there was a personal issue between Kilnsmann and Donovan. This isn't solely because of playing ability. 

 

You can't tell me that you would rather have and 18 year old Green, who has practically ZERO international experience, playing in the Group of Death vs someone with Landon's experience. Talking about someone who won't be able to go a full 90. That kid isn't ready for this stage. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the Klinsmann/Donovan relationship OR the fact that he's a dual citizen with German. 

[DirtyMagic97]

You're totally overlooking that there was a personal issue between Kilnsmann and Donovan. This isn't solely because of playing ability. 

 

You can't tell me that you would rather have and 18 year old Green, who has practically ZERO international experience, playing in the Group of Death vs someone with Landon's experience. Talking about someone who won't be able to go a full 90. That kid isn't ready for this stage. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the Klinsmann/Donovan relationship OR the fact that he's a dual citizen with German. 

 

I have acknowledged multiple times that Klinsmann and Donovan don't like each other. And I get it. Donovan didn't do himself any favors there.

 

Green is definitely the guy I looked to when Donovan was left off the roster. I can see why people maybe wouldn't like him, but he follows the Klinsmann mold. He's a kid who is challenging himself by playing and training in one of the world's biggest clubs (Bayern Munich). He is a kid who just recently committed himself to the United States and Klinsmann wants to reward him for that.

[RoaringRiot]

I have acknowledged multiple times that Klinsmann and Donovan don't like each other. And I get it. Donovan didn't do himself any favors there.

 

Green is definitely the guy I looked to when Donovan was left off the roster. I can see why people maybe wouldn't like him, but he follows the Klinsmann mold. He's a kid who is challenging himself by playing and training in one of the world's biggest clubs (Bayern Munich). He is a kid who just recently committed himself to the United States and Klinsmann wants to reward him for that.

 

Committing to the US means he couldn't make the German roster.

 

I happen to want to give the team the best chance to win, not reward a kid who chose the US over Germany and may play an impact in the team's future. I don't want to pick players who will be part of the future for an event that occurs once every four years. I want a guy I know I can count on in a pressure situation on the highest level, and yes if that means he's coming off the bench in the final 15-20 minutes. 

 

Our first game is pretty much a "must win". If it's 0-0 with 15 mins left does Klinsmann have that guy he can look to to create a spark? 

 

Has Altidore ever scored a goal in a meaningful game? 

[DirtyMagic97]

Committing to the US means he couldn't make the German roster.

 

I happen to want to give the team the best chance to win, not reward a kid who chose the US over Germany and may play an impact in the team's future. I don't want to pick players who will be part of the future for an event that occurs once every four years. I want a guy I know I can count on in a pressure situation on the highest level, and yes if that means he's coming off the bench in the final 15-20 minutes. 

 

Our first game is pretty much a "must win". If it's 0-0 with 15 mins left does Klinsmann have that guy he can look to to create a spark? 

 

Has Altidore ever scored a goal in a meaningful game? 

 

No 18 year old is going to make Germany's roster right now. Next WC with the amount of time he had for the German youth squad and playing with Bayern? Guarantee he would have made it.

 

Julian Green is both rapid and agile. That's a huge plus late in the match when the defense has been on their toes. So, yes, that can absolutely create a spark. It's the same thing Raheem Sterling will do off the bench for England, unless he's given the full 90. Which he probably should.

 

And not that it matters here, but Altidore scored in 4 consecutive matches, including a WC qualifier I believe. I believe he also assisted in a WC qualifier. Matches that Donovan decided he wasn't needed for.

[C47]

Committing to the US means he couldn't make the German roster.

 

I happen to want to give the team the best chance to win, not reward a kid who chose the US over Germany and may play an impact in the team's future. I don't want to pick players who will be part of the future for an event that occurs once every four years. I want a guy I know I can count on in a pressure situation on the highest level, and yes if that means he's coming off the bench in the final 15-20 minutes. 

 

Our first game is pretty much a "must win". If it's 0-0 with 15 mins left does Klinsmann have that guy he can look to to create a spark? 

 

Has Altidore ever scored a goal in a meaningful game? 

 

There's no arguing that Donovan is a better player than Green currently. I'm not even sure many would try to dispute that. That said, as DM already mentioned, there's something to be said for be willing to go to war in one of the toughest leagues in the world. I'll take a kid who's been leaving it all out there to reach the first team at Bayern over a guy that decided he couldn't be bothered to help his country qualify any day of the week. Respect everything Donovan did for US Soccer, but it's time to try and start building for the future. Hanging onto memories and giving a guy a spot when he didn't bust his ass like the other 23 doesn't do that. Also I think conditioning in the rain forest plays a huge factor here as well. By going young, your legs can rebound a good bit quicker than if you were to bring a squad full of vets from the 2010 World Cup. 

 

There's another thing you're missing here too. This isn't just about 2014. This is a long play move. Much like the Panthers and parting with a guy like Smitty this is a move made to set the squad up to be more competitive in the future. By 2018 this young group of guys will have improved substantially and may actually be able to give the USA something to be proud of. Too long we've settled for just advancing. Why should that be considered a success?

[DirtyMagic97]

Either way. There are going to be some who think it's the wrong call and some who think it's the right call. That's the decision that was made and we move on. We all hope it works out for the best. I can't wait for it to get here.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[DirtyMagic97]

Portugal's 23-man roster in case any of you haven't seen it. A lot of talent there, but we could certainly nick a point.

 

Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilha), Eduardo (SC Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting)

Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), Fabio Coentrão (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia)

Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting), Rafa (SC Braga)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (SC Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburgo)

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Ummm...it does matter if he's out of gas and lacks motivation. In fact, that's a huge factor...

And yes, Klinsmann doesn't like Donovan. Donovan decided he was too tired to help the US qualify for the WC, but suddenly when we are on the brink of qualification, he's good to go.

And that last sentence is about the most elementary view you can take to creating a WC roster.

First off, that view is held by many high ranking individuals in U.S. Soccer and many formers are questioning Klinsmann right now (Twellman, Lalas etc.)

The guy plays favorites and clearly has a hard-on for his transfers, Julian Green is not ready to play at the biggest stage, he's just not.

Also when Donavan took his sabbatical, it was a four month hiatus... that's the equivilant to missing four or five games and when it mattered he was there. His assist against Mexico is what put us there.

Not to mention that he showed in the Gold Cup (playing with much inferior talent) that he still has gas left.

This move is going to be costly because overall this teams lacks leadership and experience and Klinsmann is going to pay for it going up against the veteran laden squads of Germany and Portugal.

Or hey, if you want to keep Green to give him some experience then at least get rid of Timmy Chandler who will never see the World Cup again.

[Happy Panther]

Seems like an obvious mistake to me.

[MCC]

I'm fine with Donovan being left off the roster, and he's been one of my favorite players since I was a kid.

I would like to have seen him get one more chance at a World Cup, but Jurgen wants to focus on the future and Donovan has been in pretty bad form of late. I don't think Donovan would've offered much on the field, but his experience could have been beneficial. I would have probably taken him over wondolowski.

I guess I'm mostly indifferent about the situation.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[DirtyMagic97]

First off, that view is held by many high ranking individuals in U.S. Soccer and many formers are questioning Klinsmann right now (Twellman, Lalas etc.)

The guy plays favorites and clearly has a hard-on for his transfers, Julian Green is not ready to play at the biggest stage, he's just not.

Also when Donavan took his sabbatical, it was a four month hiatus... that's the equivilant to missing four or five games and when it mattered he was there. His assist against Mexico is what put us there.

Not to mention that he showed in the Gold Cup (playing with much inferior talent) that he still has gas left.

This move is going to be costly because overall this teams lacks leadership and experience and Klinsmann is going to pay for it going up against the veteran laden squads of Germany and Portugal.

Or hey, if you want to keep Green to give him some experience then at least get rid of Timmy Chandler who will never see the World Cup again.

 

Lalas isn't question the fact that it happened. He is questioning the timing of it. Lalas said if Klinsmann wanted to do it, it should have been after Donovan's sabbatical. And maybe it should have.

 

Every WCQ matters. Donovan decided some didn't to him. If we hadn't taken care of business, his assist wouldn't have meant anything. Can you imagine Cam Newton deciding he didn't want to play 4-5 games in the middle of the season because he was tired, and then coming back in game 16 when he knows we're going to the playoffs?

 

We lack leadership? You can't be serious?  Altidore, Dempsey, Bradley, Howard, Beasley, and Jones have like 500 caps between them. We have leadership and experience at literally every position.

 

I can't say I disagree with Timmy Chandler. He shouldn't have made it. But most of the time, the exclusion of a defender doesn't open the door for a winger. That's more tactical.

[C47]

I'm fine with Donovan being left off the roster, and he's been one of my favorite players since I was a kid.

I would like to have seen him get one more chance at a World Cup, but Jurgen wants to focus on the future and Donovan has been in pretty bad form of late. I don't think Donovan would've offered much on the field, but his experience could have been beneficial. I would have probably taken him over wondolowski.

I guess I'm mostly indifferent about the situation.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

 

I agree with everything you said except taking Donovan over Wondo. Wondo has been an absolute spark plug for this team recently. No chance I'm leaving him behind. 

[C47]

First off, that view is held by many high ranking individuals in U.S. Soccer and many formers are questioning Klinsmann right now (Twellman, Lalas etc.)

The guy plays favorites and clearly has a hard-on for his transfers, Julian Green is not ready to play at the biggest stage, he's just not.

Also when Donavan took his sabbatical, it was a four month hiatus... that's the equivilant to missing four or five games and when it mattered he was there. His assist against Mexico is what put us there.

Not to mention that he showed in the Gold Cup (playing with much inferior talent) that he still has gas left.

This move is going to be costly because overall this teams lacks leadership and experience and Klinsmann is going to pay for it going up against the veteran laden squads of Germany and Portugal.

Or hey, if you want to keep Green to give him some experience then at least get rid of Timmy Chandler who will never see the World Cup again.

 

 

No we don't. Not even close.