Looking Ahead to 2014: Roster Prediction
Per the suggestion of @WearingOne on Twitter, I'll join in on the fun that is predicting the 2014 USMNT World Cup roster.
I'm not a big fan of these because so much can change in four years time, making these a complete crap shoot (not to mention that it implies we will in fact be in the World Cup, which is never guaranteed). Four years ago, Jozy Altidore was just leaving high school, Charlie Davies was at Boston College, Stuart Holden was an MLS rookie, Jay DeMerit was uncapped...you get the idea. There are some guys that we had a pretty good idea would be at the World Cup, like Donovan, Dempsey, and Gooch, but there were also a lot of guys on the 2010 roster that we probably wouldn't have guessed would be there back in 2009, let alone 2006. Then there's injuries and form and coaching preferences...needless to say, I don't expect to be right on a good number of these selections.
With that being said, it is fun to discuss, so let me do my best to peer into the future and predict who will be traveling down to Brazil in four years' time:
Goalkeepers (3): Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Chris Seitz
The first two are no surprise, particularly with Guzan most likely becoming a starter overseas in the near future. The third wasn't as easy of a choice, but I ended up letting some Philadelphia bias creep in, choosing Seitz. I could see his career taking a Guzanian trajectory: take some lumps with an expansion side, then help turn things around with a couple of strong seasons that eventually earn a move across the pond.
And, yes, I just used "Guzanian" as an adjective. Give it time, it'll catch on.
Defenders (7): Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Jonathan Bornstein, Jonathan Spector, Omar Gonzalez, Tim Ream
Though it might not be the popular opinion, I could still see Jay DeMerit in the national team picture in four years. His professional career started later than most, so he has less miles on his legs than other 30 year old defenders, and the fact of the matter is that we aren't incredibly deep in the back, so I'll keep him in the mix. Omar Gonzalez has continued to impress in MLS and has been called into national team camp this year, so I think he's definitely someone to watch for in the coming cycle. Tim Ream is a more speculative choice; he's done well for himself in his rookie season with New York, and as a left-footed player I could see him providing the same CB-LB versatility that Carlos Bocanegra has provided.
Midfielders (9): Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Alejandro Bedoya, Stuart Holden, Benny Feilhaber, Maurice Edu, Michael Bradley, Jose Francisco Torres, Geoff Cameron
There aren't many new names in this group, as our current pool of midfielders is still fairly young. The only two players on this list that weren't on the 2010 World Cup roster are Alejandro Bedoya (who was one of the last to be cut and has done well in his first season and a half of professional play) and Geoff Cameron, who has made a name for himself in MLS and is capable of playing effectively at a number of positions.
I haven't included Jermaine Jones, who will be 32 in 2014, whose nagging injuries worry me. Should he get things back on track, I think he will be in the conversation for the next World Cup, but for now I'm going to leave him off. I also left off Sacha Kljestan, who will be moving to Belgium this summer; until he shows me something different, I'm still going to expect that same Sacha that has disappointed in the last year.
Forwards (4): Jozy Altidore, Charlie Davies, Marcus Tracy, Yura Movsisyan
No surprises with the first two, who will hopefully be lighting things up with the USMNT for years to come. As for the second half of this group, I'm getting a little more adventurous. Marcus Tracy has had some impressive displays with Aalborg in his young professional career, but injuries limited him this past season. His unbelievable athleticism could make him an enticing option late in a match against a tired defense. Movsisyan, meanwhile, is not yet an American citizen, but from what I can gather he should be close to getting there. Though he is Armenian by birth, Yura has stated that he would like to play for the US, but he would be open to playing for Armenia if there isn't an opportunity to wear the red, white, and blue.
After a couple of solid seasons in MLS, Yura took many people by surprise with his blistering run of form in his first half season at Danish club Randers. He scored 7 goals in 13 games, helping bring his team back from the bottom of the table to safety. At just 23 years old, this could be just the beginning for Yura's European career, so I'll give him the nod for my 2014 roster. With that being said, I do wonder if he'll be able to sustain that kind of performance in the long run. But that's something for another day...
Another player that might be in the mix but is currently not a US citizen either is Philadelphia Union rookie Danny Mwanga, who has a very impressive strike rate in his first professional season. Again, this is part Philly bias, part wishful thinking, but it's something that nonetheless is worth watching for in the next cycle.
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16 comments:
So is Adu just never going to happen? Is he on a downward trajectory? Or might he find a place in this mix?
I think Freddy will be in the conversation for 2014, but I think 2018 might be more reasonable.
He's improved at Aris and I think he'll continue to move forward over the course of the next season.
I think a big factor in whether he makes it in 2014 will be who is selected as coach and whether or not they like what he brings to the table.
you have 5 central defenders and only 2 fullbacks... Ream does not count as a fullback
I think Ream would be used at LB with the national team. Sort of the reverse Carlos Bocanegra situation, where he plays centrally for club but outside for country.
I could also see Geoff Cameron used at outside back.
You're right, though, my defense is a little center back-heavy. My bad.
yura will never possess the quality and on the ball skills to feature in a world cup. his inclusion would be novel at best.
I'm sure a lot of people would have said the same about Robbie Findley, Edson Buddle, and Herculez Gomez.
@chad Yura is 23 and still developing and improving. Hard to believe his game won't get any better after this age
I think Eric Lijhac over at Aston Villa is going to be a starter in 14. Villa is betting big on him. He could be starting in the Premiership by season end.
it was nice post.
i agree with USSD and Geoff Cameron used at outside back.
you are right
I just don't understand the lack of respect Adu gets. He's only 20 and is consistently playing in Europe. He was on the verge of making the 30 this year. Why would he not be on the squad, and an integral part for that matter, in 2014.
Brian, I have always been very even about Adu. I give him his props when he deserves them and am quick to remind people that he is just 20 years old. Just because he isn't on the list doesn't mean I don't respect him; there's just bound to be snubs when only 23 can be picked.
The reason he doesn't make it (in my opinion) is because of the depth in the midfield and, in particular, on the wings. Bedoya, Holden, Dempsey, and Donovan will be stiff competition for a roster spot.
@Anonymous Agreed on Lichaj. I probably should have had him in this group. Slipped my mind, to be honest. I look forward to seeing how he pans out in the next couple of seasons.
What about Andy Najar?
I think the US has a major problem going forward so much young talent they are pretty close to the point where really good players get left off. There will be plenty of depth at forward and midfield and most likely a good group of defenders. The only question is will Timmy be back and will Guzan get out of his holding pattern.
Do you think Edgar Castillo would be a better option than Bornstein (I think JB can silence the critics, though)?
ROBBIE ROGERS. Landon will have lost a step. Clint should be moved up. And Robbie Rogers will be our speed on which even wind we need him on.
This is a good post. But it is also pretty scary. I don't really see us competing all the effectively in four years with essentially the same team that fairly nondescript in the grand schema of things in 2010? Where are the up and coming stars (especially in the attack)? Maybe the problem is that we don't have any? Jozy and Davies are nice players but, quite obviously, they don't compare favorably with virtually any attacking duo on any national team with an actual chance do well in 2014.
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