For those who care. The 23 man was announced today. Donovan was left out of the squad. Not that it matters there is almost no chance of getting out of the group. I wouldnt be surprised at all if the US finished dead last in the group. GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nurnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders) MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
He shouldn't have in my opinion but they are ignoring form. There was really no chance he wouldnt make the squad. As terrible as he played this season he does far better on the national team. I would be surprised if he didnt score at least one goal in the group stage.
Apart from those who have played over here, I don't recognise many names. Who should we look out for as potential stars? I'll be willing them to victory over Germany & Portugal, don't you worry.
Seattle Sounders have a decent forward line, Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins. DaMarcus? DeAndre? What's with the Da/De before a normal name?
Copeland was on the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning. He's written an opera. Give me strength.
Ah, my previous post should not be taken as my admiration or like of that band, just made me laugh with the question around De's and Da's and it was the first thing I thought of. Radio 4? There's a 4? I can't bring myself to move to R2, no way in hell I'd ever end up on 3 or 4! #yolo
Rimando is a good keeper but doubt he'll see any playing time unless Howard or Guzan get hurt. Its a weak squad overall and without Donovan there's no attacking threat. Altidore failed miserably again with Sunderland and has lost all confidence, Dempsey is over the hill. the AZ guy Johansson is at best Championship quality, and Wondo might make a Div.1 team. Goals are going to be a real problem. Mike Bradley is the only real "star" of international quality. Worst USA squad in years....quick departure this time.
The US team in the modern era always seems decent and well organised but when are they going to produce a world class striker capable of playing for any of the big clubs? They never have much punch up front.
What's the level of support for the US national team? I suspect you'll be taking a decent amount of fans to Brazil to support your lads.
Wondo is championship quality although at 31 I wouldnt sign him. There were some German clubs coming in for him a couple years back but he elected to stay. Ignore last years scoring record of only 11 goals, the team was in shambles and he played injured most of the season. It is definitely the worst US team in years though. I dont see how they will even get a draw.
There is quite a bit of support for the team. Much more than you might think. Most Americans really have another national team they cheer for though and the US team is second. I go for Germany myself as I have cheered for them most of my life. I was living in West Germany the last time they won the world cup. Most people I know cheer for the country their people come from. My buddies of Italian decent cheer for Italy, Irish for Ireland, Scottish for Scotland etc. I am sure the younger kids now all cheer for the US but no one who can remember the sport before the US hosted the world cup back in the 90's really cheers for them.
