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U.S. Men's National Soccer (Official Thread)

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There was a good article on Adu in a recent Sports Illustrated. He's still only in his early 20s, so he might yet have an impact one of these days. Apparently the rap on him is that all of the physical tools are there, but mental side of the game stopped developing about the time all the hype began. Apparently he has started to make some strides with his club in Greece, but he has a way to go to be on a the pitch for a World Cup.

He sounds kinda like the Homer Bailey of soccer. For all the disappointment, it's easy to forget how young he still is. I hope he puts it together in the next cycle.
 
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Damn frogs. :shake:

Davies slams Sochaux officials over World Cup - Soccer - SI.com

Davies slams Sochaux officials over World Cup



PARIS (AP) -- Charlie Davies is blaming Sochaux for his failure to make the United States' preliminary squad for the World Cup, saying he feels "let down'' by his French club.
The striker claims Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe wrote to the U.S. coaching staff without his knowledge, saying that Davies was not fit enough to play at the World Cup and that the club would not medically clear him.
Davies, who was nearly killed in a car accident last October, told French radio station RMC late Wednesday that he was capable of playing in the tournament in South Africa and felt "very hurt, very sad'' and "very angry.''
"It's frustrating because for the past months I've been training with the [Sochaux]team,'' Davies said. "At the beginning it was not so well but I've progressed a lot, I continue to progress, I still have to progress but I'm definitely ready to play.''
The 23-year-old Davies, who was omitted from the 30-man U.S. preliminary squad for the World Cup, said he was stunned when he learned about the letter after speaking with U.S. coach Bob Bradley.
"It's a very strange situation, I feel hurt because I feel like I've been let down by my club,'' Davies said.
Davies, who insisted he will stay at Sochaux next season because of his good relationship with his teammates, said he spoke with Bradley before the coach released his provisional list.
"Bob Bradley called me the night before the selection was put out to the press,'' Davies said. "He explained to me that Sochaux sent a letter saying they were not going to clear me medically and wouldn't release me to go with the national team. And that this had a big part to play in not being able to select me.''
Davies, who said he hasn't spoken with Lacombe since the car accident, told RMC he was first devastated and "then it turned into anger.''
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What's stopping an asshole president from not clearing people from his club team to play for the World Cup? Say the owner/president/whoever of Everton decided not to clear Tim Howard because that gave England a better chance of advancing. Is that possible?
 
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BuckeyeNation27;1703707; said:
What's stopping an asshole president from not clearing people from his club team to play for the World Cup? Say the owner/president/whoever of Everton decided not to clear Tim Howard because that gave England a better chance of advancing. Is that possible?
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I imagine other players never wanting to play for that club/manager/president. It would cripple reputation.

As far as the Davies situation- it sucks.

I understand the decision from a strictly team/business perspective. Make it now so the team can move on and focus. Don't lead anyone on, especially if he isn't in form.

On the other hand, he's been training for around 2 months, with full training (contact scrimmages) taking place the last couple weeks. There's no doubt in my mind that with how far he's come in 6-7 months, that he couldn't seal the deal this last month.

Finally, I'll continue to say 80% Davies>other U.S. strikers (sans Jozy).
 
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Send-Off series kicks off tonight against the Czechs. 7:30 pm EST, ESPN.

Starting 11:

U.S. SOCCER (ussoccer) on Twitter
Lineup v. CZE: Guzan; Cherundolo (c), Goodson, Onyewu, Bornstein; Holden, Edu, Torres, Beasley; Buddle, Johnson

Onyewu's first action since October. Buddle and Johnson fighting for those forward spots. Everyone else looks like sure things for S.A. but this is pretty much the entire 2nd string lineup. Onyewu (likely) and Buddle may be a part of the starting 11 against England in a few weeks.

Subs should be interesting and really tell who the final 23 will be. If they (meaning beside the shoe-in starters) don't play tonight, then chances are they aren't going to be a part of the United States World Cup team.

EDIT- the rest of the 22 (usually 23 on bench) were released:
subs tonight: Hahnemann, Spector, Ching, Clark, Kljestan, Pearce, Marshall, Rogers, Findley, Bedoya, Gomez.

Bedoya and Gomez should get some time (I hope). Maybe Clark for Edu in the 2nd half.

No Howard, Bocanegra, DeMerit, Bradley, Feilhaber, Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore. As expected, these 8 guys are safe.
 
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Between Buddle & Johnson, I hope Buddle gets the nod. I think he's more likely to be able to contribute. From what I've seen of Johnson in the past he has plenty of skill but doesn't ever seem to put it together.
 
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jlb1705 said:
Between Buddle & Johnson, I hope Buddle gets the nod. I think he's more likely to be able to contribute. From what I've seen of Johnson in the past he has plenty of skill but doesn't ever seem to put it together.
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Same, I've seen too much of Johnson to know he's not going to bring anything. At least Buddle is unknown. :p

Other thoughts

1) Love the pre-game coverage from ESPN. They are helping to take soccer to a new level here.
2) New US gear is SICK! Warm-up jackets, jerseys, etc. I like 'em.
 
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Good job by Edu to put it away, but that goal was all about the service by Holden on the set piece.

I love watching Holden play. He always seems to find a way to make himself dangerous in the attacking end.
 
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He's a very creative, young talent. I think he'll end up as a better Dempsey, who I think plays a very "Brazilian" type of game, where he tends to just say "f it, I'm going for it (shot/dribble/pass)." Love his game.

Mo is the f'n man in the middle as well. Him and Bradley would destroy other team's midfield. Bradley Jr. would be able to roam a little more up top and he's shown some goal scoring ability as well. Edu is just a straight destroyer.
 
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