If at first you do not succeed…overhaul the roster. That appears to be the mindset of U.S. U-23 coach Andi Herzog, who has named a squad to face Colombia in a two-game Olympic qualifying playoff.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
March 22, 2016
1:30 PM
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UNITED STATES UNDER-23 COACH Andi Herzog on Saturday launched his 23-player roster for the upcoming Olympic qualifying playoffs in opposition to Colombia, and it may be summed up largely in two phrases: heavy turnover.
From the crew that completed in a disappointing third place on the CONCACAF qualifying event in October, Herzog dropped Alonso Hernandez, Maki Tall, Gboly Ariyibi, Gedion Zelalem, Charlie Horton, Will Packwood, Boyd Okwuonu, and Zack Steffen. Marc Pelosi and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been compelled out on account of damage.
Of their place are Paul Arriola, Desevio Payne, Brandon Vincent, Kellyn Acosta, Tim Parker, Shane O’Neill, Cody Cropper, Tyler Miller, Walker Zimmerman, Mario Rodriguez, and Khiry Shelton.
Right here’s the new-look crew with my ideas under.
GOALKEEPERSCody Cropper (Milton Keynes Dons), Ethan Horvath (Molde), Tyler Miller (Seattle Sounders)
DEFENDERSKellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Miazga (Chelsea), Eric Miller (Colorado Rapids), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps), Desevio Payne (FC Groningen), Shane O’Neill (Cambridge United), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Hearth), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas)
MIDFIELDERSFatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes), Paul Arriola (Membership Tijuana), Luis Gil (Queretaro), Julian Inexperienced (Bayern Munich), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham), Jerome Kiesewetter (Stuttgart), Matt Polster (Chicago Hearth), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDSJordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Mario Rodriguez (Borussia Monchengladbach), Khiry Shelton (New York Metropolis FC)
Central protection nonetheless in respectable form
The damage to Carter-Vickers, coming late within the week, compelled Herzog into late modifications, however he nonetheless has some good choices—all with skilled expertise.
Matt Miazga seemingly will probably be one of many starters in central protection, having accomplished a pleasant job in qualifying in October after his star flip on the U-20 World Cup. He’ll have some rust, given his lack of matches since his switch to Chelsea in November, however he’s nonetheless a giant a part of this crew regardless.
Who will companion with him? Tim Parker of the Vancouver Whitecaps might be the main candidate after enjoying a task in January camp. Walker Zimmerman has been sturdy for FC Dallas as properly however was solely added after Carter-Vickers was dropped; that’s in all probability telling as to the place every participant stands in Herzog’s order.
Upgrades at Fullback
Essentially the most noticeable enchancment from the U-23 roster in October comes at fullback. It had been a serious space of concern throughout the qualifying event, with Boyd Okwuono or Matt Polster (a midfielder) enjoying proper again whereas Dillon Serna and Marc Pelosi (midfielders each) platooned at left again.
Herzog can have pure fullbacks to work with in opposition to Colombia. Desevio Payne, a proper again who can even play on the left, will make his return to the U.S. setup after a powerful U-20 World Cup final summer season, and Brandon Vincent is a uncommon pure left again who was singled out by Jurgen Klinsmann as having impressed at January camp. Kellyn Acosta, in the meantime, is primarily a midfielder however is listed as a defender on this roster, and it’s not precisely a shock: Acosta confirmed properly as a left again for the senior crew in January, beginning each friendlies.
Inexperienced and Arriola add width
The problems at fullback in October, mixed with an absence of pure huge midfielders, meant just about each U.S. assault in October needed to come up the center. This time round, that shouldn’t be an issue.
Julian Inexperienced performed for the U.S. U-23s in November friendlies in opposition to Brazil, and whereas he’s continued to languish within the reserves at Bayern Munich, he ought to deliver expertise to the crew nonetheless. Paul Arriola, who likes to assault down the appropriate aspect, additionally rejoins the usSoccer setup for the primary time since a really sturdy U-20 World Cup final summer season.
With Inexperienced and Arriola, there guarantees to be not simply added width however added pace as properly. All informed, this group ought to deliver extra selection within the assault.
Purpose-scoring might be a weak point
This U.S. U-23 crew is improved from October however not in each space—most notably at up prime. Jordan Morris and Jerome Kiesewetter had sturdy tournaments final fall, however past them, there wasn’t a lot.
Alonso Hernandez and Maki Tall each have struggled on the membership degree, and each are gone. However of their place are Khiry Shelton and Mario Rodriguez, who will not be a lot of a step up, if any: Shelton spent most of 2015 harm, whereas Rodriguez has by no means actually risen above the reserves ranges in Germany.
There’s going to be numerous stress on Morris, then, to proceed to be the principle weapon. A greater midfield will go a good distance, however who will probably be there for the ending touches?
No Brooks or Yedlin
Regardless of being age-eligible for the U-23 degree, John Brooks and DeAndre Yedlin as an alternative have been named to the total nationwide crew on Sunday for World Cup qualifying in opposition to Guatemala. The 2 are among the many finest on this age group and are enjoying constantly in Europe’s prime leagues, with Brooks having a breakout season for Hertha Berlin.
In idea, both participant might nonetheless be added to this qualifying roster, though their golf equipment must conform to it and are underneath no obligation to take action. However a partnership of Brooks and Miazga at this degree is tantalizing, and whereas the U-23s are in higher form at proper again, the Sunderland-based Yedlin would give Herzog extra expertise and will additionally sneak up and play proper wing.
Will it occur? In all chance, no. Nevertheless it’s price protecting a watch out for it, simply in case.
