Like Jurgen Klinsmann, ASN’s Brian Sciaretta is pumped up concerning the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Although the video games are 18 months away, he has put collectively a proposed roster for the U-23 match.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
January 06, 2015
10:56 AM
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ON FRIDAY JURGEN KLINSMANN mentioned that one of many high priorities of 2015 is to organize the 2016 Olympic group, including that 8-10 Olympic-eligible gamers will likely be on the roster for the U.S. nationwide group’s January camp.
The 2012 group’s failure to qualify for the Olympics was a serious embarrassment—one which U.S. Soccer desperately hopes to keep away from once more. So I believed I might far forward and attempt to venture what the 2016 Olympic group would possibly appear like.
Earlier than I reveal my roster, some caveats are so as: It is vital to notice that Olympic qualifying and the Olympics are utterly completely different animals since qualifying doesn’t fall on FIFA worldwide dates. Due to this, it is primarily as much as home and Mexico-based gamers to get the US to Rio.
Even in 2012, the group that didn’t qualify didn’t have gamers like Jozy Altidore, Timmy Chandler, and Danny Williams—who had been all incomes minutes in Europe and subsequently not launched.
Second, in Olympic qualifying there aren’t any overage gamers allowed, whereas within the Olympics, three are allowed.
With out taking a look at qualifying since it’s unattainable to know who will likely be in Europe and who will likely be in MLS, let’s take a look at a hypothetical group ought to the US advance to the video games in Rio de Janeiro.
One other caveat: When attempting to foretell the US’ three overage gamers, it is vital to notice that in the summertime in 2016 there may be additionally the Copa America Centenario—a high-profile match that can doubtlessly function a number of the greatest gamers on this planet. My Olympic prediction assumes that one of the best U-23 gamers will head to Brazil and the overage choices will encompass gamers who’re pretty replaceable on the primary group.
One other consideration: I’m inserting a excessive worth on versatility. Because of the small Olympic group roster—18 gamers—the power to play a number of positions is especially helpful.
Having mentioned all of that, right here is my first (however absolutely not final) projected U.S. Olympic roster.
GOALKEEPERS
1) Tim Howard (overage)
2) Cody Cropper
IN THE MIX: Jon Kempin, Zach Steffen, Ethan Horvath
Every time the ushas certified for the Olympics, an overage keeper has at all times been utilized. Brad Friedel bought the decision in 2000 as did Brad Guzan in 2008. Tim Howard can be a really perfect choose as Guzan may begin within the Copa America Centenario and start his ascent because the group’s No. 1 backstop.
Howard may lead the younger group and assist settle the backline. It could even be a pleasant feather in his cap since he was relegated to the backup function on the 2000 Olympics behind Friedel.
Cody Cropper has been concerned with the usU-20 and U-23 groups and may be very acquainted with the setup. Taking part in behind Howard would give him an prolonged alternative to be taught from one of many greats.
DEFENDERS
3) John Brooks
4) Erik Palmer-Brown
5) Shane O’Neill
6) DeAndre Yedlin
7) Greg Garza (overage)
8) Kellyn Acosta
IN THE MIX: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Walker Zimmerman, Will Packwood, Matt Miazga, Tyler Turner, Shaq Moore, Eric Miller, Juan Ocegueda
Central defender John Brooks and proper again DeAndre Yedlin will enter into the Olympics with terrific expertise on the U-23 degree. Each are veterans of the World Cup and Yedlin will probably have an excellent quantity of video games in Europe below his belt by 2016.
Left again will most certainly go to an overage participant and Greg Garza looks as if one of the best wager. He’s acquainted with U.S. soccer at all ages group and has now damaged into the complete nationwide group. As a Liga MX common, he would carry much-needed expertise to the group at a place that has been an Achilles’ heel seemingly eternally.
Shane O’Neill and Kellyn Acosta are two of the extra versatile gamers within the pool. Acosta can play both fullback place or within the midfield and O’Neill can also play central protection, proper again, or within the midfield.
Erik Palmer-Brown is rated very extremely by U.S. Soccer and is definitely eligible for the 2020 Olympic group. Cameron Carter-Vickers is one other participant who may make his means onto the group however like Palmer-Brown, he’s additionally eligible for the 2020 Olympics as effectively.
MIDFIELDERS AND WINGERS
9) Emerson Hyndman
10) Luis Gil
11) Wil Trapp (Captain)
12) Gedion Zelalem
13) Julian Inexperienced
14) Paul Arriola
15) Romain Gall
IN THE MIX: Junior Flores, Caleb Stanko, Dillon Serna, Russell Canouse, Marco Delgado, Joel Sonora, Mukwelle Akale, Alejandro Guido, Fernando Arce Jr., Dennis Flores, Marlon Hairston, Benji Joya, Lynden Gooch
This space of the group appears to be the strongest, with Luis Gil and Wil Trapp among the many greatest younger gamers in MLS and Emerson Hyndman doing effectively in his first skilled season with Fulham. As well as, Julian Inexperienced, Paul Arriola, and Romain Gall all appear to be nice attacking choices from both central or large positions, whereas Junior Flores and Gedion Zelalem play for the youth groups of two of one of the best golf equipment in Europe.
One potential weak spot within the midfield is the dearth somebody to supply dimension or bodily play. There isn’t any obvious Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, Kyle Beckerman, or Maurice Edu who can break up performs and assist protect the backline. Utilizing an overage participant—maybe Beckerman?—to fill that function shouldn’t be out of the query.
FORWARDS
16) Rubio Rubin
17) Tommy Thompson
18) Terrence Boyd (overage)
IN THE MIX: Jordan Morris, Andrija Novakovich, Ben Spencer, Amando Moreno, Zach Pfeffer, Omar Salgado, Alonso Hernandez, Bradford Jamieson IV
Rubio Rubin is an apparent choose as the most effective teenage prospects within the sport. His experiences at Utrecht will solely assist him develop from now till 2016. Tommy Thompson can also be versatile and dynamic, and he possesses the power to take gamers on with the dribble.
It additionally is sensible to make use of the third and last overage participant within the ahead spot with a succesful objective scorer, and Terrence Boyd suits that invoice. As a participant who likes to characterize his nation however one who has fallen simply wanting being a full nationwide group common, Boyd can be a sensible selection for the Olympics. He finishes effectively and his sizeable body may show efficient towards principally youthful defenders.
Jordan Morris can also be in robust competition for a roster spot after a pair of full nationwide group call-ups, however his current choice to remain at school for his junior yr is simply going to make it tougher for him. He now will stay an beginner till 2016 and if he indicators with Seattle, his first skilled video games is not going to come till only a few months earlier than the Olympics. He’s an excellent participant, however when trying on the timeframe of the Olympics, he will likely be matched up towards multiyear professionals and many who even have U-20 World Cup expertise in addition.
HEAD COACH
Andy Herzog
Whereas there isn’t any Olympic head coach as of but, Herzog is the obvious candidate in the mean time. Klinsmann will possible be too busy with the Copa America Centenario that summer time and Tab Ramos has already mentioned he isn’t a candidate for the function.
Herzog brazenly said that he wished the Olympics job throughout a 2014 interview with Austrian media and it solely is sensible along with his familiarity with Klinsmann and U.S. Soccer. He has a stable resume of working with younger gamers—he served as Austria’s U-21 head coach—and would preserve continuity with Klinsmann’s imaginative and prescient for U.S. soccer.
In order that’s my 18-player Olympic squad—what do you suppose? Please share your feedback under.
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter.
