Jurgen Klinsmann known as in a compelling mixture of veterans and newcomers for his January coaching camp. ASN editor in chief John Godfrey provides his tackle which gamers have an actual probability for Brazil.
BY
John Godfrey
Posted
January 05, 2014
4:57 PM
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YOU’VE SEEN THE ROSTER. Jurgen Klinsmann named 26 gamers to his January coaching camp in Los Angeles, with a two-week journey to Sao Paolo, Brazil, together with a pleasant in opposition to South Korea on February 1, dangled as carrots for the gamers.
The true prize, nevertheless, is a seat on the aircraft for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
However let’s be actual for second, we could? Clint Dempsey will not be in camp. Neither will Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Tim Howard, Fabian Johnson, Jermaine Jones, and plenty of others who’re all however sure to make the 2014 World Cup squad. So I assumed I would take an informed, opinionated take a look at the January camp roster and handicap who has the most effective, and worst, possibilities of making the journey to Brazil.
The next predictions assume accidents do not play a task—though they assuredly will. Earlier than we get began, let’s take one other take a look at the squad.
GOALKEEPERS: Tally Corridor (Houston Dynamo), Invoice Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Hearth), Nick Rimando (Actual Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas Metropolis), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Harrington (Portland Timbers), Chris Klute (Colorado Rapids), Probability Myers (Sporting Kansas Metropolis), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas Metropolis), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Eric Alexander (New York Pink Bulls), Kyle Beckerman (Actual Salt Lake), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Combine Diskerud (Rosenborg), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas Metropolis), Luis Gil (Actual Salt Lake), Dax McCarty (New York Pink Bulls), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas Metropolis)
FORWARDS: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Mike Magee (Chicago Hearth), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
And now, some predictions.
Landon Donovan—100%
It is a accomplished deal. He is clutch, he has 57 worldwide objectives, he is skilled, and he nonetheless has lots left within the tank for yet one more World Cup run.
Matt Besler—100%
The regular central defender not often makes errors, and that’s the reason he’ll begin all three group stage matches.
Nick Rimando—99.9%
He is the No. 3 goalkeeper in 2014, and that will not change. If he really sees the sphere in Brazil, one thing horrible has occurred.
Omar Gonzalez—98%
Whereas able to dominating, he’s nonetheless vulnerable to the occasional mind fart. If solely Timothy Chandler hadn’t taken him out in a Nuremburg coaching session 12 months in the past, Gonzalez would have extra high-level expertise and would most likely be extra dependable. Because it stands, he’s nonetheless the first-choice central defender alongside Besler.
Graham Zusi—95%
The Piano Man peaked at No. 6 within the ASN 100, however he has dropped in latest months. Why? Effectively, the U.S. midfield may be very crowded, and Alejandro Bedoya and Combine Diskerud wish to play in Brazil simply as a lot as Zusi. The Sporting Kansas Metropolis midfielder must excellent his huge recreation with the intention to pressure his manner onto the 2014 World Cup roster.
Eddie Johnson—93%
Eddie Cash could be a positive factor if he wasn’t such a head case. Will he blow up with the nationwide staff like he did in Seattle? Say, if Aron Johannsson takes taking part in time away from him? Would not shock me.
Combine Diskerud—88%
Firstly of final 12 months, Diskerud was barely on Klinsmann’s radar. Now, the tough midfielder appears prone to make the squad. Credit score his spectacular 2013 Gold Cup exhibiting. And do not be stunned if Combine is a key participant in 2018 and past.
Kyle Beckerman—85%
The Klinsmann favourite is sturdy and relishes the No. 6 position he performs for the nationwide staff. He is additionally a step or two gradual for worldwide soccer. If he can maintain his motor revving over the subsequent few months, he can be Jermaine Jones’ backup in Brazil.
Brad Evans—80%
A Main League Soccer midfielder who was given a shot at fullback for the U.S. nationwide staff, Evans got here by within the clutch. Klinsmann has stated that the fitting again job job is Evans’ to lose, however let’s have a look at the place he stands on February 2. (Sounders teammate DeAndre Yedlin gives important upside on the place.)
Clarence Goodson—77percentA pleasant man to have on the squad, but when he is within the beginning lineup, which means one thing went fallacious elsewhere.
Mike Magee—50%
Give Magee the ball in a harmful place, and good issues are likely to occur. Will the MLS MVP get an opportunity to indicate this in January? And if he does, will that elevate him above the likes of Terrence Boyd, Chris Wondolowski, Herculez Gomez, and/or Eddie Johnson? It may occur.
Brad Davis—33%
An incredible left foot, however is that sufficient to earn him a spot in Brazil? In all probability not.
Chris Klute—30%
Klute, 23, performs left again for the Colorado Rapids. Who performs left again for the USA nationwide staff? Yeah, I am unsure both. It would not shock me if Klute sneaks into the squad—particularly if Klinsmann decides that Fabian Johnson is a winger, not a fullback.
Dax McCarty—17%
A backup to the backup. If Beckerman loses a step, McCarty may take his spot.
Benny Feilhaber—12%
Undoubtedly has the expertise to make the staff, and he ended his 2013 marketing campaign on a excessive be aware. However the Sporting Kansas Metropolis midfielder stays an enigma. And he’s dispossessed manner too usually.
Chris Wondolowski—11%
Nice in Main League Soccer. Nice in opposition to Belize and Cuba within the 2013 Gold Cup. However he turns 31 in a couple of weeks, and he appears to have misplaced a step. I do not see it.
DeAndre Yedlin—10%
Like Jim Carrey’s character in Dumb and Dumber, Yedlin has an opportunity. It is not one in one million, extra like one in 10. It is going to be fascinating to observe how he performs in January.
Luis Gil—9%
Something is feasible with this 20-year-old expertise. However one thing tells me he must watch for Russia and 2018.
Shane O’Neill—5percentO’Neill stated he was shocked to be known as in for this January camp. We might be equally shocked if the Irish-American made the 23-man squad for Brazil.
Seth Sinovic—1percentIt’s.
Michael Harrington—1%
Simply.
Probability Myers—1%
Not.
Eric Alexander—1%
Going.
Sean Johnson—1%
To.
Invoice Hamid—1%
Occur.
Tally Corridor—0.5%
Particularly for Corridor, who’s sixth on the depth chart at goalkeeper.
OK, let me have it. I do know you’re prone to disagree with some—or maybe most—of this. I welcome the dialog. Deliver it, and you’ll want to again it up.
John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now.
