Saturday, July 24, 2010

USA vs Brazil, August 10, NP's mock up roster

I just love armchair managing.  Just a fun mock roster for who I'd like to see come into camp in a couple weeks.

GK: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Dominic Cervi, Chris Seitz

DF: Jonathan Spector, Steve Cherundolo, Hunter Freeman, Eric Lichaj, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Carlos Bocanegra, Edgar Castillo, Daniel Williams

MD: Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Torres, Mikkel Diskerud, Alejandro Bedoya, Sacha Kljestan, Jermaine Jones, Ricardo Clark

FW: Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, Hurculez Gomez, Charlie Davies, Eddie Johnson

Yes I realize there are 30 names there, but this being unofficial, 30 players seems like a good amount.  I cannot wait until August 10. COME ON YOU YANKS!!!!!!!

Who will coach these keeeeds???

January 2011, Camp Cupcake, who will be in charge?  Bob Bradley is easily the greatest coach statistically in US Soccer history.  Does that mean he should stay in charge?  I say no.  It is time to move up to bigger and better things.  The United States Soccer Federation should remember what happened last time they decided to keep a manager around for two World Cup cycles.  Jurgen Klinnsmann sure could use something to do now that his job as an analyst for ESPN is up.  Bob Bradley is on the shortlist for the vacant Fulham job, and this would be a great opportunity for an American coach to ply his trade on the biggest stage.  Just my two cents...

If I might lend a machette to the transfer season thicket...

Transfer season is full go right now and there are multitudes of yanks abroad looking for new homes.  Let's run down the list with what we know right this very moment:

Landon Donovan- British tabloids have Manchester City and Everton in the hunt for the American sensation.  But MLS commissioner Don Garber is vehemently stating that Landon is going nowhere, ever.  I guess its what the fans want to hear and what he has to say, but Citeh are reportedly ready to offer $15 million for his services and Donovan would see a three-fold increase in his salary to around $7 million per year.  There's also an AC Milan rumor floating around stating a player swap with Ronaldinho is in the works.  All seem plausible at this point.

Clint Dempsey- With the last few weeks of uncertainty at Fulham, Dempsey is in a precarious position.  Not knowing who his next manager can be irritating and there are rumors of a transfer to Liverpool to hook back up with former Fulham boss Roy Hodgson.  AC Milan and Napoli are also reportedly interested.

Jozy Altidore- Villarreal seem keen to sell the wayward forward.  Ajax, Besiktas, and some other unnamed clubs are sniffing around, with Ajax wanting a season long loan, but Villarreal is demanding a full sale.  The Netherlands would be great for Jozy, let's hope this goes through.

Carlos Bocanegra- Signed, sealed, and delivered....to Saint Etienne for around 400,000 Euros.

Jay DeMerit- Blackpool, Crystal Palace, Leeds United are among the primary names in the chase for the former Watford captain.  He also has interest from Germany, Turkey, and the Netherlands according to his agent. 

Clarence Goodson- Turned down a move to FC Kaiserslautern in the Bundesliga and is currently hearing from Danish Superliga runners-up Odense BK. 

Benny Feilhaber- AGF Aarhus are trying desperately to sell the midfielder and Feilhabers agent claims interest from Spain, the Netherlands, and Turkey, but according to Feilhaber he is keeping his fingers crossed for a move to La Liga.

DaMarcus Beasley- Blackpool is reportedly interested in Beasley, but the more likely move seems back to the Netherlands or to Spain.

Jonathan Bornstein- Signed a 3-year deal with Tigres UANL in the Primera Division in Mexico.  I like this move.

Freddy Adu- Revamped Aris deal in hand, Adu is in Greece for at least a year.

Eddie Johnson- Aris reportedly wanted to extend the loan for Johnson, but Fulham said buy or nothing.

More to come....