Forecast 2014: Your USA Squad

Everyone loves to play armchair manager.  Yours truly included.  So let's take a peak at who your squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup could be. 

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard will be 35 by the time Brazil roles around, but could still very well be the starting keeper should he keep his form and job at Everton.  Brad Guzan should be in firm control of Aston Villa's pipes by that time and could supplant Howard.  Third keeper will be an interesting one.  Bill Hamid, Dominic Cervi, and Chris Seitz are all in line for a shot.

Defenders: Just going to throw some names out there.  On the right side  Eric Lichaj from Aston Villa is a good bet since he's likely to be included in that clubs first 18 starting this season.  Daniel Williams from Freiburg is also an option, as is Fabian Williams of Wolfsburg.  Jonathan Spector is the easy choice, but could be anywhere on the backline.  Another two to keep an eye on are Sean Franklin and Greg Garza.  In the center, Oguchi Onyewu will be 32 but should still be at the top of his game.  Other center options include Omar Gonzalez, Ike Opara, Gale Agbossumonde, Chad Marshall, and Tim Ward.  This wouldn't be the US National Team if there wasn't questions on the left flank.  Edgar Castillo, Heath Pearce, Jonathan Bornstein and Hunter Freeman are options, and hopefully by that time a viable option has come to fruition.

Midfielders: I don't expect to many new names this time around.  Michael Bradley and Maurice Edu should be the starters, and Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, and Jose Torres should round out the middle.  Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Stuart Holden, and DaMarcus Beasley should all still be in the mix.  Other names to watch include Jermaine Jones, Alejandro Bedoya, Luis Gil, Sebastian Lleget, Danny Cruz, Robbie Rogers, Freddy Adu, Danny Szetela, Sal Zizzo, Geoff Cameron, Alex Zahavi,  Dax McCarty and Sam Cronin.

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Charlie Davies are the two for sure things (fingers crossed).  Who backs them up could include Danny Mwanga, Mike Grella, Marcus Tracy, and Adrian Ruelas or any high risers who haven't yet been named.

Isn't this fun?  Only four years away from the Brazilian spectacle.  Next up we'll look at who the new coach of the US National Team could be.  

USA 1, Ghana 2: Picking Up the Pieces

One bridge to far and another early goal.  The US' dream ended in a heartbreaking, yet deserved loss to Ghana, for the second consecutive World Cup.  Again, for the 3rd time in 4 matches, the US conceded an early goal, made a comeback, but couldn't pull off another amazing comeback after conceding another goal three minutes into extra-time.  The American's will rue missed opportunities and probably missing out on taking advantage of the easiest road to the semi-finals that will ever be laid before them.  You all watched the game.  No player ratings this time.  Ricardo Clark, worst game of his career.  Tim Howard should've saved both goals.  LD10 was invisible for most of the game.  Basically the worst from everyone (Bob Bradley included) on this one.  Moving on will be very hard, but there are new tasks at hand.  Like finding a new coach (one would think), roster selections for the Aug. 10 Brazil match, and summer transfers.  Failure is nothing but the first step toward something better.  GO GO USA!!!

USA 1, Algeria 0: The Day After

A day for headaches and heartbreaks, elation and despair, heart attacks and tears of joy.  All of it was on the pitch when the referee blew the final whistle yesterday.  The Americans were through.  Through, on top of their group, for the first time since 1930.  And it was the poster boy who got them there.  After an exhausting 90 minutes, where the chances were coming in bunches for the Americans, but the goals weren't, Landon Donovan slotted home a rebound off a Clint Dempsey shot in the 91st minute.  Bars and public areas around the country exploded with happiness.  I, alone in my living room after taking the day off work, jumped out of my chair, screamed like a school girl, and fell to my knees in disbelief at what had just unfolded.  Ian Darke's call was mesmerizing, of course, I didn't hear it until after I'd watched a replay of the game.  After all the doubt had crept in, when you thought the US just wasn't going to score, after another disallowed goal, when chance after chance went begging, the US found a way and a will to succeed in the dying embers of the match.  God Bless the USA.

Player Ratings:

Tim Howard- 10- My first ever perfect score for a player, but Tim kept the shutout, controlled the back line, and flung the pass that led to the winner.  Can't ask for any more from Howard on the day.

Steve Cherundolo- 8- Another massive performance from the diminutive right back.  Ziani and Belhadj were non-factors for the majority of the match, and we have Cherundolo to thank for that.

Jay DeMerit- 8- Newcastle and West Ham take notice.  Another great day at the office for DeMerit, who stood tall in the back, even after losing their midfield cover.

Carlos Bocangrea- 6.5- Had some shaky moments early, but picked it up and helped maintain the clean sheet with some fine aerial defending.

Jonathan Bornstein- 5.5- Not his worst game ever, but he should really learn how to clear a ball.  There were at least two or three times his clearances went straight to the Algerian side.  That said, he did make some solid tackles and his speed helped.

Landon Donovan- 7- Did disappear for some stretches, but was very dangerous several times.  And of course, he scored the goal, probably the most important of his career.

Michael Bradley- 8- Yet again, a massive performance from Bradley Jr.  He is definitely looking at a big money transfer this summer if he continues at this pace.

Maurice Edu- 6.5- Finally, an Edu-Bradley combo in the midfield and it worked wonders.  Edu was deployed in the holding position, allowing Bradley to push forward into the attack.  Expect another start from Edu against Ghana.

Clint Dempsey- 7- So many chances, but just couldn't capitalize.  He played very well though and caused the spill from the keeper that led to the goal.  His early goal should've counted though.

Herculez Gomez- 6.5- I was very impressed with Gomez.  He tested the keeper on every chance he got.  Really hope he gets another start against Ghana.

Jozy Altidore- 8- Huge FULL game from Altidore today.  Great 90 minutes, showed a nice first touch, and attacked with fervor.

SUBS:

Benny Feilhaber- 7- Has got his touch back and probably should've had an assist if not for a "save" by the keeper.

Edson Buddle- 5.5- One good chance from 5 yards which probably should've been converted.  Played physical up top.

DaMarcus Beasley- NA- Nothing more than his WC 2010 cameo.

Transfer Goodies

Caught up in all the World Cup hoopla, a few big names in US Soccer have popped up on the map.  One is already done, and that is Sacha Kljestan joining Belgian champions Anderlecht.  Great move for him, not a lot of pressure and he certainly has the talent to make something of himself.

On the rumor side, Jonathan Bornstein is rumored to be on his way to Atlante in the Mexican Premier League.  Again, another move I like.  He could play against better attackers and thus improve his game.  Also, Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel are rumored to be in the market again.

Aris Thessaloniki are continuing to try to extend the loan for Eddie Johnson.  After a mildly successful tail end of the season in Greece, Johnson apparently made enough of an impression to warrant another go around.  Should he remain at Fulham, he probably won't see much action.

Also, just a couple hours ago, Ives tweeted about having a chat with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and undoubtedly talked about the American players, then Ives guaranteed an American transfer to Arsenal.  Howard, Bradley, Dempsey, and Donovan are all on the radar.

More to come...

USA 2, Slovenia 2: Post Game Reaction

I will try not to rant about Koman Coulibaly, but yet I may have to, but I'll try my best to judge the things we actually had control over.

Everyone watched yet another early let down from the States, and another remarkable comeback, that finished 3-2 2-2.  But the US isn't out of it yet, in an up and down group where England continues to disappoint and Slovenia continues to overachieve.

Not going to be a typical review from us, since its the same things that has happened against El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Turkey to name a few. 

The good:  The US' innate ability to counter after being punched in the face.  Bob Bradley's halftime tactics and adjustments, moving from this:

------------Altidore--------Findley

Dempsey-----Torres-----Bradley-----Donovan

to this:

-------------------Altidore

---------Dempsey----------Donovan

Feilhaber------------Edu-------------Bradley

Torres and Findley just weren't cutting it, Bob realized it and adjusted accordingly, Edu took over the holding midfield role, allowing Feilhaber and Bradley to push forward and it was this formation that directly led to both US goal.  Jozy Altidore enjoyed one of his best games in a US shirt, Donovan showed his class on his cannon of a goal, and Bradley displayed his 90 minute motor.

The bad:  Another poor first half showing from the Americans.  Dempsey looked slack, the defensive communication was shaky, and the supposed insertion of Torres to help control possession fell on its face.

The ugly: Koman Coulibaly

Player Ratings:

Tim Howard- 6.5- Was caught out on the first goal and should've told Onyewu to step up on the second one.  Did make some trademark saves and clearances.  Not at his best, but even then, he kept the US in the game.

Steve Cherundolo- 6.5- Defended 1v1 quite well but couldn't get forward, as is his penchant.

Jay DeMerit- 6.5- Was beaten aerially on a few occasions, but kept a cool head and made some solid tackles.

Oguchi Onyewu- 5.5- Still showing the rust of being off for 8 months and was caught out of position on both goals.  Luckily these are easy fixes.

Carlos Bocanegra- 5- Unimpressive performance from Captain America today.  Birsa was a force unfortunately and failed to communicate on the first goal, but got better as the game wore on.

Landon Donovan- 7- Attacked, was a force, and the goal was grease lightning into the roof of the net.  Glorious from the number 10 today.

Jose Torres- 4- A stinker today from Torres.  Couldn't match up against the physicality of the Slovenian midfield.  As much blame goes to Bradley for putting him in this situation.  Torres would've made a great second half sub once the game had opened up.

Michael Bradley- 8- His full 90 minute motor shined, as he was all over the midfield.  His goal was absolutely fantastic.  9/10 players would've ballooned that ball over the bar but Junior did well to just fire over the top of the keeper.  One of his best games ever.

Clint Dempsey- 5- Poor from Clint today.  Didn't make a difference on offense.  Did work some on defense, but that's not why he's on field.

Robbie Findley- 4- Why does Findley continue to get starts?  His touch and decision making are not up to par on the international level.  Plain and simple.  His yellow was a joke, but it could end up being a blessing in disguise. 

Jozy Altidore- 1st half- 4- 2nd half- 8- Probably the best 45 minutes of his short national team career.  Strength and size in the box late directly led to the tying goal.

SUBS

Maurice Edu- 6- Shaky early on, but sat in and allowed Bradley and Feilhaber to push forward and drive the attack.  Expect a start on Wednesday.

Benny Feilhaber- 6- Showed some flashes and helped maintain possession and helped track defensively.

Hurculez Gomez- 6- Made the run that opened up space for Bradley to score his goal.