[Humble_Opinion]

There seem to be a lot of German Americans on this roster.......

[R i]

Jurgen has one eye on the future. Something the USMNT hasnt had. Our coaches have been trying their best to be mediocre in the present. I for one appreciate his forward thinking approach. It will pay off in 4 years, and we still have the ability to shock some people this year.

[ALUmnus]

The US has always had dual citizens on the team, it's nothing new. And with a sizeable military presence in Germany, it would make sense we'd have a lot of good German-American soccer players.

I'm disappointed in Landon getting cut, because he creates, and he creates goals more than anyone else on the roster. That's hard to replace.

[Rooster Cogburn]

ALUmnus just hit the nail on the head. Donovan makes things happen. Who is going to do that now? If it wasn't Green in Donovan out, I'd have less issues.
I'm just hoping this is JK's version of Herb Brooks evil scientist team chemistry.

[SuperJon]

JK's son tweeted last night making fun of Donovan. Hard to not wonder if that's the family perception of him or if it's just a 17-year-old being 17.

Deadspin has a great article on Donovan today. I'd link it but I read it earlier and don't have it pulled up anymore.

[Humble_Opinion]

http://deadspin.com/landon-donovan-was- ... 1580496270

Over the past 3 WC cycles... if Donovan wasn't on the field for the US, they weren't scoring. He's confident on the ball and has an ability to push and create offense. I think Dempsey and Bradley can both take over, but I'm really confused by this call on JK's part.

[SuperJon]

I see what you did there.

[JakeP50]

I can't believe I didn't notice the similarities, hopefully he doesn't turn out the same.

[01LUGrad]

So...is ESPN planning on airing this as-is, or is there going to be an edit to get rid of #10 in the last 10 seconds of this?

[R i]

I hope you stick around for 4 years BYD, dont wreck the site or any of that. So I can say "I told you so" about Green.

He was a no show, but so were half the players that had their number called.

[R i]

It is my understanding that he wouldnt have played for the US had he not gotten that spot this year.

And put the paypal button back at the bottom. Id pay.

[R i]

Last nights grades According to Jeff Carlisle. http://www.espnfc.com/blog/_/name/unite ... 31?cc=5901

Player ratings: (0-10)

G Tim Howard, 6: He looked a bit uncertain on Javadov's shot but did produce a save in windy conditions. Otherwise, he commanded his box well.

D DaMarcus Beasley, 6: He put in a solid 45-minute shift. He committed no major mistakes and looked eager to join the attack.

D Matt Besler, 6: He created some anxious moments with some under-hit passes, including one that resulted in a shot, but settled down afterward and looked more composed in the second half.

D Geoff Cameron, 7: He looked assured in the back, in terms of both his passing and his ability to break up plays. He did more than enough to hang on to his starting spot.

D Fabian Johnson, 6: He got forward to good effect and defended well, even though he wasn't tested often.

M Alejandro Bedoya, 5: His play was kind of all over the place. He had some bright moments, including a pinpoint cross to Wondolowski, and some wayward passes.

M Jermaine Jones, 6: He didn't seem 100 percent comfortable operating at the base of the diamond in the first half, and he forced too many passes. His play picked up in the second, though, when he seemed to find his range.

M Michael Bradley, 5: He didn't play up to his usual standard, though the spacing in attack didn't help. He was solid defensively, but his passing got steadily worse as the game went on. That said, his shot created the chaos that led to Diskerud's goal.

M Graham Zusi, 5.5: He was active and hit some decent set piece deliveries but seemed to have less success when he tucked inside.

F Chris Wondolowski, 4: He took up some great positions, but he has to do better with the chances he is given come the World Cup. His link play began to erode over time as well.

F Jozy Altidore, 5: He battled well with his back to goal, earning a few free kicks, but at times looked a bit hesitant with the ball at his feet when he got close to the box. However, he looked more aggressive in the second half and had a nice turn in the box.

Subs:

D Omar Gonzalez, 7: He showed no ill effects from his injury and did well to snuff out an opportunity early in the second half.

D Timothy Chandler, 5: He tried to push the tempo by getting forward as often as possible but failed to have much impact.

M Brad Davis, 6: He set up Johannsson with one of his trademark set pieces and did well to win a free kick near the box.

F Aron Johannsson, 6.5: Sure, he was left wide open on his goal, but give him credit for putting it away.

D DeAndre Yedlin, 4: He didn't look up to speed at all, and he didn't seem secure with his passes.

M Mix Diskerud, 7: He not only did well to score his goal but also kept the play alive earlier in the buildup by challenging for a header.

[JakeP50]

Diskerud was wearing #10 last night could be nothing, but I don't understand Jurgen anymore.

[Humble_Opinion]

Yeah I don't like some of those grades... Besler gets a '6'? For anyone that watched that game... Besler was awfully bad. He gave away the ball in the back middle about 25 yds from goal twice. Do that against a team with quality strikers (like the ones we will see in our Group) and you're down 2-0. Gonzalez who is still a little banged up and Beasley looked to be the most reliable in the back.

[TDDance234]

Every time I watch Altidore play, I spend the majority of my time screaming at the TV, and wondering why we continue to trot him out there. It's a sad realization to know there isn't a better option in the entire country.

[Humble_Opinion]

Every time I watch Altidore play, I spend the majority of my time screaming at the TV, and wondering why we continue to trot him out there. It's a sad realization to know there isn't a better option in the entire country.

Not sure why you'd be yelling at him over players like Chandler, Bradley and Besler making poor passes and being lazy with the ball in our back third. Nothing will knock us out of the group stages quicker than making one or two of those a game against the likes of Portugal and Germany. Altidore played fine compared to most... He uses his body well and is strong on the ball. When he has touched it the past two games he's consistently beaten opponents and drawn penalties. Yes, he needs to finish the chances he is given, but I think we will see him come into his own come tournament time.

[SuperJon]

If Altidore can simply get one goal, the rest will come.

I think Beckerman needs to be starting.

[R i]

Beckerman looked great. And Bradley made a few outstanding passes. The assist was brilliant. He and Beckerman would outwork any midfield in the WorldCup. They are high motor guys for sure.

[SuperJon]

Beckerman on his own isn't too much to write home about. However, him and Bradley work together so well and trust each other so much that it elevates both to much higher levels.

[R i]

See the future. Dont live in the mediocre present. I think its nice to see a coach looking towards our future. I think Taylor Twellman said it best. " I dont feel any more confident in this US squad or any less hopeful because Landon Donovan being left out" Paraphrased.

[Humble_Opinion]

See the future. Dont live in the mediocre present. I think its nice to see a coach looking towards our future. I think Taylor Twellman said it best. " I dont feel any more confident in this US squad or any less hopeful because Landon Donovan being left out" Paraphrased.

I know soccer is a different sport and the World Cup, because it only comes once every four years, is a different event. However, compare the future of any US sport to the present of that sport and tell me you would make the same choice. Isn't the point to field the best players the U.S. has to offer? I know he may have lost a step in the course of the last four years, but you won't be able to convince me that Donovan couldn't play a major factor in the play of the U.S. He is the most confident player the U.S. has ever produced, when playing on the world stage. What good is choosing a player like Julian Green to go and sit on the bench for the length of the World Cup vs. Donovan... a player with real experience that could come off the bench and actually contribute in a huge way. Green may be the future and the future may be bright... but Donovan is still the present, and I would argue the goal should be to play for the present and leave 2018 to four years from now.

[Schfourteenteen]

Is Donovan a starter for this team?

If he is not a starter, does his personality/leadership/demeanor add to the team? Could he operate effectively as a bench warmer? Perhaps the spark that we anticipate from Donovan coming off the bench for 15-20 minutes is negated by the other 23+ hours that he is a backup.

Who knows.

[Purple Haize]

Is Donovan a starter for this team?

If he is not a starter, does his personality/leadership/demeanor add to the team? Could he operate effectively as a bench warmer? Perhaps the spark that we anticipate from Donovan coming off the bench for 15-20 minutes is negated by the other 23+ hours that he is a backup.

Who knows.

He's a moody Premadona always has been. This is what JK did with Germany. Donovan isn't a talent you accommodate anymore. Get guys who work together. Donovan would have been a cancer on the bench.
The only thing I fear is our draw. I don't care who is or isn't on the roster, it's brutal

[R i]

Green may be the future and the future may be bright... but Donovan is still the present, and I would argue the goal should be to play for the present and leave 2018 to four years from now.

Its not likely we advance out of this group this year. So we look toward 2018 in some ways. In JKs opinion Green was a large enough talent to warrant having him set on the bench in 2014 to garauntee he would be there in 2018. Landon wouldnt have made us any less mediocre.

[JakeP50]

A guy on 105.7 said: Beat Ghana, gut out a draw against Portugal, and hope Germany has already clinched the group so they'll play their backups against us and get a draw against Germany. All possible, especially if Germany has already clinched the group and wants to keep their "friends" Portugal from getting to the elimination round.