Rival Olympic Qualifying Rosters

[Gian-Luca]

Lets get the ball rolling - final round of qualification begins in about a month.

Here is an article on the US team. From this group, plus the two Belgian-based players, a final roster will be selected to play against Canada in qualifying. Honduras & Panama are the other teams in our group.

Myernick Calls 25 Players for Under-23 Camp at NTC

12/30/03 3:35 PM

CHICAGO (Tuesday, December 30, 2003) — U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team head coach Glenn “Mooch” Myernick today announced a 25-player roster for a two-week training camp at the National Training Center in Carson, Calif., that will mark the team’s final preparation before heading down to Guadalajara, Mexico for the final round of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament from Feb. 2-12, 2004.

DaMarcus Beasley is one of 25 players called into camp.

© jbw/isi

“I’m really looking forward to this camp because it’s the very first time that we have what we believe is the pick of the pool together,” said Myernick, who led the team to an undefeated international record of 4-0-2 and overall record of 5-1-3 in 2003. “It’s been two years since we first got together, so we’re excited about this (full camp). I believe at one point the pool was 42 names, but now we’re inviting 25 players, of which we can pick 20 for Mexico. The fastest way to build this team is just to play together.”

The strongest group of players to be assembled since the first U-23 camp in January 2002, the roster is led by U.S. Men’s National Team and 2002 World Cup stars Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley, who last played for the U-23s in a 3-1 win over Mexico in Guadalajara back on May 14. The former U-17 and U-20 teammates faced off against each other in Carson just over a month ago, with San Jose topping Chicago 4-2 for the 2003 MLS Cup title.

Donovan was a key member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team that exceeded expectations and advanced to the medal round and a record fourth-place finish in Sydney. The 21-year-old San Jose Earthquakes forward, who was just 18 at the time, scored the clinching goal in the 88th minute of a 3-1 win over Kuwait that helped the U.S. not only advance to the second round for the first time in history, but win Group C with a 1-0-2 record. Earlier that year, Beasley was a part of the U.S. team that posted a 2-1-1 record and finished second at the 2000 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Hershey, Penn., earning one of two CONCACAF berths for the Olympics.

The roster includes another veteran of the 2000 Under-23 squad in German-based forward Conor Casey, who will be making his first appearance with the team since the 2000 Olympics. Then just a sophomore at the University of Portland for U-23 head coach Clive Charles, the 6’2” striker was an enormous presence up top throughout the competition. Since then, he’s been competing professionally in Germany, where he scored four goals in FC Karlsruher’s final seven games before the winter break, giving him six on the season.

In addition to veteran forwards Casey and Donovan, the camp also boasts the team’s three leading scorers in 2003 in forwards David Testo (Richmond Kickers – USL), Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew) and Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United). Testo, who earned A-League Rookie of the Year honors with six goals and two assists, led the team with eight points (3 g, 2 a), including two goals and an assist in the team’s 4-0 win over St. Kitts & Nevis on Nov. 19. Buddle, who finished 11th in MLS scoring with 10 goals and four assists, finished second on the U-23s with seven points (3 g, 1 a), including two goals in the team’s 6-0 win over St. Kitts & Nevis on Nov. 15. Eskandarian, the 2003 MLS SuperDraft No. 1 pick, finished third on the team with six points (2 g, 2 a).

The roster also features the return of defender Jose Burciaga, Jr., who has recovered from the second of two severe knee injuries that forced him to miss most of his third and all of his second season with the Kansas City Wizards. Before his injury in 2003, he played in five matches for the U.S. U-23s, helping the team to a 1-1-1 record in a trio of exhibitions against reserve teams from Portugal’s first division and draws against Russia and Portugal at the at the Vale de Tejo Tournament.

Continuing to pull double duty for U.S. Youth National Teams, midfielders Ricardo Clark (MetroStars) and Bobby Convey (D.C. United) and forward Ed Johnson (Dallas Burn) rejoin the U-23s after spending the end of the year with the U.S. Under-20s, helping them to an impressive fifth place finish at the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates. Johnson led the U-20s in scoring at UAE ‘03, becoming the first U.S. player to claim Golden Boot honors with his four goals and one assist. Convey notched a pair of goals as the team’s captain and playmaker, while Clark appeared in all five games as defensive midfielder.

A pair of collegians also dots the roster in goalkeeper Steve Cronin and defender Chris Wingert. Cronin has been the U-20 starting goalkeeper for the last two years and recently earned All-Tournament honors at UAE ’03 by posting three wins (including two shutouts) and a 1.20 Goals Against Average. Cronin also led Santa Clara to the Final Four of the NCAA Men’s College Cup in Columbus, Ohio, where they were edged 1-0 by eventual champion Indiana. Wingert and his St. John’s team made it a step further, falling 2-1 to the Hoosiers in the national championship game. The 2003 Big East Defender of the Year is one of three finalists for the M.A.C./Hermann Award, which goes to the nation’s top Div. 1 player and will be awarded on January 9.

Notably absent from the camp roster are Belgium-based defenders and normal U-23 starters Oguchi Onyewu (R.A.A. Louviere) and Alexander Yi (Royal Antwerp F.C.), who will remain in Europe for Winter Break.

The U.S. Under-23 MNT began the road to the 2004 Olympics in November, where they defeated the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts & Nevis in the second round of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying by an aggregate score of 10-0 in a home-and-home series after receiving a bye in the first round.

At the final round of qualifying in Mexico, the USA will play all three Group A matches at Estadio Tres de Marzo, facing Panama first on Tuesday, Feb. 3, followed by matches against Canada on Thursday, Feb. 5 and Honduras on Sunday, Feb. 7. Kickoff times have yet to be determined for any of the final round matches, but all U.S. games can be followed by fans live via ussoccer.com's MatchTracker, presented by Philips Electronics.

The tournament opens on Feb. 2 with Group B action featuring Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and the host nation at Estadio Jalisco. The top two teams from each group will meet in the single-elimination semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Estadio Jalisco, with the winner of Group A meeting the second-place team from Group B, and the winner of Group B meeting the second-place team from Group A. The two semi-final winners will earn automatic berths to Athens 2004 and meet in the final on Feb. 12.

U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team Roster

January 2004 Olympic Qualifying Camp

January 4-18, 2004

Carson, Calif.

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate Hometown Club

Beasley, DaMarcus M 5’9” 140 05/24/82 Fort Wayne, Ind. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Beckerman, Kyle M 5’10” 155 04/03/82 Crofton, Md. Colorado Rapids (MLS)

Borchers, Nat D 6’2” 175 04/13/81 Pueblo, Colo. Colorado Rapids (MLS)

Buddle, Edson F 6’1” 170 05/02/81 New Rochelle, N.Y. Columbus Crew (MLS)

Burciaga, Jr., Jose D 6’1” 165 11/16/81 Duncanville, Texas Kansas City Wizards (MLS)

Carroll, Brian M 5’10” 155 07/20/81 Springfield, Va. D.C. United (MLS)

Casey, Conor F 6’2” 190 07/25/81 Gilpin, Colo. F.C. Karlsruher (Germany)

Clark, Ricardo M 5’10” 150 05/10/83 Jonesboro, Ga. MetroStars (MLS)

Convey, Bobby M 5’9” 155 05/27/83 Philadelphia, Pa. D.C. United (MLS)

Countess, D.J. GK 6’1” 185 01/09/82 Sacramento, Calif. Dallas Burn (MLS)

Cronin, Steve GK 6’2” 190 05/28/83 Fair Oaks, Calif. Santa Clara (NCAA Div. 1)

Davis, Brad M 5’11” 165 11/08/81 St. Charles, Mo. Dallas Burn (MLS)

Donovan, Landon F 5’9” 155 03/04/82 Redlands, Calif. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

Eskandarian, Alecko F 5’9” 165 07/09/82 Montvale, N.J. D.C. United (MLS)

Gaven, Eddie M 6’0” 145 10/25/86 Hamilton, N.J. MetroStars (MLS)

Gray, Kelly D 6’2” 170 04/07/81 San Jose, Calif. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Johnson, Eddie M/F 6’0” 180 03/31/84 Palm Coast, Fla. Dallas Burn (MLS)

Lewis, Ricky D 6’0” 170 05/29/82 Spring, Texas Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Martino, Kyle M 5’10” 145 02/19/81 Westport, Conn. Columbus Crew (MLS)

Pause, Logan M 5’10” 155 08/22/81 Hillsborough, N.C. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Stokes, David D 6’3” 200 05/28/82 Dumfries, Va. D.C. United (MLS)

Testo, David F 5’10” 160 08/07/81 Arden, N.C. Richmond Kickers (A-League)

Thompson, Scot D 6’0” 180 02/11/81 Rancho S. Margarita, Calif. Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Warren, Doug GK 6’0” 195 03/18/81 Hoffman Estates, Ill. D.C. United (MLS)

Wingert, Chris D 5’10” 160 06/16/82 Babylon, N.Y. St. John’s University (NCAA Div. I)

- U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team Staff -

Head Coach: Glenn “Mooch” Myernick

Assistant Coach: Thomas Rongen

Assistant Coach: Ralph Perez

Goalkeeper Coach: Tim Mulqueen

Team Coordinator: R.J. Noto

Trainer: Dave Andrews

Equipment Manager: John McDonald

Press Officer: Bryan Chenault

[Gian-Luca]

Note - I believe the final rosters will be of 18 players for the qualifiers.

[Crazy_Yank]

That's a very strong US team. I feel they'd give the senior team a run for their money.

[canadiankick97]

I had no idea Landon Donovan was that young!

[Gian-Luca]

One possible correction - I've read elsewhere that it will be 20 man rosters for the qualifying tourney. That would be preferable for us, as I can foresee us not having certain players (like De Guzman and Klukowski) for the entire tourney and thus having a couple of extra bodies for the matches where they aren't available could be useful.

[Free kick]

These are the rosters released from concacaf.com. datede 12/31/03

HONDURAS

GK: John Bodden (CD Victoria), Donis Ecobar (CD Olímpia), Maximiliano Padilla (Real CD España);

DF: Víctor Bernárdez (Vida), Mario Berríos, Maynor Figueroa (CD Olímpia), Nery Medina (CD Motagua), Sergio Mendoza (Real CD España), Wilson Palacios (CD Palacios), Roy Posas (CD Motagua);

MD: Alex Andino (CD Platense), Samir Arzú (Real CD España), Mario Chávez, Clifford Laing, Emil Martínez (CD Marathón), Walter Martínez (CD Victoria), Ronal Maradiaga (CD Victoria), Hendry Tomas (CD Olímpia);

AT: Jeffrey Brooks, Henry Jiménez (Real CD España), Jerry Palacios (CD Olímpia), Avidán Solís (CD Motagua).

TD: Edwin PAVÓN

JAMAICA

Jacomena Barrett (Portmore United FC), Marlon Bennett (Constant Spring FC), Desmond Breakenridge (Waterhouse FC), Fabian Dawkins (Village United), Rolando Dean (Tivolit Gardens FC), Wayne Ellis (Arnett Gardens FC), Maurice Evans (Portmore United FC), Weston Forrest (Waterhouse FC), Christopher Harvey (Harbour View FC), Lenworth Hyde (Tivoli Gardens FC), Keith Kelly (Arnett Gardens FC), Richard McCallum (Invaders United), Lovell Palmer (Harbour View FC), Demar Phillips (Waterhouse FC), Garfield Reid (Rivoli United), Tyrone Sawyers (Portmore United FC), Luton Shelton (Harbour View FC), Carlington Smith (Portmore United FC), Khari Stephenson (Real Mona/D2), Alex Thomas (Arnett Gardens FC), Shavar Thomas (Dallas Burn/USA), Allien Whittaker (Rivoli United), Damion William (Seba United), Wolry Wolfe (Portmore United FC).

TD: Peter CARGILL

MEXICO

GK: José de Jesús Corona (Atlas CF), Cicilo Saucedo Najera (León);

DF: Jaime Duran (Atlas CF), Aarón Galindo (CDSC Cruz Azul), Diego Martínez (CID Necaxa), Omar Moniaraz (Jaguares), Mario Pérez (CID Necaxa), Gonzalo Pineda (Pumas UNAM), Francisco Javier Rodríguez (CD Guadalajara), Ismael de Jesús Rodríguez (CF Monterrey), Hugo Sánchez (Tigres UANL);

MD: Rodolfo Espinoza (CID Necaxa), Ismael Iñiguez (Pumas UNAM), Luis Ernesto Pérez (CF Monterrey), Ricardo Elgabry Rangel (Club Santos Laguna);

AT: Juan Carlos Cacho (CDSC Cruz Azul), Nery Alberto Castillo (Olimpiakos/GRE), Juan José De La Cruz (Atlas CF), Gerardo Espinoza (Atlas CF), Juan Pablo García (Atlas CF), Rafael Márquez Lugo (Jaguares), Sergio Amaury Ponce (CD Toluca FC), Luis Alonso Sandoval (CD Guadalajara).

TD: Ricardo LAVOLPE

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Kerry Baptiste (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Kevin Carter (Defence Force), Devon Caseman (Joe Public), Michael Celestine (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Errol Charles (Starworld Strikers), Kevon Clement (SWIF), Nigel Daniel (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Kendall Davis (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Lyndo Diaz (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Kevin Graham (Joe Public), Josh Johnson (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Kenwyne Jones (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Clyde Leon (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Dean Logan (Mobile University/USA), Camaro Maloney, Jason Marcano (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Devon Mitchell (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Anthony Noreiga (George Mason University/USA), Jason Norville (Watford/ENG), Ronald Primus (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Corey Rivers (Defence Force), Colin Samuel (Dundee United/SCO), Scott Sealey (Wake Forest University/USA), Conrad Smith (Caledonia AIA), Silvio Spann (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Denzil Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Kern Thomas (North East Stars), Daurance Williams (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Jan Michael Williams (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Anthony Wolfe (North East Stars), Glenton Wolfe (North East Stars).

TD: Stuart Charles FEVRIER

USA

GK: D.J. Countess (Dallas Burn), Steve Cronin (Santa Clara University), Doug Warren (D.C. United);

DF: Nat Borchers (Colorado Rapids), Jose Burciaga Jr. (Kansas City Wizards), Kelly Gray (Chicago Fire), Ricky Lewis (Los Angeles Galaxy), David Stokes (D.C. United), Scot Thompson (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chris Wingert (St. John’s University);

MD: DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire), Kyle Beckerman (Colorado Rapids), Brian Carroll (D.C. United), Ricardo Clark (NY/NJ MetroStars), Bobby Convey (D.C. United), Brad Davis (Dallas Burn), Eddie Gaven (NY/NJ MetroStars), Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire);

AT: Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew), Conor Casey (FC Karlsruher/GER), Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes), Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United), Ed Johnson (Dallas Burn), David Testo (Richmond Kickers/D2).

TD: Glenn MYERNICK

[Gian-Luca]

Outside of the US its very difficult to know what to make of these other squads, as they are largely made up of local players playing for local teams we don't see much (or any of).

[Free kick]

quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca

Outside of the US its very difficult to know what to make of these other squads, as they are largely made up of local players playing for local teams we don't see much (or any of).

true.. what is known is that the US is made up of primarily MLS players and Mexico is comprised primarily of players whose club affiliations are with top level clubs in teh establish mexican league. There are two ways to look at it.

Travel and availability could be an issue with the two key players mentioned above. Also, there has been some mention in La Louviere's supporters forum that Klukowski is drawing some interest from bigger clubs as the transfer window opens. This is all rumour mind you but the names of anderlecht and Benfica have been bandied around. What is a little more credible is the fact that it will be difficult for them to keep him beyond this year given that he is thought, in some circles( ie.: supporters forum), to be one of the best defenders in the Jupiler league and his contract expires in 2005. Meaning, prying him loose for Olympic qualifying could be a real challenge if a move is in the offing. You could probably say the same for DeGuzman as far as availability.

Beyond that we are pretty thin. Especially in the offensive and goal scoring department, compared to the Americans. CRC has not released thier squad. But if Winston Parks is available, thats a plus for them even if they are in the other group. So if we cross over in the knockout stage. But overall, Yes I agree it is hard to tell when you look at this list of players from teh other nation. Off hand I don't see anything other than domestic clubs next to the player names. So aside from Mex and US there is no real reason for concern or not.

[Gian-Luca]

Based on what we do know, if Canada can get the services of the revised "Fab Five" (De Guzman, Klukowski, Hume, Hutchinson and Nsaliwa - 3 of which are original members of the band) for the tourney I like our chances quite a bit. Honduras hasn't done much at the last two U20 tourneys, while we have qualified for both, and they struggled to get past Haiti. This suggests to me that we should have a good shot at least making the semi-final round (even if we don't finish ahead of the US), and if we win the S-F match (against likely either CR or Mexico) we have qualified. I guess the question then becomes how good are Mexico going to be at home, but not at Azteca (I believe the tourney is in Guadalajara).

With the Fab Five I'm not sure there is that much to choose from (on paper) between the US and Canada, even with the US having a "Fab Five" of their own (Donovan, Beasely, Convey, Casey, Clark). Perhaps the biggest difference is in the nets & depth at striker position, with the edge to the US in this instance.

But I'm not sure there is an advantage at the back - if Atiba plays back there once again you might even give us the edge (with Pozniak, Braz & Oppong making up the rest of the back four). Even if you replace Hutchinson with Arango, I think Andres can do the job back there & is coming off an excellent U20 tourney. In midfield, you might argue that De Guzman would give us the advantage, despite the presence of Convey. We know Tam can take care of DMB. Placentino, Klukowski, De Guzman, Nsaliwa - all playing at a fairly decent level (and some cases, excellent) level in Europe, and again, we might see Hutchinson there as well. That doesn't leave any room on the starting line-up for Dunfield & Masciantonio.

Up front, if we get Hume, I believe he will go a long way in helping us get some goals. But Canizalez & Friend can score at this level & I can see Matondo coming in handy as well. MC2 & Matondo both scored in that 2-0 victory over the US a year ago (before they turned around and beat us in the next match by the same score).

So for me, much depends on who get access to. Which is sadly always the case, isn't it?

[Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca

...even with the US having a "Fab Five" of their own (Donovan, Beasely, Convey, Casey, Clark).

Buddle, particularly, and Martino are very good players as well. It would not surprise me if Buddle was ahead of Casey on the US depth chart. He will be very difficult for us to contain. Not sure that we have a centre back who can, frankly. Countess is overrated IMO - like so many of the american keepers more of an athlete than technically proficient. Cronin, however, did well in the U-20 tournament. Didn't get a chance to see him play so I have no idea about his relative ability.

The biggest factor, however, is that the US will have all of their players available, and they will undoubtedly be in a long camp prior to the tournament.

[Gian-Luca]

Well, much of the Canadian team will have been together since late December (we played Martinique's senior team on the 29th and will be together for much of January) so that helps a bit. (Speaking of which, isn't it time that the respective January camps were announced by Yallop & Co.? January 12th is only a week away).

None of the Fab Five were there, however.

Conor Casey was a starter, AFAIR, for their previous Olympic team that went to the semi's of the Olympic tourney itself. He's got the experience and has scored a few goals in the 2nd Bundesliga, so if Buddle is ahead of him then Buddle must be quite the player (I've never seen him play, nor heard much about him, so I don't know - but given that fact, I am skeptical at the moment).

Its interesting to note how far the US went last time (a team that drew with us in qualifying) with several players (Donovan, Casey, DMB) young enough to qualify for the Olympics a 2nd time. It demonstrates that at this tourney you can see teams going far even if they have a number of 19 & 20 year olds in the line-up (as I suspect we may have, with Atiba, Hume, Matondo, Arango & possibly Karim & Ledgerwood in the squad).

In any event, I won't be too upset if we finish 2nd to the Yanks, if we still qualify as the 2nd place team. Qualification is all that matters.

[Gordon]

Here is a link re: Buddle. I have not seen a lot of him first hand, but I like what I have seen.

http://ussoccerplayers.com/players/395467.html

[Ivan]

I agree with Gordon, Kyle Martino is an excellent player. Have not seen Buddle enough to comment, but he did have 10 or so MLS goals so he cannot be taken for granted.

We put three goals past Cronin in the U20 Qualification final so he can be beat, but Countess may start regardless.

Speaking of which, I wonder who our starting keeper will be?

[Andrew W]

Buddle missed almost half the season through injury. To poach 10 in half a year is impressive. I've only seen him on television and he seems like a physical presence with the ability to finish.

And G-L, don't you think Simpson would be the more likely candidate to be promoted to the U-23s than Ledgerwood? I like Nik, alot, but left-sided players with pace and a willingness to take on defenders aren't exactly a dime a dozen.

[Gian-Luca]

Well, the link certainly suggests what we've said earlier, greater depth up front than we have, but I'd still have to take experience & scoring in the 2nd Bundesliga vs. scoring a few goals for a non-playoff MLS team (especially since its somewhat difficult to miss the playoffs in the MLS).

[Gian-Luca]

quote:Originally posted by Andrew W

Buddle missed almost half the season through injury. To poach 10 in half a year is impressive. I've only seen him on television and he seems like a physical presence with the ability to finish.

And G-L, don't you think Simpson would be the more likely candidate to be promoted to the U-23s than Ledgerwood? I like Nik, alot, but left-sided players with pace and a willingness to take on defenders aren't exactly a dime a dozen.

Its just that Simpson will have Placentino & Canizalez ahead of him as an offensive left-sided player, and which one of those two would you get rid of to make room for Simpson? (Possibly neither, if MC2 is considered an out & out striker). Whereas Ledgerwood can play in the back four on the right side & could be good cover for Pozniak in that position should Chris pick up an injury/yellow card suspension. I think Nik would be less likely to play on the right side of midfield, with Tam, Dunfield & Matondo as possibilities (though Matondo might play as an out & out striker), but could even provide cover if named to a 20-man squad.

I'm also not particularly bothered that Ledgerwood didn't feature that much in the U20's - we've seen that different coaches can have different preferences for players, with Twamley benching Karim after 45 minutes but Mitchell going with him all the way ahead of a lot of Euro-based competition.

[Andrew W]

quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca

Its just that Simpson will have Placentino & Canizalez ahead of him as an offensive left-sided player, and which one of those two would you get rid of to make room for Simpson? (Possibly neither, if MC2 is considered an out & out striker). Whereas Ledgerwood can play in the back four on the right side & could be good cover for Pozniak in that position should Chris pick up an injury/yellow card suspension. I think Nik would be less likely to play on the right side of midfield, with Tam, Dunfield & Matondo as possibilities (though Matondo might play as an out & out striker), but could even provide cover if named to a 20-man squad.

I'm also not particularly bothered that Ledgerwood didn't feature that much in the U20's - we've seen that different coaches can have different preferences for players, with Twamley benching Karim after 45 minutes but Mitchell going with him all the way ahead of a lot of Euro-based competition.

You know what, it's nice to have a discussion about maybe having too many players at certain positions. I like this depth thing.

As for Simpson, I simply advocate for any player that puts the bit between their teeth and will take on the opponent. It's nice to have options.

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by Ivan

We put three goals past Cronin in the U20 Qualification final so he can be beat, but Countess may start regardless.

Speaking of which, I wonder who our starting keeper will be?

A lot of people in the US thinks that Cronin is the real deal and being chosen in the U-20 all-star team show that they maybe right.

As for who's gonna start in goal for us, it should be Olivieri but Karim did very well at the U-20 WYC so Karim could start as well. I wouldn't be surprise if Twamley choose 2 GK that we never heard of, since our GKing situation is changing every day.

BTW, someone knows who are the players currently training in Florida?

[Gian-Luca]

USA set to show mettle in Olympic hunt

7.1.04 - If the USA are to keep their footballing progress on an upward trajectory and replicate the successes they saw at the Olympics four years ago, they will first need to navigate their way through a tricky CONCACAF qualifying tournament for a place in the Athens sun. With two FIFA World Cup™ veterans, a stable of wide-eyed youngsters and a raft of insatiable talent in the squad, U-23 head coach Glenn Myernick will still have his work cut out come 2 February in Guadalajara, Mexico. FIFA.com sat down for a chat with the experienced boss from the USA’s headquarters at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Four years ago in Sydney, the USA went a long way to confounding their many critics with a first-time run to the medal round. Though they failed to finish in the coveted top three, fourth place was still a best-ever Olympic result for the North American outsiders. And if one were inclined to listen to current coach Myernick, the table could just be set for better things this time around.

A more-complete pool

“It’s the first time I can remember that we’ve had the heart of the pool here at training camp,” the coach told FIFA.com from Carson - where Bruce Arena and the full national side are also taking their first steps toward Germany 2006. “Everyone is really excited about getting started and looking forward to grabbing a spot in the Olympics.”

In the age of regrettable club v. country rifts, having nearly a full squad at his disposal ahead of a major competition is a national team coach’s wildest dream. “These guys are all pros and getting them all together is nearly impossible,” Myernick said nearly halfway through his side’s two-week training camp. “Obviously each of the guys here is a gifted player in his own right, but it’s my job to bring all of that talent together and build chemistry. It’s far easier to do that with everybody, or nearly everybody.”

With a current pool of 25 players from which to choose, the USA boss who assisted Arena at the FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan 2002 will still need to cut five further players before crossing the Rio Grande for Mexico. With a squad brimming with budding talent and seasoned stars, the choice will prove no easy one.

Still some cuts to be made

“It isn’t exactly rocket science,” the boss scoffed. “You need a few guys who can defend, a couple who can create and score, and a goalkeeper. But there are a lot of grey areas. You need to understand how players work together and complement each other, how they react to certain situations. This is the tricky part. It takes time, and that is why this camp is so crucial.”

In the decidedly home-grown list of 25 are such relatively knowledgeable old hands as Sydney and Seoul veterans DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan. According to Myernick, their level of experience could go a long way to tipping the scales. “There is no substitute for experience,” he said. “As a coach there is only so much you can do. Once things get underway and the guys get out onto the field you need to have guys out there with those internal leadership qualities. Beasley and Donovan and even (Bobby) Convey are going to have to fill those roles for us.

20-year-old Convey is one of four players in Myernick’s pool who have just returned home from an impressive quarter-final run at the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates.

“The experience that Convey and (Eddie) Johnson, (Steve) Cronin and Ricardo Clark, had in the Emirates can only have a positive impact on this team,” he said. “The greatest attribute a player can have is confidence. A lot of times it can be more important than experience and skill, and these boys will be brimming with it.”

First things first

Though it may be tempting to put the cart before the horse with such a talented stable of footballers at his disposal, Myernick knows it will take a complete effort as they take on Canada, Honduras and Panama in Group A of the final round of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament next month. COMPLETE SCHEDULE

“We have to find the best combination and strike a balance and try not worry too much about our individual opponents,” the coach said. “We just have to make sure that we are as prepared as we can be. We want to our opponents to worry about us instead of us worrying about them.”

The other group is comprised of Mexico, Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica. The two top finishers from each group will square off in the semi-final round on 10 February, and the two finalists will automatically qualify for the finals.

Myernick sees a distinct difference in this team from the one he coached only eight years ago - namely that only three of the 25 are now amateurs – with 22 plying their trade in the still-teething Major League Soccer.

“It is simply unbelievable,” he said. “Back in 1996, I was Arena’s assistant at the Olympics in Atlanta. Back then the side was basically a university all-star team and now pretty much the whole gang are professionals.”

[Gian-Luca]

Some Canadian news to pass on - according to an interview with Twamley in the new issue of WFP, clubs have no obligation from FIFA to release players (unlike the U17, U20 & World Cup, which are all FIFA tourneys). Because the Olympic qualifying tourney is not going to be held on FIFA dates, we have to rely entirely on goodwill from the clubs to get our many European-based players, which might result is Canada fielding a "split-squad" for the matches.

This news is making me less optimistic about qualifying. I guess we'll have to wait & see who we are able to get. I think the match against Panama is on a Saturday that many of the players would have club dates on. In some ways that is good news - I think we'd have a better chance of defeating Panama than say, the US, without our big Euro players on the team. If we can get a full squad for the Honduras & US matches (which are held first) & then get them back (jetlagged & all) for the semi-final match, that might be enough.

[Gian-Luca]

Reports on bigsoccer.com that US player Ricardo Clark is injured & may be doubtful for the qualifying tourney. As for Canada, Dunfield left today's match for Bury with an injury, not sure how serious it is or if it will affect his participation in qualifying.

[Gian-Luca]

Latest news out of the US camp is that Edson Buddle has an achilles heel injury & will miss the entire qualifying tournament. So now the US will be without Buddle & Casey, as well as Onyewu. Perhaps with a few more injuries they might end up fielding as depleted a roster as we are likely to.

[Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca

Latest news out of the US camp is that Edson Buddle has an achilles heel injury & will miss the entire qualifying tournament. So now the US will be without Buddle & Casey, as well as Onyewu. Perhaps with a few more injuries they might end up fielding as depleted a roster as we are likely to.

After Casey and Buddle, the US does not have a forward of note to complement Donovan. Johnson, Testo and Eskandarian are all pretty good players, but they are nothing to worry about. I was trying to think of potential call ups, and there are none that I'd fear. I was giving the US a big advantage up front, but I think it is considerably smaller now.

[Crazy_Yank]

quote:Originally posted by Gordon

After Casey and Buddle, the US does not have a forward of note to complement Donovan. Johnson, Testo and Eskandarian are all pretty good players, but they are nothing to worry about. I was trying to think of potential call ups, and there are none that I'd fear. I was giving the US a big advantage up front, but I think it is considerably smaller now.

The U20 world cup golden boot winner is nothing to hear? Hmmm...I certainly hope your U23 men's team feels the same way. It'll make a US victory a lot easier.

[kclee]

quote:Originally posted by Crazy_Yank

The U20 world cup golden boot winner is nothing to hear? Hmmm...I certainly hope your U23 men's team feels the same way. It'll make a US victory a lot easier.

If 3 of the goals weren't from the penalty spot it would be more impressive.