So basically all national teams are playing friendlies in the 2 week’s or so before the WC. Our game with Atlanta is five days before the WC begins.
Does this mean that Almiron/Martinez/etc might miss the game against NYCFC for pre-WC friendlies?
i doubt it ...quick google search says the Paraguay friendly is vs japan on June 12 and its in Switzerland....if anything he flies out after our game
That would include:I think this is probably right, but it is hard to know for sure. There may be other friendlies that are not on certain schedules. Outside of the 32 teams in the World Cup, those are hit or miss.
The USA also has games between May 28 and June 9, and both Orlando and Atlanta have several players that should be in the mix for a call up.
Yep. I could also see MLS players being called in for fewer than all 3 games.That would include:
Orlando: Dom Dwyer (likely), Sacha Kljestan (unlikely) - also wouldn't be surprised to see someone like Chris Mueller get a call up to see what he has - especially for friendlies such as this
Atlanta: Brad Guzan (unlikely and hopefully not), Greg Garza, Darlington Nagbe
Could go either way on Garza or Nagbe on if they're included or not. I'm guessing Nagbe would be included and Garza not, but could see both or neither.
That would be smart, fair and considerate.Yep. I could also see MLS players being called in for fewer than all 3 games.
Also, good to see Nico Lodeiro get the callup for Uruguay. Hopefully he makes it to their 23.
And if I'm reading this (https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/14/mls-players-named-2018-fifa-world-cup-squads) appropriately, did Costa Rica choose their final 23? Based on how this is worded, it appears that way, and includes both Mata and Wallace. I thought they had only announced a provisional roster. Also interesting as it includes Urena who isn't back fully training yet.
If this wording is true, then quite a few MLS players on the Costa Rica squad, and Gustav Svensson on the Sweden squad. Also lists Yotun is on Peru's roster, but lists that number at 24??? Perhaps that number includes Guerrero who won't be going, so makes it 23.
Also, good to see Nico Lodeiro get the callup for Uruguay. Hopefully he makes it to their 23.
And if I'm reading this (https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/14/mls-players-named-2018-fifa-world-cup-squads) appropriately, did Costa Rica choose their final 23? Based on how this is worded, it appears that way, and includes both Mata and Wallace. I thought they had only announced a provisional roster. Also interesting as it includes Urena who isn't back fully training yet.
If this wording is true, then quite a few MLS players on the Costa Rica squad, and Gustav Svensson on the Sweden squad. Also lists Yotun is on Peru's roster, but lists that number at 24??? Perhaps that number includes Guerrero who won't be going, so makes it 23.
I also thought it was a provisional squad for Costa Rica, but...
Link?Regarding the US roster(s) for WC-related friendlies, this Matt Doyle article picking a roster for an alternate universe USMNT World Cup squad is a useful reference. You might not like his choices, but he lists just about every possible option.[/QUOTE
Link?
That would help, wouldn't it.Link?
That would help, wouldn't it.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/16/armchair-analyst-my-us-national-team-2018-world-cup-squad
That would help, wouldn't it.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/16/armchair-analyst-my-us-national-team-2018-world-cup-squad
Tommy Mac must've already been called to the alternate universe Irish National TeamBen Sweat and Sean Johnson make the considered but not selected options.
Anyone else find it odd that we have 2 players on the roster for a World Cup squad who don't even start for us?
Costa Rica play a completely different style and are taking their supposed Best 23, and while theyre part of the Best Costa Rica has to offer, it that doesn’t mean they’d start for any/every club team.Anyone else find it odd that we have 2 players on the roster for a World Cup squad who don't even start for us?
I see the logic, and I understand why this is so. But I also look at Doyle's mythic US World Cup squad. Costa Rica kicked our ass in the US last year. They're better than us right now. Nobody including Doyle is that impressed with his mythical squad, and as far as I can tell that team doesn't have anyone who hasn't started >50% of his club games in the current season, except Brooks and Rowe, who clearly both would have done so but for being injured. If we were in the World Cup and had a squad that included 2 players who don't start for the same MLS club I'd be gobsmacked. I guess Mata does fit into the injury category (though I'm not sure PV starts him anyway, crazy as that may be in itself), but this just seems off. Jeez, Wallace is healthy and averages 36 minutes a game and has 4 DNPs in 11 games. Could he possibly make a US squad right now?Costa Rica play a completely different style and are taking their supposed Best 23, and while theyre part of the Best Costa Rica has to offer, it that doesn’t mean they’d start for any/every club team.
I think CR has a very good starting 11 and drops off after that. I think CR also played a very poorly assembled US team led by an overly confident demagogue Manager. No way Wallace makes a properly constructed US team, and by that, the young European-based studs as central figures (that Arena conveniently left off the team not being his guys). Mata may make the team if we have a permanent opening on the physio table, but Altidore seems to have that spot locked up any time a meaningful tournament/match takes place.I see the logic, and I understand why this is so. But I also look at Doyle's mythic US World Cup squad. Costa Rica kicked our ass in the US last year. They're better than us right now. Nobody including Doyle is that impressed with his mythical squad, and as far as I can tell that team doesn't have anyone who hasn't started >50% of his club games in the current season, except Brooks and Rowe, who clearly both would have done so but for being injured. If we were in the World Cup and had a squad that included 2 players who don't start for the same MLS club I'd be gobsmacked. I guess Mata does fit into the injury category (though I'm not sure PV starts him anyway, crazy as that may be in itself), but this just seems off. Jeez, Wallace is healthy and averages 36 minutes a game and has 4 DNPs in 11 games. Could he possibly make a US squad right now?