US Soccer Names Roster for First Camp of 2007...
US Soccer's new head man has released his first roster ahead of the camp starting January 4th in preparation for the first match of 2007 against Denmark. Bob Bradley's roster contained some familiar names to MLS fans as 28 of 29 players play domestically. It should be no surprise that 3 of the 29 players on the camp roster are Chivas USA players, Bradley's former team.
This brings up a couple interesting points. First, Chivas USA has sent 3 players to the US National Team camp. A few years ago when Chivas USA was first rumored and then created fans across the country cried foul as "Mexican soccer was taking over." I hope all of those posters on Big Soccer now realize it Chivas USA isn't a Mexican farm team and they are making a contribution to US Soccer.
The second interesting point is that three of the top young players on this camp roster are from Chivas USA. Bradley did a terrific job in the 2007 draft selecting Johnathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan and he knows first hand they have earned a call up to the senior nats. While Bradley wasn't responsible for drafting Brad Guzan, he does know how skilled the young keeper is. I'm glad to see Bradley bring along some of his old team. These kinds of camp experiences are important in the development of the young American footballers.
Let's look at some of the statistics on this camp roster:
- 76% of the players have five or fewer caps
- 34% of the players have not played in a match for the senior national team
- 10% were drafted into MLS in 2006
- 41% have played in a FIFA World Championship roster with the United States at either the World Cup, Olympics, U-20 or U-17 level
The team is obviously missing all of the European stars who are in mid-season, so this camp is an opportunity for the new coach to cast a wide net. Bob Bradley is certainly looking at the up and coming youth...notice the absence of long time national teamers like Eddie Pope, World Cup vets like Brian Ching and fantastic flame outs like Eddie Johnson.
Landon Donovan is the most experienced player on the roster with 84 caps, at 24 years old that is a little frightening. I haven't yet seen the leadership qualities required from Donovan. We'll see if Bradley can coax them out.
I'm looking forward to January to see how this young MLS crew tackles the challenge of a full national team match. Here's to a new year!
This brings up a couple interesting points. First, Chivas USA has sent 3 players to the US National Team camp. A few years ago when Chivas USA was first rumored and then created fans across the country cried foul as "Mexican soccer was taking over." I hope all of those posters on Big Soccer now realize it Chivas USA isn't a Mexican farm team and they are making a contribution to US Soccer.
The second interesting point is that three of the top young players on this camp roster are from Chivas USA. Bradley did a terrific job in the 2007 draft selecting Johnathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan and he knows first hand they have earned a call up to the senior nats. While Bradley wasn't responsible for drafting Brad Guzan, he does know how skilled the young keeper is. I'm glad to see Bradley bring along some of his old team. These kinds of camp experiences are important in the development of the young American footballers.
Let's look at some of the statistics on this camp roster:
- 76% of the players have five or fewer caps
- 34% of the players have not played in a match for the senior national team
- 10% were drafted into MLS in 2006
- 41% have played in a FIFA World Championship roster with the United States at either the World Cup, Olympics, U-20 or U-17 level
The team is obviously missing all of the European stars who are in mid-season, so this camp is an opportunity for the new coach to cast a wide net. Bob Bradley is certainly looking at the up and coming youth...notice the absence of long time national teamers like Eddie Pope, World Cup vets like Brian Ching and fantastic flame outs like Eddie Johnson.
Landon Donovan is the most experienced player on the roster with 84 caps, at 24 years old that is a little frightening. I haven't yet seen the leadership qualities required from Donovan. We'll see if Bradley can coax them out.
I'm looking forward to January to see how this young MLS crew tackles the challenge of a full national team match. Here's to a new year!
posted by Bonji at
1:22 PM
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