|
|
End To End: U.S. Players Rise -- And Fall -- In European Openers
The European seasons have kicked off, providing some adjustments to the look of the U.S. national team. Goal.com's Noah Davis breaks down the rising and falling players.
Aug 25, 2009 10:00:01 PM
By Noah Davis
The United States Men's National Team has a little less than a month between World Cup qualifying matches, but with the season beginning over in Europe, there's plenty of fodder for this week's End to End column.
Rising
Jozy Altidore
The teenager waited a frustrating two weeks to get his work permit, causing him to miss Hull City's opening match against Chelsea, but the striker entered last weekend's affair with 30 minutes left and made his presence known almost immediately. His creative first touch found a streaking Kamel Ghilas, who didn't miss the game-winner. Three days later, he netted the second goal in Hull's Carling Cup match with Southend. Phil Brown should continue to include his young charge in the Tigers rotation. At this stage of his career, Altidore needs to play all the time and going to the recently promoted English Premier League side looks to be the perfect tonic to cure last year's lost season. (Now can Freddy Adu follow Jozy's lead?)
Heath Pearce
Rumors abound that the defender, who has been without a club since parting ways with Hansa Rostock, is headed to Major League Soccer's FC Dallas. Back in April, Pearce told Goal.com, "I need to be playing," and this remains true. Although the fullback made the trip to South Africa for the Confederations Cup, U.S. manager Bob Bradley left him off the 20-man roster that traveled to Estadio Azteca. The left back situation is unsettled, but until Pearce starts playing again, he'll be behind Jonathan Bornstein on the depth chart. Getting to Dallas couldn't come soon enough.
Kenny Cooper
We move from a possible future member of FCD to a player who recently left the Texas club to return to Europe. When the tall forward said goodbye to his Major League Soccer home and joined 1860 Munich, some questioned whether it was the right move. It's still too early to tell, but over the weekend Cooper tallied his second goal in three matches. It was an excellent effort. He received a pass 40 yards from goal, charged towards the net, cut back against the grain, and fired a shot that slipped just inside the post. The former Manchester United project is another player who didn't make the Mexico roster, losing his spot to Conor Casey. If Cooper can continue to produce, however, Bradley will have to give him a hard look (even if the striker plays a game that's similar to that of Altidore and Charlie Davies).
Clint Dempsey
Two out of three ain't bad. The Texas-born midfielder registered an assist in Fulham's EPL season-opening victory over Portsmouth and followed that performance up with a goal against FK Amkar Perm his club's Europa League fixture. Dempsey didn't make an impact against Chelsea, but then again none of his teammates did either. The midfielder/striker is developing a nice partnership with Bobby Zamora and has shaken off the tired legs that plagued him in Mexico City. The Cottagers rewarded their star with a new contract in the off-season and he's out to prove their investment was smart. (Bradley, of course, must be hoping Dempsey doesn't exhaust himself favoring club over country.)
Jonathan Spector
The right back during the Confed Cup lost his job to Steve Cherundolo in Mexico but has figured in all of his club's matches so far this season. He hasn't been perfect, but Spector's shown his fitness and touch are returning after a long series of injuries. At just 23 years old, the defender continues to develop and played 90 minutes at left back over the weekend. It would be a luxury to have such a versatile backliner -- Spector usually plays in the middle at West Ham -- on the roster during the World Cup next summer.
Falling
Oguchi Onyewu
Putting the rock of the American backline -- the man who made headlines signing with A.C. Milan last month -- in this category (by himself!) is harsh, I know, but it's that very transfer that lands him here. At this point in the young campaign, Onyewu sits fourth on the Rossoneri centerback depth chart behind Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, and Daniele Bonera. Simply put, that will need to change. The training grounds and the bench aren't ideal places for a footballer who needs to continue to refine his touch. "Gooch" can work his way onto the pitch, but it will take time, skill, and patience.
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com
The United States Men's National Team has a little less than a month between World Cup qualifying matches, but with the season beginning over in Europe, there's plenty of fodder for this week's End to End column.
Rising
Jozy Altidore
The teenager waited a frustrating two weeks to get his work permit, causing him to miss Hull City's opening match against Chelsea, but the striker entered last weekend's affair with 30 minutes left and made his presence known almost immediately. His creative first touch found a streaking Kamel Ghilas, who didn't miss the game-winner. Three days later, he netted the second goal in Hull's Carling Cup match with Southend. Phil Brown should continue to include his young charge in the Tigers rotation. At this stage of his career, Altidore needs to play all the time and going to the recently promoted English Premier League side looks to be the perfect tonic to cure last year's lost season. (Now can Freddy Adu follow Jozy's lead?)
Heath Pearce
Rumors abound that the defender, who has been without a club since parting ways with Hansa Rostock, is headed to Major League Soccer's FC Dallas. Back in April, Pearce told Goal.com, "I need to be playing," and this remains true. Although the fullback made the trip to South Africa for the Confederations Cup, U.S. manager Bob Bradley left him off the 20-man roster that traveled to Estadio Azteca. The left back situation is unsettled, but until Pearce starts playing again, he'll be behind Jonathan Bornstein on the depth chart. Getting to Dallas couldn't come soon enough.
Kenny Cooper
 |
Clint Dempsey
Two out of three ain't bad. The Texas-born midfielder registered an assist in Fulham's EPL season-opening victory over Portsmouth and followed that performance up with a goal against FK Amkar Perm his club's Europa League fixture. Dempsey didn't make an impact against Chelsea, but then again none of his teammates did either. The midfielder/striker is developing a nice partnership with Bobby Zamora and has shaken off the tired legs that plagued him in Mexico City. The Cottagers rewarded their star with a new contract in the off-season and he's out to prove their investment was smart. (Bradley, of course, must be hoping Dempsey doesn't exhaust himself favoring club over country.)
 |
Jonathan Spector
The right back during the Confed Cup lost his job to Steve Cherundolo in Mexico but has figured in all of his club's matches so far this season. He hasn't been perfect, but Spector's shown his fitness and touch are returning after a long series of injuries. At just 23 years old, the defender continues to develop and played 90 minutes at left back over the weekend. It would be a luxury to have such a versatile backliner -- Spector usually plays in the middle at West Ham -- on the roster during the World Cup next summer.
Falling
Oguchi Onyewu
Putting the rock of the American backline -- the man who made headlines signing with A.C. Milan last month -- in this category (by himself!) is harsh, I know, but it's that very transfer that lands him here. At this point in the young campaign, Onyewu sits fourth on the Rossoneri centerback depth chart behind Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, and Daniele Bonera. Simply put, that will need to change. The training grounds and the bench aren't ideal places for a footballer who needs to continue to refine his touch. "Gooch" can work his way onto the pitch, but it will take time, skill, and patience.
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.