Each month TYH will announce the top 25 U.S. players. The rankings will be cumulative and will take into consideration current level of play, injuries and past proficiency with the national team. The first 11 will be divided into positional leaders (4-4-2), followed by 11 reserves* and three players that deserve a shot at cap #1.
Goalkeeper:
Kasey Keller
Defenders:
Carlos Bocanegra
Oguchi Onyewu
Todd Dunivant
Jimmy Conrad
Midfielders:
Landon Donovan
Clint Dempsey
Pablo Mastroeni
DaMarcus Beasley
Forward
Taylor Twellman
Eddie Johnson
Reserves:
Kyle Beckerman, Danny Califf, Brian Ching, Bobby Convey, Jay DeMerit,
Benny Feilhaber, Marcus Hahnemann, Tim Howard, Ben Olsen, Frank Simek, Josh Wolff
Let’s have a look at:
Jozy Altidore (F), NY Energy Drinks
Charlie Davies (F), Hammarby (Sweden)
Gabriel Ferrari (F), Sampdoria (Italy)
ANALYSIS: TYH’s inaugural Top 25 has few surprises in the starting 11. “The Truth” is still the red, white and blue’s best keeper, but with the wealth of talent America has between the posts and Keller’s age, he could be challenged sooner rather than later. The U.S. is also pretty strong in the back, even with Arena’s overblown left back concerns. Dunivant seems like he could be the answer there, as the Lewis and Convey experiments were disasters. Pablo needs to be brought back into the mix in the midfield, but the usual suspects of Donovan Dempsey and Beasley are too good not to have on the field. Beasley and Dempsey, however, will need to play a little D. Finally, Twellman and Johnson are the two best forwards at the moment. However, the U.S. should take a look at three senior side rookies in Altidore, Davies and Ferrari. All three are young studs with potential and if there is one place the U.S. needs help it’s up front.
*The reserves include the best available players and may or may not reflect positional depth.
About Me
- The Yankee Hooligan
- TYH is a masked avenger for the righteousness of American soccer, converting nonbelievers and destroying those who stand in the way of our country's glorious destiny as a soccer world power.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
TYH’s Top 25!
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6 comments:
Just curious how a guy injured since mid-April and who didn't score enough for the Nats and who hasn't been capped this year (Wolff) deserves a spot on Reserves. Also, just maybe a keeper whose club is fighting for a spot in Europe beats out one whose club is facing relegation.
Wolffie was supposed to be back this week (looks like it will be another week), but you're right about him not scoring enough. Of course, who has? Perhaps Cooper should have been substituted there. Wolff was a late add that once upon a time could stretch defense. But your point is well taken. As for the keeper situation, Tim Howard will likely be the guy going forward. I'm a big Howard fan, but Keller remains the most experienced, most reliable keeper at present, despite the different directions of their respective club. The list is based on past performance with the national team as well. But lists like these are always going to create arguments and debate. Thanks for reading and commenting.
TYH
Each month TYH will announce the top 25 U.S. players of the week.
Oops, thanks! Decided to go monthly with the Top 25 and do a MLS Best 11 weekly. Thanks for the catch.
TYH
Hello....
you have Simek,Olsen & Califf but not Spector a bit strange ,no?
No Bradley?
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