23 roster places for Germany

[RSL, UT]

Originally Posted by knowwonnose

Ching over Twellman. I think that's the biggest surprise. I wonder how much Ching's hot start played into that.

I don't see what else would play into Master Bruce's thinking, although Ching is a bigger pressence and more of a "target man" than Twellman.

[Czar Jake]

I feel a bit bad for Twellman. I mean he is leading the US in scoring this year isn't he? He is the reigning MLS MVP... what more does this dude have to do to get on the WC Squad?

I don't think he's the obvious pick over Ching, but I don't know what more he can do to prove he belongs on the WC roster.

[RSL, UT]

I agree CJ, Twellman did all he could to get on the squad. If I was a bettin' man I'd put my money on E.J. getting hurt in training and Twellman stepping in.

[RSL, UT]

Originally Posted by clarette

I knew that Gregg Berhalter voodoo doll would come in handy someday... :saddam:

Then I must thank you.

[Rover]

Originally Posted by RSL, UT

I agree CJ, Twellman did all he could to get on the squad. If I was a bettin' man I'd put my money on E.J. getting hurt in training and Twellman stepping in.

Twellman's difficulty is that he's a poacher.

He's a very good poacher, and I think he has shown he can also play facing the goal, but Arena has never gone for poachers and it looks like he's not going to start now.

This is the same issue that has kept Jason Kreis from being a regular on the USMNT. Yes, he didn't exactly light it up when he did get a chance (years ago), but Arena's fondness for strikers with a vertical game means that anyone in the Twellman/Kreis mold has an uphill battle to make the team.

That said he is likely the first alternate to make the team any of the others get hurt or otherwise are out of the picture.

I have to say that, overall, this is a very strong team. How well we match up in a difficult group, I'm not sure. But for me, the key team to beat is the Czech Republic. I know, a clear and concise mastery of the obvious. But I think we match up well against the Czechs, and we need to get a result from that game if we are to avoid playing desperation ball against Ghana and Italy.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by dysko

Midfield
Donovan, Demsey, Reyna, O'Brien, Ben Olsen, DMB, Mostoeny, Convey

More comming after analysis

My prediction: JOB won't see any game time. He is a stick man. He can't stay healthy...

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by dysko

Forward
McBride, Eddie Johnson, Wolff, Ching

Wow, just wow. I should have known this whole time that Bruce was going to go with Wolff and Ching -- I mean how many chances did he give them in qualifiers and friendlies? And did they deliver? Nein. Twellman, now there's another story entirely.

Wow, just wow. I guess we all have the right to play favorites...

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by dysko

Defense
Eddie Lewis, Oguchi, Hedjuk, Pope, Churendelo, Bocanegra, Gibbs, Conrad

Conrad? Wow.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by dysko

Midfield
Donovan, Demsey, Reyna, O'Brien, Ben Olsen, DMB, Mostoeny, Convey

More comming after analysis

I must say I am happy for Benny O. I wanted him way back in '98, etc. but then came the broken ankle, etc. Way to go Benny!

He is one of my favorite players -- him and Mastroeni...

BTW, did you guys know that Benny O. is also a licensed minister, and presided over the marriage of his teammate, Nick Rimando? Cool.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by dysko

Forward
McBride, Eddie Johnson, Wolff, Ching

My pre-WC analysis:
This will be a break-out WC for Eddie Johnson, who post-WC will sign a big, fat contract in Europe.

I hate to say it but all indications point to Ching and wolff underperforming.