Feilhaber among five players dropped from U.S. Olympic qualifying roster

U.S. national team midfielder Benny Feilhaber was one of five training camp invitees to not be included in the U.S. Olympic qualifying roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Feilhaber, goalkeeper Tally Hall, defender Mike Randolph and midfielders Arturo Alvarez and Robbie Rogers did not make the 20-man roster submitted for the qualifying tournament, sources told SBI on Sunday. West Ham defender Jonathan Spector was added to the roster.

Here is the full U.S. 20-man roster for the tournament, as announced by U.S. Soccer:

GOALKEEPERS: Dominic Cervi (unattached), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS: Jonathan Spector (West Ham), Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS: Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96), Freddy Adu (SL Benfica)

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)

So what will the starting lineup look like? Here's one potential starting XI:

----------------------Altidore-----------------------

Gaven----------------Adu-------------------Zizzo

--------------Holden-------Kljestan---------------

Freeman------Sturgis---Edu-----------Wynne

-----------------------Seitz------------------------

The fact that Alvarez and Rogers were let go will come as a shock to some considering their play on the wings. Given the fact that Zizzo has played well enough to make the Hannover 96 bench for recent matches you wonder if Nowak decided he could get by with Zizzo and Gaven as wingers with Holden and Kljestan both capable of playing there if called upon.

The U.S. Under-23 national team opens Olympic qualifying on Tuesday against Cuba in Tampa before playing Panama on Thursday and Honduras on Sunday.

Share your thoughts on the roster and potential starting lineup below.

Comments

[BK]

So what you're saying is that Nowak decided to keep Chad Barrett over Arturo Alvarez and Feilhaber. You sure that's not a misprint?

Oh wait! Chad Barrett looks like Wayne Rooney, but plays like my 7-year old niece. Nevermind, that makes complete sense.

[Joamiq]

BK, that's exactly what I was going to say. Carrying 5 strikers seems unnecessary as it is, but when one of them is Chad Barrett? That's got to be a joke.

[eric]

Uh... and Bradley the younger???

[Adam R.]

Here's my theory:

Michael Orozco's experience in the Mexican league make him a good fit for the backline. That plus Spector being pulled in eliminates the need for Mo Edu to play in the backline.

Edu locks down a central midfield spot and with his range can free up Freddy to play an attacking midfield role. Klejstan is too versatile to be left off, so that means that basically Benny was beaten out of a spot by Dax McCarty.

Kamani Hill's conversion to fullback must have been a revelation or there would be no reason to keep him around. Hunter Freeman can play both fullback spots, so that explains Randolph being cut.

Robbie Rogers was apparently injured, otherwise I can't see how he'd be left off this team. Arturo Alvarez must have straight up been beaten out by Eddie Gaven for a spot, which puzzles me, as I've never been impressed by Gaven.

Hall was clearly beaten out by Cervi, who's stock is rising as fast as any goalkeeper in recent memory.

[gas huffer]

Re: Bradley...

He's scoring for Heerenveen, and they're in the title race in Holland. I'm sure they're hesitant about letting him go to the Olympics.

[Aquaman]

Guys, don't forget that Gaven is still on the team too. In fact, the pickings are so slim at midfield that Ives was forced to put him as a projected starting winger. Columbus isn't even willing to commit to that sometimes. I don't know what Nowak was thinking but maybe he's going to go with an all striker line-up.

[A C]

i dont know about that one mr. nowak....

[athan]

Well my respect for Nowak just dropped considerably! There is no doubt Feilhaber has struggled at Derby, but he is a regular on the National Team! How could a guy score a winning goal in the Gold Cup Final and not be good enough to beat out Eddie Gaven and Sal Zizzo for an U23 spot?!! Also, Alvarez is by far the best left winger in the pool. He can breakdown his defender, play a great cross, and has a great left footed shot!

And Chad Barrett? This guy is horrible on the ball and misses sitters left and right. I don't get it, I am hoping this roster is just a rumor.

[Ryan]

I have never been impressed by Nowak's decision-making and this roster just reinforces that. He's a bleepin idiot. He's trying to claim that Chad Barrett is more useful on this roster than Benny?? Give me a break! Bradley would do well to rid our MNT system of Nowak.

[HSH]

Lets see how Gaven does before we berate his skill. I know he is looked inconsistent but he has been in the MLS league since he was 16 and has proven that he has more positives then negatives. I think he will raise some eyebrows in the qualifiers if he plays his game. Lets not forget he has been playing with one of the greatest Argentines of all time in Schelotto! He has probably picked something up from him...

[jeremy]

athan, that goal was electric but it was a 1-in-1,000 strike. Feilhaber might spend another twelve years as a regular in the Premiership and for the Nats and never hit another one like that. so it's silly to keep him in the lineup expecting another one to come.

Nowak must feel like this roster gives him the best team. Bradley has called in a wide variety of players, so who's a "regular" is pretty up in the air. considering Nowak was handpicked by Bradley, i'm guessing they're at least partially on the same page.

we can't just keep expecting Feilhaber to hit that goal again. we've got to start taking a realistic look at what he brings on the field. for what it's worth, i think he's going to be damn good, but the fact that he's not seeing any time for Derby makes a difference.

[ben]

the fact that gaven is still on this team when alvarez has been sent home raises some serious questions by nowak

[chris]

I'm guessing there was just a lot that went on at camp that may have even surprised Nowak. Never thought Dax would be out Benny, but it must have happened. we'll see how this pans out. My only major complaint is if Adu goes down injured, benny would be the only one who could run the attack like Freddy. Sascha would be a big drop-off at attacking mid from freddy and benny.

[Rocco]

He's got no left midfielder. I have a feeling he's going to play Adu out there similar to his day's at DC United. Stupid if you ask me. I thought Alvarez & Rogers were at least in the top 4 midfielders. What do I know.

[Hillary C.]

I am in shocked that Rogers and Alvarez would be dumped off the team. Rogers was clearly the best of the group bunch in China and had several strong camps from what I gather. He had a strong preseason with the Crew as well scoring the game winner against Chivas. What is more troublesome that the "first team" got stomped 5-0 in the final team scrimmage before these players were scrapped. You would think the USA would want to play its best team regardless of the politics.

[BK]

Oh my goonies...

I made a stink about Feilhaber/Alvarez being dropped for Barrett and I didnt' even see McCarty on the list. Wow. Dax sucks. And his name always reminds me of Jax from Mortal Kombat. Who also sucked, so they apparently have more in common than their names rhyming.

[TK]

I got mocked when I said Benny's Nats career was in trouble when he signed for Derby.

Where are all of you now?

Benny has barely played in 2 years. When he did play at Hamburg he was the cause of several big goals scored against. Thus being relegated back to the reserves and made surplus.

He has played well/OK against poor C'CAF comp, and of course he has the goal versus Mexico which clouds the judgement and reality of so many fanboys. He was lucky to be out there as he was easily the worst player on the field in half one for us, and without the goal it was a good 2nd half performance, not great. Reality folks, it's a bitch. It's the same fantasy, fanboy, give a pass for all his shortcomings that people gace to Bruce from 2002-2006. The obvious flaws are there but I will ignore and hope becuase I am a fan...and I want ot, no I am going to believe!

Too bad Rogers was hurt. He and Holden will be bigger players for the US at 2010 than Benny. Find a team, take a step down, swallow your pride and ego and go freaking play somewhere Benny. Hopefully, this is the type of kick in the rear he needs.

Can be a decent player if he works hard and plays regularly versus C'CAF type teams. Againsy Euros and better SA sides he is a small piece. That's it.

[Amanda]

Five strikers is ridiculous. As is retaining seven defenders if they're bringing Spector in.

[Rocco]

I totally forgot about Gaven. The guy is terrible. They yanked him last summer at the U-20's b/c he is so bad. Plus he was shipped out of Columbus. I watched him several times in MLS last year when he actually played. Sorry not impressed, he looks so uncomfortable on the ball and is prone to give aways in his own end. The only thing he's got going is his height. I though finally US soccer was seeing the light with tactically better players, but I don't know. I think Nowak has his favorites. The games will speak for themselves. If the US doesn't qualify Nowak should be fired. I said my piece.

[Ted]

Some of those drops must be due to fitness. I want Benny to be playing regularly as much as the next guy, but the fact remains that Benny not playing regularly is still a class above most of these players. He must have picked up an injury in training, or pissed off Novak.

Assuming he comes in, Spector, along with Adu, Edu, Klejstan and Altidore will be the core of this team. It's the supporting cast I don't like.

Chad Barrett is a joke.

[Sean]

I'm puzzled by the hate for Gaven. To me, he looks like a kid who has skill, but terrible problems with confidence. He's the kind of player the US hasn't produced a ton of - crafty, good in combination and two-footed. If Nowak didn't see anything from him, he wouldn't have kept him. You think Peter Nowak gives one dried-up little turd about US player-pool politics?

As for Feilhaber - if I'm Benny, it's 911 time. To go from pushing for a starting spot on a good Bundesliga team - and helping the USMNT to the Gold Cup - to getting shopped everywhere by maybe the worst team in Premiership history ... and now dropped from the Olympic team ... ouch. Benny, m'man, it's time to take a safety pin to that ego and get some games somewhere. San Jose, Houston, Israel, whatever. Your career is taking a turn for the tragic.

[Bianco]

This is second hand but word is that Freddy had a bad camp, is in poor game shape and attitude is not great. This has to be a concern. Also word is that the best keeper in the last camp was cut which surprised many. I guess playing well is not a concern. Why in the name of all soccer God's would you cut Rogers? A fast two footed player that has been on his game since the U-20's.

[MikeR]

TK is right about Benny. Novak was right to send a message that he has to be playing for his club team before he gets time with the Nats, even the U-23s. If that means sucking it up and coming back to MLS, so be it. Tough luck for Benny, but why did he go to Derby in the first place?

[eric]

Holden is a wonderful left midfield prospect who plays a lot like Convey (preinjury). I'm thrilled he got the nod, I thought BB should have brought him on instead of Eddie Lewis vs Mexico.

Edu is additional cover for the central midfielder you run the game through.

I don't think any of us are qualified to say whether Benny or Sasha Kljestan is in better form, it's been many months since we saw either in regular game action. At the end of summer, I was as high as anyone on his game, but if you aren't in camp you can't say crap about their form. Be fair, we all go nuts when a vet keeps getting called up based solely on rep, and the Gold Cup was what, 8 months ago?

The midfield was stacked, somebody good had to get cut, and I hope it helps Benny get it together.

[Amanda]

Also, what sort of injury is Rogers supposed to have?

[Ted]

I'd like to echo that Holden is primed for a breakout tournament and season. He will most likely start on the left. He is as two-footed as Robbie Rogers.

[TK]

Holden is a more well rounded player than Convey. He can play left or right and is a better shooter, tackler and passer. BC is a better crosser and has a bit more speed. BC is one dimensional, and when not healthy, no tthat good. Holden doesn't have those same limitations. Different player than BC. He just doesn't have a BA type feeding him caps to get him to Europe and constantly giving him exposure. Just what happened as BA wanted BC to get as much exposure as he could before 2006 as our pool wasn't as deep.

As for second hand info that Freddy is out of shape I laugh. Yeah, Benfica would put up with that. Give me a break buddy. Also, the bad tude card with Nowak is an incredibly easy one to play with their history. Stop being such a gull-a-bull.
The bad camp line is plausible with the travel and new system, but the out of shape, tude stuff is made for reality TV type stuff.

[TK]

Oh yeah, if there is something to bitch about here it's the lack of quality warm upo matches. Look at what Mexico has doen comapred to us.

Get ready for a US-Mex semi. One of us is stumbling, and we sure as hell haven't prepared all that well IMO.

This is on the USSF/Nowak. They have stated that they don't want a repeat of 2004...a priority they say.

With our prep it sure doesn't look like that to me.

Note - Gaven, while uneven has shown to be a much more productive MLS player, in the same time than BC ever was. He seems to get that deer in the headlight look in big matches it seems. BC was always aggressive for youth Nats teams. I agree with the poster who talked about confidence issues, but to not see his skill/passing and game reading ability is pure ignorance. Does he have the heart is the question. I say the same for Sasha.

I can't wait to hear the story on Benny. Wish we had real reporters who would hound and ask. I saw him play enough at Hamburg to know his limitations, and I don't judge with fanboy eyes. The kid can help us if playing and fit, both mentally and physically, but I'll say it again, ad nauseum.

The fanboys here way over rate his game. He can help, but he is NOT a clear cut above. No way, no how. Maybe when he is on, but he is not some top quality player for all conditions and teams.

Take the fanboy glasses off, evaluate him as if he wasn't a US player, and get a clue here. It would hurt less, and cause less frustration for you.

Now Rogers, that one hurts, and I am wondering about the 5 forwards.
Thought AA was real poor in China, but with RR out...hmm.

Barret is a bull. He brings speed, strength and energy. He has clealry improved his runs and positioning, but you can't hide that he turns into a wreck in fornt of net.
Hmm.

I am not sure what to expect, but I am guarded, especially with the lack of quality prep time. I don't get that at all.

[Rocco]

Holden is a right footed player. He plays on the right for Houston. I'm sure he is strong as well with his left, he's a professional but... Both Alavarez & Rogers are lefties which is why this is so confusing. I've seen them both make some nice driven crosses from the left side and are good at getting down the wing and taking people on. I think we are going to have trouble in the qualifying with this.

As far as Gaven I remember seeing him when he was 16 or 17 and just entered the league. I liked him then and thought he had some nice skill & vision and just needed to add some bulk to his frame and get more cofidence. 4 or 5 years later he seems to be the same player and just never really progressed. His body weight & strength is still the same and doesn't do anything especially well. He gets pushed off the ball too easily. Comparing him with a guy like Bradley, who I think is around the same age is like night & day. Bradley has gotten bigger physically and mentally and is now known as a ball winner who is an opportunist goal scorer. You can tell he hit the weights.. I think Gaven has just relied on his past and never pushed himself..

[John]

I can't get over the man-love for Feilhaber. Great Gold Cup. But that was a year ago. He's clearly rusty and a terrible team that needs help evidently doesn't rate him (offering him around the globe and all of MLS). Doesn't mean he's a bad player. But here in the USA, we annoint saviors so quickly and Feilhaber is one of the latest. But the reality is that he has to improve alot if he's our starting A-mid for the USNT.

The midfield actually makes a lot of sense. Nowak is incredibly secretive about positions and roles. Wouldn't surprise me if Adu is really the A-mid, Edu really the D-mid, Gaven and Holden or maybe Klejstan are the outside mids. At that point, Rogers doesn't make sense (unless you rate him over Gaven or Holden or Kljestan). I'm not a huge McCarty fan but he brings a couple of things to the table: he's flexible (can play a bunch of midfield roles) and a high work-rate (which Nowak demands of his mids). Alvarez is skilled but has never impressed me as a player that fits the kind of schemes that Nowak wants to play. And again, if the decision is that Holden and Gaven are the starting outside mids then Alvarez is a limited reserve. As for the criticism of Gaven, he's had some bad periods the past 3 years. But he was also an MLS XI in the past, has tremedous technical ability and I think the right coach and situation might allow some of that ability to come out. Some players just flourish with a particular coach (for example: Brian Carroll and Peter Nowak).

[kco]

Eddie Gaven is on the roster.

I repeat, Eddie Gaven is on the roster.

HELLO!?!

[Chuck]

Gaven is awful.....Funny because I just took the train from Hamilton to Penn Station and that is something I was thinking on the train

[Will]

Why would you not want this on the team? Coach am I missing something? Even if he has a little knock wouldn't you want Rogers over Sizzo and Gaven on the flanks? Holden is nice a little player but not our best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNkdvl2oVMc

[Yossarian]

Jeez, what's going on with Benny? I don't get it - it seems inexplicable. Does he have an attitude problem? It seems like he pisses coaches off or something b/c his play on the field always seems solid. What are we missing here, Ives?

[Macey]

The only thing I can think is that Derby has asked for Feilhaber back. Let's see if he's on the team at midweek. That would explain a lot.

[Tavis]

Feilhaber is one lucky strike against Mexico in a game in which he shouldn't have be playing away from being a nobody.

This man-crush for him is ludicrous. He was born in Brazil so he must be good!

[TK]

Will, using youtube as a reference/basis of opinion doesn't help your standing. It means little.

You don't bring injured players if they can't help. We have to see how bad the injury is (RR).

I don't think much of Sal Z, but if he is healthy and RR isn't...well.

Again, Holden is an incredibly well rounded/smart player. Americans don't seem to like that it seems.
We want NBA flash and style instead of smart soccer players. Holden is a very smart player and one of our best. Gaven is smart but does he have the drive and confidence? Jose A is such a deliscious prospect because he has physical attributes an dhe is so damn smart already.

We either don't like soccer brains, or more likely, we don't know what they are yet. it's why our best prospects and players always go to Europe and are called naive initially. They must learn the game, etc, etc, etc...
It never fails.

That is not an accident folks.

[jpc]

I'm not sure this means much... I don't think that this roster is THE Final Roster, its just for the initial games, which, I'm not sure there is much chance to lose... Feilhaber made the Derby bench in their last game, so maybe he's up for some playing time. And Alvarez and Rogers need to be w/ their teams for preseason. I don't think theres too much too get worked up about, unless they are still off the roster when the semi-final game comes around

[Rocco]

I agree I like Holden a lot, he is very good. Technically and is smart. He is also good at taking people on and getting down the right wing. I think he should start on the right side.

Someone mentioned him playing of the left. To have him on the left over guys like RR or Alvarez is stupid in my opinion. Unless both RR & Alvarez are injured, which might be the case. We will see.

[Ted]

Does nobody remember Holden starting on the left when Brad Davis was out last year? Really? Nobody? He's right footed but he can play well on either side.

[David Berger]

I am very sad that Bradley is not on the roster.

[Seisco]

C'mon let's not get too worked up on OLYMPIC QUALIFYING games now.

[Ted]

"C'mon let's not get too worked up on OLYMPIC QUALIFYING games now."

Considering we didn't qualify in 2004, I think there is plenty for people to care about.

[Erik Abarca]

Yeah, Feilhaber scored a nice goal in the gold cup, and has great potential. I think he is only a regular on the USNMT because Bob Bradley wants to keep him in the pool, perhaps he sees what he can do in the future. But truth is, he not ready. Even more now taht he has'nt been playing much at all. Benny is only good in the middle, and with Edu,and Adu, there isn't room for him there. He is useless on the wings, we seen that a couple times this year w USMNT. So I am not totally surprised by Peter decision.

[Pat Noonan's Mom]

why 19 players on the "20-man" roster??
24 players named - 5 cuts = 19 left. Huh?

[Mike]

Benny might have been the only sub to make an impact vs Mexico a few weeks back. The man has skills. He just needs to lower is asking price and come to MLS where he can get regular game time. That or try to land on a squad in the Netherlands.

[Tim D.]

ROBBIIIIIIEEEEEE! You got screwed kid. No way to explain that one.

[Kyle]

Maybe Feilhaber being cut was a mutual decision and not just Novak. He's working hard to earn a spot at Derby, he's made the bench recently, and maybe he feels like missing time with them would only set him back in his development there. This roster is only for Olympic qualifying, not the finals. Perhaps Feilhaber and Novak both agreed that his time would be better spent at Derby. The US will probably qualify with the team it has, and Feilhaber and Bradley can be thrown into the mix when the games become more important. Right now though, it's more important that they stick with their commitments to their clubs.

[Ted]

"why 19 players on the "20-man" roster??
24 players named - 5 cuts = 19 left. Huh?"

The idea is that Spector will be called in for the semifinal match, so there needs to be a spot open.

[eric]

Ted - I'm with you re: Holden on the left, his game really came on when he replaced Davis. I keep forgetting he played on the right before that.

Similar, but not quite as puzzling to me as nobody noticing that Beasley's best games for Rangers came on the right wing. Moot point now because he's injured, but...

[dillon]

Holden is strong on the left. He plays differently there than he does on the right, preferring to cut inside more often, where he can shoot from outside with his right, but his left is good enough to send good crosses. And for anyone who hasn't seen a lot of him, he has an absolute rocket for a right foot. We want him shooting from outside fairly often, trust me. His outside shot is on par with DeRosario's.

[fig]

wow! a whole lot of douchebags posting today. You guys like to talk a lot based on a whole lotta nothin'.
Glad Nowak is making these decisions based on having actually seen these kids in training for the last few months, and not on your idiotic rants about how someone performed in a game that happened a year ago.
Wait until you see the team play, THEN you can talk. Until then, suck it.

[Ted]

"Holden is strong on the left. He plays differently there than he does on the right, preferring to cut inside more often, where he can shoot from outside with his right, but his left is good enough to send good crosses. And for anyone who hasn't seen a lot of him, he has an absolute rocket for a right foot. We want him shooting from outside fairly often, trust me. His outside shot is on par with DeRosario's."

Thats why I like him on the left as well. He can cross and pass well with his left foot, but that right leg of his is a cannon. I think it's best used when he is cutting inside and allowed to take shots at goal.

[Spencer]

I am suprised that Alvarez got dropped. He is a very skilled player. Sorry but I completely understand why Benny got dropped. He preferred to ride the pine instead of going to a new team, hust for the money. He needs to play, and if he is not playing we should not encourage that behavior by saying well you can play for us. Even though you aren't match fit.

[EASTLACHIVA]

I don't know what happened, but that's really disapointing. Nowak is not a personel kind of guy. I can see Alvarez rubbign him the rith way. I hope he was cut for his performance on the pitch and nothing else.
As for Benny, I'm still scratching m head.

[brandon]

the only reason i see these kids getting left off is if bradley wanted them in his camp for the poland game. but i still do see why. my god this man is a fool if thats not the case! lord help us.

[Jeffrey]

Relax about the number of forwards. Freddy Adu is not a forward. He is a middlefielder. They are just listing him that way. Check out US Soccer for the video of the team members. Freddy himself says "Im a midfielder"

[Matt]

Did anyone else see that Adu's coach at Benfica resigned today? That means he will be getting his 3rd head coach since he joined in July. I wonder how his time away from the team will affect his standing with his new coach.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=615817

[Aquaman]

I like how both Feilhaber lovers and haters focus only on the one goal against Mexico. The lovers all glorify the goal and the haters only say "it's just one goal". There is much more to his game. I've read more than one game report praising his sophisticated passing out of the midfield. Of course because he hasn't played in a while all I have to go off of are games from almost a year ago.

Also, Benny's goal was a year ago, but also a year ago was Gaven's horrible showing at Copa America. There were multiple sources who were perplexed by him being even included on the roster. My favorite quote is this: "The problem here is that, if you want energy, Gaven's hardly the man to provide it, given his lackadaisical style of play and total disregard for anything resembling tackling."

[Brian]

Bold moves by Nowak. I am unwilling to judge until I see the results. A failure to qualify should surely find Nowak on the outside looking in at the USSF.

Disclaimer: I've never understood the politics behind Nowak's appointment as the U23 coach... clearly, he butted heads with Freddy in the past - everyone knows Freddy is a big part of the team we are trying to build for 2010... why did Bradley and the USSF take the risk of putting Nowak in charge of Freddy's development again?

[CD]

The u23 vs Cuba match should be a nice warm up. Anything but total domination will be viewed as a failure. I will wait and see to make a judgment on his roster selection.

Nice to see some games that count this week state side. With the CONCACAF Champions' Cup kicking off this week also, it should be a good week for domestic soccer. News of the Galaxy tour was starting to really get on my nerves.

[Ismitje]

Not one of us has been at camp or seen what sort of form people are in, yet we're collectively ready to throw Nowak under the bus? Let's at least watch the team play once before we overreact.

[aristotle]

Interesting comments, to say the least. It's human nature as soccer fans to jump in immediately with knee jerk reactions, but I'm sure some of the reasons for this seemingly mysterious lineup will come to light. Ives may already know more than he has shared with us here and is having a good laugh at everyone going gaga.

Benny Feilhaber- I'm not a big fan of Feilhaber, mostly because he is so overrated, but this even surprised me a little. Still, he can't expect to spend all of his time training with what will soon be a Championship team and not playing at all, then expect to just be picked for international teams. Think about it. If your a player competing with him for a spot, you have to be wondering what it is he does that gets him picked all of the time. As a lot of you have said, go play somewhere Benny.

Freddy Adu- How long before we say the same thing about him?

Chad Barret- Hard to understand this one. I know Nowak likes hard working disciplined players better than flashy inconsistent ones, but still. Is he suddenly finding the net in camp?

Robbie Rogers- A couple of people here have suggested he is injured. If he is, then the mystery is solved.

Eddie Gaven- Puzzling when you consider players like Arturo Alvarez. Then again maybe this is the same type of situation as with Barrett. Gaven has certainly shown he is capable of playing great. Maybe he is playing great in camp. Alvarez, for all of his skill, can still be pretty inconsistent and not very good defensively. Without something going on in camp, though, you would expect Alvarez to be picked over Gaven or Barrett. Alvarez has played forward sometimes for Dallas.

Dax McCarty- Again, fits that hard working disciplined approach that Nowak likes. He has been inconsistent but he has played some really good games. He could still turn out to be an excellent player and hopefully is doing really well in camp.

Patrick Ianni- Nobody mentioned him, but this guy scares me. It seems like every time he gets into a big game for Houston he single handedly kills them! (Alright, it's just two!) This fits into the Feilhaber mentality of being influenced by just a few games, though. Still, if he costs the U.S. big in this tournament, he'll officially be a jinx!

Balance of the team- Edu should really be in the midfielders which would make six defenders and six midfielders.

Peter Nowak- Pepople can say what they like about Nowak, but I think he is a great coach. I would have much preferred him over Bradley. The only real success Bradley had as a coach was in Chicago with Nowak around, and certainly Nowak proved his worth with DC United. Your quite possibly looking at the next coach of the U.S. Wait until there is good reason to attack him.

[Ruben Osorio]

Not only is Benny Feilhaber better than any of the players picked in his stead, but he is a player in dire need of some playing time. This U-23 tournament was exactly what the playing-time starved midfielder needed...

[Dominghosa]

My opinion mirrors that of many here. But wanted to just get it off my chest.
I really want to hear the reasons why Gaven and Barrett was chosen over Alvarez and Rogers. Wow. Something drastic must have happened for those two players to be dropped for the latter two. And Dax McCarty? Really?
I just feel sorry for what is happening to Feilhaber's career. Yikes.
I do like what Zizzo brings. Hope he does get the start.

[Scott C.]

I gotta say, I'm scratching my head on this one... Chad Barret, Dax McArty, and Eddie Gaven? I've seen Eddie play a lot of MLS games and have never been impressed, a couple of scrappy goals... Feilhaber has had great games in matches against the senior teams of Mexico, Ecuador, etc. Many have commented how much of an improvement to the midfield he was when he entered the final 20 minutes of the Mexico game. McArty makes the team and Alverez doesn't? Someone better tell Steve Morrow he's got it all wrong...and no Rogers either... only one left footed midfielder? Maybe there are personal reasons for some of theses decisions... I hope Nowak knows what he's doing...

[beckster]

Things were not good in DC under Nowak. He made major coaching errors all the time and the way he handled Adu (which could be why Freddie's attitude isn't great) was a problem. Now America gets to see what we saw in DC and we'll see how he does.

[Forrest]

Here's my projected starting lineup with the players currently avaliable(no Spector this week).

------------Altidore---Davies---------

Holden-----------Adu-------------Zizzo

-----------------Edu------------------

Freeman------Sturgis---Ianni-----Wynne

----------------Seitz-----------------

I know its just a possible lineup, but I have to disagree with Ives. There is no reason for the USA to play a 4-5-1 in the group stage games. Maybe in the semi, but we shouldn't have to play a 5 man midfield against any of our group opponents. Having said that I think that a 3-5-2 is more likely under Nowak than a 4-5-1.

Places where I think I'm most likely to be wrong are Davies at forward. I put him there because from what I've seen he has a better touch than Findley, but I think it comes down to which one of them plays better with Jozy. I like Holden and Zizzo, and Holden played well as a left midfielder for Houston last season, but I wouldn't be shocked if Sacha started on either wing instead of the two I have listed. I'm not familiar enough with Orozco to know where to put him. Does he play as a fullback or in the center for his club team? If he is a centerback I could see him starting instead of Ianni.

[fig]

posted by CD:
The u23 vs Cuba match should be a nice warm up. Anything but total domination will be viewed as a failure.

===================
Are you kidding me? Anything but total domination? These aren't friendlies, sparky. Way to set up completely juvenile and unrealistic expectations for a team that hasn't played much strong opposition in training and will still be looking to find a rhythm in the opening match.
Anything but total domination... my god!
The only thing that matters is qualifying for Beijing. That's it.
Your whole insistence that only dominating will be good enough... I don't know where to start. You're an idiot.

[TK]

Good one fig.

Happens every time with the clueless/juvenile/ignorant.

The lack of understanding here in the states, whether the average coach or fan, shows just how far we still have to go.
Most really just don't understand the game all that well.

We are a very young nation with regards to soccer...and it shows.

[Eugene]

Actually, I agree with CD and I don't think those comments sound unreasonable or naive. Six months ago our U-20s team would have whipped these three opponents. Understandably we don't have Bradley for these three games, but considering we could have just taken the same U-20s side and strengthened it in a couple key places, I'm also expecting our U-23s team to dominate this week.

Per Ives' set-up, I'm not sure if that ends up as a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3, but I highly doubt Nowak is going to play a 4-3-3. I'm also a bit troubled by the lack of naturally left-footed players on this roster, both for a left wing/forward and left back -- or at least I'm troubled by the implication that Freddy Adu will be playing the left side instead of attacking mid. I've seen Holden play the left for Houston very capably, so I'm confident he would be a good left wing even if he'll have the tendency to play towards the center and his right foot rather than staying wide left.

This is the formation I see Nowak playing:

--------Altidore--------Findley-------
--Adu----------McCarty---------Zizzo--
-----------Edu-------Kljestan---------
----Holden------Spector-----Freeman---
---------------Seitz------------------

With Kljestan playing up more and Edu hanging back more, potentially coming back as a 2nd centerback.

[cassano]

It makes zero sense to not have 1 leftwinger on the team. Freddy aint a leftwinger and stuey is a solid player who can play all across midfield but you shouldnt have to depend on either of those two when you can play artie or robbie rogers. If Nowak decides to play adu at left mid, I believe it will end badly. There is no reason for both Gaven and Barret on the team at the expense of one of Rogers or Alvarez.(Barring injury to Rogers of course).
And Stuey can put in a good performance on both wings but he is better on the right imho.

[Pedro]

Gaven is a slug. He must be a reborn again soccer player to be selected. Also, math formulas do not win soccer games like in the NFL, but then u23 might play a 1-2-1-3-2-1 at times!

[Steve]

I hope this is Novak and Bradley telling Benny to get a club where he plays because contrary to someone's opinion above he hasn't shown ANYTHING since last July. Was terrible and ineffective v. Mexico and looks slow and clueless in his rare cameos at Derby. And as for feeling sorry for him? He's the one chasing the money in the big leagues. I don't care who plays for the Nats (at whatever level) as long as we win. Name on the front not on the back.

As for the rest of the roster? I certainly have questions, Barrett being chief among them as a Fire fan. But Nowak certainly has a better view than I do so go get 'em boys just win and shut all these clowns up who ae worried about a whole lot of nothing thus far.

[Andrew]

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_5439498.html

Spector's in. Now we're talkin.

-------------Seitz---------------
Wynne--Spector---Sturgis--Freeman
--------------Edu----------------
Zizzo---------Adu----------Holden
----*Davies*--------Altidore-----

*Either Davies or Findley depending on who had a better camp.

this is actually a pretty exciting lineup considering the cuts that we made. Haven't had a look at holden much, but I saw him at the PPC and he looked good. I really hope we use this lineup.

I don't think that feilhaber was simply outplayed. Like a few people have said already, he is probably making progress at derby and while he looked decent, the U-23's probably thought that Dax looked good enough not to need feilhaber. Not sure about alvarez though. The upside to this is that he may start to get PT, and he also may be available for the game against poland. This at least might bring some depth to the Senior team, who is losing quite some depth for this game due to olympic qualifying. Which is kind of scary considering poland bet the czechs 2-0 recently (same team who thumped us in WC 06) and they finished ahead of portugal in their group for euro 08. But we'll see.

[Ted]

Eugene: Do you intentionally have Holden playing left back in a three-man back line?

I see a 4-4-2, Wynne, Spector, Orozco, Sturgis in the back, Zizzo, Kljestan, Edu, Holden in midfield, and Adu playing off of Jozy up top.

[Eric]

So, does this mean that Convey is coming in? We could use his turnovers, shrinking on set-pieces...and his crossing ability. Well, maybe the latter.

[smokarz]

If Nowak puts Freddy on the Left Wing, he'll be on the next plane back to Benfica. :)

[Eric]

What I like about these lineups is that nobody includes Orozco. I must be the only one following his game. He doesn't have the experience with the current group, but a vocal defender can get around that. He's probably the most fit in the group.

[Garret]

I really hope Zizzo is a starter. I am a very big fanny of him. He is a true winger. Though i have not watched him since the U20 WC, I can only imagine he has gotten much better too. He's a true winger, something USA needs on the right side.

[fig]

Eugene,
Using the U20s' performance last year to determine how dominant the U23s should or shouldn't be in qualifiers doesn't make as much sense as you and CD seem to think.
If things worked that way, the USMNT would have routed most teams in its qualifiers for Germany '06 after nearly making it to the semis in Korea in '02.
Qualifiers aren't about dominating the opponent. They're about doing what it takes to qualify against opposition that'll do anything it can to knock out one of the giants of Concacaf. It's not easy, and results rarely conform to traditional world rankings.
If you're going to use the U20s results to gauge the strength of the U23s, keep in mind the they struggled mightily against South Korea and were knocked out by Austria -- not world powers by any stretch of the imagination.

[Tim F.]

I have to believe that Jonathan Spector will start if he is on the roster.

Some of the other moves, such as Feilhaber not making the roster, do surprise me.

[IRG]

All very interesting noise from previous posters but here's the real deal based on reports from friends (who know the game) who watched many of the training sessions in Bradenton.

Feilhaber - this one shocked a lot of people but as several posters pointed out , he has not been playing much and seriously out of favor at Derby. His mental attitude is wrong just now, match fitness lacking and it showed big time during this past week. He really didn't impress and Nowak gets full marks for leaving him out now. I fully expect Benny to take this message and use it positively (if he's a good pro) and get himself back in contention for future USA squads.

Alvarez - I was really disappointed at this one more than any other player. I think he's a lethal threat going forward and can change a game coming off the bench. His biggest weakness has always been his work rate and the fact that he doesn't offer the team anything on the defensive end of the game. I think it was this last point that cost him his place.

Rogers - good player, many posters warble on about his speed but you need much more than that at the higher levels. From all accounts he is not fully clear from an injury and couldn't be risked, he'll be back in future.

Hall - not much to say on him, he apparently was good all week but for some reason Cervi is in favor right now.

Randolph - thank goodness Nowak sorted this one out! This guy is just a liability. I don't know how many times I saw him humiliated by opponents last year, and then again in pre- season Galaxy games in Hawaii and Asia (did anyone see the game he played against FC Seoul in Korea? The Korean wing man made him look naive and abused him all game long. This guy has no business being in a USA shirt!

Biggest worry from my friends at Bradenton was that Adu and Altidore did not seem to work very well together, not on the same page, call it waht you will. Hopefully they can work it out.

Overall, I'm filled with optimism for the next two weeks. Everyone needs to stop bitching about selections and get behind the team, it's a strong squad of players oozing with ability and able to get the job done and qualify for Beijing 2008!!

[SoccerP.com]

I think Jozy will continue to come out in this setting.

John
SoccerP

[fig]

IRG, quality post!
Thanks for providing some much needed insight in the midst of so much drivel.

[Liverpool_SC]

A couple points:

+ Adu is on the record as admitting Nowak was better for his development than he originally thought. Secondly, his playing time situation is not really a drawback. He is getting games and minutes (though not so much as a starter) and is in a battle royale with other great professionals for playing time at a club in European competition. That is a stark contrast from Feilhaber at a club going nowhere.

+ Alvarez may indeed have turned the corner in MLS and he has nearly always been effective at youth levels. But people need to temper their praise a bit. He has done very little over the balance of his pro career. Gaven has quietly been much more productive (even in his bad seasons). Gaven came on fairly strong last season on an awful team. He is getting back to being the player that delighted everyone as an MLS Best XI in New York (as a teeny-bopper). Alvarez still struggled to get starts last season.

+ I agree about Holden. He may be the reason Alvarez got left home. If Alvarez was not going to be happy on the bench and Holden is better suited to play (defense plus well-ruundedness) than leave Arturo home. At least until the later rounds.

[mexicanbluefish]

Absolutely marvellous cut. The past administration (bruce) tended to be very loyal to players who were not performing or out of form. this is morally fantastic but it leads to losing.

[Steve]

Does anyone else hope/pray that K. Hill playing fullback is a total revelation for his game?
I'd like to see him get some game experience... whatever helps him get some minutes for Wolfsburg.
::crosses fingers::

[Ron]

What was Nowak thinking? A washed-up Eddie Gavin who can't defend as a winger? And to cut the two natural left wingers in Arturo and Robbie? Gavin is a retread and Arturo and Robbie have lots of potential!

Is Nowak going to repeat the errors of the past at DC and put Freddy on the left wing?

I still think they should try Edu at left back - speed, skill, size - try that now and maybe that will carry forward to the MNT in WC qualification. Central midfield is too loaded w/ Bradley, Feilhaber, and Clark for starters.

Other than the left side, I think we have a strong team to make a statement in Olympic qualifying...but Eddie Gavin????

[Brett]

1st- for everyone harping on barrett: while he's no offensive juggernaut, everyone that has been around him during this off-season have said he's really matured as a player. he's scoring during friendlies (altho not exactly the top talent of friendlies being colleges and youth nats sides), but he's also scored at least a couple for the Fire during the offseason. he was leading scorer during the regular season for the fire. YES, he missed some open shots, but tallying 8 goals and 1 assist is pretty average for a MLS forward. He's improving as a player, and i expect he'll see some time (not much with Altidore and Adu in the lineup). But i feel some are too hard on him b/c of some youthful foul ups. Not every player developes as fast as Altidore O.o

2nd- i've have/still am a big Feilhaber fan. i dont expect his career with the nats is over by any means. But seriously guys, whatever form he had in the Summer is most likely COMPLETELY different then now. He's gotten little to no time for Derby. he needs to get 1st team play before he should expect to make any nats roster.

3rd- someone made a post about keeping 4 forwards is odd, but when they are playing 3 games in 1 week its probably going to be necessary.

4th- im shocked about 2 players being cut. and they are Alvarez and Rogers. Alvarez seemed solid in the games ive seen him play. But im assuming the coaching staff clearly sees something in the guys they picked, whether it be current form or experience, i dont know. Rogers being cut comes as a big disappointment. i was never a fan of his in the U20's, but his play this past season has changed that. im eager to see him get some play on the nats, but for now i guess he'll have to focus on doing well this season to impress.

[White Kix]

Fire Nowak!

Many people have complained about Feilhaber being overhyped for his "one" goal in teh Gold Cup. Take out that goal and he is still our best central midfielder. No, he's not the fastest, the strongest or the best ball winner, but he does what a central midfielder is supposed to do. He distributes the ball better than any player to wear the US shirt. Yeah, there are times he gives the ball away, but if you are attempting to create something offensively, you are bound to lose it at times. He controls the ball like no one else in the pool. His composure and vision can only be challenged by Adu, but they are different style players, and one should not be dropped for the other. Finally, as far as the comments that he is not fit and hasn't been playing, considering this is the end of the MLS offseason, that argument is void. Hardley anyone on this squad has played a meaningful match in 4 months. At least Feilhaber has played with the Nats some. Also, dropping Rogers, Alvarez, Noxak proves again, we should deport him.

[chris]

ives help us out here. what could nowak have been thinking?

[Aquaman]

I know I posted a couple posts about Gaven before, but truth be told I've been excited for these games for 2 weeks (when I got my tickets in the mail)and actually can't wait for the team to play. Is anyone else going to any of these games? I'm driving over to Tampa on Thursday (I live on the east coast of FL). I'm just excited to have a non-college soccer game in the state of FL for the first time in about 4-5 years.

[Athan]

Lost in all this is the fact that Jonathan Spector is somehow an automatic start?? The guy anchors a West Ham defense that has lost 3 straight games by a 4-0 scoreline! Why bother taking a spot away from a guy who has been training with the team for Spector??

[PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo]

I'll second Adam R's theory above: Orozco was a godsend in the back line, allowing Nowak to move Edu back to CM, and Sacha outperformed BF, not surprising given the fact that BF has had NO quality games since the Copa America.
I always thought it would be Alvarez or Rogers, not both. That it is neither is the bigger surprise. Coupled with Randolph's ouster leaves a left side with no natural lefties.
However, we know Nowak/Bradley are high on Holden, (remember he was the only one called into the Sr. team camp against Mexico). So the starting lineup against Cuba.
----------------------Altidore-----------------------

Holden----------------Adu-------------------Zizzo

--------------Edu-------Kljestan---------------

Freeman------Sturgis---Orozco----------Wynne

-----------------------Seitz------------------------

Spector does not come in to camp until the Semis.
I could also see a 4-4-2 with Findley or Davies in for Zizzo, and Sacha moving to the RM in a diamond midfield. The team as construed will not likely rely on route 1, they will emphasize possession and play a very attractive brand of football.
However, that Nowak blew out his 2 LM's is a gamble. If it fails Nowak will be the Ryan of the mens game.

[Nathan]

I'm a bit surprised in all honesty, but I suppose Feilhaber's lack of match fitness ultimately contributed to the decision.

[CW]

I think Nowak will employ two forwards formation b/c there's no point for him to choose 4 forwards (not counting adu as #5)for the roster. the question is who will play along side Jozy?

[jpc]

Feilhaber's decision probably had as much to do w/ him than Novak. He has been very bullish about not leaving Derby, and seeing as how he made the bench (at least that's what the box score said) last game, and Derby are having a firesale of sorts, I'm sure he is eager to earn a spot for next years team. If he played in the tourney he would have almost no chance to break into the Derby squad... Rogers and Alvarez? maybe Novak feels their clubs need them more then the u-23 squad, at least until the semifinals. Or maybe they are going to get a callup in the near future to the senior team, and don't want to take them away from their clubs for any extended period of time. Or maybe Novak thinks they stink... Ives, Whats the answer?

[Eric]

Athan:
realize that there is no attack in C'CAF as potent as those in the EPL. Specs is needed as a starter.

[CD]

Fig,
So I shouldn't expect the US to dominate the Cubans in a competitive match. I do expect nothing but totally and utter domination of inferior competition.

FYI, when the US plays the likes of Argentina, Brazil and Spain their fans expect their teams to show their superior class against us. Anything else would be considered a disappointment.

What position on the field should Cuba outclass us? Where exactly should I not see us better than them. Why should we not win every ball and dominate the game in every facet.

The team had a camp to practice and get better, to work out the kinks. Tuesday night is not practice.