We’ll see how everything plays out in China, but it’s hard to quibble with the picks coach Peter Nowak has made for the U.S. men’s Olympic soccer team, which were announced on Thursday.
We’d already known that 36-year-old Brian McBride was likely to be one of the “over-age” players added to the roster for the Olympics, an under-23 men’s tournament that allows each team three players older than the age cut-off. But now that McBride’s presence is official, the prospect of an attacking trio that includes Jozy Altidore, Freddy Adu and McBride seems like a potentially dangerous one.
“If we're both selected that would be awesome,” Altidore told me last week. “Brian’s a superb player. He’s probably been the best U.S. striker we've ever had in terms of target men, and I think he's one of the better ones in the world now at this point in his career.”
Judging by his strong finish to the Premier League season with Fulham, McBride still has his mojo and could be extremely useful heading balls down onto the feet of Altidore, Adu, Sacha Kljestan and Robbie Rogers.
Nowak’s other over-age picks make pretty good sense, too. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan has just signed with Aston Villa, and as the senior-team back-up to Tim Howard he’ll get some vital experience in the pressure-cooker of a world tournament. The same goes for the other over-age selection, New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst, who will try to show once again that you don’t need to be a physically imposing centerback to make an impact. (Other options here could have included Jimmy Conrad or Jay Demerit, but Parkhurst seems ready, and his almost-eerie avoidance of yellow cards bodes especially well for tournament soccer.)
The only mild surprise is the inclusion of Benny Feilhaber, who was injured at the U-23s’ last tournament in France. Feilhaber has dealt with a rash of injuries and poor club form in the year since his wonderstrike beat Mexico in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and he needs some good things to happen to turn his career around.
The U.S. has a tough first-round group, opening against Japan and following that with games against the Netherlands and Nigeria. And it's looking like the tournament will have some star power. Argentina has announced a roster that includes Lionel Messi, Juan Román Riquelme and Sergio Agüero, while Brazil has announced a roster that includes Ronaldinho, Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Anderson and Jô.
One thing I don't understand is why CONCACAF was the only major confederation that scheduled senior-team World Cup qualifiers during the Olympic tournament. The built-in conflict made sure that Landon Donovan and other potential Olympic-team players were not part of the process and made Nowak's job harder than it should have been.
(UPDATE: A source close to the situation tells me that CONCACAF was willing to move the date of the U.S.-Guatemala World Cup qualifier so that it didn't conflict with the Olympics, but U.S. Soccer opted to keep the date since it is an official FIFA international date and would allow the U.S. to call in its best players from European clubs.)
Here is the U.S. roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (5): Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
What do you think of this 18? Can the U.S. get out of its group?
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Comments (36) Add A Comment
I'm gonna say not only will we get out of the group but will secure at least the Bronze! Can't wait to see the future of US Soccer play
darkship17
Bondurant, IA
Total Comments (1)
The international experience alone with help the U.S. get out of its group and be a serious candidate for a medal.
RM55
Columbia , MD
Total Comments (2)
I think Bradley deserves the captain's armband. The kid's a stud.
hupholland
Total Comments (7)
Where's Sizzo?
Epitome of Poise
Katzmandu, NY
Total Comments (1654)
Where's Arguez?
Epitome of Poise
Katzmandu, NY
Total Comments (1654)
Good team, but they do not have an easy group. Japan always has some decent players while Nigeria and The Netherlands are stacked with talented youngsters.
matrix123
Total Comments (28)
I'm excited to see the combination of adu and altidore. with so much attacking potential i feel that other teams will have to take that into consideration while game planning. Even though it is a tough group Its better than drawing brazil or argentina. I also feel any type of medal would be considered a success for US soccer. Can we get one? of course!
LukeFutbolSoccer
Denver , CO
Total Comments (2)
I am excited to see so much attacking potential. This might sound weird but I'll be looking to waking up at 3am to watch the matches live. I guess because I still have fond memories of those early mornings during the 02 world cup. I definitley feel that the opposing countries will have to take into consideration McBride, Altidore and Adu when strategizing. Even though it is a tough group Its a better draw getting Brazil or Argentina. Can we get a medal? Of course. That would be a big step for US soccer.
LukeFutbolSoccer
Denver , CO
Total Comments (2)
You cant fault the decisions make on the roster, but I for one really root for Jay Demerit to get into the MNT lineup more than he does. I think he could be a real impact player if he could get the looks; and this would have been a great oppotunity for him not only to leave his mark on the US, but get some looks to perhaps get to a better team than Watford.
Toonarmy
Dallas , TX
Total Comments (2)
Adu is only special as a second striker, his talents are wasted in midfield because the ball tricks and dazzling moves he uses to beguile defenders are too risky in the middle of the park. However, if McBride and Altidore are to start up top, Nowak has three options: (1) push Adu back to central midfield (2) play three mids (3) play three defenders. Options (2) and (3) are very unlikely, so we will likely see Adu's skills wasted this Olympics unless McBride or Alitdore takes a seat (which seems unlikely). It's a shame and a cruel irony that it will come from the same coach who stymied Adu's ability at DC United by making him play in midfield instead of at second striker.
tbearup3
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (21)
shoulda brought landon instead of parkhurst. who cares about world cup qualifying against some dumb carribean teams. we would kick their **** even without him.
cavman5
Severna Park, MD
Total Comments (377)
I don't think Jon Obi Mikel, who is their best under 23 player, is playing for Nigeria and I wonder if the big name over age players are playing, that would completely change the look of that team depending on who is called.
mdawg
Saint Paul , MN
Total Comments (24)
Why would Michael Bradley deserve the captain's armband more than Brian McBride? I'm pretty sure McBride will give this team toughness and leadership that even the current MNT lacks
umrlax13
Kansas City , MO
Total Comments (1)
seems like a solid team, no real stars, but if the group plays well together it could be a good tournament. McBride will provide good leadership and experience as well as a target man who was otherwise lacking. think bradley is good but over rated slightly, as are many of the young "stars". i hope Feilhaber gets some time, the few times ive seen him he has show to have great vision and touch on the ball, and could turn into a fabregas type player with more experience and work.
wunendub
Total Comments (5)
I don't know if we can get out of the group stage because we are in a very tough group. One thing i know for sure is the teams that play us will have to give everything if they want the W. Go US Soccer.
CO-MileHigh
Total Comments (1)
Not to be Debbie Downer but every big tournament we all get excited about how much potential we have and how we're going to do so good, but in the end always end up getting creamed. I'll follow the US with interest, but not with the excitement of the past that always ends in heartbreak.
Jackie_Treehorn
Medford, OR
Total Comments (90)
Nigeria is usually dominant at this age level down and may have the best team. Japan is good and fast and could be contained. If the USA plays smart football, it could come out of this group. Nothing is guaranteed. I think the US team as constituted could very well be the second best team in the group.
Hasob
Mount Airy , MD
Total Comments (3)
Good Talent, However can we replace Nowak with the elder Bradley?
Laux5289
Nashville, TN
Total Comments (1)
Adu will play well wherever he is. Being in Portugal has helped his overall game evolve more than we can think. We got a glimpse during those friendlies against spain & argentina. The kid can ball. He's not scared to bring the ball up and make a move on a defender. He might be one of the most technically skilled players we have.
Boyee
Hurst , TX
Total Comments (4)
Parkhurst is a great choice. The kid is cool under pressure. He has looked good in the two super liga games.
bluejay6
West Roxbury , MA
Total Comments (1)
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