2014 World Cup
23 Tickets for Brazil: Brian Sciaretta's Latest Picks
With just one friendly left before the opening of World Cup camp in May, the competition for roster spots is intense. Here is Brian Sciaretta's latest projection of the 23 players who will make it to Brazil.
JURGEN KLINSMANN HAS SAID that the door will be open until the last day. He also said that there may be a few surprise selections for the 2014 World Cup. And I believe him.
Every cycle has its surprises: At this point four years ago, few would have predicted Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley, and Herculez Gomez making the 2010 roster. And yet all three saw minutes in South Africa.
This is not an exact science, but here's how I see the United States' 2014 World Cup roster shaping up over the months ahead. I've separated the players into these four categories:
Lock: Barring an injury, this player will go to Brazil.
Near Lock: It would take an unusual dip in form for this player to be left behind.
Safe Bet: The odds are in this player’s favor of going to Brazil but it would not be a stunning event if he were left behind.
In a battle: While on the inside of the bubble, this player is in a dogfight for his spot in Brazil. It can go either way at this point.
Having said that, here are my 23 Tickets to Brazil.
2) Brad Guzan (Lock)
3) Nick Rimando (Lock) In the mix: Sean Johnson, Tally Hall, Cody Cropper Notes: Barring injury, the goalkeeping position is settled for Brazil. The only thing to be said is that if Nick Rimando is your third keeper, you should feel pretty good about how the team stands at the position.
5) Fabian Johnson (Lock)
6) Matt Besler (Near Lock)
7) Omar Gonzalez (Near Lock)
8) Clarence Goodson (Safe Bet)
9) Brad Evans (Safe Bet)
10) DaMarcus Beasley (Safe Bet)
11) Michael Parkhurst (In a Battle) In the mix: John Brooks, Oguchi Onyeqwu, Edgar Castillo, Timothy Chandler, Eric Lichaj, DeAndre Yedlin, Michael Orozco Notes: The game against Ukraine revealed more negatives than positives. John Brooks is not quite ready yet and Oguchi Onyewu did not do enough to book a ticket to Brazil. Similarly, it also revealed that Fabian Johnson is going to be needed at left back. Geoff Cameron is a lock but where will he play? At this point, he is likely the starter at right back, and having Parkhurst allows Cameron to move into central defense if needed while giving Klinsmann the choice of Parkhurst or Evans at right back.
13) Jermaine Jones (Lock)
14) Landon Donovan (Lock)
15) Clint Dempsey (Lock)
16) Graham Zusi (Near Lock)
17) Alejandro Bedoya (Safe Bet)
18) Kyle Beckerman (Safe Bet)
19) Julian Green (In a Battle)
20) Mix Diskerud (In a Battle) In the mix: Danny Williams, Sacha Kljestan, Joe Corona, Maurice Edu, Luis Gil, Brad Davis, Benny Feilhaber, Brek Shea, Jose Torres Notes: With each passing week, the midfield position looks more settled. Bradley, Jones, Donovan, and Dempsey are going to Brazil. It would take something unusual for Zusi not to go. Similarly, Bedoya was one of the few bright spots in the game against Ukraine so it’s hard to see him being left behind. Another take away from the Ukraine game is that Danny Williams (if his knee heals) could push for a spot to Brazil. Williams played well in his limited minutes and has been a very solid Championship midfielder for Reading. So who could Danny Williams catch? Kyle Beckerman has been outstanding to start the MLS season and he played well in the 2-0 friendly win over South Korea on February 1st. So my guess is that Williams puts pressure on Mix Diskerud. Diskerud give Klinsmann more options—the Norwegian-American is gifted in attack—but Williams can provide more competition, and that’s not a bad thing. With all that said, we now have to talk about the elephant in the room. As of right now, I feel somewhat comfortable thinking Julian Green will be going to Brazil despite the fact that he has not filed his one-time switch and has played only limited professional minutes. Why is this? I’ve covered dual nationals for a long time and sensing a player’s ambition is usually not hard; it's all about momentum. For Aron Johannsson, it became pretty clear he was going to switch when he started turning down Icelandic callups to “keep his options open.” Conversely, Serbian-American defender Nevin Subotic showed no interest in playing for the 2008 U.S.Olympic team or in any friendlies for the full national team—a clear indication of his true allegiance. A decision over which national team a dual citizen represents usually follows a pattern of smaller, yet telling, decisions. The fact that Julian Green took time to train with the U.S. national team in Cyprus and now again in Arizona ahead of the World Cup is telling. He’s also been outspoken that while he has played for Germany he never closed the door on playing for the United States. In other words, his mind is not made up. In addition, U.S. Soccer and Jurgen Klinsmann have been very vocal in their interest in Green which is not something they would do if they did not feel there was a good chance at getting him. I think U.S. fans should find it telling that Green is willing to leave Bayern Munich to travel to the United States to train with the U.S. despite it not coming on a FIFA date. That's a very positive sign. But does Green deserve a spot? That depends. Brek Shea’s dismissal from Barnsley does not bode well for his chances of making the World Cup roster—he may not get another club opportunity before May. Julian Green, on the other hand, can play both forward and wing and right now the U.S. team needs wingers. With the momentum pointing in this direction—and with him playing a position the U.S. needs—I’ll predict that Julian Green makes the U.S. World Cup team, just barely, and files his switch very soon. I also expect that he will play well in friendlies ahead of the World Cup.
22) Aron Johannsson (Lock)
23) Eddie Johnson (In a Battle) In the Mix: Juan Agudelo, Chris Wondolowski, Terrence Boyd, Herculez Gomez, Mike Magee, Will Bruin. Notes: Jozy Altidore and the red-hot Aron Johannsson are locks. So that leaves one more position. Eddie Johnson has it right now on the strength of the important goals he scored in World Cup qualifying. But his roster spot is not as secure as some might assume. Juan Agudelo could put pressure on Johnson if he plays well in the Netherlands. Chris Wondolowski will likely be given an extended run out against Mexico after a very good game against South Korea. And Terrence Boyd has always been in the picture despite not having scored a goal for the national team. In other words, Johnson will have to play well for D.C. United in the weeks and months ahead if he wants to hold on to his roster spot. What do you think of these picks? Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts below. Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
Goalkeepers
1) Tim Howard (Lock)2) Brad Guzan (Lock)
3) Nick Rimando (Lock) In the mix: Sean Johnson, Tally Hall, Cody Cropper Notes: Barring injury, the goalkeeping position is settled for Brazil. The only thing to be said is that if Nick Rimando is your third keeper, you should feel pretty good about how the team stands at the position.
Defenders
4) Geoff Cameron (Lock)5) Fabian Johnson (Lock)
6) Matt Besler (Near Lock)
7) Omar Gonzalez (Near Lock)
8) Clarence Goodson (Safe Bet)
9) Brad Evans (Safe Bet)
10) DaMarcus Beasley (Safe Bet)
11) Michael Parkhurst (In a Battle) In the mix: John Brooks, Oguchi Onyeqwu, Edgar Castillo, Timothy Chandler, Eric Lichaj, DeAndre Yedlin, Michael Orozco Notes: The game against Ukraine revealed more negatives than positives. John Brooks is not quite ready yet and Oguchi Onyewu did not do enough to book a ticket to Brazil. Similarly, it also revealed that Fabian Johnson is going to be needed at left back. Geoff Cameron is a lock but where will he play? At this point, he is likely the starter at right back, and having Parkhurst allows Cameron to move into central defense if needed while giving Klinsmann the choice of Parkhurst or Evans at right back.
Midfielders
12) Michael Bradley (Lock)13) Jermaine Jones (Lock)
14) Landon Donovan (Lock)
15) Clint Dempsey (Lock)
16) Graham Zusi (Near Lock)
17) Alejandro Bedoya (Safe Bet)
18) Kyle Beckerman (Safe Bet)
19) Julian Green (In a Battle)
20) Mix Diskerud (In a Battle) In the mix: Danny Williams, Sacha Kljestan, Joe Corona, Maurice Edu, Luis Gil, Brad Davis, Benny Feilhaber, Brek Shea, Jose Torres Notes: With each passing week, the midfield position looks more settled. Bradley, Jones, Donovan, and Dempsey are going to Brazil. It would take something unusual for Zusi not to go. Similarly, Bedoya was one of the few bright spots in the game against Ukraine so it’s hard to see him being left behind. Another take away from the Ukraine game is that Danny Williams (if his knee heals) could push for a spot to Brazil. Williams played well in his limited minutes and has been a very solid Championship midfielder for Reading. So who could Danny Williams catch? Kyle Beckerman has been outstanding to start the MLS season and he played well in the 2-0 friendly win over South Korea on February 1st. So my guess is that Williams puts pressure on Mix Diskerud. Diskerud give Klinsmann more options—the Norwegian-American is gifted in attack—but Williams can provide more competition, and that’s not a bad thing. With all that said, we now have to talk about the elephant in the room. As of right now, I feel somewhat comfortable thinking Julian Green will be going to Brazil despite the fact that he has not filed his one-time switch and has played only limited professional minutes. Why is this? I’ve covered dual nationals for a long time and sensing a player’s ambition is usually not hard; it's all about momentum. For Aron Johannsson, it became pretty clear he was going to switch when he started turning down Icelandic callups to “keep his options open.” Conversely, Serbian-American defender Nevin Subotic showed no interest in playing for the 2008 U.S.Olympic team or in any friendlies for the full national team—a clear indication of his true allegiance. A decision over which national team a dual citizen represents usually follows a pattern of smaller, yet telling, decisions. The fact that Julian Green took time to train with the U.S. national team in Cyprus and now again in Arizona ahead of the World Cup is telling. He’s also been outspoken that while he has played for Germany he never closed the door on playing for the United States. In other words, his mind is not made up. In addition, U.S. Soccer and Jurgen Klinsmann have been very vocal in their interest in Green which is not something they would do if they did not feel there was a good chance at getting him. I think U.S. fans should find it telling that Green is willing to leave Bayern Munich to travel to the United States to train with the U.S. despite it not coming on a FIFA date. That's a very positive sign. But does Green deserve a spot? That depends. Brek Shea’s dismissal from Barnsley does not bode well for his chances of making the World Cup roster—he may not get another club opportunity before May. Julian Green, on the other hand, can play both forward and wing and right now the U.S. team needs wingers. With the momentum pointing in this direction—and with him playing a position the U.S. needs—I’ll predict that Julian Green makes the U.S. World Cup team, just barely, and files his switch very soon. I also expect that he will play well in friendlies ahead of the World Cup.
Forwards
21) Jozy Altidore (Lock)22) Aron Johannsson (Lock)
23) Eddie Johnson (In a Battle) In the Mix: Juan Agudelo, Chris Wondolowski, Terrence Boyd, Herculez Gomez, Mike Magee, Will Bruin. Notes: Jozy Altidore and the red-hot Aron Johannsson are locks. So that leaves one more position. Eddie Johnson has it right now on the strength of the important goals he scored in World Cup qualifying. But his roster spot is not as secure as some might assume. Juan Agudelo could put pressure on Johnson if he plays well in the Netherlands. Chris Wondolowski will likely be given an extended run out against Mexico after a very good game against South Korea. And Terrence Boyd has always been in the picture despite not having scored a goal for the national team. In other words, Johnson will have to play well for D.C. United in the weeks and months ahead if he wants to hold on to his roster spot. What do you think of these picks? Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts below. Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
