5.13.14
ASN Morning Read: Coming To Grips With The 30
Talk continues about the United States' 30-man roster, particularly the snub of Eddie Johnson; Players sound off on their inclusion; Ghana names a preliminary roster with some all-too-familiar faces.
BY
Jesse Yomtov
Posted
May 13, 2014
8:03 AM
Brian Sciaretta broke down the 30-man roster and thinks Tim Ream’s omission is a far bigger surprise than Eddie Johnson.
With the preliminary roster out, how do you think the U.S. will fare at the World Cup?
Jurgen Klinsmann said Johnson’s snub “had nothing to do with” recent comments about his club teammates. Klinsmann insists the 30-year-old was a victim of a numbers game, as he Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey are pegged as forwards.
Oddly enough, Johnson is the third consecutive player to score the clinching goal in qualifying and be left off the roster, joining Steve Ralston (in the 2006 cycle) and Conor Casey (2010).
Johnson gave a statement through D.C. United: “While I am disappointed not to have the chance to represent the U.S. Men's National Team in Brazil, I respect Coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision. I strongly believe in and support my U.S. teammates, and I wish the best for our team and our nation at the World Cup.”
Michael Parkhurst on Klinsmann vs. Bradley: “The way that we played in Denmark, and the way I was able to get into the attack and hone my game as a rightback has really prepared me well for the international play, and for Jurgen’s style of play,” he said. “I think that that’s the biggest difference for me, personally, between Bob [Bradley] and Jurgen. Of course, all coaches see the game differently, some coaches favor players over others, and Jürgen has seemed to favored me. Hopefully that continues.”
After making the 30-man squad in 2010 but missing out on the final roster, Alejandro Bedoya expects a different result this time around.. “Last time I was disappointed, but it was a whole different story because I was young and inexperienced and just happy to be in camp," he told the Miami Herald "I now know how to handle this kind of camp."
Graham Zusi and Matt Besler held court in Kansas City:
The boys in Seattle were quotable. "Every time you get to play in the World Cup it's a dream come true," Clint Dempsey said. "When I was a little kid, it's what I used to pray about, hoping that one day I could play in one. That I have the opportunity to play in three is pretty special."
Brad Evans: "I think I've put in a lot of work over the past year and a half and it's great to be rewarded with a call-up and even the opportunity to go to Brazil. It's been a fun ride."
DeAndre Yedlin: "It's pretty incredible to be considered for this team, especially at a young age. This experience is going to be amazing,"
Ghana named a 26-man roster with nothing particularly noteworthy. Michael Essien missed the 2010 World Cup due to an injury, but he’ll be back for Brazil.
The New York Times’ Rich Sandomir takes a look at the deals MLS made with ESPN, Univision and Fox, worth a combined $90 million annually from 2015 to 2022. “It’s a futures deal,” ESPN president John Skipper said. “We’re buying pork bellies. We think they’ll become more valuable over time.”
