No arguments with those winners -- just glad that it didn't go to the default winner again, Lando.

So can Becks get his 100th cap on March 26th and return, fit, for LA's season opener?
Will their opener be scheduled in NY or NE to reduce his flight time?

I'd like to see Jozy in training camp, but he may be selected for the U-23 camp instead.

I'd like to see Eddie Robinson make the roster and actually take the field against Sweden.

Good idea, but Beckham and the Galaxy are due in Colorado to face the Rapids on the 29th

i want to see more of the following:
Mapp, Davies, Altidore, Sacha K, Feilhaber, Albright, Edu, Rolfe, Parkhurst, Wynne.

What happened to Santino Quaranta- i remember when he used to get minutes with the MNT.

I'm too lazy to look, does DCU have a back-up for Wells right now?

If injury-free Jeremiah White will be at camp. Bet on it.

My camp roster would be:

FORWARDS

Kenny Cooper
Chris Rolfe
Landon Donovan
Jozy Altidore
Robbie Findley
Charlie Davies

MIDFIELDERS

Maurice Edu
Robbie Rogers
Ricardo Clark
Ned Grabavoy
Sacha Kljestan
Justin Mapp
Eddie Gaven
Jeremiah White

DEFENDERS

Jonathan Bornstein
Dan Califf
Michael Parkhurst
Marvell Wynne
Mike Randolph
Bakary Soumare
Todd Dunivant
Seth Stammler

GOALKEEPERS

Brad Guzan
Tally Hall
Zach Wells

I'd rather Feilhaber not come into national team camp unless he starts playing more for his club.

There is more on Community America Park (Wizards Temp Stadium and opening game for DC) including video at http://ozcitysoccer.com/2007/12/20/more-of-community-america-park/

Please keep in mind that many under-23 players will not be called into camp because of their own training session.

what about mark burch?

January transfer window, yes?
Would Derby maybe want to shop Feilhaber by releasing him for this friendly? It may be in Benny and Derby's best interest to let him come stateside...or aren't Derby to that point with him yet?

is norway's season over, will perkins play soon

I've thought about the Feilhaber to DC possibility, but Benny gives up the ball rather easily and I don't think that would jell with our posession game.

He does have a lot of technicle ability and great vision so he might work well. I wouldn't be against the move at all.

I just want to clarify that when I said about "Benny coming stateside" I meant for the MNT camp.

Brian's post is completely legit, as I've heard Feilhaber-to-DC rumblings (or, um, pipedreams)...it's just not what I had in mind.

Steve,

It's not like we're rolling in world class left backs up here, so I'd like to see Bob bring in three guys who are doing pretty well and for the most part under the radar.

Edgar Castillo, Santos Laguna, Mexico
Michael Orozco, San Luis, Mexico
Chase Hilgenbrinck, Nublense, Chile

I know Castillo's already been capped in a friendly by Hugo, but he admitted he was disappointed that no one ever called him in. Why not now, before it's too late?

I'd really like to see Frankie Hejduk brought in again. His energy and aggresion in the gold cup really gave us a boost. He'd fill in nicely for Cherundolo at RB and then just play Bornstein at LB.

They need to bring in Stuart Holden and Michael Harrington. Speaking of available GK's for DC Utd... Canizares is available/released by Valencia, but he's 38. He could definitely show Wells something as Wells doesn't have the experience but he is very good youngster.

Wouldn't Bundesliga players like Cherundolo and Heath Pearce be available in their winter break?

I would like to see the US take on Romania or Croatia.

Benny F. really needs to leave Derby, he has gone from a bench-warmer to not making the squad. A small stint in MLS would be good.

A small reminder, the UEFA CL draw will be tomorrow at 6:00am and will be shown on Setanta Sports live.

I'm in agreement on Holden. I don't understand why he's not in Houston's first 11. He's electric. There's a guy worth trading for.

I also agree that the U.S. should take on Romania or Croatia. Our troops are pretty weary fighting these guerilla wars. A quick romp through Croatia and our boys could be sunning on the Adriatic shores. Or a pleasure cruise on the Danube after conquering Romania.

If the USMNT wants to play a Euro Cup team on March 26, then the only available teams are Croatia, Poland and Greece (and Sweden, but of course we wouldn't play them again). We seemed to play Poland a lot (relatively) but any of them would be nice opponents in Europe. Or there's always options like Scotland or Ireland.

what about mark burch?

Posted by: ann |

Not warranted yet.
He has played maybe 10 games of good football. His defense needs work. His crosses were nice for the first couple of months but, once everyone knew what he was going to do, they dried up. When he can do his thing even though the other team knows it is coming, and when he learns the role of defender in the many situations that come up during a game and does them consistently throughout the course of the next year, then maybe, maybe he'll get a look.
Until then watch him improve and be glad he is a member of DCU.

"What happened to Santino Quaranta- i remember when he used to get minutes with the MNT."

Thanks for the laugh, MB, I needed that! I think he's still injured from grabbing his crotch too hard last time he was at RFK...

Thank the soccer gods that Landycakes did not get another undeserved award (i.e. Honda PoY). Dempsey is a class choice.

I would like to see Kenny Cooper in camp. Has he recovered from his broken leg? If so, I guess he is nowhere near match fit. His size and presence are direly needed. We have lacked a out-and-out target man up top since McBride retired.

Goff,

Since December 7, when you said the Insider was going to "cool the engines for portions of this month." I've been struggling to get my footie fix.

So, let me be the first to say that I can't wait for you to come back from your vacation. This intermittent blogging just isn't enough for our sponge-like footie minds!

I had the same thought about Croatia. I hope we can make it happen. NM

Since media votes helped make up the other half of the votes, I think in the interest of fair government, and since you clearly are in big time with US Soccer and had a vote, you, that Herr Goffinho (or is it Geca?) inform us who you voted for.

That way we'll never have a problem with a fixed vote, like say LSU in the BCS game.

i love dc united, and as much as i know feilhaber would be able to take this team to the next level, i would despise it if he actually came. i like seeing dc win and all, but my loyalties lie far heavier with the USMNT. feilhaber to dc would be just another wasted talent stuck in the mls. he needs to stay in europe, regardless if he's playing or not. don't let feilhaber become the next donovan.

I did not vote in the USSF awards contest this year, but hard to argue with the winners.

Indeed, I had planned to cool the engines as of two weeks ago. Starting this weekend, I REALLY mean it! ;-)

A Mexico-Portugal friendly? Finally we can settle once and for all which is the greatest country in the world.

I'll *kill* myself if Portugal doesn't win!

See who catches the Goose Simpson reference.

Someone asked whether Kenny Cooper was recuperated. He played at the end of this past MLS season so he should be OK recuperation-wise.

If I'm not mistaken, Kenny Cooper has been training with ManYoo. He might not be game fit, but he'll be as close as any MLS'er in January.

I'm sorry that Wambach won the award. Yes, she's an offensive force but she was one of the Queen B's who led the deliberate over-reaction to Hope Solo's post-game remarks after the WWC semifinal loss to Brazil. To me, bullying outweighs talent. I know this won't happen, but I hope we see the last of Wambach after next year's Olympics.

Last!

I'm sorry that Wambach won the award. Yes, she's an offensive force but she was one of the Queen B's who led the deliberate over-reaction to Hope Solo's post-game remarks after the WWC semifinal loss to Brazil. To me, bullying outweighs talent. I know this won't happen, but I hope we see the last of Wambach after next year's Olympics.

Posted by: Joseph D'Hippolito | December 21, 2007 02:59 PM
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But whom would you have nominated in her place? In other words, was there anyone who clearly was not complicit in that fiasco?

Good point. I'm not sure whom I would have nominated. Solo perhaps; she compiled a superb record (though it was mostly against vastly inferior competition). I'd probably nominate one of the younger players who made a impact. Maybe Kai? Maybe O'Reilly? Osborne? Ellertson?