USA 2014 World Cup Squad Projection Version 1.5 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

It's been a few months since the initial projection and it's changed a bit with several friendlies taking place. Overall, the core of the team remains the same with the final spots still unclear. This projection is of what the team (23 man squad) will be for the World Cup (in 2014) and not during qualifying.

For the full quote sheet, click here:
U.S. Men's National Team head coach JURGEN KLINSMANN On the game against Panama:
"I think we saw a very close game, a very tight game which we luckily won because Panama didn't finish off the chances that they had.

The first phase of the Chicago Fire's 2012 pre-season is in full swing. About 36 players are working with the Chicago Fire technical staff down in Ave Maria, Florida. Marco Pappa recently arrived in camp. New striker Federico Puppo resolved his visa issues and made his way to the Sunshine State. Sean Johnson just wrapped up his recent USMNT call-up.

Last night, I was at work and I missed the USA at Panama match on Galavision from Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City. Too bad, it would have been my first look at lots of young USMNT prospects making their debut with the senior NT. The starting lineup was Nick Rimando in goal, AJ De La Garza, Michael Parkhurst, Geoff Cameron, and Zach Loyd in the back, Ricardo Clark and Jermaine Jones in the
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Gabriel Gomez was signed by the Philadelphia Union in late December. Last night was the first chance Philly fans have had to examine the versatile Panamanian.

In a 1-0 friendly loss to the United States, Gomez played as a calming link between Panama's back four and skittish front five.

The good news: He was fantastic.

The US "Camp Cupcake" roster closed out their camp down in Panama today with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal by Sporting KC midfielder, Graham Zusi. Like the game on Saturday against Venezuela, both Zusi and Teal Bunbury started for the United States, while CJ Sapong found himself starting on the bench. The US got a good start, as Zusi finished off a chance in the 8th minute to give the US a 1-0 lead.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the United States National Team players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Brian O'Connell, Julian Cardillo and Sean Donahue contributed ratings for the USA's 1-0 victory over Panama.

Four days after putting together an impeccable performance against Venezuela, the United States had to overcome a sloppy and disheveled showing to escape Estadio Rommel Fernandez with a 1-0 win over Panama Wednesday night.

Graham Zusi's ninth minute goal survived more than 85 minutes of as Panama squandered countless chances to equalize against a maligned back line during the international friendly.

By FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann scheduled the friendly in Panama to experience what a road game in CONCACAF was like, and he got just what he wanted.

Four days after beating Venezuela, the United States defeated Panama, 1-0, on Wednesday night in a game that felt much like a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on the road.

Graham Zusi got his first National Team goal in his second National Team game, putting the United States up eight minutes into Wednesday night's friendly against Panama. Both teams pressed the offense in the first-half, with US goalkeeper Nick Rimando and his counterpart Luis Mejia called into service.

Rimando
DeLaGarza Parkhurst Cameron Loyd
Clark Jones (capt.)
Zusi Shea
Wondolowski Bunbury
1-Rimando2-DeLaGarza3-Loyd4-Parkhurst5-Cameron6-Clark7-Wondolowski8-Jones (capt.

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. – In a match that was much closer than the last time these teams met, the U.S. Under-23 national team battled to a hard fought 1-1 draw against the U.S. national team on Tuesday evening at the Home Depot Center Complex.

Graham Zusi was flying down the flanks throughout the first half
Graham Zusi and Jack McInerney traded sweet strikes as the National Team and the U-23's finished with a 1-1 draw in the second of two scrimmages played here between the teams at The Home Depot Center.

Jared Jeffrey (blue) and Benny Feilhaber (Grey)
On Friday, the full team lined up against the U-23 MNT for the first of two scrimmages while the teams share space at The Home Depot Center. For both groups, it was the first opportunity to play 11 v. 11 since camp began and continue to evaluate players for the upcoming friendlies.

The full team lined up against the U-23 MNT for the first of two scrimmages while the teams share space at The Home Depot Center. For both groups, it was the first opportunity to play 11 v. 11 since camp began and continue to evaluate players for the upcoming friendlies.
"These scrimmages are good for us and the Under-23s, that's why we do it purposely, because it's a big year for U.

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- There were plenty of lessons learned on Friday as the United States senior squad soundly defeated the U.S. Under-23's 4-0 in a scrimmage that took place on the Mooch Myernick Field at the Home Depot Center complex.

It's the biggest excuse to throw a mid-winter party in MLS: the SuperDraft. The annual gathering of coaches, executives and personnel directors all huddled under one roof to select the next crop of can't-miss collegiate prospects.

Sure, it may be a crapshoot. For every Steve Shak, there's a Nick Rimando.

The first pure fitness session on the field since camp began five days ago was a doozy. Designed by fitness coach Masa Sakihana, the intense 36-minute program was built to increase their maximum fitness capacity and improve the players' ability to change direction at speed.

There were two different stations, each running a duration of one minute.

It's no surprise with so many talented players having come through the U.S. system that there would be a lot of guys who have shared the same field together and then separated as their careers progressed. Well, it's reunion time here in Phoenix, and a review of the roster reveals several players who have won national championships together, MLS Cup titles, U.

New England Revolution midfielder and member of the 2010 U.S. World Cup Team, Benny Feilhaber will make his return to the U.S. National Team for its January camp after being left out in the cold since head coach Jürgen Klinsmann took over in July.

Revolution midfielder Benny Feilhaber will make his return to the U.

Like moaning and whining and pitching fits over Klinsi's January call-ups!!! YAY!!!!G - Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)D - Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), A.J. DeLaGarza (L.A. Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (L.A. Galaxy), George John (FC Dallas), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA)M - Kyle Beckerman (

As Camp Junior Mint (U-23) gets underway in Florida this week, Jurgen Klinsmann should be shortly submitting his roster for who gets an Evite to the annual Camp Cupcake in Carson, CA.

This will of course be Klinsmann's first time selecting for the camp that normally sees predominant enrollment of fringe US and Nordic domestic league players.

Real Salt Lake and MNT Goalkeeper Nick Rimando will be hanging out at the Winter Showcase
U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper will be on-site at the Development Academy Winter Showcase and NIKE International Friendlies on Sunday, December 4 from 3:00 to 7:30. Nick will be signing autographs and taking pictures at AT&T's interactive area at the Athletes Lounge, playing soccer tennis, participating in a Q & A during pre-game and halftime of the U.

As people across the United States get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, we give you some extra food for thought as we look at the year by the numbers. Here's 11 from '11:

• A total of 46 players earned at least one cap for the full team; under Klinsmann, 28 players got at least one game.

After a long and illustrious career as one of America's best goalkeepers, Kasey Keller has one more award to walk off into the sunset with.

The 41-year-old Seattle Sounder was announced as MLS Goalkeeper of the Year on Tuesday in a move widely expected after he was named to the MLS Best XI last week.

While the Seattle Sounders didn't take the MLS Cup or Supporters Shield in his final season the American Legend has raked in individual awards. After last week being named the starter on the Best XI, today Kasey Keller is not just recognized, but running away with the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

MLS announced today their Best XI today in a teleconference where Don Garber read the names. MLS Reserves had similar names on the list, but not quite an exact match. The MLS Reserves set up its own criteria and considered all players under it.
Considered these selections was the effect these players had on their team, their individual efforts, statistical prowess, presence in the locker room and ultimately how good they were throughout the season.

Now that the finalist for the 2011 MLS Awards are out, it's time I share how I voted with everyone. I'm a firm believer in the need for transparency in award voting if for no other reason that if you submit a crazy ballot, you should be accountable for your choices.

We were allowed by MLS to select two choices for each category from a pre-selected list.

The Los Angeles Galaxy will be finishing its season at the Home Depot Center approximately two weeks from now.

The only question now is will they be ending it holding the 2011 MLS Cup trophy. The Galaxy took one more step towards answering that question in the Western Conference Final on Sunday.

BY ADAM SERRANO

The Los Angeles Galaxy continued their methodical push to the MLS Cup as they advanced to the league championship with a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake at the Home Depot Center.

The victory put the Galaxy in their second final in three years as they will take on the Houston Dynamo on their home soil on November 20th.

One of these two teams will meet Houston at MLS Cup in Carson after the Dynamo, who lost MLS assist leader Brad Davis to a first half injury, beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 earier this afternoon in the Eastern Conference Final.

It's a cool, but dry evening at Home Depot Center as the Galaxy host this fixture for a third consecutive year.

Real Salt Lake carried a three goal lead into the second leg against the Seattle Sounders and they would need the whole thing before the end of the night. Seattle attacked from the first whistle and kept pressure on RSL until the final whistle. The home team controlled the game and almost all of the possession but were held back by some early injuries.

Times are not bright. It is cloudy, cold and rain is expected. The Seattle Sounders are down three goals and one of their MVP candidates is out for the game. Real Salt Lake doesn't get blown out with a healthy roster. It is a very Seattle day.

It isn't a very Sounders day though. Three straight US Open Cups, 63 regular season points, three straight MLS Cup Playoffs appearances, success in the CONCACAF Champions League.

With the red cards, penalties and an own goal in the last two matches there isn't much that can be taken from the previous two meetings between these sides. Even the issue with the 2010 contests has been addressed, as the Seattle Sounders substitution patterns have dramatically improved in 2011 over previous season.

After Sammy Ochoa's Pemco goal against Chivas USA last week it seems like the Seattle Sounders have a bit of a battle for that second forward role. Just a week ago the case was made that their roles are different enough that the start v sub decision should be more about tactical options than one player being "better.

The MLS playoff schedule was set late Sunday night (it's down below here).

We'll review with a thorough handicapping later this week, but for now...here's our quick odds, brief summary and the schedule.

Please lend your voice to the odds and we'll republish on Wednesday or Thursday:

Evans for Seattle (and previously for Columbus)

TSG's MLS Playoff Odds:

Seattle Sounders: 3 to 1* (pending Rosales injury update)

Los Angeles Galaxy: 4 to 1

Real Salt Lake: 6 to 1

Philadelphia Union: 7 to 1

Sporting KC, FC Dallas: 8 to 1

Colorado Rapids: 10 to 1

Houston Dynamo: 14 to 1

New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew: 15 to 1

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TSG's Pick (may change by Thursday): Seattle

TSG Skinny: There are a just few basic things you need to reach the MLS Cup Finals after journeying through its playoff gauntlet.

Quick Recap:

The Portland Timbers came out and showed that they still had pride in wearing Timbers Green and show flashes of brilliance. Real Salt Lake unfortunately struck first but Portland kept fighting and got the equalizer late. 1-1 Tie.

First Half:

John Spencer decided to keep a good thing going and started the same starting 11 that came out strong against D.

By JOSE M. ROMERO

Playoff spot clinched, Real Salt Lake had victory in its grasp in its regular-season finale Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium, plus the chance to lock up the No. 3 seed from the MLS Western Conference with no help from other results.

RSL's reward for No.

Donovan Ricketts and his backup Josh Saunders have been some of the best keepers in 2011. (Getty Images)

Before the start of the 2011 MLS Season I went through each position and ranked the teams by I thought would be the best at that position in 2011. With the final week of the season upon us, I figure it is a good time to go and revisit those rankings and call out where I was spot on and where I was way off.

Call it a sentimental pick if you like, but it was tough to give this week's SBI MLS Player of the Week award to anybody but Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Not only did Keller help draw a crowd of more than 64,000 to CenturyLink Field to see the final regular season home game of his illustrious career, but the 42-year-old goalkeeper made a plethora of clutch saves with his Seattle Sounders trailing San Jose.