OT: Soccer friendly (pre-Copa America) - USA vs. Ecuador, 7:00pm CDT, ESPN2

Submitted by Wolverine In Iowa on

Tonight the USMNT take on fellow Copa America participant Ecuador in a friendly, the second of three friendlies leading to the opening Copa America match featuring USA against Colombia on June 3.

The 23-man squad named for the tournament is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), 12-Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), 22-Ethan Horvath (Molde IK)

DEFENDERS (8): 5-Matt Besler (Sporting KC), 3-Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), 6-John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), 20-Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), 21-Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), 23-Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach), 14-Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), 2-DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)

MIDFIELDERS/FORWARDS (12): 15-Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), 11-Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), 4-Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), 8-Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), 13-Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), 16-Perry Kitchen (Heart of Midlothian), 10-Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), 17-Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), 18-Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), 7-Bobby Wood (Hamburg SV), 20-Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy), 19-Graham Zusi (Sporting KC)

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FreddieMercuryHayes

May 25th, 2016 at 6:38 PM ^

I'm so happy about my fandom of the USMNT. After the Lions, then UM during the lost decade, I'm really glad I like another team that will continually crush my soul due to bad management. At least the USWNT treats me well.



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bacon1431

May 25th, 2016 at 6:47 PM ^

Like: 

  • New third keeper - thought we should let Rimando go after the 14 WC. I know Howard took his sabbatical, but IMO that was a perfect time to try some of the younger guys
  • Pulisic - obvs
  • Increased role for Wood - I think he's ready for it
  • Yedlin at RB - finally back where he belongs

Dislike: 

  • Chandler and Orozco - name me the last time that either of these guys performed well for the national team? I get continuing to give Chandler more chances as he has been solid in one of the big 5 leagues, but Orozco isn't even getting playing time for his club. No reason he keeps getting called in, even after a hiatus and someone like Jorge Villafana doesn't get a cap
  • Zardes - I think he destroys attacks more than helps them. He's a great athlete and fast, but he has absolutely no touch
  • Beckerman - love the guy and he's not quite done yet, but I think we are better off bringing in a younger player like Danny Williams or Will Trapp because they are more likely to be involved in the '18 WC than Beckerman is. Think it's time to pass over him

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ken725

May 25th, 2016 at 6:47 PM ^

Makes me sad to see Fabian Johnson listed as a defender. Need to develop better players there FJ can play in the midfield.

Also a bummer that our most versatile defender in Geoff Cameron is out with a hammy injury.

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Rhino77

May 25th, 2016 at 6:57 PM ^

Honestly our development is sad. We seem to be at a slower pace than the rest of the world. I am interested to see how Pulisic plays but am disappointed in our ability to produce a quality Striker. England has 1/8 our population and can run out Kane and Vardy. Ugh.



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Rhino77

May 25th, 2016 at 8:43 PM ^

My point exactly. Vardy at 30 comes on like a beast (He was legit last year in the EPL as well).

Look at England's Strikers though, Kane, Vardy, Sturridge (When he is healthy), Rooney (Okay, eff Rooney). 

Is there not 1 Kane in the US? He is 22!

You telling me we don't have that quality of athlete in this country. Pisses me off. 

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Trader Jack

May 25th, 2016 at 7:09 PM ^

USMNT are two players away from being really good. Need a LB to solidify the back line and an AM capable of allowing Bradley to slide back to his more natural DM role.



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superstringer

May 25th, 2016 at 7:27 PM ^

Yeah, uh, I look at our lineup then think about Germany, France, Argentina, Belgium, Italy... and I come up with a bit more than "two" players away from "really good.". Closer to eleven.

Two away from being competitive with Mexico and Costa Rica? Maybe. But thats not "really good."

Oh -- you meant the WOMEN's team maybe



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Trader Jack

May 25th, 2016 at 7:41 PM ^

Eh, this group is a little better than you're giving them credit for, even if they are hamstrung by Klinsmann's deficiencies as a tactical coach. They're not going to win the World Cup anytime soon, but you don't think they'd be in a much better position to compete with a solid backline and a good attacking mid? Of course they're not Germany, but they're ranked 25th in the world right now. The additions I suggested would make them a very solid team, even though that doesn't fit with the current pretty negative narrative among fans who I'm assuming don't even watch most of the games until the World Cup starts.

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swan flu

May 25th, 2016 at 7:39 PM ^

I have not had the time this season to pay attention to the US. Now that a rocky but sensational season is in the books for the Blaugrana I'm excited to see what we have to look forward to the rest of this cycle.

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gmoney41

May 26th, 2016 at 10:57 AM ^

I don't know about best league top to bottom, but La Liga have the best top 1/4 of any league in the world hands down.  As far as competetiveness, I would put EPL from top to bottom as the most competetive fun to watch league.  Bundasliga is Bayern's every year. and Seria A has a ton of average teams, with Juve being the only team really worth a damn.  No league has what La Liga has had at the top.  I mean Barca, Real and Atletico are always representing in UCL, Sevilla is also pretty consistent too.  The bottom half of La Liga is not very great.   Real had an easy path and my Man City just was content on sitting back and creating nothing, but Real can only play who is on their schedule.  Barca were just unlucky to get atletico in the QF match otherwise, I would have them winning it all if they were in the final.

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Mr. Yost

May 25th, 2016 at 8:37 PM ^

I'd much rather see Jones in Beckerman's role...Beckerman sitting at home watching with Zusi. 

Then let's see some younger, faster talent where Jones is and where Zusi is playing. Nagbe and Kitchen?

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FreddieMercuryHayes

May 25th, 2016 at 8:44 PM ^

Jones is basically a number 10 for his MLS club I believe and doing very well there. When he's been used as the DM in the past it's been a disaster because he loves to go forward. Beckerman knows his role. If anything, move Bradley back to replace Beckerman, or just replace him with Kitchen.



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