That's what several hopeful Americans did NOT hear on selection Monday, March 12, 2014. For 30 Americans playing their trade everywhere from San Jose to Istanbul, it was a dream come true or a last run into the history books. For many, it was a chance to show the world what they have. Unfortunately, as with any team selections, there were many omissions. Some I saw coming (Kljestan), some I was disappointed (Ream), but others downright left me scratching my head. Considering exactly 50% of our 30 man roster is domestic, adding Beasley and Corona from Mexico, we have a majority team playing right here in North America. Let's dive in to players who I think were wrongly omitted.
**Spoiler Alert**
This list is mostly compromised of European-based players and I feel like that shouldn't be a shock since more than half the team is already playing locally.
Oguchi Onyewu
I've taken a collection of opinions with this choice and I'd say it's about 50/50 with people either agreeing or disagreeing. Onyewu has had a very inconsistent, rough, tough, and injury-ridden past few seasons since the last World Cup, seeing him bounce around Europe until finally settling in England in search for that perfect fit. We thought it was going to be at QPR with Manager Harry Redknapp going as far as to saying Gooch was almost guaranteed a World Cup spot. When that didn't pan out, he finally found consistency with Sheffield Wednesday, where he was a starter week-in/week-out and just missed out on a playoff spot to get into the Premier League.
So what got him snubbed from the 30? USMNT Head Coach Jürgen Klinsmann stated that a recent shift in form was not a deciding factor for any player selected, so it could be his lack of consistent play time since the last World Cup, even though he's been solid since the new year. I believe a big reason was his poor showing in the Ukraine game. Up until that point, it looked like he had secured a spot, but with a God-awful pairing with John Brooks, and the fact that he looked like an 80 year old man running around out there, Klinsmann decided to look a younger pairing.
Tim Ream
This one was probably the biggest shock for any American fan. Let's get past the fact that he plays for a team at the bottom of the table in England's Second Division. The League Championship is a better league than the MLS plain and simple. THIS IS AN ARGUMENT THAT WILL BE MADE IN A LATER POST, so don't hate just yet. Ream won player of the year for his team. Player of the year. I know it's a big statement, but wouldn't you want a player of the year on your team regardless of the league? (Is that contradicting myself?) Bolton posted 11 shut outs this year and he had a major influence, starting at every opportunity while also playing just about every position in defense and midfield.
So what got him snubbed from the 30? I think a big factor for him was that he was scouted far too late in the selection process. He wasn't on the radar for the better part of a year, but they had already had their defenders in mind. He pulled out of the Ukraine game which was the final nail in the coffin. On top of that, Ream has only been capped eight times in four years, and hasn't really played or integrated with the team much.
Juan Agudelo
Tough luck kid. You really started to shine at the end of your season on loan at Utrecht. Agudelo was caught in a sticky situation for a little while after signing with Stoke. Unable to acquire a work permit in England, Agudelo was loaned to Utrecht in Holland without ever suiting up for the Potters. He flip flopped from starter to super sub throughout the season, but was one of the best players on the field for them. He scored 3 goals for them in 14 games, along with a handful of assists, but it was the movement he had off the ball, as well as the technical abilities on the ball, that made this a controversial omission. When his work permit was denied a second time, Stoke and him terminated the contract and he is now searching for a new club. A World Cup pick would have given him a great chance to spruce up his resume for European suiters, and even helped him gain a English Work Permit so that other teams there could sign him.
So what got him snubbed from the 30? Again, Klinsy stated that the process included more than just this recent year of scouting in his decision, and rightly so Agudelo got the axe. When Agudelo was on the Red Bulls, he was their crowned jewel who they refused to sell to. Suitors from all over Europe were interested in his signature, but they held firm in keeping him. That was until they decided he WASN'T their crowned jewel and traded him to Chivas USA, who then traded him to the Revolution. So I guess he just didn't show enough in a long period of time to really prove he was deserving of a World Cup spot. Here's this to think of: It's the 118th minute of extra time, and the opponents defense has just caught up to our counter, but haven't settled in yet. Who do you want to be at the end of that cross? Juan Agudelo? Or Chris Wondo(w)lowski? Tough pill to swallow, I know, but Agudelo will shine in the 2016 Copa America.
José Torres
José Torres could have been the best Torres in the World Cup (no offense Fernando)! He is America's most consistent player in the Mexican league who has LITERALLY played every position on the field. Hell, I bet he isn't too shabby between the posts. He's got over 170 caps in club soccer over two teams and he's only 26 years old. He's won three CONCACAF Champions League titles, one Liga MX title, one North American Super Liga, and one Copa MX. It's hard to look at his accolades as a player and not see his potential. He could have taken the spots of almost every midfielder we have in the camp right now sans Jones and Bradley. Torres is a work horse who has amazing vision and passing and better yet, he goes by Gringo Torres. I would have loved to see him make the camp over Beckerman, Davis, and Edu, and guys please don't forget that he actually started for us last World Cup against Slovenia.
So what got him snubbed from the 30?
Well for starters, we have an incredibly deep pool of midfielders. On top of that deep pool, every single one of them have shown why they deserve as spot on the team, whether it was through the Gold Cup, friendlies, or qualifiers, each player is there for a reason. Torres hasn't seen the field for the US in over a year, and wasn't a large part of qualifying for this World Cup. There are obviously reasons as to why he didn't make the cut, but I can't think of too many that make a lot of sense other than Klinsmann wants to play a different style and doesn't see Torres fitting into it.
Gedion Zalelem
Wait what? Is this kid even American? Alright I will admit this is a ridiculous name to throw out there, but hear me out. We have an 18 year old Julian Green on our team which has already sparked enough controversy to rivals Brazil's protests (not really). But let's think of this hypothetically, shall we? Green played once for Bayern Munich's senior team this season for. That's it. So how is Green any better than Zalelem? He's probably not, but let's consider this: Green plays in the German fourth division, never making the bench for Bayern's senior team even after they won the title back in March. Zalelem saw time on the field with Arsenal's first team, and made the bench on several different occasions throughout the season across all competitions. I'd like to believe that if Zalelem really was on the radar for this World Cup, his citizenship papers would have gone through faster, and he would have overtook Green on the roster.
So what got him snubbed from the 30?
Well, he's not technically an American citizen yet. That's enough right there. You want more? Ok, he's only 17, barely seen any first team minutes, needs time to grow and learn the professional game, and needs to be loaned to a team in a better league in order to get more playing time. Wait, am I describing Zalelem or Green?
Honorable Mentions
So what got him snubbed from the 30?
Well for starters, we have an incredibly deep pool of midfielders. On top of that deep pool, every single one of them have shown why they deserve as spot on the team, whether it was through the Gold Cup, friendlies, or qualifiers, each player is there for a reason. Torres hasn't seen the field for the US in over a year, and wasn't a large part of qualifying for this World Cup. There are obviously reasons as to why he didn't make the cut, but I can't think of too many that make a lot of sense other than Klinsmann wants to play a different style and doesn't see Torres fitting into it.
Gedion Zalelem
Wait what? Is this kid even American? Alright I will admit this is a ridiculous name to throw out there, but hear me out. We have an 18 year old Julian Green on our team which has already sparked enough controversy to rivals Brazil's protests (not really). But let's think of this hypothetically, shall we? Green played once for Bayern Munich's senior team this season for. That's it. So how is Green any better than Zalelem? He's probably not, but let's consider this: Green plays in the German fourth division, never making the bench for Bayern's senior team even after they won the title back in March. Zalelem saw time on the field with Arsenal's first team, and made the bench on several different occasions throughout the season across all competitions. I'd like to believe that if Zalelem really was on the radar for this World Cup, his citizenship papers would have gone through faster, and he would have overtook Green on the roster.
So what got him snubbed from the 30?
Well, he's not technically an American citizen yet. That's enough right there. You want more? Ok, he's only 17, barely seen any first team minutes, needs time to grow and learn the professional game, and needs to be loaned to a team in a better league in order to get more playing time. Wait, am I describing Zalelem or Green?
Honorable Mentions
Brek Shea
Shows insurmountable talent when he feels like it. Problem is: he never feels like it.
Benny Feilhaber
German last name, Brazilian heritage, and a Gold Cup goal of the century. What's not to love? Oh yeah, his talent since moving back to the MLS.
Herculez Gomez
Sorry Herc, just too many better forwards this time around. We'll always have South Africa (sigh).
Eddie Johnson
No. Just no. I don't care what you did in qualifying.
So that's it for my first post here! For the three or four of you that will read this, comment and let me know who you think should have made the team.
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