Going Jozyless (MLSTalk Podcast)
It was a surprising day in US Soccer, and the MLSTalk Podcast Crew gets right down to it. Chris Webb (Unitedmania), Chris Singer (Global Football Today), and newcomer to the podcast Lisa Erickson (Center Line Soccer) get right down to the big news – the US Men’s National Team roster and the shocking omission of Jozy Altidore from the lineup. They dissect Jurgen Klinsmann’s choices, and give their predictions for the weekend’s qualifiers.
The second and third segments go after the big matches in MLS over the weekend, including the Earthquakes closing in on the Supporters Shield, Columbus hanging in the race for the last Eastern Conference spot, and New York having another meltdown at home.
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Lisa Erickson: http://www.twitter.com/lafemmeloca
Earl Reed: http://www.twitter.com/earl_of_reed
5 Responses to Going Jozyless (MLSTalk Podcast)
This really isn’t a huge shocker to me that Altidore was left off the roster for the next round of qualifying games. Altidore’s recent performances with the national team have been pretty awful. He has yet to bring the same excellent form for his club team to the national team. If anything, this should be a wake up call to Jozy. Judging from his last 4 plus performances for the national team, Jozy seems lazy and his first touch is awful. Watching him, I get the sense that it doesn’t seem like he even cares to be out on the pitch at times. Hopefully this will give motivation to Jozy the next time he’s called up. Overall, Altidore has been a huge disappointment and I don’t blame Jurgen for omitting Jozy from the roster.
Thanks for your thoughts! I agree, it’s a bit of a drastic move, but if you’re going to do it, this might be the right time. Assuming Landon Donovan is healthy, having him, Bradley, and Dempsey on the field together should be enough in these qualifiers. Then maybe you get Jozy in the spring with a little more urgency to press on.
Hopefully it’s enough. Finally having Bradley back is huge. I’m sure Jurgen will give Jozy another chance after the U.S. qualifies for the last round of WC qualification. I think it’s been documented before that Altidore sometimes shows a lack of effort in training. I imagine that weighed in on Jurgen’s decision to omit Jozy. The tough part is the U.S. is lacking in the forward position. Jurgen doesn’t seem set on a forward other then Dempsey. It’s nice that some of these other guys like Gomez are getting a shot.
Donovan was terrible in Colorado a couple of weeks ago. But these are pretty easy games. Then again so is Colorado.
Just heard Wando is off too. They should have given him a chance.