How we see the Olympic roster shaking out
February 23, 2012
The clock is ticking on Caleb Porter.
Qualifying for the Olympics begins in just under a month, and Porter needs to sort out the 20-player roster for the crucial event, which kicks off March 22 in Nashville.
Earlier this week, Porter began his final camp before that CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament. He called in 24 players to Frisco, Texas for the 10-day training camp.
Projecting and predicting who makes Porter’s final qualifying roster is no easy task, as the availability of some of the European-based players is a tough call. Along with that, players who have featured on a regular basis with the U.S. first team might not get a look. We still mentioned those players who are eligible and could get a call in come qualifying.
With that in mind, here’s the current depth chart from our eyes, focusing on the 24 players in camp at the moment in Texas. A visual representation of what follows is at the bottom of this article.
Goalkeepers
1. Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
2. Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
Other possible candidates: Zac MacMath (Philadelphia Union)
TC (Travis Clark): Hamid gets the edge in goal, as he’s clearly earned the favor of Jurgen Klinsmann in recent months. Johnson will push him every single day, and competition can only be a good thing.
Outside backs
Right back
1. Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo)
2. Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin)
Likely starter but not in camp due to club commitments: Timothy Chandler (Nuremburg), Joshua Gatt (Molde FK)
Other possible candidates: Sheanon Williams (Philadelphia Union)
Left back
1. Jorge Villafaña (Chivas USA)
2. Gregory Garza (Club Tijuana)
Other possible candidates: Sarkodie, Valentin
JE (J.R. Eskilson): Chandler’s availability is unknown, but he would be the starter if available for any part of the qualifying tournament. Gatt remained with his club during preseason camp, but is highly thought of by Porter and the favorite to start at right back in Nashville.
Sarkodie showed well during the January camp, especially in 1v1 defending. Porter loves having speed at the outside back, and Sarkodie has plenty of that. No one from this group has challenged Villafaña for the left back spot.
Center back
1. Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin)
2. Ike Opara (San Jose Earthquakes)
3. Perry Kitchen (D.C. United)
4. Zarek Valentin (Montreal Impact)
Other possible candidates: Gale Agboussomonde (Carolina Railhawks), Ethan White (D.C. United)
TC: One of the hardest positions to project, an Akron central defensive partnership of Kitchen-Valentin at qualifying wouldn’t be a huge surprise. Nor would Opara-Morales, to go with a completely different look. The size and experience of the latter two at this point give them the slight edge.
Defensive midfield
1. Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union)
2. Michael Stephens (LA Galaxy)
Other possible candidates: Kitchen, Morales
JE: Okugo is the heart of this team, and likely leading candidate to wear the captain’s armband. It is his spot to lose at this point.
Central midfield
1. Mix Diskerud (Gent)
2. Jared Jeffrey (Mainz 05)
2. Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United)
3. Dilly Duka (Columbus Crew)
Other possible candidates: Corona, Adu, Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution)
TC: In Porter’s preferred 4-3-3, he could do worse by going with Diskerud and Duka, a pair of players who have been improving significantly over the past few months. Jeffrey is likely to push for a starting role, as well as Corona, who might fit better on one of the more advanced wing positions.
Adu is certainly a candidate to play here as well, if Porter sees him as someone who fits better in a deeper midfield role.
Left wing
1. Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
2. Joe Corona (Club Tijuana)
3. Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union)
Other possible candidates:
JE: It is no surprise that Shea leads the way on the wing given his experience with the full national team. But McInerney did really well at the January camp and could surprise a few people by playing his way onto the field.
Right wing
1. Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls)
2. Joe Gyau (TSG Hoffenheim)
3. Freddy Adu (Philadelphia Union)
Other possible candidates: Gatt
TC: The battle at this spot, like all on the roster, is fierce. Someone like Agudelo could thrive and provide a second goal-scoring option on the right, although Gyau’s pace and drive could be useful. Keep an eye out for Josh Gatt as well, who wasn’t called up for this camp because of club duties.
Forward
1. Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund)
2. Teal Bunbury (Sporting KC)
3. Tony Taylor (Estoril Praia)
Likely starter but not in camp due to club commitments: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar)
Other possible candidates: Agudelo
JE: Perhaps the most interesting battle from the Frisco camp is at the lone striker position. Bunbury has more experience with Porter’s style and formation, but it would be difficult to argue against the quality Boyd brings to the team.
U23 Men's National Team Depth Chart (* indicates that player is not present at current camp):
