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Sapong to the Union
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JMaddy Offline
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Post: #61
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-04-2017 10:47 PM)s2dsayer Wrote:  
(06-04-2017 10:28 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  He needs to bag another couple of goals to secure his spot. Right now he has a one in two chance in making the final 23 man roster, as they will likely take only four of the seven forwards on the 40 man roster.

Forwards (7)
F
Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution)
F
Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)
F
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)
F
Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC)
F
Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
F
CJ Sapong (Philadelphia Union)
F
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Dempsey and Altidore are practically guarantees, and Morris probably is too...so his odds are not great especially with Wondo as another choice

To me the locks are Dwyer and Morris and one of Dempsey or Altidore. One thing he has going for him is that of the 40-man provisional roster 23 make the final group stages roster, but after the group stages are over Arena can switch out up to six players from the final 23 with players that were named to the 40-man provisional squad. Meaning Bruce could let Dempsey or Altidore stay with their club, or rest for the group stage and then swap them out for someone later or swap out for cards/injuries.
06-05-2017 05:26 PM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #62
RE: Sapong to the Union
If you look at size and skill set, it seems to me Sapong is a nice backup to Altidore. When the U.S. team lost Altidore in the last World Cup to that hamstring injury, it was painfully (npi) obvious that Klinsmann had no legit backup for the size and skill set that Jozy brought to the table. That is, to win those long drives by Tim Howard downfield with his back to the goal and a defender draped all over his back. From what I've seen Sapong has that kind of ability.

His scoring has slowed down of late, but don't let that fool you. I watched DC United play them (Union) a few weeks ago and HC Ben Olsen had 2 guys all over him (CJ) every where he went...which, opened up space for other guys who cashed in.

No matter what, just so glad to see CJ get the recognition if nothing else comes to this.
06-05-2017 05:53 PM
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JMUTrippster Offline
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Post: #63
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-05-2017 05:53 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  No matter what, just so glad to see CJ get the recognition if nothing else comes to this.

THIS - excited for CJ and always happy for a former Duke to get some recognition like this!
06-06-2017 09:05 AM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #64
RE: Sapong to the Union
OT note...

...just wanted to say...


GO USA!!!!

The U.S. has never won at Azteca Stadium in a World Cup qualifier. A tie tonight would be like a win.

Not expecting it. A win, that is. We'll see if AAA batteries or coins are thrown at our players on the field like days gone by. Azteca holds 87K+ and sits at near 7,000 feet altitude in Mexico City. The only venue to ever host 2 World Cup finals.

Fun times. Just hang around Red White and Blue. Survive the first 60 minutes and then somebody find a way to bang one in late.

02-13-banana02-13-banana02-13-banana
(This post was last modified: 06-11-2017 06:37 PM by Wear Purple.)
06-11-2017 06:23 PM
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JMUTrippster Offline
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Post: #65
RE: Sapong to the Union
I'll take a tie any day against Mexico at Azteca! Psychologically that's a win to the US team and should give them (hopefully) a boost going against Costa Rica on Friday!
06-12-2017 09:18 AM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #66
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-12-2017 09:18 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  I'll take a tie any day against Mexico at Azteca! Psychologically that's a win to the US team and should give them (hopefully) a boost going against Costa Rica on Friday!

Agree. And, by Costa Rica on Friday, you mean on September 1st, right? :>)
06-12-2017 09:20 AM
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Dadgum Offline
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Post: #67
RE: Sapong to the Union
Great result last night, good flow to the game on both sides, both teams possessed the ball for times and there were several very good chances that could have shifted the balance one way or the other had they gone in.

Getting out of Azteca with a point is HUGE!
06-12-2017 09:21 AM
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RootinFerDukes Offline
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Post: #68
RE: Sapong to the Union
For the many times I've complained about Arena's decisions, he was brilliant with the formation last night. Bradley once again was phenomenal
06-12-2017 09:31 AM
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s2dsayer Offline
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Post: #69
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-12-2017 09:31 AM)RootinFerDukes Wrote:  For the many times I've complained about Arena's decisions, he was brilliant with the formation last night. Bradley once again was phenomenal

That goal was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen
06-12-2017 05:19 PM
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JMaddy Offline
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Post: #70
RE: Sapong to the Union
Also important about last night is that the WCQ process is back on track meaning The Bruce can be more experimental at the Gold Cup...i.e. give CJ a shot.
06-12-2017 08:50 PM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #71
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-12-2017 08:50 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  Also important about last night is that the WCQ process is back on track meaning The Bruce can be more experimental at the Gold Cup...i.e. give CJ a shot.

Would love to see it. Arena stated emphatically that WCQ and winning the Gold Cup are the 2 main objectives for '17. Now, has a more comfortable - though, not guaranteed - scenario in WCQ changed that view of the GC? We'll see. I doubt it. Plus, if CJ belongs, he'll earn it.

Big match tonight between Panama and Honduras. The table suggests we American fans should be rooting for Honduras. However, a closer look at the remaining schedule might change that view a little.

Panama still has to travel to Mexico (next leg) and the U.S. 2 probably losses. Honduras has by far the more favorable schedule. In the 7th/8th legs they have 2 winnable matches - at T&T and hosting USA. In the final 2 legs they (Honduras) do have to travel to CR and host Mexico, but both CR and Mex might already have wrapped up their ticket to Russia by those 2 last legs and may play youngsters. We'll see...
06-13-2017 06:36 AM
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JMaddy Offline
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Post: #72
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-13-2017 06:36 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  
(06-12-2017 08:50 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  Also important about last night is that the WCQ process is back on track meaning The Bruce can be more experimental at the Gold Cup...i.e. give CJ a shot.

Would love to see it. Arena stated emphatically that WCQ and winning the Gold Cup are the 2 main objectives for '17. Now, has a more comfortable - though, not guaranteed - scenario in WCQ changed that view of the GC? We'll see. I doubt it. Plus, if CJ belongs, he'll earn it.

Big match tonight between Panama and Honduras. The table suggests we American fans should be rooting for Honduras. However, a closer look at the remaining schedule might change that view a little.

Panama still has to travel to Mexico (next leg) and the U.S. 2 probably losses. Honduras has by far the more favorable schedule. In the 7th/8th legs they have 2 winnable matches - at T&T and hosting USA. In the final 2 legs they (Honduras) do have to travel to CR and host Mexico, but both CR and Mex might already have wrapped up their ticket to Russia by those 2 last legs and may play youngsters. We'll see...

Best result for tonight in both games is a draw. Although an alternate view is for Mexico and CR to win out against all the other teams (with us winning against CR or drawing at the least).

Not that we should take anyone lightly at their home but we did destroy the Catrachos 6-0 last time. Perhaps a fluke but I don't see them as a real strong contender for the 3rd slot in the way Panama is.

For the Gold Cup Mexico is bringing a B team since they're going to the Confed Cup this month. That gives Bruce a little more room for error than usual in terms of taking risks. Still CJ needs a strong June to justify he belongs. Let's hope he comes through.
(This post was last modified: 06-13-2017 07:51 AM by JMaddy.)
06-13-2017 07:49 AM
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JMUTrippster Offline
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Post: #73
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-12-2017 09:20 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  
(06-12-2017 09:18 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  I'll take a tie any day against Mexico at Azteca! Psychologically that's a win to the US team and should give them (hopefully) a boost going against Costa Rica on Friday!

Agree. And, by Costa Rica on Friday, you mean on September 1st, right? :>)

Yes, didn't finish the sentence sorry! :)
06-13-2017 09:25 AM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #74
RE: Sapong to the Union
FWIW, Sapong and the Union get featured national coverage this upcoming Sunday with a match hosting the Red Bulls at 5pm on ESPN.

In prep for the Gold Cup, the USMNT plays Ghana in a friendly on July 1st. A MLS-heavy roster for the Gold Cup should have a lot of guys who are (or should be) in midseason form not needing a lot of physical prep to be ready. Camp starts on June 25 in Nashville.

Being a DCU fan, I am admittedly biased, but I'd love to see Bill Hamid get a shot at Keeper in a GC match if Arena were to take him. I mean, that is, if we are going to give some new faces a chance. DCU sucks this year and are absolutely boring to watch when WE have the ball. It's sad when the "fun" is watching your outstanding GK make amazing save after amazing save (in hopes you can tie 0-0).
(This post was last modified: 06-13-2017 09:39 AM by Wear Purple.)
06-13-2017 09:38 AM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #75
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-13-2017 07:49 AM)JMaddy Wrote:  Best result for tonight in both games is a draw.

Got it. Panama-Honduras 2-2 tie. U.S. sits in 3rd thru 6 legs.
06-14-2017 06:56 AM
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s2dsayer Offline
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Post: #76
RE: Sapong to the Union
Good news for C.J. We might see him in the Gold Cup since the USMNT appears to be bringing a "B" team (like Mexico is)...

http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/gallery/...88532793=1
06-14-2017 09:20 PM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #77
RE: Sapong to the Union
(06-14-2017 09:20 PM)s2dsayer Wrote:  Good news for C.J. We might see him in the Gold Cup since the USMNT appears to be bringing a "B" team (like Mexico is)...

http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/gallery/...88532793=1

That's a good article. Thanks for posting it.
06-15-2017 06:36 AM
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DirtyDukes Offline
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Post: #78
RE: Sapong to the Union
(This post was last modified: 06-15-2017 08:18 AM by DirtyDukes.)
06-15-2017 08:17 AM
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JMaddy Offline
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Post: #79
RE: Sapong to the Union
MLS Analyst Matt Doyle has CJ in the final 23 for the Gold Cup. Although he doesn't get everything right, Matt has a good pulse on these types of things.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/1...cup-roster
06-20-2017 10:10 PM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #80
RE: Sapong to the Union
DCU at Union tonight at 7pm. The 2 bottom teams in the MLS Eastern Conference. Yet, there are 5 guys in this game on Bruce Arena's 40-man Gold Cup preliminary roster - Birnbaum & Hamid for DCU and Sapong, Bedoya, & Pontius for Philly.

USMNT Gold Cup training camp begins tomorrow (Sunday, June 25) in Nashville. Bruce Arena is scheduled to announce his 23-man roster tomorrow as well so we will find out soon whether C.J. gets a shot this summer with the national team. Fingers crossed.
06-24-2017 11:05 AM
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