International Soccer: US Fans Rue Player Selection Ahead of Upcoming Friendlies

As the US Men's National Team prepares for the upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras, many fans were perplexed as to why certain players were not called into camp.

Omar Gonzalez, George John and former national team mainstay Benny Feilhaber are just a few of the names that have been mentioned by supporters when discussing coach Jürgen Klinsmann's lack of variation in his selections.

In recent interviews, Klinsmann has started to lay out his plan in more detail. He prefers that young players such as Molde FK’s Joshua Gatt, Stabæk’s Mixx Diskerud and Bayern Munich starlet Fabian Hürzeler will be brought along through the U23 Olympic squad.

There have also been rumors that Gonzalez could be a potential candidate for one of the three spots reserved on the US Olympic team roster for players over the age limit. It's also possible that MLS prodigal son Freddy Adu, who is only 22 years old, could be a member of this team as well.

This is not a punishment but rather the best way for them to continue to learn the system Klinsmann is currently attempting to implement with the senior team in an environment which offers them competition without throwing them in over their heads. In this way, the players which prove themselves ready to contribute at the top level can be properly integrated and will have a much smoother transition.

Another reason we have not likely seen some names is the value that the new coaching staff places on current form. This was evident when Klinsmann did not call in Jermaine Jones or Michael Bradley in his first camps due to the uncertainty surrounding their club situations. He believes that a player must be a solid contributor who receives consistent minutes with his club to be truly capable of performing on the national stage.

Liga Mexicana-based left back Edgar Castillo is a perfect example of this situation. After a string of sub par performances for the national team, he fell out of favor with Club America as well, failing to make the bench in some matches. Needless to say, he was not invited to participate in this October camp.

From what is understood regarding Klinsmann's thought process, it is highly unlikely that he would uproot young talent from their clubs during an international break when it would probably be better for them to rest and continue to work on improving their skills with their clubs.

In the MLS, defenders Tim Ream, Omar Gonzalez and George John have performed solidly all year, but the strain of MLS and international competition has clearly taken a slight toll on them. Each has looked less than 100 percent in recent matches.

Given that the Red Bulls, LA Galaxy and FC Dallas are preparing for the MLS postseason, they would all probably prefer that these vital players be allowed to remain home rather than tax their bodies further.

Ream, who was called in again, is clearly not the most talented nor the most athletic of this trio, but at this point it would make no sense to abandon the work the staff has invested in him and begin from square one with either of the other two players. All three will be part of the USMNT setup going forward, so each will need to spend adequate time under the coaching staff's tutelage.

For John and Gonzalez, their task now is to simply be patient and keep performing for their clubs. Unfortunately, patience is often the most difficult part of the process.

Gonzalez, who is eligible for selection by the Mexican national team, recently admitted that if El Tri were to call him, he would be inclined to consider their offer.