It's always interesting to see the Twitter reaction when a new player is invited into a national team camp. No one is shy to voice their opinion and there are no shortage of opinions being voiced. So on Thursday, with the announcement that Corey Ashe has been added to the U.S. men's national team roster for its upcoming game against Belgium, it's no surprise that Twitter was the place to be for instant analysis. Here are just a few snippets from the Twitterverse
So while many seem to agree that Ashe's call-up in long overdue, one has to ask: Why now? Well according to US Soccer, the squad will be without left backs Edgar Castillo and Fabian Johnson for the match against Belgium as both players are still with their club teams. That leaves DaMarcus Beasley as the only "true" left back option for Klinsmann's squad. So with a void at the left back position (one that has plagued US Soccer for quite some time) Klinsmann turned to MLS and a player who made a seamless transition to the position just over two years ago.
Dominic Kinnear initially switched Ashe to left back to mark former Red Bulls striker Dane Richards. Former Red Bulls manager Hans Backe thought so highly of the speedy defender that he selected him to his MLS All-Star team to help neutralize Manchester United winger Nani. Two years later, Ashe finds himself with the opportunity to earn his first national team cap against a squad with the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini.
According to Opta, the official stats provider for Major League Soccer, in 2012, Ashe completed 784 passes in the opposition's half, good for second among MLS defenders. He also attempted 331 passes in the opposition's final third (third best among MLS defenders), as he learned to adjust between the 4-4-2 and the 4-3-3 that the Dynamo played in 2012. So even though Ashe made the transition from midfielder to defender, he has consistently looked to aid the Dynamo attack, a trait that has caught the attention of Klinsmann.
So what do you think Dynamo fans? Would you like to see a USMNT back line featuring former teammates Geoff Cameron and Corey Ashe? Do you think Ashe has what it takes to stick with the national team? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.
