Gordonopian National Team
World Cup 61
Starting Eleven
Formation
4-3-1-2
------------------Tobias-------Keller----------------------
---------------------------Bates----------------------------
-------J. Stahl-----------Roger------------Franz----------
-------Steiner-------Cole------Paige------M. Stahl-------
-------------------------Schmidt----------------------------
Derrick Schmidt
With the retirement of Ludwig Strauss, the next goalie for the Gordonopian National Team would have huge shoes to fill. Following an intense training camp, the most likely successor has turned out to be Derrick Schmidt, who earned two caps as a substitute during the most recent world cup cycle. Schmidt first demonstrated his talents three years ago during the inaugural season of the GPL, where he was the leading factor in Fusba United making the Gordonopia Cup despite both a weak offense and midfield. Following that year, he signed with Cosmopolitan of Cotdelapoms, where he has been since. Although he may not have the experience or raw talent of his predecessor, Schmidt's skills at facing off against breakthroughs and one-on-one situations can't be denied.
GK - 33 - Club: Cosmopolitan, Cotdelapoms - 2 Caps - 0 Goals
Roger Steiner - Vice-Captain
A veteran defender proven in FC Deska's legendary defensive style, Roger Steiner is perhaps the best back currently in the GPL. As the anchor of and the most experienced player on the National Team's defensive line, Steiner has proven that he deserves his vice-captain spot. In addition to his ability to break up plays, Steiner is very skilled at tackling as well as marking, and his talents will likely be very important to the success of the team.
LB - 28 - Club: FC Deska, United Gordonopia - 16 Caps - 1 Goals
Fritz Cole
A rising star out of Willingham AC, Fritz Cole initially earned his spot on the starting eleven after a stellar performance in the final three matches of qualification for World Cup 60. Following that, Cole was elevated to the Starting 11 roster in the Cup of Harmony, where he showed himself to be one of the stronger members of the squad. In club play, Cole has become one of the faces of Willingham AC, which has been the most successful team promoted since the league began. His skills mostly lie in counters and tackling, but he has a diverse range of talents on the defensive end.
CB - 24 - Club: Willingham AC, United Gordonopia - 6 Caps - 0 Goals
Matty Paige
Signed to Ittuributa United after a stellar 2012 GPL season with the Kjeldor Knights, Matty Paige is perhaps the best young Gordonopian in the game today. Named one of the Ittuributan league's best young players, as well as a member of the team of the season, Paige has found much success abroad. On top of his agility, which has allowed him to keep up with breakaways, Paige has also demonstrated the rare defensive talent of being able to score should he be needed.
CB - 22 - Club: Iturributa United, Iturributa - 0 Caps - 0 Goals
Michael Stahl
Michael Stahl is a stellar defender and native of Deska, as well as a FC Deska man. With four caps on the national team as a reserve during World Cup qualification and Cup of Harmony 52, as well as two seasons as a starting centre-back for FC Deska before signing to Freedom's Altar Holy Templars of Yesopalitha, Stahl has shown himself to be adept as preventing chances before they even materialize. Generally level-headed, Stahl is rarely forced to resort to fouls in order to stop a play. He has had troubles in the past when working with a teammate on a double-team, but outside of that, Stahl is an ideal defender for the National Team.
RB - 27 - Club: Tarahal Lake Athletic, Yesopalitha - 4 Caps - 0 Goals
James Stahl
Distantly related to his former Deska teammate, James Stahl is a strong defender, though perhaps the weakest link on the team's defense. With most of his experience, outside of his impressive club performance, coming from three caps as a sub at the most recent Cup of Harmony, Stahl has yet to be tested against international players. Nevertheless, his physical defensive style brings some needed muscle to the team's lineup, and although he may end up bringing in some cards, his presence is still necessary.
LDM - 22 - Club: FC Deska, United Gordonopia - 3 Caps - 0 Goals
Davis Roger
A powerful, young defensive midfielder, Davis Roger earned his spot on the national team through his superb stamina and technical skills, as well as his solid performance during the team's qualification attempt. His greatest strength remains his ability to intercept passes, a statistic in which he led the GPL for two years running, and which he put to good use in games such as the national team's 2-0 upset of 6th ranked Valanora. Though a last minute injury kept him out of the Cup of Harmony, Roger seems to be back up to his former level, and was recently signed to the New Hazingafar Knights of Yesopalitha.
CDM - 22 - Club: New Hazingafar Knights, Yesopalitha - 14 Caps - 0 Goals
Lane Franz
The third FC Deska player on the starting lineup, Lane Franz is viewed domestically as the third point, along with his fellow national teammates Steiner and Stahl, in a deadly triangle that has helped proliferate Deska's defensive might in Gordonopia beyond the Strauss-era. Working as a highly efficient screen, Franz has managed to shut down numerous breakaways before they even begin. Supported by the rest of the national teams' defense, and backed up by both Steiner and Stahl, Franz completes a defense that is perhaps stronger than the one Gordonopia fielded in its last world cup cycle.
RDM - 27 - Club: FC Deska, United Gordonopia - 14 Caps - 1 Goals
Norm Bates - Captain
The captain of the National Team, Bate's experience and talent makes him just as much a celebrity in Gordonopia as his numerous romantic exploits that range from athletes to nobles. One of only two players remaining from the West Tolten that won the City of Steel's last Gordonopia Cup during the Republican era, Bates is now one of of the 'elder statesmen' of the Gordonopian game. The 'elder', though, should be taken with a grain of salt, as in his last season Bates won the league Golden Boot with the all-time record in assists on top of his impressive goal count.
AM - 33 - Club: West Tolten, United Gordonopia - 17 Caps - 3 Goals
Jere Tobias
The only player on the Starting 11 to be capped in every Imperial era match, Jere Tobias has established himself as an essential part of the team's offense. After winning the golden boot in 2012, Tobias transferred first to Juvillian Martinax of Erathore, before transferring to his current club, Paramus FC of Vielha. With his ability to both score, and recognize when someone else has a better chance, Tobias has a lot to back up his position on the team.
ST - 25 - Club: Paramus FC, Vielha - 17 Caps - 5 Goals
Vonn Keller
Jere Tobias' successor on the powerhouse Kaje Football squad, Vonn Keller is a striker who works stunningly with other players. At home, that player is AM Roman Galoslon. In his only national team cap, and hopefully during the World Cup, that player is captain Norm Bates. Keller's incredible speed, and his ability to avoid the offsides trap, makes him an ideal candidate for forward striker.
ST - 25 - Club: Kaje Football, United Gordonopia - 1 Caps - 2 Goals
Reserves
Jeffery Street - GK - 28 - Club: MS Leighton, Queer Poco el Mono Ara - 1 Caps - 0 Goals
Jonathon Hughes - GK - 24 - Club: Union Holiday, United Gordonopia - 0 Caps - 0 Goals
John Bates - B - 24 - Club: New Capetown Falcons, Taeshan - 12 Caps - 0 Goals
Hugh Lawson - B -26 - Club: Fusba United, United Gordonopia - 17 Caps - 0 Goals
Howard Deer - B - 20 - Club: Reichsburg FC, United Gordonopia - 0 Caps - 0 Goals
Zachary Johnston - DM - 21 - Club: Basin Plain, United Gordonopia - 0 Caps - 0 Goals
Vonn Mjan - DM - 32 - Club: Gordonopia FC, United Gordonopia - 4 Caps - 0 Goals
Deonte van Tonder - DM - 19 - Club: Kjeldor Knights, United Gordonopia - 0 Caps - 0 Goals
Jeff Draper - AM -26 - Club: Gordonopia FC, United Gordonopia - 0 Caps - 0 Goals
Jonathon Odell - ST - 28 - Club: Montbenoit, Saugeais - 16 Caps - 5 Goals
Gordon Brink - ST - 27 - Club: Latimere United, United Gordonopia - 1 Caps - 1 Goals
Dominique Mann - ST - 22 - Club: Skyte City, Queer Poco el Mono Ara - 4 Caps - 1 Goals
RP Information
Style: -3
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod scoring events Y
RP injuries to my players N
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out red cards to my players N
Godmod other events Y
Coaching
Head Coach: Michael Neu
Assistants: Thomas Cox, David Günther, Max Fleisching
Kit