The Soccer Thread (IV)

Yes, which is why I added the qualifier (bolded above). It's clearly a money grab by CONCAlaugh -- more matches means more chances for Jack Warner to take everybody's money. Remember, the T&T players still haven't been paid for making the 2006 World Cup.

The only inclusion in the 30-man roster that really took me aback was Findley. I don't seem to recall him showing much of anything in his call-ups other than the speed everyone already knows he possesses. As for cuts, I'd rather see Bornstein, Marshall, Findley, Buddle, Rogers, Kljestan and Clark get the axe. I'd like to see Bedoya get a shot, and Gomez could be useful as he's accustomed to coming on as an impact sub and not having an entire game to get into the flow, which is likely how he'd be used in South Africa.

 

My mistake - lazy writing. Actually meant I was not a soccer fan until my late teens, and so didn't pay attention at the time, nor do I remember hearing or reading anything about Donovan at that time. That's not really addressing my point, though.

Fair enough, and I don't doubt that he'll be better at 25 than 21. But do Findley, Bedoya, Gomez, Torres, and Buddle, none of whom have an international record to stand on, each deserve a chance more than him?

 

I was just busting on ya for making me feel old ;D

 

That's one thing I've never grasped. The fire got started with a spark fell into "a buildup of trash" under the stand. Did no one bother to clean up the place for all those years? Obviously they didn't, but still.

 

We've got a full page, more or less, on why Freddy Adu doesn't deserve a spot.
But Freddy Adu has to be miles better than Robbie Rogers, because Rogers can't play at all.
You think Adu gets knocked off the ball? There isn't a softer player in American soccer than Rogers. I've seen nearly every game he's played for the Nats or the Crew over the past 2 years -- I'd suggest I've missed maybe 3 of about 55-60 games. And aside from a nice run at the start of the 08 season and a couple of OK crosses at the end of last year's meaningless (for us, though not for CR or Honduras) game against Costa Rica, he's done absolutely nothing but get bumped off the ball, bail on promising runs or fire wide on open shots. He's terrible. I'm not arguing Adu should be on the squad, or even in the camp, but I'll argue to the end of this thread and 6 more soccer threads that follow it that he's more worthwhile than Rogers.
I'm honestly pleased that Rogers is being called into U.S. camp because it means E. Ekpo will probably get his minutes for the Crew over the next few weeks. I think that says it all.

 

No, they didn't. That was reflective of the malaise that gripped the game in that period, not to mention the general attitude that supporters were scum and needed to be controlled, corralled and kept from causing any trouble.

But then again, it wasn't just limited to the game. The King's Cross Tube station fire a couple years later was caused by a lot of the same factors -- wooden escalators and a buildup of trash and grease, exacerbated considerably by the design of the station.

Incidentally, one of the non-league clubs around here still has a wooden stand, which dates to either just before or just after the second world war. There was a post on their message board earlier this year that asked the club to remind people not to smoke in it. Some people never learn.

 

Ah, the old "reading comprehension" thing. Some day, I'll master it.

 

Buddle, Gomez and Findley are strikers, Adu is not.
USA needs at least four strikers on the squad. Barring injury Altidore, Ching and Johnson are going to South Africa. Bradley is doing the right thing by inviting these guys to the camp for further evaluation.
Robbie Rogers selection is a mystery. I don't think he will make the cut.

 

While I hate it for England, I'm glad karmic justice was served.

BREAKING: John Terry taken to hospital with suspected metatarsal fracture. World Cup dream over?

 

Honestly, I think that Yahoo piece is garbage. First, it argues that Adu should be there of Findley. That is just silly.

It also argues that Davies should be there over Ching. Again, that’s silly. If they want to argue Casey over Ching, due to Ching’s health, I’ll listen. But Davies isn’t remotely close.

Also, we know everything we already know about Adu. He’s not there because he’s not good enough.

Kljestan is a player with a ton of potential. He’s also a guy Bradley drafted for Chivas USA.

He had that one amazing game against a Swedish B team and then… nothing. I think he’s too slow internationally. But that is just my opinion.

There are two problems with this thought…
1. Sochaux didn’t grant him medical clearance.
2. Bradley had people go over to monitor Davies progress. Their assessment was that he wasn’t nearly fit enough.
3. Why would you want to mess with Davies’ head in such a situation?

Now, I disagree on Buddle and Gomez. Right now, these guys are scoring goals on a clip. Mexico isn’t a shabby league and Gomez is leading it in goals scored. Buddle is the only one scoring for LA and they are in first as well.

I’ll also throw in this nice little thought: Buddle is scoring goals off of link-up play with Donovan.

Among emails with my friends I stated that these players were definitely getting cut:
- Rogers
- Kljestan
- Findley
- Johnson

Then, it would be a competition…
- Goodson or Marshall
- Torres or Bedoya
- Gomez or Buddle
- Torres and Bedoya so that both, Gomez and Buddle can stay

Okay, here’s the thing. Let’s run down a list of players that are forwards who could play for the USA…
Jozy Altidore (Hull) - Though we all know that his Hull days are over, he’s going to the World Cup.
Justin Braun (Chivas USA) – Who?
Conor Casey (Colorado) – Big body that can muscle defenses. Makes nice runs. Can’t finish.
Brian Ching (Houston) – See Casey, only he can finish.
Kenny Cooper (1860 Munich) – Big body that plays like a small body. No real speed. Can finish.
Charlie Davies (Sochaux) – Still learning to walk.
Robbie Findley (Salt Lake) – He’s quick, can finish. This was Davies years ago. I don’t think he’s ready yet for international time, but why not bring him into camp?
Eddie Johnson (Aris) – Fast. Can Finish. Headcase that falls apart. Shys off the ball. Is afraid of tackles.
Marcus Tracy (Aalborg in Denmark) – Does anyone know about him? I hear he’s good in the air and I may have considered him over EJ despite knowing absolutely nothing about him.
Edson Buddle (LA) – Top goal scorer in the nation’s league. Strong body. Good link up play with team captain. Can finish.
Hercules Gomez (Pueblo) – top goal scorer in the Mexican league. Fast. Quick, soft touch.

You can make an argument about Kenny Cooper. The problem is that the USA would like to show up there with two speed guys and two big bodies. That “big body” forward would be Ching or Casey. There is no one else in the pool that can fill that void.

The next is the speed guy. This is why Findley is there and Johnson is getting another chance. I don’t see either as a legitimate option this time. I don’t think Johnson will ever be ready.

I think Buddle and Gomez can be those speed guys. They’ve shown the ability to finish. I get that MLS or MFL isn’t the best leagues in the world. But there aren’t a plethora of players available to choose from.

Another factor to think about, as I’ve had this conversation with a friend, the USA has never really had that top goal scorer. The USA doesn’t have a Rooney or Torres or Totti. The USA needs to go with guys that are streaky. The USA need to ride them while they’re hot and then dump them when they’re cold. Right now, Buddle and Gomez are hot. Ride them!

You want to cut Clark? A guy that started for the team that beat Spain…? Really?

Findley… Yes. The team needs a striker with Davies out. Previously there would be one backup spot open but now there is a starting spot and a backup. Findley’s speed and goal scoring presence make him a necessary call in.

Bedoya… Yes. He’s played well out on the wing for his club. He’s also a big body that made some nice runs in the Netherlands v. USA game.

Gomez… Yes. He’s the top goal scorer in Mexico.

Torres… Yes. He’s a central playmaking midfielder. I don’t think he’ll get to South Africa, but he has better field vision than Adu.

Buddle… Yes. He’s the top goal scorer in MLS. He is linking up with Donovan to score them.

 

Karma would be Fabio calling Wayne Bridge into the squad.

 

Eddie Johnson with a hamstring injury today.