Though I sense sarcasm I feel the need to reply. EA's programmers are laughable, Oguchi Onyewu is our highest rated defender, Chicharito is higher than Dempsey, Franceso Totti has 33 pace (what I imagine the equivalent to trying to run with crutches is like) and many other ridiculous ratings.
No, he's had two mediocre games but I'm not writing him off. I think we need a replacement for Boca and perhaps we can find someone better than Goodson as a backup.
Yeah, but Orozco is no Puyols or Cannavaro. They get over their height issues, by simply being amazing. I just don't see Orozco as a valid option here going forward. He isn't any better than guys like Gonzalez or John, but they both have a bigger upside because of their size and strength.
Orozco? He was mediocre in his MLS stint. Not a cb at international level. He's depth at fullback. Given San Luis didn't make the playoffs I wouldn't be surprised if he made the Russia trip. Calling Cameron out over matches against ManU and 'pool is at best insipid given no other centerback is playing comp close to that level.
The same George John who went on loan to West Ham United for 2 months and then was not signed (Even though no Work Permit Board would be required)? I have nothing against John other then his recent spat of injuries, but this is telling for me. I do know he is from Washington too so you must be a relative. Oh and like Chance stated- game ratings are over-rated (see what I did there?) We had someone come to Rapids board from the popluar Football Mgr game asking for youth ratings for their game. Look out MLS, we have a bunch of 16yo's now with same ratings as Messi, Ronaldo, Pirlo and I think even Pele in his prime.
Poster has a point with Orozco when it comes to playing a high line against certain opposition. It is something to consider anyway. I don't think anyone has called out Cameron over any of his matches with Stoke. He has stepped in and done very well. However, he has not played CB at Stoke and I don't believe Klinsmann can be altogether satisfied with how he showed in last 2 qualifiers at CB. I think Cameron is strong defensively when roaming about midfield and out towards the touchline. I'm not yet convinced same holds at CB. It is a different animal.
Obviously he's not as good as those guys and his size can be limiting, but it's a hardly something automatically disqualifies him either; its not that's he's too small, it's that he might not good enough in other areas to make up for it. I'd take him over Goodson against a lot of opponents though and he's probably better in the air than someone like Ream who is taller. I'd like us to try more big guys like Gonzalez or John as well, but I think there is room on the roster for a least one more mobile guy as well.
Any plan that didn't involve giving a serious look to Gonzalez was dubious. He's long shown himself to be a top prospect in a position where there will be a definite (and possibly desperate) need for reinforcements. At some point, one has to move past ballet criticism and actually look at results. LA have lost 3 out of 19 games in all competitions since Gonzalez made his first appearance back. I already was of the opinion that he (not Ricketts/Saunders, not Arena, not any other defender) was the crucial influence on LA's dominant defense last year; by now, I think that's now longer really a matter of opinion. Whether he'll be effective at the highest level is an open question - whether he deserves an extended chance to prove himself is not.
I agree that Gonzales does deserve a chance, but its also a valid argument against him in regards to Athletism to compete at this level. Lets hope he's the second coming of Onyewu.
From MLSoccer.com: "Gonzalez was whistled for a foul on Steven Lenhart in the 60th minute to set up Marvin Chávez's free-kick goal as San Jose rallied from the first deficit moments after Robbie Keane's 58th-minute opener. “I would say it was a foul on me, like I got fouled,” said Gonzalez, who fell after contact from Lenhart, who also hit the turf. “Because my eyes were directly on the ball, and I'm just running back and, all of a sudden, I got hit. But Jair [Marrufo, the referee] said I fell on him.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/10/21/galaxys-gonzalez-blasts-quakes-style-embarrassing My take is that Gonzalez is anxious that JK has seen him play recently and was not impressed enough to bring him in over Wondo and Gordon (staying with the SJ theme). Before you go off, I am not saying Gonzalez should be playing up top. It is just that no one, Ok everybody outside the Gordon family had Gordon on their 'must call in' sheet here on big soccer for forward while it seems 'everyone' had and has Gonzalez for CB. JK saw both and brought in Gordon because Gordon could help us at forward based on our (USMNT) forward options at the time and Gonzalez could not (in JK's mind anyway). I watched this game in person and Gonzalez played just like who he is; a good MLS CB. But as has been pointed up above in other posts, Gonzalez positions himself as quickly a semi. The foul on Lenhart was a foul; the speedy Lenhart had established position and Gonzalez just backed over him. Maybe Omar should get a backing up horn for his semi. Gonzalez is one of the top MLS CBs but has significant deficiencies when he leaves the back line. If JK is looking for 10 guys to play the whole pitch if the situation calls for it, IMO Gonzalez will never be one of those 10.
I'm not too worried about the CB future. There are plenty of reasonable candidates and plenty of time to evaluate them and choose a group of starters and backups. I'm more worried about a sudden drop off in Cherundolo's form due to age. Who will replace him then?
Huh? Not worried about outside backs as there are qualified individuals coming along. My concern is that we find CB's that can provide strength in the middle and provide consistent, stable form for the rest of the team to rely on. IMO, we did not find the right combo in the first 6 of 16 matches of WC qualifying, we now have 10 matches left. Tick toc ...
Dolo looks much better than Boca right now, not to say that won't change. At RB we have Parkhurst, Lichaj, Chandler (maybe), Cameron, Spector, Williams as depth. At CB we have Cameron and Boca (for now) then Goodson and Edu as depth. CB is the bigger worry to me.
as far as our MLS candidates go Besler has been our best MLS candidate easily. Okugo has also been a pleasant surprise i like his athleticism on the back line. He's like Edu, except it will actually work we gotta gt John healthy an kicking again, i do like his game.
I don't think Besler has been clearly "better" than Gonzales (our 1A and 1B CB candidates from MLS at this point, IMO), I think he's been different. Personally I could see either one in our center of defense, and honestly I wonder who would create the best CB partnership (probably with Cameron). Or would there necessarily be a "best" partnership and would we be better off with a bit of a rotation, Besler vs craftier forwards and Gonzales vs guys like Blas Perez? I want to see both of these guys tested with the USMNT as soon as possible. Unfortunately the Russian friendly comes at a bad time for guys with MLS post-season duties like the both of them... I honestly don't think anybody could name a better 2013 CB candidate out of MLS than the two of them. I agree with you about Okugo. He's the best CB prospect in MLS at this time, and I honestly I wouldn't mind him getting tested internationally in such as Camp Cupcake and the second Gold Cup. The difference is that I don't consider Okugo at this point as a serious candidate for the first half of the Hex (more like possibly 2014 and beyond), whereas I do consider Besler and Gonzales as players who could likely play or provide depth there right away.
Highlights from Ream and Whitbread yesterday. Not good. Ream was caught flatfooted and ballwatching on both goals. http://www.footreview.net/home/viewvideo/5598/championship-2012-13/wolves-2-2-bolton Whitbread gave up a penalty that was saved http://www.footreview.net/home/viewvideo/5600/championship-2012-13/leicester-city-1-0-brighton Ream has not looked good these past 2 starts. Indirectly responsible for all 3 goals Bolton conceeded
I'm really liking Okugo's play vs SKC. His distribution is excellent and he defends without fouling. While not the finished product, he looks like he could develop into the full package. I'm officially on the bandwagon. Call him up for Russia!
I would be really surprised if he gave more then 2 a chance and Edu is probable one of them. People just don't seem to understand how few games we have left before WC and most if not all are WCQ or the tune-up games right before WC.
1st off, Besler isnt in Gonzo's ballpark. I like the way he works but he's really just a quite good MLS centerback and I dont see him with the potential to become much more. In your original post, "best" is relative but, for me, because he has the potential to become so much more, Okugo is in this category. He's not technically up to their level yet but will be soon and will advance extremely quick past Besler in terms of quality. I just dont see the potential in Besler unfortunately. John is also probably a better option, IF he is injury-free for once. We probably wont see him for a while due to his inability to stay healthy.