Boy, it feels good to start this Thread, might be a bit early pero que chucha, lol, These qualifiers were a rollercoaster for us, from that convincing 2-0 to Venezuela en Quito to watching Chile-Ecuador and also keeping an eye on Uruguay-Argentina. To me there were some moments that became memorable Mendez goal against Peru Montero finally getting that call Caicedo coming in against Bolivia and scoring that penalty kick Benitez goal against Colombia That 4-0 loss to Argentina Amarilla screwing us with that penalty kick in Montevideo. The downhill trip we took after that Germany loss. Chuchos death Beating Uruguay. I'm sure theres more moments but it's all Ican come up with. Now theres definitely things to improve, I mean based on my calculations Rueda has called up 63 players to the NT, more than any coach ever has, safe to say hes found the foundation but we can all agree our team sometimes doesnt work, what are your thoughts on things Rueda, Chiriboga, fans and players can do in the next 7 months?
Great post. For me this WCQ was the arrival of Jeff Montero. He has become our other star player besides Valencia. There is absolutely no way he is not in Europe this time next year, on a GOOD team. His goal against Paraguay where he touched it past the defender and smashed the inside of the post was just devastating. Some more moments: - Erazo's Maradona-style spin move against Venezuela. - Chucho's run against Peru and pass to Mendez. - Paredes' amazing goal for Chile. - Ibarra's run to get the PK against Chile. - Montero's spectacular flick and almost goal from a corner kick away against Peru. - Ayovi's missed PK against Colombia. - Caicedo's bombazo in the friendly against Portugal to win 3-2. - Mascherano injured but kicking the golf cart driver. - The 5 or 6 games in a row where we let the opponent score in the first 10 minutes of the game.
Now, I do think we got to work on our goal scoring for the World Cup, thing is we have no forwards and just as B9 says, Rueda is trying to make our extra wingers forwards, interesting theory but harder than most think, be cause everytime Rojas, Enner, Ibarra and I'm assuming Fidel get the ball and are challenged by a defender they tend to go to the wings, its their instinct and we need them closer to the goal to open up Caicedo. let us not forget that the Benitez/Caicedo combo had been already 4-5 years together.
How about learnig how to defend the air game,this is where we suck big time,most of our games that we lost have been because of this lack of ability,Chiles goals came from this.Besides aside from Germany,Spain and Italy ,I think we can put up a fight with anybody else,just 3 cucos thats it IMO.I like going in as an underdog.
Alexander Dominguez 26 years old. Juan Carlos Paredez 26 years old Frikson Erazo 25 years old. Jayro Campos 29 years old Walter Ayovi 34 years old. Antonio Valencia 28 years old. Christian Noboa 28 years old Segundo Castillo 31 years old. Jeff Montero 24 years old. Felipe Caicedo 25 years old. Enner Valencia 24 years old. Reanto Ibarra 22 years old. Joao Rojas 24 years old Jaime Ayovi 25 years old Gabriel Achilier 28 years old. Jorge Guagua 32 years old Maximo Banguera 27 years old. Fernando Saritama 29 years old. Fidel Martinez 23 years old. The Current age of our most used players, apologies if I missed someone, the point is that most of our starting line up is at their prime, or reaching it, so I expect us to start strong the next qualifiers considering they start in less than 2 years lol. but guys I overall see a problem with our left back, defensive mid and right back. Roosevelt and Nazareno arent doing well, Rueda seems to like Alex Bolanos for #5 some of you guys like Carlos Gruezo, should the future replacements be taken to the World Cup? due to the lack of forwards, I strongly suggest Michael Arroyo, I know Rueda likes him, Soler is giving him a new position. what do you guys think?
We still have some work to do. Particularly our defense. Paredes will have his ups and downs. Walter struggles against quicker players. Guagua is unconvincing and Achilier hasn't been at his best as of late. Erazo has been our most consistent defender but even he can make you scratch your head at times. Problem is we do not have all that much depth at the position. We do have some young players that should get a look as we move forward. Namely Fernando Leon and that kid from Universidad Catolica. I think one of the highest items that should be on the agenda should be to get Caicedo healthy. Its obvious that he's not 100%. That's probably why he only plays 15-20 minutes on a weekly basis. When he's in peak physical condition, we are that much more formidable. Figuring out who will be his partner in attack is also of great importance. I imagine Rueda will try several players. He's already tried J. Ayovi, Enner, Rojas and I figure he'll try out more players as we move forward. I just hope the players continue to work hard day in and day out. They can all improve on certain aspects of their game. Montero can work on being a better decision maker. He's an exciting player to watch but he's hardly efficient. People seem to recall the one out of ten times he'll pass by three defenders. Well what about the other nine times that he fails to beat the defense and wastes an opportunity. He's still very young so I hope as he matures as a player and improves his decision making.
I imagine Rueda will stick with Paredez (given hes been using hormiga since Ruedas first game) Erazo, Jayro Campos (provided he gets back on point) and Walter Ayovi (played all 16 games) and I'm fine with that, one thing our players have is an impeccable discipline. I expect them to have a nice concentration period before the WC and bring their best.
How many players usually make up World Cup squads? If anything they should take Sornoza, Martinez(from what I heard yesterday his last ten were decent), possiblyGuerron if he does anything good lately, Morante(where is he?) and Campos. How's Cevallos Jr. doing? That guy seems like he will be a great player when he grows up, he's very dyanmic from the little I've seen of him. Any suggestions o ngood players right now in the league?
I remember we said that last Qualifier- that this Qualifier was gonna be the one where Jeff Montero consolidated himself. Said and done. I think this Qualifier was the introduction of Renato Ibarra and the next one should be the one where he fully consolidates himself....possibly even before that if Valencia starts playing a more central role which i predict will happen. Castillo isn't getting any younger and i think after this WC, he won't have much more action here. Great moments from this NT. All memorable and lots of ups and downs. Definitely a roller coaster
IMO this team has a good mix. Almost perfect mix if you ask me. It's obvious players like Saritama, Guagua, Castillo, Mendez, Walter Ayovi, and possibly even Jairo Campos may not make the next Qualifier. I think the inclusion of Gabriel Corozo in this squad was great. He hasn't played yet, but Rueda knows he's next. Matter of fact I know Rueda has it PLANNED that Corozo is next up after Walter. If nothing bad happens and Corozo is healthy and playing, he will make noise next Qualifier. I've said repeatedly he's the next big thing the country has in defense. The better question is who will be his substitute? Recently I saw Roosevelt Oyola playing some pretty good futbol. I think he's back...but not 100% sure until I see at least another 2-3 games but in the last month and a half he's been at top level and rising. Nazareno I think is a lost cause. He might show up later on but I don't think he'll be important to this NT. he missed his chance when he had it and those 2 years of suspension beat him up and stopped his progress. I think Cristian Ramirez will put in a fight to break into this NT, assuming he continues to perform as good as he's been doing in Germany. Hopefully his team moves back up to top flight so he can play with the big boys. Besides these guys I can only mention 2 other left backs- Luis Ayala (independiente) and Carlos Arboleda (LDUQ). I think Arboleda can improve but the kid has talent. Hopefully next season he shows his true potential. And Luis Ayala is really young. 17-18 years old i think, but he's been doing really great this season as well. He replaced Cristian Ramirez after he left. Right backs we got 2 besides Paredes who will continue to start IMO. Pedro Velasco and Mario Pineida. I think Pineida had a great season this year. Rumors say Emelec wants him for next season so that'll give him the chance to play a Libertadores next year and show himself internationally. Velasco still has work to do. Forwards we got plenty. The issue is finding the right pair. That's what takes so much damn time. Fidel Martinez, Marlon De Jesus, Junior Sornoza, Ener Valencia (who can play as a forward), Juan Anangono, Jaime Ayovi, Felipe Caicedo. We got the pieces we just need to find the right pair. I hope that kid Jose Ayovi finally claims his spot in BSC. He had lots of potential when he left Independiente and he's still young. Probably 21 years old max. The other player that's lately doing well in El Nacional is Edson Montano- the best striker we had in the U-20 a few years ago. He's 22 years old now and I think he'll be back at BSC next season b/c his loan to El Nacional was only for 1 year with no option to extend. I hope he doesn't fall off, that kid was supposed to be one of the next best strikers for our NT. the only position that concerns me a bit is the center mid. We got Pedro Quinonez who can probably play 1 more Qualifier as a sub, but he's not all that either. But the main candidate for me is Carlos Gruezo. That's Castillo's replacement. Gaibor needs to take that next step in his career. I think Rueda gave Ener the confidence....that small boost Ener needed to finally step out of the space he was in (a player that turns on and off during the season and lacks consistency). I'd be great if he'd give Gaibor that final push too. I think that kid has a lot to offer. Jefferson Orejuela from Independiente is also another interesting center mid now that I remember.
In my opinion, Pineida is the best option we have at RB. He doesn't have the speed that Paredes has but he's the perfect balance between defense and offense. Rueda has gone with Paredes ever since he took over so I doubt he's going to drop him now. He's performed pretty well as of late with the NT as well so hopefully he keeps it up. I also think that he has room for improvement. He has raw talent that he has yet to tap into. We have some interesting options at LB too. Its going to be interesting to see who will take over once Walter retires. B( says its going to be Corozo, personally I think Ramirez will be the one that replaces Walter. That kid Luis Ayala is intriguing as well. I imagine someone else might emerge as well. Having depth is never a bad thing. I've said this in the past, Rueda should start breaking Gruezo in slowly. Just like he's doing with Corozo, Rueda should do the same with Gruezo. He's Castillo's replacement. As for Gaibor, he'll get a shot. He was doing extremely well in Emelec as of late before an ankle injury slowed him down a bit. Hpefully the time off helped him recover and he can continue playing well and take his game to the next level. As for Jose Ayovi...that kid can play. He had an awesome season with Independiente back in 2011. He was one of the league leaders in assists. He moved to BSC for 2012 but he didn't repeat his performances. He had some memoerable games here and there but he wasn't in top form. He battled some nagging injuries throughout the season so maybe that played a part. He got off to a slow start this season, some people say he was distracted because of the rumors of him going to Italy then to Pumas. Ever since Soler took over at BSC he's been playing pretty well. He'd be the perfect player to play alongside Caicedo.
If I'm not mistaken, 22 players can go to World Cup right? Usuallly 3 keepers. Domingues Banguera Bone Paredez Guagua Campos Erazo Achilier Walter Corozo Valencia Noboa Castillo Montero Saritama P. Quinonez Alex Bolanos Renato Ibarra Joao Rojas Felipe Caicedo J. Ayovi Fidel Martinez Enner Valencia. Dam guys, not much room to provide upcoming players with experience, I even wrote 23
Players to look out for Pineida, Roosevelt Oyola, Samaniego, Uchuary, Samaniego, Sornoza, Guerrero, Marcos Caicedo, Jose Ayovi, Gaibor and theres a few more that would benefit from the experience, I forgot Colon as well, heck, even Cazarez.
I hope Marlon can make it to the WC. I think it'd be great experience for him. And im pretty sure it's more than 22 players. Even Qualifiers it's 23 players. WC should be a bit more taking injuries in account that could happen etc. The guys that are up next would really benefit from this. it's not doubt Dominguez, Banguera, and most likely Bone will be the 3 keepers. defense most likely will have: Paredes, Erazo, Achilier, Campos, Guagua, Walter, Corozo, ____ (one more right back). Mid: Valencia, Noboa, Castillo, Montero, Saritama, P.Quinonez, Rojas, Ibarra....where can Arroyo and Mendez fit here? and will Alex Bolanos be a part of this squad? i know he's a favorite of Rueda's. Forwards: F. Caicedo, J. Ayovi, E. Valencia, _____, ______ .....this one's tough. I wish Fidel Martinez, Marlon De Jesus, and Junior Sornoza all make it. It seems like these guys will be a part of the following Qualifier and should be an important part of this process. Well truth is a lot can change between now and May when the list is made official. Let's hope lots of these guys come 100% ready both mentally and physically. I'm sure if we find Caicedo's perfect match, this will be an awesome team to watch and can have a really great WC.
We should line up with some of these guys during friendlies. I don't like using the word "lesser" teams, but they need a few run of games.
Jordan play Uruguay November 13th and the 20th for that World Cup spot, I also read that we are playing against Argentina Nov. 15 (New York) and Honduras Nov.19 (Houston)
according to our news.. Jordan wants to spar us on the 6th in Houston before they head off into Montevideo. 3 games in November.. + 2 in the same spot.. wouldn't make sense to me. Too much lol. Plus theres been no mention of yall in our news.
Not sure if both the games against Uruguay will be held in the same location, isnt it one home and then away? But honestly I think Uruguay is too much for Jordan! Either way I'm just happy that Ecuador is gonna play a game in 2013 in New York! that's home away from home for our guys lol last game in New York was against Chile (3-0) august 15th 2012
No.. el partido contra Uruguay es ida y vuelta. Pero digo, k HONDURAS van a jugar 3 amistosos en un mes.. y k dos de los amistosos van a realizarse en Houston.. creo k es demasiado para nuestra seleccion y aficionados. Tambien para nuestro jugadores k no an tenido un tiempo adeque de descanso.
Well good luck to you and your squad catracho , even if we don't have that friendly against you guys in Houston , I'm glad to hear that we have 2 friendlies in the near future! We have some areas that need improvement and players that need to be given chances! Peace
Both of our ex-coached under one roof.. hopefully we confirm it. I'd be the first one on route to Houston after Miami abrazos hermaos Ecuatorianos.
Guys, I saw most of the Monterrey match last night, Marlon De Jesus didnt look so good I never been his fan but I admit hes a pretty fast player and hes good at finding himself a good position in the area but that wasnt the case last night.
Just watched the Manta vs BSC match, I thought Paredez did great along with Nazareno, I wonder if the National team making the World cup will inspire players all over the campeonato trying to earn a spot, I can only hope so, Its a shame Christian Marquez from Manta is already 32, guys a good forward.