EJ's season for DCU hasn't exactly been roses and sunshine. Jozy scored 8 goals for the NT in 2013. Their respective club disaster moves aside, one of them has 21 goals in 67 caps, and the other is a guy who is good on set pieces, bad with the ball on his feet, and is a complete headcase.
In which game, FIFA 14 or Championship Manager? Because Agudelo hasn't played any significant minutes since 2010 for the National team. Meanwhile Klinsmann has given EJ plenty of minutes in important matches.
I meant in my opinion. In Klinsmann's it's still: Dempsey, Jozy, Johannsson | Wondo, EJ | then the rest If I had to pick between EJ and Agudelo, I'd take Agudelo, superior player.
The 'EJ is only good on set pieces' is tired trope whose relevance to reality petered out several years ago. The emotionalism the player engenders makes him difficult to discuss.
Jozy stats are better, but EJs are not far behind.... Jozy scored 8 goals for the NT in 2013 (21 goals in 67 caps total) EJ scored 5 goals for the NT in 2013 (15 goals in 59 caps total)
I'm willing to drop Evans since it's largely sentimental anyway, but I can not abide by Donovan at LM and Fabian at Left Back. I've seen Johnson many times at fullback for Hoffenheim and believe his strengths are getting forward rather than defensive positional discipline. He rarely stops crosses and is often caught up field. As an International LB, I consider him adequate at best. Beasley CAN exercise positional discipline, and in our group we'll need that skill. Putting Donovan at Left Mid is foolish. He can't defend and seems unwilling to do so anyway. We add a certain creativity with him pinching in, but lose Fabian's speed and creativity because LD's lack of defensive strengths will pin Johnson in the final third destroying HIS creativity and speed. An all together poor idea, and if I see it in the WC, I will lead the torch brigade for JK's lynching. But I do want Wondo-as the fifth forward.
I wouldn't consider myself emotional on EJ; I think it's a great story and its fantastic he got his career and life back on track. But he really is only good on set pieces, unless you're prepared to argue he's good with the ball on his feet?
He is not good on the dribble... when he dribble he appears to be a notch slower then without the ball. He does however have a decent enough first touch to control the ball and shoot in 2 touches. 1 touch and shot with the left. 1 touch and shot with the right. (goal was called offside, but it still shows his skill) min 3:26 in the video
I see these guys as locks barring injury: GK-Howard, Guzan, Rimando DF-Besler, Gonzo, Goodson, Cameron, Parkhurst, Beasley MF-Bradley, Jones, Mix, Fabian, Zusi, Bedoya, Donovan FW-Jozy, Dempsey, Johannsonn that leaves 4 spots up for grabs.. I think we will bring at least 1 more striker and defensive mid, besides that who knows. I'd say Beckerman and Wondo have an inside track right now Other Main contenders: EJ, Shea, Evans, Edu, Williams, Castillo, Brooks Outside chance: Chandler, Yedlin, Kljestan, Agudelo, Lichaj, Boyd, Ream, Orozco, Davis, Green small chance: Feilhaber, Torres, Gil, Onyewu, Corona
One more: EJ has been pretty effective at beating the line and making a run in behind. Indeed his control and finishing are actually pretty good. As I said before, I don't think the Mexico match made JK's job any easier, since both EJ and Wondo showed what they uniquely bring as forwards.
And what exactly is unique about EJ and Wondo compared to Jozy and Aron? Agudelo is our only forward that offers something unique to the group.
I should clarify: I meant that JK won't have any easier time choosing between EJ and Wondo, who are both on the forward bubble. So I was comparing them to eachother, not the whole crop of forwards.
Wondo, Agudelo, Jozy, and EJ each bring something fairly unique to the table. Wondo and Agudelo are the fox in the box types, instinctual poachers. Agudelo is true back to goal center forward. Jozy when the ball is played into his feet in space is unstoppable. EJ is great in the air and getting in behind defenders. On top form, all could go.
I think Wondo is a poor mans Johannsonn, kind of like Aron without the speed or dribbling. Dont see him as unique but the other ones yea