Now can we stop hearing cries for Subotic and Spector to start, at least for the time being. I'll admit Gooch and Boca started 07 pretty poorly, but they've gotten familiar with one another and now know each other's strengths and weaknesses. They were solid at the back and contributed with goals as well. They are so dangerous on set pieces... Spector and Subotic will get their chances, but not until after 2010. Also, Dolo and Pearce had good games too. Pearce looks to be locking up that left side, and Dolo is Dolo. That back four could be something nice if they continue to play like they did tonight.
I agree ive been saying that about Gooch and Boca all along, some people even wanted Parkhurst starting which is a little sad.
Well I think Parkhurst is decent and once 2010 passes by then, the other starting back position will be up for grabs as most likely Bocanegra will retire from the MNT. Once that happens, Parkhurst, Spector and whoever else can fight for that spot. But for now, leave it at Gooch and Boca. We can't just cry for someone else to start because they have one bad play or one bad night.
I must have missed these cries for them to start, especially for Subotic. What many people want is for someone like Spector to be given a shot at the job. Thus far, BB has decided that he is nothing more than an option off the bench, and/or cover for injuries. I think Spector's club play warrants a bit more opportunity.
Where do you want to insert him? Dolo is a lock on the right side. Boca and Gooch are becoming locks. Bornstein and Pearce are battling for the LB spot. Where would you like Spector to see time at?
Any of the above as a starting player. Nobody should be locking up a spot now for a World Cup in 2010. People just want Spector to have the chance, if even for one game, to show if he is (or isn't) better than Gooch/Boca. I'm not saying he would be, but there's only one way for me to know personally, and that's to see it in the game. Now Bob might decide from the training camp that Gooch and Boca look like the better choices, but I'm just saying the perspective here. And, I think Spector is good enough to make a three-way battle at the left back spot.
glad to see gooch and boca improving. i think it's clear that they're the first team partnership. but i, too, would like to see spector given a fair opportunity.
If there are better players available, then I don't see any reason why they shouldn't be given a chance.
Who's crying for Subotic to start? I think that most people just want to see him included in the squad -- at any age group -- since he's flirted with the idea of turning his back on the U.S. to play for Serbia or Montenegro instead.
I'll admit I wanted Demerit starting over Boca, given Boca's recent ride on the pine. But, he proved me quite wrong. I hope Boca keeps the armband for good.
They looked good against Poland, but wait until Spain and Argie.. Cooch will be giving away free kick after free kick..
Because in most major soccer playing countries not called Italy, by the time you are 31, there are 2 or 3 younger players ready to take your place, so you do the "honorable" thing and say "I am going to concentrate on my club obligations." In the US, (1) we tend to be more patriotic toward our country for various reasons and the players still consider it a huge honor and (2) We don't have quite the depth (yet, hopefully soon) where a player is obviously not long for the team. We usually find a useful role for older players in one or two game increments.
not true. besides italy, in recent memory, i can think of off the top of my head: france: zidane retired when he was 34 thuram and makelele are still playing at, what, 35/36? vieira 32 portugal: figo retired at 34 sweden: larsson retired at 35 brazil: cafu retired at 36 roberto carlos retired at 33 czech republic: pavel nedved retired at 34 jan koller 34 croatia: niko kovac 36 germany: bernd schneider 34 holland: RVN 32 list goes on and on. doesn't matter what age you are.
Notice on your list, your list includes the names of mostly legends / semi-legends for their country. In the US, it will be like saying that at 33 or 34 Donovan will have nothing to offer the team or won't be one of the best players in the game. I am basically focusing on a lower level club player (Paul Scholes comes to mind), not the stars.
fair enough (though i don't agree that paul scholes is a lower level club player). however, the list of internationals that may not be "stars" but continued to play in their 30's is a long list. off the top of my head: marcus allback julio cruz vikash dhorasoo sylvain wiltord oliver neuville teddy lucic are there players that will retire so they can fully commit to their clubs? absolutely. i just don't think it's a fair assessment to say that they'll do the "honorable thing" by retiring at 31 or so and let the younger players take over.
Doesn't Spector line up out wide for West Ham? I rarely get to see them live... I could see him as an option on the right or left...but Boca and Gooch seem to work well in the middle. Plus - I think having them be the regular pairing would bode well for Howard. Now, if we could only get one of them starting on Everton!
Admitedly, I'm not a fan of the Oneywu-Boca pairing. They are both physical guys prone to the occasional poor decision and awful clearance. I'd prefer one of the CB's to have better technique and game smarts, which is why I have hopes for Spector by 2010. Berhalter or Pope in their prime would have been great partners for either Oneywu or Boca. But I cannot criticise either of them for their fine game against Poland. The better the two of them play together, the better it is for the Nat's. And even if I'd prefer to see a more composed, skillful player replace Boca by 2010, I still strongly think Boca belongs on the 2010 squad and that he will be an important contributor. You cannot doubt his work-rate, effort, or toughness. He is an honest, respectable pro, and the Nat's are better off having him on the team than not.
1. Scholes is definitely not a lower level club player. Legend? No. Quite useful? Yes. 2.'honorable thing' = they are about to be benched or beat out, so they save themselves the embarrassment of losing their spot.
look, obviously, we agree to disagree. i just think that the notion of players from "most countries other than italy" retiring from international play at 31 isn't true especially when there is a long list of players that have continued past 31/32 even if they're not starters anymore. we're getting way off topic anyways. we can continue via PM if you want. what started this was that you said bocanegra woud most likely retire at age 31 by the time 2010 comes around. barring injury, i disagree with you.
Actually I said it. Maybe Bocanegra would continue playing until the following Gold Cup, but I wouldn't be shocked for him to say the World Cup is his last stunt with the MNT because again he'll be 31. Yes guys do continue, but they usually just fade away. Eddie Lewis was fading away until Beasley got injured. Kasey Keller has faded away horrifically. The list goes on and on. There will be guys getting ready to hit their prime after 2010, and Boca will probably just commit to club duties. We'll see though....
Even though he can use both feet. Esentially him not being left footed hurts his chances. By the way, Dolo has certainly locked up the RB spot for us for 2010. That is how weak our pool is at RB.
