Dooley played as a 2-way CM for the US at first. Sorber was the DM and Balboa and Lalas the CBs. Dooley was the glue in midfield, the on-field player/coach. Only in his last year or two did he switch to CB, or really more of a sweeper in Sampson's foolish 3-man back line in 1998.
From SI, just posted are two writers' picks: http://soccer.si.com/2013/12/19/our-picks-u-s-mens-national-team-all-time-best-xi/ Brian Strauss: ---------------------Keller-------------------- Cherundolo----Pope--Balboa---Bocanegra Donovan------Reyna---Bradley-----Ramos --------------Dempsey---McBride---------- Subs: Hejduk, Lalas, Agoos, Dooley, Caliguiri; Jones, Harkes, Stewart, Beasley; Wynalda, Gaetjens. Avi Creditor: ---------------------Keller-------------------- Hejduk--------Pope--Balboa-----Caliguiri Donovan------Reyna---Bradley----C.Jones --------------Wynalda---McBride----------
If we are using the Tab Ramos justification (A player ahead of his time) for the selection of certain players, then John Obrien should be on the list.
Thanks...sweeper was what I was trying to think of. I seem to recall that he was quite good in any role he played.
If O'Brien had been healthy and able to play the key field general role he should have for the US in 2006 (his prime age), then he would have had 2 cycles and 2 World Cups and enough caps and impact to belong in an all-time XI. Such a shame. A 100% in-form and healthy O'Brien, Mathis, and Gibbs would have resulted in a much different story from the 2006 Cup.
Playing Dempsey at striker instead of the 2nd all time leading goal scorer in USMNT history is fairly absurd. Like benching Mia Hamm or Abby Wambach for Alex Morgan.
Um....Clint is the 2nd leading scorer in USMNT history. 2 more goals and one more total point than Wynalda in 5 fewer caps. So, you're right. Playing Wynalda at striker instead of the 2nd all time leading goal scorer is absurd. If I had to win one game, and had to choose between Wynalda and Dempsey, I'd choose Dempsey without a second thought. I'd bench McBride before Dempsey.
The argument is academic anyways: US soccer has Dempsey listed as a midfielder, so he is not eligible for voters to select as a forward.
When Friedel and Keller were competing head-head, it was Friedel who was the starter, so to me it seems questionable to choose Keller over Friedel.
I think in Wynalda's prime, he was our best striker by a wide margin. I would not bench Wynalda for Dempsey. I would love to have the option of being able to start the two of them together with Dempsey in the withdrawn attacker role, with McHead coming off the bench in the 75th minute needing a set piece goal.
I think all time goals list possibly can be deceiving. I'm not saying they are absolutely deceiving, but just possibly. The talent around Clint has been better for a longer period of time than it was for Wynalda. I am looking more globally at the talent at the striker role, which in my opinion was where Wynalda was the best. Clint just isn't a number 9. I'm not sure what he is, but I believe Wynalda was a better 9.
By that same token, the opposition that Wynalda played against was worse. Look at their goal scoring CVs and let me know who you think has the more impressive resume.
Point taken, but again, the question is who is the better 9, and for me, Wynalda was the best 9 we've had. Dempsey belongs in the discussion of the best XI attackers, but not in the discussion of the best 9.
I agree with you about giving Friedel the edge. But I understand folks who choose Keller based in part on his longer dedication to the Nats, in addition to his fine performances.
No position has evolved more in the past 30 years than goalkeeper IMO. If we are talking about a best XI in terms of how they would do in the modern game, you might have to give the slight edge to Brad because of his foot skills, which continue to be incredibly important in the modern game where the keeper often times takes the role of a deep sweeper, freeing up the two center backs to man mark if need be. Obviously Keller was a fantastic keeper, but his foot skills were his weakest spot. Foot skills are one of the reasons Rimando has kept his level for so long as a decent but not very outstanding keeper.
I have a feeling there will be one player who is unanimously listed on all voting ballots: Landon Donovan. (Really a no-brainer.)
U.S. Soccer Names All-Time Men’s National Team Best XI: http://t.co/GubSOALVdr #100Years pic.twitter.com/NSvExQtj1M— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) December 20, 2013 I missed it by a single Llamosa (which I'm still sticking with; sorry 'Celo).
Its hard to quibble with that. Maybe replace Reyna with Bradley. But only because I couldn't stand Reyna.
Bradley was both a harder and easier omission than O'Brien. Harder because I think Bradley is easily one of the best quality players ever to pull on a US shirt. Easier than O'Brien because at his peak, I'm not sure anybody had O'Brien's creativity and control (my opinion), and Ramos and Reyna served more similar roles to Bradley and had longer, more crucial tenures with the national team. Although in a few years time, I'm pretty confident Bradley will surpass all three on that chart.
Agreed - I think he and Altidore have the opportunity to claim "best ever" at their positions. How much would you guys pay to see the individual ballots? I'd chip-in 5 bucks to the fund.