If we are in the business of bringing in aging outsiders that are on good form who can whip in a good cross, on the last two years I think Justin Mapp was more qualified than Brad Davis. Some of the crosses he has whipped in have been devastating, and watching that highlight he put on a plate to Di Vaio this weekend just leaves me thinking. It is a very trivial point, but I would have liked to have kicked the tires on Mapp given what hes been serving up the past few seasons.
Mapp is left footed and played on the left for most of the career. His renaissance started with his playing mainly in an inverted winger role. And like BD upping the fitness.
I've always thought Mapp had a ton of potential. I wish he had worked on his fitness earlier in his career.
Mapp is doing most of his damage from the right for Montreal. He cuts in on his stronger foot and finishes or provides service to a Di Vaio or an on-rushing Felipe. I like Mapp, his speed is deadly but his lack of a right foot doomed his chances at a longer international career.
hints why I said that he should have taken the Brad Davis role both of them have a cultured left but I think justin is the better player, and has been the past two seasons
There are two kinds of players you take for the Next Twelve. You take guys who are the next best player in a role to the starter (typically center backs will fit into this category. The #2 keeper always does.) And you take guys who can change your team by subbing in (Diskerrud is a perfect example of this...I don't know whether or not he's among the 9 best midfielders, but I know for damn sure he needs to be an option off of the bench.) Both Davis and Mapp fit more into the "brings something unique to the field" set. So it's an interesting call (if you grant the OP's assertion that Mapp has the quality, which I, personally, am not willing to grant. But I think this is an interesting topic for debate.)
Davis delivers a very nice set piece. I can imagine that we're late in a match, trying to get a goal either to draw or win, and the other team keeps fouling us (I'm looking at you Ghana.) In that specific scenario, he'd be nice to have. But no, I'm not a real big fan of his talents. Problem is, the US right know is neck deep is decent-to-good central mids and very poor in terms of wide mids. That's why Julian Green might actually be in Brazil for us.
When it comes to finishing off a penalty kick to win a trophy for the U.S.A, Brad Davis is experienced in doing this also. Nailed the winner versus Panama in the Gold Cup '05 Cup Final. He would be an ideal late game dead ball striker as his set piece deliveries are almost always with pace and some swerve.
Mapp's lack of stamina rather than of a right foot doomed his international career. He's only broken over 2000 minutes 3 times in a club career that dates back to '02, and this isn't player who has had major injury issues. It's only since the last year or so he's been going 90 a game consistently. Tough to say which of Davis and Mapp has the superior international potential as both have limited experience. With the Mexico match Davis can take significant step forward in proving his bonafides
Zusi can play one spot well. The right. Brad can play outside left and can hold the ball very well and link up when deployed in the middle. As a dead ball hitter there is no one better in our camp.
Davis may not be at the level needed right now? I can't say, but Mapp isn't the answer. While I like that Mapp has improved so much recently (I do like his offensive game and the way he plays a traditional winger that drives at players), I think people overestimate the speed and don't take into account the overall creativeness that Davis has. Mapp is also a weaker defender from what I've seen. He's faster but can be lazy. Davis is very good with team shape and commitment even if defense isn't his strongest area. Davis may actually be slightly overrated in the set piece and but is definitely underrated for some of the other things he does in the run of play (at the very least in MLS play). Some MLS stats to compare the two: Mapp: 18713 minutes, 22 goals, and 59 assists Davis: 23872 minutes, 47 goals, and 102 assists Davis creates more than just set pieces. He doesn't need that speed because he is shifty his precision on the final ball is much more consistent than many faster players. Give him a little credit, even if you don't think he is at the international level at this point.