The Heir-Apparent to McBride: "Hopefully" Conor Casey

[4mybroRRT]

I felt the same way as many who were gratefully surprised, excited, maybe a little giddy at what the future might hold for Casey. Clearly his time in Germany has seasoned this young stiker to what we all hope,with his size and skill at holding the ball, may bring the US our "Viduka or Vieri" at top.

One can help but wonder what was going through McBride's mind knowing this kid is being groomed for the '06 WC. Knowing what Arena's style of striker tandam. Arena had to be pleasantly encouraged to see more positives than negatives from Casey.

But I interested in seeing what can he do against the Mexicans, and Marquez in particular. That is the matchup that will be crucial from now on.

If Buddle, Casey, Johnson can raise their game to the next level in time for '06. Adding them to Gibbs, Pope, and others over six-feet, might just offset the "Diminutive Three-er-Four-once Adu's 2 years in MLS are completed" might just be able to physically overcome Nats sidesuch as the Germans, Dutch, English, and Italians.

Winning in Europe may not be such a pinnacle, but the norm after all.

[E Diddy]

Great post- I share your enthusiasm about Casey.

In addition, to echo your observation about Freddy and the next 2+ years.

Can anyone deny that if Freddy develops into the player he can be in the next 2 years, that he'll at least be ready for some serious looks in camp for Bruce?

I think Bruce has carefully crafted the requirements for camp to pave the way for Freddy, and any young player with the ability (remember DMB, LD, Mastro Convey this time 4 years ago):

1. Consistent playing time for club. (will happen this year)
2. Excellent play (most likely will happen this year)
3. Bruce's personal evaluation (he's already hinted that he's convinced of his future with the NT, it's just a matter of when, and if Freddy satisfies the 1st two requirements, then Bruce has his pretext to bring him in. This way, he's not making it about Freddy's age, but his performance.

I think Bruce's legacy with the National team is providing the blueprint for young players to seriously contend for spots, and providing a competitive environment for each position.

I think by the time we head to Germany (I think we'll dominate in qualies), we'll have a deep, skilled, agressive team, with a mindset to take it to opponents like we did in the quarters against Germany. Casey will be a huge part of that IMHO.

[appoo]

if you watched Freddy against SJ I think you'll realize that Freddy is simply not there physically. He looks like the 14 year older he is going up against men. I'd say its a 1 year minimum before he even gets invited to a camp.

[appoo]

btw - I agree that Conor's potential is intriguing. But he needs to improve his first touch. Against better teams a bad 1st touch means getting the ball taken away immediatly.

[Tmagic77]

if you watched Freddy against SJ I think you'll realize that Freddy is simply not there physically. He looks like the 14 year older he is going up against men. I'd say its a 1 year minimum before he even gets invited to a camp.

I don't think you can tell that after one game. He got muscled off the ball once. Beasley would have also gotten pushed off. The only thing you can say is that, right now, he isn't playing at the right speed/getting into the right positions. If he had been moving off the ball well nobody would have said a thing about Agoos pushing him around. The previous poster said nothing about bringing him into the team right away anyhow. Even if he's not physically ready, he will be so you didn't really disagree with anyone yet.

Wow, how does it happen that we get off topic so fast? Ok, Casey was impressive, but his touch wasn't all that great. I'm pretty optimistic about his future though.

[lurking]

Naming Conor an "heir" presumes that McBride is the current rightful claimant. Personally, I think this is a disputeable that Brian should have such a claim.

[lmorin]

I don't see McB quality in Casey. Relatively speaking, it is also easier to look good when you are playing against a fairly weak Poland team and the whole US team looks fairly decent vs a stronger group such as the Holland side with the extremely poor performances by certain US players. (Incidentally, I thought McB had one of his worst ever that game). Casey may be the heir-apparent to McB, but he is not a step up in quality. The USMNT needs a significantly better player in support of overall team improvement, not simply a player who has the same general level of competency.

[Deuteriumoxide]

I don't see McB quality in Casey. Relatively speaking, it is also easier to look good when you are playing against a fairly weak Poland team and the whole US team looks fairly decent vs a stronger group such as the Holland side with the extremely poor performances by certain US players. (Incidentally, I thought McB had one of his worst ever that game). Casey may be the heir-apparent to McB, but he is not a step up in quality. The USMNT needs a significantly better player in support of overall team improvement, not simply a player who has the same general level of competency.

No ******** sherlock... but barring that... Connor Casey.

[lurking]

I don't see McB quality in Casey. Relatively speaking, it is also easier to look good when you are playing against a fairly weak Poland team and the whole US team looks fairly decent vs a stronger group such as the Holland side with the extremely poor performances by certain US players. (Incidentally, I thought McB had one of his worst ever that game). Casey may be the heir-apparent to McB, but he is not a step up in quality. The USMNT needs a significantly better player in support of overall team improvement, not simply a player who has the same general level of competency.
You realize that if you compare the early part of McBride's career to Casey's, and they are quite comparable, that Casey is leaps and bounds ahead of McBride?

[dna77054]

btw - I agree that Conor's potential is intriguing. But he needs to improve his first touch. Against better teams a bad 1st touch means getting the ball taken away immediatly.

Very true, but that is also true of most of the NT. I wish when our players headed to Europe that they would go the the "finesse, skill" leages like Spain, Italy, Portugal instead of the northern European "power" league like England and Germany. I think some of our players would benefit from playing in Mexico. Say what you will, but the Mexicans have great touch on the ball.

[ninety_minutes]

I know Arena has tried to use Wolyneic in this capacity. I didn't get a chance to see Conor Casey play against Poland, but know that he is ripping it up in the 2nd Bundesliga. How does Casey compare to Wolyneic?

[SABuffalo786]

Um, it was one game.

[gettysburg32]

On the surface I'd agree that Conor Casey 1. looked very good & promising in the Poland game and 2. has put himself into the possible equation for qualifying and beyond. But to say that he's the one to step in and take over for McBride, because of one good game, that's a bit quick IMHO. Don't get me wrong, I definitly hope Casey does turn out to be a permanent NT member, but I'm not holding my breath already.

[RevsRule]

I think Casey is a "similar" player to McBride and "may" play the role that McBride's played in the future. The jury is still out. Poland wasn't that great and certainly wasn't fast. Let's see if he can do anything against CONCAF teams before promoting him to the first team. Also, he played an OK game. A few nice flicks but other then that, he really didn't do too much.

Finally, I see in one or the first posts in this thread the usual role call of forwards form Big Soccer. E.g., Buddle, Johnson ... I get a little tired of hearing these same names over and over as Nat potentials when they really haven't even done that much on the club level. Don't you think that they would be called up if they were on the radar screen? The name that BigSoccer has forgotten, and that I still have hopes for, is Twellman. He's clearly better the Buddle and Johnson, is an impact player and does score a lot of goals on the club level. In fact I rate him higher then Casey at this point. If not for two bad injuries last season and getting sick (pnomonia) when with the Nats, he would be in the mix right now. Now that he's healthy, I expect to see him get a call up during one of the upcoming US based games. The call that Johnson and Buddle can only dream of.

PS - Freddy is a long way's off. He's a great 14 year old player but only an average MLS level player right now.

[lurking]

This thread is frustrating, because while the points about it being only one game, I think people should really watch that game again, and see how much of the offensive possession and distribution whent through Casey in that game. His touch may not have always been there in that one. Without him on the field we look like crap again.

As for the notion that Poland wasnt a real "test", I completely disagree. It was one of the best tests for a player like Casey, a big physical player against a big physical team. Strength vs. strength. If he can fight off a Polish defender, there is no way in hell a honduran one is going to be able to move him around at all.

So I want to see Casey again. Ahead of McBride. Maybe he doesnt look that great in the next one, but in my eyes he has earned the chance to get real PT to fight for a starting spot.

[purojogo]

This thread is frustrating, because while the points about it being only one game, I think people should really watch that game again, and see how much of the offensive possession and distribution whent through Casey in that game. His touch may not have always been there in that one. Without him on the field we look like crap again.

As for the notion that Poland wasnt a real "test", I completely disagree. It was one of the best tests for a player like Casey, a big physical player against a big physical team. Strength vs. strength. If he can fight off a Polish defender, there is no way in hell a honduran one is going to be able to move him around at all.

So I want to see Casey again. Ahead of McBride. Maybe he doesnt look that great in the next one, but in my eyes he has earned the chance to get real PT to fight for a starting spot.

A game does not a heir make.....He was not great (as advertised post game) but pretty decent for a first cap......Certainly there is reason for hope, even though I'd still prefer Edson Buddle....I guess we'll know soon enough....

[Sinko]

I think Casey is a "similar" player to McBride and "may" play the role that McBride's played in the future. The jury is still out. Poland wasn't that great and certainly wasn't fast. Let's see if he can do anything against CONCAF teams before promoting him to the first team. Also, he played an OK game. A few nice flicks but other then that, he really didn't do too much.

Finally, I see in one or the first posts in this thread the usual role call of forwards form Big Soccer. E.g., Buddle, Johnson ... I get a little tired of hearing these same names over and over as Nat potentials when they really haven't even done that much on the club level. Don't you think that they would be called up if they were on the radar screen? The name that BigSoccer has forgotten, and that I still have hopes for, is Twellman. He's clearly better the Buddle and Johnson, is an impact player and does score a lot of goals on the club level. In fact I rate him higher then Casey at this point. If not for two bad injuries last season and getting sick (pnomonia) when with the Nats, he would be in the mix right now. Now that he's healthy, I expect to see him get a call up during one of the upcoming US based games. The call that Johnson and Buddle can only dream of.

PS - Freddy is a long way's off. He's a great 14 year old player but only an average MLS level player right now. IMO Twellman hasn't shown half as well with the NATs in his several appearances combined as Conor did in his one opportunity. That said, TT has a spectacular season with the Revs, it's likely he'll get at least another invite or two. But don't downplay Conor's very good showing in a tough setting.

[lmorin]

IMO Twellman hasn't shown half as well with the NATs in his several appearances combined as Conor did in his one opportunity.
Factually, you are correct. BUT, the reality is that the ball was played to Casey 4-5 more times in his one game than Twellman's total in his 2 or so appearances. It is mighty hard to look good as an attacker when nobody gives you the ball. I am with those who think his Nats opportunity in game situations has amounted to nothing thus far. I just hope he gets the opportunity to prove himself one way or the other.

[striker]

Factually, you are correct. BUT, the reality is that the ball was played to Casey 4-5 more times in his one game than Twellman's total in his 2 or so appearances. It is mighty hard to look good as an attacker when nobody gives you the ball. I am with those who think his Nats opportunity in game situations has amounted to nothing thus far. I just hope he gets the opportunity to prove himself one way or the other.

A player gets few touches of the ball for at least one of two reasons: his teammates simply doesn't want to pass him the ball, or he fails to show for the ball. Arena was quoted (in NY Times) as liking how well Casey showed for the ball.

[lurking]

A game does not a heir make.....He was not great (as advertised post game) but pretty decent for a first cap......Certainly there is reason for hope, even though I'd still prefer Edson Buddle....I guess we'll know soon enough....
And I never used the word heir. And thats important for two reason:

1) because heir implies that he should wait his turn behind McBride, which I dont think should be the case. Casey should be given a chance to earn a spot now.

2) because I dont think hes locked down anything... other than another chance to start and show what hes got in another game soon. Which means I dont think we should stop looking at other forwards, just that Casey deserves a very long close look now.

I forgot to type it, but I should have said the points about it being only one game... are good. I agree its only one game, and you cant be making plans for years to come based on the one game. But to me it was a promising enough game where I cant wait to see the second, or maybe even the third to see whether it was just a fluke... or if hes the real deal.

Connor isnt the man yet.. but he could be. And I want to know for sure.