Who will suit up in central defense on Wednesday?

[BuffloSoldier]

Califf's out with a knee injury.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-galaxy25apr25,1,2699624.story?coll=la-headlines-sports

Gibbs had to leave with a groin injury last night as well.

So let's pray for Eddie to stay healthy, and additional call-ups will have to be made...my guess is Pablo and ______.

[babytiger2001]

Buff, by "Eddie", do you mean Eddie Robinson? I think he'd be out of the queue, if he did indeed suffer an injury to his hamstring in the Quakes' loss to Colorado at the weekend.

Rapids v Quakes boxscore -- MLSnet.com (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20040424&content_id=731&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

Ramiro Corrales replaced Robinson on 22 minutes, due to some sort of injury.

Paragraph #6 reads...

The Quakes' defense suffered a blow in the 22nd minute when center back Eddie Robinson suffered a leg injury while chasing down a Rapids attacker. Robinson managed to crawl off the field, but had to be carried back to the San Jose bench.

The item on MLSnet says that it's a non-specific leg injury, but some of the BigSoccer posters I was chatting with back home via AIM during the game claimed that Robinson was favouring his hammy.

In any event, he won't be under consideration for the Mexico friendly.

[BuffloSoldier]

Eddie Pope.

[McKinney_Burn]

Buff, by "Eddie", do you mean Eddie Robinson?

I think he is saying Eddie Pope. Maybe being one of the last defenders named to Wednesday's squad that is still healthy.

I was hoping Pablo as well, if Gibbs is a no-go. That was before I knew about Califf though.

These injuries could make things uglier.

[russ]

Looked on the sideline shot that they were looking hard at his knee.
Crawling off the field and also still in pain minutes later=not good im afraid.

[babytiger2001]

Eddie Pope.

I think he's very healthy, but the MetroStars do play in the Sunday game.

He should be right for midweek, provided he comes away unscathed (touch wood).

Regardless, a Pope-Mastroeni pairing in the middle of the defence should be very interesting to witness.

[McKinney_Burn]

Looked on the sideline shot that they were looking hard at his knee.
Crawling off the field and also still in pain minutes later=not good im afraid.

Gibbs right? Yeah, didn't look good after he came back in and made that one defensive run, then curled to the ground. I guess the good news is that he did walk off the field under his own power. But so did Terrell Davis last time he blew out his ACL.

(Not speculating that is what the injury is, nor am I trying to start a rumor.)

[McKinney_Burn]

Gibbs had to leave with a groin injury last night as well.



The recap on Dallasburn.com says he left with a groin strain.

[russ]

Gibbs right? Yeah, didn't look good after he came back in and made that one defensive run, then curled to the ground. I guess the good news is that he did walk off the field under his own power. But so did Terrell Davis last time he blew out his ACL.

(Not speculating that is what the injury is, nor am I trying to start a rumor.)
Sorry,I meant Robinson.There were a couple interevening posts.

Pope plays today.So he will play Wed. on two days reat,which I don't prefer really.

This game could really suck actually...

[appoo]

well Pope on a good day can sometimes shut down opposing offenses all by himself.

Here's a name. Chad Marshall. I was watching Columbus - LA and he looked like the best defender on the field. He also showed some good skill off in getting the ball forward.

A central pairing of Marshall and Pope would possibly the most physically imposing backline we've had under Arena.

[The Wanderer]

. A central pairing of Marshall and Pope would possibly the most physically imposing backline we've had under Arena.

If that only won us games...

[appoo]

If that only won us games...
thats an interesting statement. When has 2 Central defenders ever won game for anyone?

[peledre]

A central pairing of Marshall and Pope would possibly the most physically imposing backline we've had under Arena.
Hmm, I think when Gibbs, Boca, and Berhalter were all on the field at the same time we had our most physically imposing lineup. That being said, I'd love to see

Sanneh Pope Gibbs Boca

in qualifying. That's a physically imposing lineup, and damn talented to boot.

[Greywacke]

So let's pray for Eddie to stay healthy, and additional call-ups will have to be made...my guess is Pablo and ______.

I would think Nick Garcia would have as good a chance as anyone, given his past call-ups and playing time under Arena. Chad Marshall is an interesting idea, but I'm not sure you want to give someone their first cap in a USA-Mexico friendly, especially given his recent Olympic Qualifying experience.

This may also force Arena's hand into going with three in the back, which would have the added benefit of letting us play two holding D-mids (from Armas, Mulrooney, and Zavagnin) and then a more offensive midfielder (Donovan or Kirovski) along with two outside players in midfield.

[Atouk]

Gibbs update:
Now, he will have to evaluate the injury today and Monday and hope for the best – not only Wednesday, but Saturday against Columbus.

"I'd say I'm questionable," Gibbs said after Saturday's game, right after chatting with Arena in the Burn locker room. "It's frustrating right now."
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/soccer/stories/042504dnspoburnbriefs.d5e9a.html

[Blong]

I have to say I was a little pissed when Gibbs went back in and hurt himself worse. It wasn't the World Cup Final. The whole season is ahead of him. There's no need to be a hero, Cory. Leave the game, stay healthy for both the National team and the Burn.

For those recommending Nick Garcia, he played Saturday, but the announcers kept mentioning how he was struggling on an injured foot.

Chad Marshall looked very good, however, I think he needs a little more seasoning. Check back with him later this season.

I say call Mastroeni in for this one, if Gibbs can't go.

[Northcal19]

What the hell, if Califf and Albright are starting you may as well throw Garcia into that backline, oy. :rolleyes:

Seriously, I was at the Rapids/SJ game last night and Pablo looked great in central defense. On a 1v1 with LD in particular he showed his abilities. Also, Eddie Robinson looked very hurt when he left, being carried off to the locker room.

[m vann]

If Gibbs and Califf are a no-go, Mastro should be the first to get a call from Bruce. BTW why was he excluded from the original roster? I was kinda shocked not to see him there.

[BuffloSoldier]

If Gibbs and Califf are a no-go, Mastro should be the first to get a call from Bruce. BTW why was he excluded from the original roster? I was kinda shocked not to see him there.
Well, he's just coming off an injury. It's likely Bruce wanted to allow him a game or three under his belt before considering him for national team duty.

Injuries may force Bruce's hand.

[Line9Foul]

Call Sanneh for Gibbs
Bocanegra for Califf

and just for the heck of it drop albright for mastroeni

DO IT NOW BRUCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!