The converts...Albright and Convey (R)

[superdave]

What do you guys think, as we enter the semifinal round of qualies?

I like Albright out there. He's getting more and more solid, at a position the US is very weak at. But I think it's still Steve's position. The only way I'd favor Chris is if I'm sure that the opp. will be playing with 3 strikers, and 3 bigs strikers.

As to Convey...he actually played pretty well on D. But I'm just not quite there yet, much as I'm rooting for him. I can see starting him at home against El Sal and Panama, two sides you KNOW are gonna bunker like hell. Convey's one-touch ability would be helpful in cracking open those defenses. But under most circumstances, I prefer Vanney. Not that Vanney's really any good, mind you.

On the road against a very tough side, I can see putting Carlos Bocanegra out there and putting Gibbs or Berhalter or Pablo in the middle with Popel

All in all, my opinion is that if Albright were a lefty, he'd be the first choice. On the right, he's not quite there, but he's nice to have on the bench as an option. And I'd say pretty much the same thing about Convey...I just don't have the confidence in his positioning and judgment. A nice bench option, nothing more.

[hapapp1]

I think Convey brings something to the team that as he gains experience will be of great benefit. I agree that there are some teams he is better suited to play against. I don't say he is the best we have there, but I think increasingly a viable option.

[superdave]

One more thing, late...on the post-match thread, somebody blamed Albright for the goal. That's totally, totally wrong. Howard did a poor job clearing a mediocre backpass, and Albright won the header. He stayed with that man for a while, and the Polish left wing never got picked up. Poland got very lucky when the blocked shot went directly to him. When the shot was taken, Albright was nowhere near that wing, so while in retrospect he should have been running out there, in real time, you, as a defender, don't run away from your goal. You stay in the box, you don't leave it.

Howard's fault more than anyone...he made the poor clearance, then fumbled the cross. Then Boca ole'd the goalscorer and let him tap it in.

Someone ELSE tried to blame Convey for not clearing the ball off the line. People need to get a DVR and run back all goals. You can't affix blame based on the last two seconds. Convey was marking a Pole. He'd have looked very stupid if he had left a player unmarked from 8 yards out.

[forza inter]

albright is not a good defender at the NAT level. period. seriosuly. either mastro, dolo, or hejduk. thats it. albright should not be playing for the nats ever again. how about any of the KC wizards defenders gettin call ups?? damn come on now, look at any of them over there. diego gutierrez?? a solid wing back. throw him out there if you NEED an mls defender that bad. as for convey, is really rather see gibbs out there, or boca as a real defender on the left. now as for this constant attacking back issue, convey is a threat...or should be anyways(if he could but a ball TOWARDS the net). his d is imporving, which is great to see....he should be our left back in this present idea of attacking outside backs. his offensive abilities are better than greg vanney. vanney is good, but i mean...in a team with boca and gibbs both so capable of playing that spot, why is he playin so much? in my mind he shouldnt play over either of them. as an injury cover up, sure- but thats it



forza inter

[Serie Zed]

Size, speed and skill on the ball aren't layups in a right back. I'd like the Albright experiment to continue.

Convey is serviceable. I'd like to think we can find an out and out left back that's better, but I'm not sure we can.

Still think that we've got more talent and depth in midfield than defense and that it's more likely than not we play a 3-5-2 as a result. Leaving Convey and Cherundolo and Albright fighting for roles as a reserve.

[unitedunited]

two things they have in common is an attacking pedigree. The difference is that Albright now plays RB for his club--a good switch, I think. He frustrated me endlessly with his ineffectiveness as an attacker when he played for DCU. I like him as a back. Though he's still learning he did OK on D and looked good going forward--got a good cross in, and fought to get the corner that led to Boca's goal.

Convey is playing midfield (his natural position, I think) for DCU but LB for the nats. I pointed out in the other thread that I thought he got caught ball-watching on the poland goal. I also think he was generally good on defense, but is still a work in progress (as Balboa noted, he does already look better defending than he did vs. grenada). I think he should be on the field, but I think he will take some time to really nail down the LB position.

[superdave]

in a team with boca and gibbs both so capable of playing that spot, why is he playin so much?
?????

Gibbs is a central defender. Period. I much prefer Convey at LB than Gibbs. I think I even prefer Hejduk.

Boca...well, he can get by at left fullback, but he's pretty weak on ball skills for an international at that position. Not to mention he's such a complete beast in the middle (except for when he f'ed up on the Polish goal. ;) )

[unitedunited]

Someone ELSE tried to blame Convey for not clearing the ball off the line. People need to get a DVR and run back all goals. You can't affix blame based on the last two seconds. Convey was marking a Pole. He'd have looked very stupid if he had left a player unmarked from 8 yards out.[/QUOTE]

that was me, as I said above. Who was he marking? I didn't see anyone around Convey on the replays I saw.

Wasn;t blaming him for the goal--boca and howard made two big mistakes that made a goal pretty likely. I was saying that I want to see him, when he's playing LB for the national team, do the things like covering the post that backs should do when there's a scrum around the goalmouth. This will take some time, and I don;t think he should be off the team. But going with Convey, for now, means giving up some defense for a hoped-for offensive benefit. Since others have called for his head for not getting shots on frame, he doesn't seem to be satisfying anyone right now.

[United20]

As to Convey...he actually played pretty well on D. But I'm just not quite there yet, much as I'm rooting for him. I can see starting him at home against El Sal and Panama, two sides you KNOW are gonna bunker like hell. Convey's one-touch ability would be helpful in cracking open those defenses. But under most circumstances, I prefer Vanney. Not that Vanney's really any good, mind you.

LB position might come down to Bocanegra since Pope and Gibbs should be starting in the middle. Not to say Boca is not good in the middle, but Boca plays LB in the EPL which holds more weight than Convey or Vanney. I think Convey is a good player, but when a guy is in a funk he can work his way out. Just not in WC qualifiers. I say bench Convey for a short time, and bring him back in slowly. He does not seem ready for a starting role. Back-up? Definitley.


And I'd say pretty much the same thing about Convey...I just don't have the confidence in his positioning and judgment. A nice bench option, nothing more.

Totally agree. I am actually surprised how Albright has taken to the RB position, and how he seems to fit at it for LA. As for USMNT, Albright should ride the pine with getting more minutes since Steve will be Europe giving Albright a chance to play in some games. Still, this is the weakest position on the team.

[lurking]

My feeling is Albright showed fairly well. I dont think he really got a chance to show off his attacking skills, but he did show some good defensive tendaencies. If his league form keeps up, bring him back, give him more minutes, see if he can get comfortable or not.

Convey looked as good on defense as Ive seen him, and solid on the attack as well. Keep the experiment alive, but its not done yet.

I dont think its time to pass the final verdict on either player at this time.

[jelliot]

I also have become a big supporter of Albright in the last year. I use to go to the DC United games and rant about how bad Albright is. But with his new position, at Right Back, he is playing very good.

[Sanguine]

They both played well enough tonight. I think we'll see several more adjustments and probably some new experiments at the fullback spots before 2006. Even with these two guys playing reasonably well in those spots, I'd still say the position is a weakness for the national team.

[Ghost]

You know, I was worried coming on here that Chris was going to be the goat, b/c the goal started on his side. I'm happy to see that for one reasonable thought has prevailed around here. :) I thought he played pretty well otherwise, and really showed why certain posters are so excited by his prospects.
One thing no one has mentioned yet is his distribution. He hits the prettiest, most accurate long balls out of the back that I've ever seen a US player hit. He hit one, a liner with just enough air, from about midfield to Ching ( I think) near the penalty area. HIt him in stride. Beautiful ball.
He also displayed a really keen sense of timing on his overlapping, really picking out the right moment, leading to a couple of crosses and once freeing up LD to cut inside.
He's still learning the position, and Steve, who played decently, is my no. 1 right now. We'll see where we are a year from now, though. Keep working, Chris.

[Scotty]

I am really starting to like Albright at this position, too. Mainly because it has got me thinking about another possibility. What do you guys think about this?

Albright in the right back spot. Then Cherundolo to right mid so Donovan can move into a more central position, as he plays for San Jose. Cherundolo is more than capable of playing as a flank midfielder, since his outside position in Germany (in a 3-5-2) already requires it. He is fast and can cross the ball, too. And I like to see Landon playing more directly behind the strikers.

Thoughts?

[Geneva]

I am really starting to like Albright at this position, too. Mainly because it has got me thinking about another possibility. What do you guys think about this?

Albright in the right back spot. Then Cherundolo to right mid so Donovan can move into a more central position, as he plays for San Jose. Cherundolo is more than capable of playing as a flank midfielder, since his outside position in Germany (in a 3-5-2) already requires it. He is fast and can cross the ball, too. And I like to see Landon playing more directly behind the strikers.

Thoughts?

Like it. I like how physical Cherundolo is for a smaller guy. Also Chris Klein is making a case for another look at right flank. With Dolo & Albright, and Beasely & Convey, you have players who are interchangeable & can track back to cover defense when needed, but push up at, hopefully, the right times & contribute to the offense.

I like the diamond midfield better than the box. Two defensive midfielders is not my cup of tea.

[Sanguine]

I am really starting to like Albright at this position, too. Mainly because it has got me thinking about another possibility. What do you guys think about this?

Albright in the right back spot. Then Cherundolo to right mid so Donovan can move into a more central position, as he plays for San Jose. Cherundolo is more than capable of playing as a flank midfielder, since his outside position in Germany (in a 3-5-2) already requires it. He is fast and can cross the ball, too. And I like to see Landon playing more directly behind the strikers.

Thoughts?

If we're going to play 3-5-2, I think Cherundolo can do well on the flank. If we're playing 4-4-2, I think he's wasted there - Especially if we continue to play the box.

[luvdagame]

albright might eventually move ahead of steve at the rb position because he is better in the air. i know this is blasphemy right now, but albright is beginning to work that position like he has been playing it all his life.

forza inter, i do not understand your reasoning. he is one of the best right backs in the league. why should he never play for the nats ever again?

don't forget barrett for left back, and russell for right back. they might eventually enter into the equation.

[MightyMouse]

The Albright experiment seems to be moving along decently. I like his size and I think he can still improve on his defensive decisions as he get more playing time.

CONVEY on the other hand is not my favorite option on defense. His size leaves us suseptible against tall oposition like Poland on headers. I know Bruce is looking for a spot to play him because quite frankly he seems to be regressing on his ball skills ever since he was linked to join the EPL not too long ago last season. I am not trying to bash Convey but I feel at this moment he is playing poorly and his touch is all over the place. I saw him shank good goal scoring opportunities with DC United about two weeks ago and I saw him shank a couple of chances in the Poland game. Where is the control? ALSO, his speed, where is it? He almost got blown by a Polish player in which he had to hang onto him for dear life or else the guy had a direct path on goal with nobody in front of him. I am not impressed with Convey, I have not been a fan of his for quite some time, I do not think he is national team material. Sure he was impressive for his age a few seasons ago but he has not shown good form at all lately. Personally I do not feel secure with him on the field playing for the nats, period.

Beasely, our promising young lad in need of a good showing for the scouts from the Premiership, didn't help his case. Some bad touches, a shanked goal chance, not much there. He did have a moment where he took on 3 defenders and basically got out of a sticky situation but it followed a bad pass if I am not mistaken. I expected more from him especially since he is seriosuly under the radar and getting some sniffs from potential buyers.

DONOVAN, someone tell me why some big name club hasn't come knocking down Leverkusen/MLS's doors to sign him yet? He is simply the best talent on our national team and never seems get tired. He has had a few games in the past where he seemed to have disappeared, but lately he has been the man in national team games. If anyone didn't notice Donovan was all over the field and making good passes and runs. If that Polish defender didn't time his tackle perfectly it would be Donovan having blasted past 3 defenders to open space in front of the net. He takes his chances and at least they are close to frame comparably to our other young talents today. I wonder how much it would cost to buy his rights for a top level EPL club.

Last but not least, our two tall talents on the attack, CHING and GAVEN. I can't say enough about Gaven, he is our future on the national team. I don't know why I feel so strongly about him being one of our most promising talents period. Maybe its the fact that he isn't as small as Convey, Adu, or even Donovan. The guy is only 17 and he is playing FANTASTIC. Ching also is a strong candidate for qualifiers, maybe stronger than Gaven at the moment. He is more developed in his game and very physical against defenders. I like both Ching and Gaven for 2006, tall and strong on the ball, this is exactly what we need against European competition. I'm psyched!

[Horndude]

Beasely, our promising young lad in need of a good showing for the scouts from the Premiership, didn't help his case. Some bad touches, a shanked goal chance, not much there. He did have a moment where he took on 3 defenders and basically got out of a sticky situation but it followed a bad pass if I am not mistaken. I expected more from him especially since he is seriosuly under the radar and getting some sniffs from potential buyers.

I was watching him as well as I could on the TV. He did the above, but he also made some killer passes. I thought on balance he was one of the better US players. But I wasn't sure he made a case for a higher transfer fee.


DONOVAN, someone tell me why some big name club hasn't come knocking down Leverkusen/MLS's doors to sign him yet?

Exactly my thoughts throughout the game. I had an image of a Dutch scout on a cellphone saying, "Screw this Beasely guy, we have GOT to get Donovan!"

[Nutmeg]

The most important qualities of a player in either position are time and experience. Both Convey and Albright need more. Albright will get it with LA. Convey will get more only if he is transferred to England.

I understand why Arena's trying Convey there, but let me throw out an idea that may be regarded as heresy here on BigSoccer. Oh well, when I threw out the Albright to RB idea a year ago, some people thought I was a lunatic then, too. So here goes...

DaMarcus to LB. Yep. He plays the wingback position a lot for the Fire, which isn't all that different from the fullback position. He's a monster on defense, tenacious and very - VERY - difficult to break down. You get a very fast, very fit, incredibly talented LB who can pick his spots coming forward and who can recover faster than anyone else in the pool.

The idea has been bubbling under the surface for me for a while, but it hit home like a hammer today. Why? Because of two players on the US bench who have no business sitting behind Bobby Convey in his current form - Clint Mathis and Eddie Gaven.

DaMarcus occupies one of two attacking midfielder positions in Arena's box midfield. In order to get Gaven in, Arena had to put Landon up top, where I think he has far less of an impact on the game. At this point, we absolutely want and need Landon in midfield. If we move DMB to LB, then that spot can be filled by Mathis right now, and Gaven when he's ready.

Imagine a box midfield where Mathis, Landon, Reyna, and Obrien are all playing together, and our back 4 are Beasley, Boca, Pope, Dolo. That could be something.