Oguchi Onyewu

[Tyler66]

I've heard his name a couple times and I know he's in the USMNT pool, and plays overseas, but can any1 tell me anything else about him?

[Kansassoccer]

I've heard his name a couple times and I know he's in the USMNT pool, and plays overseas, but can any1 tell me anything else about him?
Hes 6'4, 205. Plays for stanard Liege in Belgium which is one of the top clubs there. He starts and was featured on a magazine cover. :mad:

[freisland]

He and Spector will save the world.

[WC2010Champs!]

hes an animal - evidentally he was getting too big from lifting weights so the coach told him to cut back

[bshredder]

Very excited about Gooch. Right now he has more to offer the US backline than Convey or Spector, IMO.

I am going to predict that he will be very important for us in qualifying. I think we will see him very soon. Pre-hex friendlies at the latest.

[TAKK]

He and Spector will save the world.

Don't know about Spector, but Gooch can make BA look like a genuis again.

BTW - Not a youth bandwagon, "save the world" , cap him, he wears a red shirt he must be great or he plays in Europe must be good enough for us guy.
This kid can just flat out play. 22, getting better and more props overseas all of the time. Will play in the big leagues for a good club, but just not ready for Els Sal yet. :rolleyes:

[bshredder]

Just a quick question: does anyone know how he did during his practices when Bruce named him to the roster ealier this month? Did either Gooch or Arena have any statements about his time in camp?

[Chowderhead]

He'll get jerked around for a couple of years. Arena will have him attend a few camps. Then he'll get to sit on the bench, feign interest. They'll give him a Nike t-shirt and two grand and tell him thanks for showing up.

He'll play in one friendly. He'll dominate. He'll show skill, strength and poise. If he doesn't pull a Danny Peña and tell Arena to screw, he'll get called up to sit on the bench against Ireland or Wales.

He'll have a minor calf strain four months before the World Cup and Arena,citing his injury "issues" and lack of experience, will decide not to bring him to Germany. Berhalter and Califf will be listed as alternates ahead of him.

[TAKK]

I believe BA said he wasn't ready in the previous camp. Winter?

I think the Geritol crew is so used to knowing what BA is looking for in camp that they look good at the expense of more talented players. BA's rountine is the most important. No matter what. Talent be damned.

Stewie " blast you all", Cobi, Vanney, Heydude and Armas can all play mid level CONCACAF teams "evenly" still. Who needs to inject young blood if they don't know my camp routine. Why try for something different rather than competing evenly with CONCACAF middleman. i don't want progress.
I just want good enough...with luck of course.

[nobody]

I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to see this guy play. He's playing regularly on a decent team and by all accounts is one of their stronger players.

Last I saw him play was at youth level and he had decent ball skills, more than decent really for a back, and was big and fast, looked like he had potential. Sounds like he's starting to live up to it.

Don't really wanna say more until I see him play, but he seems to be a guy that needs to get a serious look. It's just that we're stacked at center back right now, unless Boca moves out left.

[Adam Zebrowski]

if the jamaica match is irrelevant, i'd suggest onyewu gets a start there.

[freisland]

Beerholder over Gooch (if paired with a decently fast athletic CD) or Beerholder and Gooch (Beerholder has been playing the best soccer of his life for Cottbus, he's a team leader, even took the first PK in the last cup match)

Gooch over Califf.

BA will cap Gooch soon so he doesn't play for Nigeria. Then he will languish in the manner Chowder has so elegantly expressed.

[appoo]

BA will cap Gooch soon so he doesn't play for Nigeria.
another $20 offer from me.

Someone find me proof that Arena or the USSF gives a flying ******** about ANY American player from the youth setup playing for a country other then USA and I'll send you $20

[TAKK]

another $20 offer from me.

Someone find me proof that Arena or the USSF gives a flying ******** about ANY American player from the youth setup playing for a country other then USA and I'll send you $20

Considering how long it takes him to try young guys from our youth set up and guys performing in MLS who weren't "name brand" these kids have little chance unless they completely force his hand.

Then again, other than Gooch, who in these youth systems has really stood out. Spector has looked promising and the winter camp beckons, but that does not neccesarily mean he is ready now. Just a couple of performances.

Who else is there?

Karby, Simak - first young, second needs to get first team time somewhere
Denny - no first team
Whitbread - hasn't looked great with first team in CW and hasn't played first team...also would challenge BC - don't want that, do you?
Phil. in Greece - just made first team
Russell - should be in winter camp, just came off injury and RBK has not impressed recently - don't know how he has played

Anyone I missed? Really not that many. Who else besides Gooch overseas?

Who else who can be considered? Very short list.

Seems like the younger guys at home and MLS guys are better off (who haven't been capped or just one or two caps)

Doesn't seem like there are that many guys.

Considering that BA wants continuity, famaliarity and comfort a young guy in Europe is really going to have to knock his socks off. Gooch will be the one.

[Tyler66]

Wow! He's 6'4" 205 lbs.! He's huge! So he's center back? I wanna see him play! But what's this about he could play for Nigeria? And how is he doing on his Belgian team?

[Wahoo]

Wow! He's 6'4" 205 lbs.! He's huge! So he's center back? I wanna see him play! But what's this about he could play for Nigeria? And how is he doing on his Belgian team?

He is a monster.
When he was at Clemson, he was in great shape... then he went to France but didn't get into the first team. To compensate for lack of playing time, he apparently took his frustration out on the weight room until the club asked him to cut back because he was getting too big.
One things for sure... he won't get pushed around on the field. For those who wondered... what if the athletes in the NFL had played soccer instead... this is the guy. He's got the body build and speed of a strong safety.

Reports suggest he's doing extremely well for his Belgian side, regularly one of their best players.

He normally plays in the center of the field, typically in a central back role, but I suspect he could play just as well as a withdrawn midfielder (Armas role). In college at Clemson he was often pushed into a midfield role to help spark offense... but he's normally a defender.

[freisland]

another $20 offer from me.

Someone find me proof that Arena or the USSF gives a flying ******** about ANY American player from the youth setup playing for a country other then USA and I'll send you $20

What exactly are you asking for. Proof that the USSF has asked some kids to play for us, and expressed disappointment when they haven't (or who needs to express disappointment, the simple fact that they call them up shows they want them to play.) I mean, I can come up with names of guys USSF have asked if they want to play for the US who have declined. Are you saying the USSF just asked them out of curiousity, but didn't really care if they played or not. Do I have to provide a hankie with DNA certifiable tears?

I'm sorry, Sir, I don't completely understand the question.

[Cannon]

another $20 offer from me.

Someone find me proof that Arena or the USSF gives a flying ******** about ANY American player from the youth setup playing for a country other then USA and I'll send you $20

Great...you just cost me $20 since you did not mention Convey in a thread about a possible USMNT player.

Does adu count for this twenty? A lot of USSF people seemed to be interested in him. I don't remember any comments about him playing for other countries but they sure put out a nice red carpet for a kid there, right?

[flanoverseas]

How are you guys who know how great Gooch is doing seeing all his games?

And if he's that damn impressive, how the hell couldn't he get playing time on bottom feeder Metz' reserves?

And where are all these 'reports' about being one of the best on his team?

[russ]

FWIW,a couple Belgian posters have gone on YA to praise Gooch after seeing him.

He's been to a camp,so he's on the radar.

I always thought the Metz thing had something to do with returning to the States for something (I forget what) when Metz wanted him to stay.