Reyna doubtful for next round of qualifiers.

[dcc134]

Certainly appears to be a big loss, but considering his performances in the last 3 games, there can't possibly be that much of a drop, regardless of who fills in.

Maybe we see a lineup with a single tall striker and a five man midfield with Mathis and LD in the middle with one of Armas, KZ or Mastro. Maybe Bease shifts to the right with Lewis on the left or Frankie moves into the Midfield with Dolo or Albright at right back.

[Chowderhead]

Donovan can do the Spanish speak

And so can Pablo, as someone said. It is clear that neither of them can speak with enough spontaneity to get in a ref's face in Sally. Also, a former US national team member who speaks Spanish as a first language told me that while he commends Donovan for learning Spanish, his Spanish isn't that hot. He also told me that Mastroeni could hardly speak a word until he played in Miami.

I don't think it matters one way or the other.

[bshredder]

And so can Pablo, as someone said. It is clear that neither of them can speak with enough spontaneity to get in a ref's face in Sally. Also, a former US national team member who speaks Spanish as a first language told me that while he commends Donovan for learning Spanish, his Spanish isn't that hot. He also told me that Mastroeni could hardly speak a word until he played in Miami.

I don't think it matters one way or the other.

Don't forget about Boca either.

But I agree, the ability to speak Spanish isn't the main reason why Captain will be missed.

[mette72]

Boy, what are we ever going to do without the "experience" of Reyna in the midfield, especially away in Central America? I can see it now, Arena is calling up Ramos, Harkes, Dooley, and Jones for this one, considering all the "international experience" that means so much. Wait!!! Jones was actually called up recently, wow! :)

Seriously, I think we will be fine. Someone is going to step up. Situations like this allow Arena to "discover" new talent.

[nancyb]

The only think I worry about is another US player who has good enough Spanish to argue with the ref, assuming we have one from a Latin American country. We will miss his leadership out there, but this could force somebody to step up and take the mantel of leadership. Anyway, I assume Pope or McBride will wear the armband his Reyna's absence, with Bocanegra having an outside shot.

Shouldn't be a problem for the next two games (from Ref thread started by numerista)

17-Nov-2004 COLUMBUS (USA) USA - Jamaica 20:00
Referee: NAVARRO Mauricio (CAN)
13-Oct-2004 WASHINGTON DC (USA) USA - Panama 19:30
Referee: GORDON Ted (TRI)

[Ghost]

Well thank goodness that Earnie Stewart was getting all those central midfield minutes last summer. We can just slot him in.

[Conner]

We've played in tons of big games without Reyna.

This isn't the US team of 8-10 years ago where if one key player was injured we were done. We'll be fine.

That being said, I hope Renya recovers well and gets back soon. He's always been one of my favorites (the fact that he's from NJ helps!).


What big games have we played without reyna in the last year or two-certainly not 'tons'? I think we will be fine without him- my point is others who willl likely take his place need experience in WCQ situations to be prepared to perform at a high level. I know thats not always the case (look as bease and donovan in the last wc), but I think it is pretty important for our central midfielders. Especially since clint and donovan have been know to dissapear for long streches of games and the others dont have many caps.

[voros]

Don't forget about Boca either.
Actually, I thought I read that Carlos either doesn't speak Spanish or is not very good with it.

[Chowderhead]

Don't forget about Boca either.

But I agree, the ability to speak Spanish isn't the main reason why Captain will be missed.

Boca has said publicly that he doesn't even speak Spanish at all.

While we're at it, my former-nat acquaintance said that Reyna would refuse to speak Spanish to him while with the national team. At first, he said, he was offended and confused but then realized that Claudio was merely encouraging and forcing him to sharpen up his English.

Select a captain who'll get stuck in.

[PScott8502]

Don't forget about Boca either.


Are you sure Boca can speak spanish? I thought I read somewhere that he couldnt speak spanish to save his life.

[bshredder]

What big games have we played without reyna in the last year or two-certainly not 'tons'? I think we will be fine without him- my point is others who willl likely take his place need experience in WCQ situations to be prepared to perform at a high level. I know thats not always the case (look as bease and donovan in the last wc), but I think it is pretty important for our central midfielders. Especially since clint and donovan have been know to dissapear for long streches of games and the others dont have many caps.

We haven't even really played that many big games over the past 2 years period. Over the course of the past 5 years, we've shown that as a team, we can carry on with the absense of any one player. This is a HUGE step up from when I first became a fan (after attending a 1988 Olympic Qualifier). Back then if a key player went down, we were screwed.

As for the old experience arguement? I think it's a factor but more so in road games than at home. Playing away games in European leagues is good preparation as well. MLS has good quality and has been valuable for us in player development. But there is no denying that playing in a hostile environment has adverse effects on one's play and that it experience can help in such situations. I guess I think the best solution is to always mix a team up with newer players and experienced vets.

[bshredder]

Are you sure Boca can speak spanish? I thought I read somewhere that he couldnt speak spanish to save his life.

You're right.. I stand corrected.. It was my mistake for assuming he could speak Spanish.

[Conner]

We haven't even really played that many big games over the past 2 years period. Over the course of the past 5 years, we've shown that as a team, we can carry on with the absense of any one player. This is a HUGE step up from when I first became a fan (after attending a 1988 Olympic Qualifier). Back then if a key player went down, we were screwed.

As for the old experience arguement? I think it's a factor but more so in road games than at home. Playing away games in European leagues is good preparation as well. MLS has good quality and has been valuable for us in player development. But there is no denying that playing in a hostile environment has adverse effects on one's play and that it experience can help in such situations. I guess I think the best solution is to always mix a team up with newer players and experienced vets.


Good points- I guess thats why I see this as somewhat of a 'good' thing- it forces arena to make changes and gives some other players a chance to play central midfield- thats how bease and donovan got their chances. Not alot of room for error, but I think they are all capable to do well, if not better. They just need a run of games where they are in the same position instead of being moved all over the field game after game

[gnk]

I agree with you. But you have a better chance of winning Powerball for six straight weeks or waking up in bed with Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams than you do of seeing Martino start in any of those games.

I know this is off topic, but why Capriati and Serena? You must like the big amazon types. I'd take Sharapova and Kournikova.

[JohnR]

We played a pretty good Mexico team without Reyna in Texas...

And despite only winning on a late goal we smoked them the whole game in the midfield.

Best game I have seen the national team play since WC2002.

I think we'll be fine.

A great example that begs further discussion. Reyna was not only missing from the best performance of the past 2 years (I would actually go further), but he would have slowed the team had he played. On the other hand, much to my regret, field conditions, weather, & opposition prevent us from playing in such a fast-paced, freewheeling style on a regular basis. And when things slow down, Reyna comes to the fore.

I think of Claudio as a very useful situational player rather than a Must Have starter. That said, CONCACAF road qualifiers would seem to be among his better situations, and I think that we'll miss him.

[TAKK]

Seriously, I think we will be fine. Someone is going to step up. Situations like this allow Arena to "discover" new talent.

This is where we always discover what a "genuis" BA is. :rolleyes:

[TAKK]

Well thank goodness that Earnie Stewart was getting all those central midfield minutes last summer. We can just slot him in.

You just frightened the hell out of me with that thought. It is very possible. That's the scary thing.

[TAKK]

Good points- I guess thats why I see this as somewhat of a 'good' thing- it forces arena to make changes and gives some other players a chance to play central midfield- thats how bease and donovan got their chances.

...and Pablo, and Wolff, and Mathis.......

Bruce Arena "Super Genius".

[bshredder]

...and Pablo, and Wolff, and Mathis.......

Bruce Arena "Super Genius".

Gotta love it when Bruce gets ripped for moves he hasn't even made yet.

[Mr Martin]

Anyone know how much training time Arena will have with the squad before the El Salvador match?

If he has to fly the team down there with only a couple of days of training, we'll probably see a more experienced, veteran group of players (Armas, McBride, Hejduk,...) similar to the Jamaica match. I can hear the moaning already... :D Having or not having Reyna won't change that.

I'd rather have Reyna than not. But the team can do fine without him.

The 1-0 win in the Mexico Friendly would be the place to start planning from. That game featured the "box" midfield with Armas and Zavagnin as defensive/holding mids and Donovan and Beasley as attacking mids. Casey and Wolff were up top. Hejduk, Pope, Mastro, and Convey played across the back.

**************
Lastly, why do I keep seeing people put Lewis in as a holding mid? This comes up frequently. When has Lewis ever played that role? Some people do the same thing with Gavin on other threads. Gavin a holding/defensive mid? What am I missing here?

* So, lacking Reyna I think Arena will go back to that midfield from the Mexico match.

* If he decides that two holding mids is enough of a defensive posture, then he just might play Cherundolo and Convey at outside back, even on the road, but more likely in the home match against Panama.

* I bet Arena puts McBride back in the lineup, after keeping him out for a while. He has played well against El Salvador in the past. I also bet he gets Wolff back in there for his speed.


***********************
Against El Salvador:

-----------------Keller--------------------

Hedjuk-------Pope----Gibbs------Bocanegra

--------------Armas----Zavagnin----------

-----Donovan------------------Beasley----

--------------Wolff-----McBride-----------

(Jones and Mathis off the bench at some point.)


************************
Against Panama:

-----------------Howard--------------------

Cherundolo----Pope----Bocanegra-----Convey

--------------Armas----Zavagnin----------

-----Donovan------------------Beasley----

--------------Wolff-----Ching-----------

(Johnson and Gavin off the bench at some point.)