Dolo v. Hejdude

[MLSNHTOWN]

If you had to take one for a qualifying game, which one would you take and why? Assume the rest of the roster is healthy.

The ONLY reason I can come up with to choose Hejdude over Dolo is that Hejdude can play left back.

Can someone help me out here?

[Deuteriumoxide]

If you had to take one for a qualifying game, which one would you take and why? Assume the rest of the roster is healthy.

The ONLY reason I can come up with to choose Hejdude over Dolo is that Hejdude can play left back.

Can someone help me out here?

It has to be the competition Frankie faces week in and week out. Just think of all the quality left wingers Frankie shuts down in MLS.

[bshredder]

My take is that Stevie C. is much better overall player but Fankie has admirable raw athleticism.

I would usually start Steve. However, if Cherundolo somehow gets benched by his club team (always a risk for anyone in European top leagues) and doesn't see playing time for a while, I would go with Frankie cause he is playing a lot. I buy into the arguement that someone who is regualarly playing for his club team has more to offer at the present time than a person who usually rides the pine or who's league is out of season.

But if Stevie is starting regularly for his club, I'd go with him.

[SABuffalo786]

Cherundolo, no question. He just brings so much more offensively and skill wise.


Hejduk would be a spark off the bench only because of his pace and ability to run all day.

[cisco39]

Can someone help me out here?

With the step over move, his solid tackling, and quality service from the wings, there can only be one answer here ......

[Wahoo]

With the step over move, his solid tackling, and quality service from the wings, there can only be one answer here ......

Yeah, I'd take Cherundolo too.

Hejduk does a fine job... but Steve Cherundolo has faced better competition week in and week out and apparently does a fine job. Yes Hannover is in a bad position, that team has some problems...

I appreciate all the hard work Frankie has put in over the year, but I think Cherundolo is a bit better.

[Sinter]

Bruce just is in love tho with Hejduk and Cobi... they're always the first 2 names written down on his nat teams... Earnie too when he decides not to stand around with a dumb look on his face at kingston :)

[TAKK]

Hey BA was honest.

In SA article said that Euro clubs get mad if players are released and don't play at all.

Two matches and limited role for Stevie, if any, with that statement.
We can get away with less skilled players here because our region pretty much bites and Frankie's hustle and grit is enough to win here. Just the way it is.

Don't have to be inventive, or challenged to take it to another level, when you don't need to be. That's why we get what we get on the field now.

[bunge]

Cherudolo, just so we don't have to risk watching Heydude dance.

[MLSNHTOWN]

I guess I just don't understand why Hejdude played v. Panama. That would have prevented any negatives with regards to bringing Stevie in to just sit on the bench. Regardless, Sanneh is playing well righ tnow, so I understand stevie should not be a "lock" for right back. But Sanneh was extremely inconsistent in everything but the world cup.

[Chowderhead]

Well, given how often we rely on the twin towers approach in attack, it should be obvious that we should go with the right back who can't cross a ball to save his life. Am I right or am I right?

[MarioKempes]

Hejduk has been a warrior for the US for 2 World Cup cycles now. He was arguably the best player in 1998, and perhaps one of the most important players in 2002. His unheralded role as destroyer in 2002 was one of the great stories for the US.

Having said that, Hejduk's technical abilities have always been in question, but never his heart and athleticism. Now that age is catching up with him and his athleticism is not what it once was, he is dangerously close to his Sell-By date. At his point he travels to Germany in a limited sub-role, and if he further deteriorates he stays home.

[bshredder]

Well, given how often we rely on the twin towers approach in attack, it should be obvious that we should go with the right back who can't cross a ball to save his life. Am I right or am I right?

You're absolutly right. But I am not sure Bruce is going to stick with the Twin Towers approach for that much longer. I am thinking that one tower, one speedy forward will be Bruce's approach (eg. McBride, Wolff). Maybe we haven't seen the last of Donovan up top.

As for crosses, the best on our team are probably Reyna, Cherundolo, and Lewis. I am in favor of all these guys starting. But I don't think Hejduk should be dropped from the team (yet) because his speed can still be useful. He is a role player, not well rounded player. He has a few unique skills that are useful to have.

I am a little puzzled as to why Cherundolo was dropped. It wasn't due to lack of skill or ability. Maybe something behind the scenes.

[DaMa]

My guess as to why Dolo was dropped is that Bruce really wants Sanneh to be his starter on the right and had every intention of starting him there. The only reason I can think of taking Heyduk over Dolo is if you are planning on playing 3 consecutive matches back to back in one day. Fitness would be key then. No clue on this one.

[ghostofcryuff]

Hejduk can't hold Cherundolo's jock. He's utterly pointless.

[gyr0]

Hejduk away when a more defensively minded lineup is required. Cherundolo at home to more ably support the attack. They both have their worth.

[MLSNHTOWN]

I just don't think Hejduk offers much more defensively than Dolo. Sure Dolo seems slightly less capable in the air, but he has improved with that over the last year.

IMHO, every turnover and two footed sliding tackle that Hejduk makes more than equals out every better defensive play he may make on aerial challenges. I think they are close to a push defensively and offensively, Dolo is 3x the player Hejduk.

[monop_poly]

If Frankie starts either game, Arena made a mistake. If not, then Frankie's inclusion over Dolo makes some sense. For my money, I'd take Albright over Hejduk and say thanks to Frankie for his service. I agree that using Hejduk is pointless ... and dangerous.

[freisland]

I guess I just don't understand why Hejdude played v. Panama. That would have prevented any negatives with regards to bringing Stevie in to just sit on the bench. Regardless, Sanneh is playing well righ tnow, so I understand stevie should not be a "lock" for right back. But Sanneh was extremely inconsistent in everything but the world cup.

Sanneh was a rock in '2, both at midfield and RB. He and Stevie paired up fairly nicely. I don't understand the Sanneh dismissing (save going forward and concerns about fitness and age.)

It's interesting how much is going on about the D around here when the real problem is in the other half of the field. We still don't have an effective set piece strategy, we still don't have anyone except Mathis that has any sort of dangerous outside shot. Our strikers have not been striking. Salvador will play with forwards, it seems, so there should be room in the midfield to operate a bit. Who is going to take that space, control the flow of the game and make it so the Heydude/Dolo decision is a moot point?

[MLSNHTOWN]

Bump....did anyone think Hejdude did anything to justify his inclusion?

I guess he ran a lot.........that should count for something.