Connolly: Berhalter to start over Boca?!

[NoSix]

What could Bruce be thinking?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=312628&cc=5901

[fidlerre]

What could Bruce be thinking?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=312628&cc=5901
Did you read the whole thing? If you did you'd see what Bruce was thinking...

Arena is concerned that Carlos Bocanegra (hamstring strain) has, for the most part, been out of action at Fulham over the past three weeks.

[guamster]

What could Bruce be thinking?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=312628&cc=5901

The article answers your question:

Arena is concerned that Carlos Bocanegra (hamstring strain) has, for the most part, been out of action at Fulham over the past three weeks, and indicated that he may be more likely to play against Panama next week rather than this weekend.

[NoSix]

Did you read the whole thing? If you did you'd see what Bruce was thinking...

He played on Saturday, in central defense.

[numerista]

He played on Saturday, in central defense.

Probably why the article says "for the most part."

[Nutmeg]

What could Bruce be thinking?"What Gregg brings to the table is what we're a bit lacking and that is not only experience, but good skills in organizing the players around him," said Arena of the 31-year-old defender who plays for Energie Cottbus in the German First Division. "Basically, he talks, and he's also a good passer. And those have been two issues that we've addressed that we think has to get better - not only in the back, but all over the field. We haven't been doing a good job with the passing; doing a better job communicating and getting ourselves organized on both sides of the ball."

Arena is concerned that Carlos Bocanegra (hamstring strain) has, for the most part, been out of action at Fulham over the past three weeks, and indicated that he may be more likely to play against Panama next week rather than this weekend.

My guess is that is what Arena is thinking. He might also be thinking that Berhalter and Pope have - to my recollection - been rock solid as a duo in the back every single time they've partnered in central defense. Often overlooked when talking about players is the question, "How well do player X and player Y play together?" It isn't just about Berhalter and Bocanegra. It's about Berhalter and Pope vs. Bocanegra and Pope.

Bocanegra and Pope, as good as they may be individually, haven't been that great together. Perhaps Arena is looking to improve that area of the field with a partnering that has worked extremely well in the past.

[onefineesq]

He played on Saturday, in central defense.

Coming off the bench ............ late in the game .......... with his team down a man and down a goal ........... and he played HORRIBLY.

[Kansassoccer]

Coming off the bench ............ late in the game .......... with his team down a man and down a goal ........... and he played HORRIBLY.
Bruce is a genuis, dont question him? :confused:

[Treetaliano]

He played on Saturday, in central defense.
for 11 minutes.

he was in "central defense" since fulham was down to 10 men since the 6th minute

he was also horrific in those 11 minutes.

and he's been hurt.

[numerista]

Excellent post, 'Meg. Certainly, if Berhalter's in, we want good speed around him.
---
Berhalter and Pope don't have such a long track record together (post-UNC), but they certainly haven't been abused ... four goals allowed in roughly seven games worth of action.

1-0 1998 friendly v. Sweden
3-0 1998 Gold Cup v. Cuba (Berhalter subbed out at HT, 0-0)
(At this point, Sampson dropped Berhalter ... I think it was for lack of speed.)
7-0 2000 WCQ v. Barbados
1-0 2000 WCQ v. Guatemala
2-1 2001 friendly v. China (Berhalter subbed out at HT, 1-0)
2-4 2002 friendly @ Germany (Berhalter in for the last 20 mins, after all the Germany goals)
1-2 2002 friendly @ Ireland (Berhalter subbed out at HT, 1-1)
0-2 2002 friendly v. Holland (Berhalter subbed in for Agoos late first half, 0-0)
2-0 2002 WC Mexico (w/ Sanneh)
0-1 2002 WC Germany (w/ Sanneh)

[Onionsack]

Guess this means he wasn't ready to throw Gibbs or Gooch into the mix just yet.

[Wahoo]

Its also possible that Connolly doesn't know what Bruce is going to do.

Nutmeg... while I respect and agree with you that often the combination of players can be more important than the individuals... can we say this abot this duo if they haven't been together in 2 years? (rhetorical question)

At this stage of his career, if we need Berhalter to partner Pope because Gregg is the one that talks and organizes the defense, then Pope isn't the complete defender I thought.

Now then, I'm not really worried about Gregg, he's done fine when I've seen him ... so I don't think we need to "validate" him if he is a stater.

[NoSix]

There are good reasons why Bocanegra is a regular starter in England's first division and Berhalter was a flop in the second. For starters, compared to Berhalter, Bocanegra is a better marker and tackler, is faster, has a superior first touch, is a stronger and more accurate passer, and is a greater scoring threat in front of the net on offensive set pieces.

[Treetaliano]

For starters, compared to Berhalter, Bocanegra is a better marker
comparing speed between Bocanegra and Berhlater is like comparing a snail to a slug.

they are both slow as molasses

tackler
perhaps

is faster
we heard you the first time,

has a superior first touch
:eek:

is a stronger
uggh

and more accurate passer
oh my.

how many fulham matches have you watched?

and is a greater scoring threat in front of the net on offensive set pieces.
What are you going on for this one??

because he has 5 or so goals for the nats?

Berhalter had more professional goals last year alone than Boca has in his entire career, club AND national team

[Deuteriumoxide]

I for one, am not worried in the least about Berhalter starting this match. He and Eddie Pope, as somebody allready mentioned, play very well together. He is a big, dominant centerback. Maybe Carlos is better, maybe not. We have bigger problems to worry about than Gregg Berhalter starting in the back.

[Ghost]

Did Corey Gibbs die?

[Delta Blues]

Did Corey Gibbs die?

You did read Bruce's comments on passing didn't you? Gibbs' passing has been even worse than Hejduk's. We can't afford to have giveaways like Gibbs has been supplying. I don't know why Frankie is still getting time though.

[Bajoro]

I'm pulling for Berhalter to play well, but my last two memories of him are giving away a goal to Brazil and tugging and coming this close to getting a red card v. Germany.

Then there was that hand/chest ball thingy in the penalty area somewhere in Central America.

All pretty difficult situtations, of course. But I still hold my breath every time a capable forward dribbles towards him.

[Sanguine]

If we're going to be dealing with a bunker, I'd play Berhalter too, especially if Boca is hurt. He plays excellent balls out of the back - both to a target forward and to the wings. Sometimes those good early balls can really help to break down a bunker. As for his lack of speed - I don't recall seeing a bunch of burners in the ES lineup... well, ever, I guess. He's certainly a better choice in this situation than Gibbs, and while Gooch may (I say "may" because I've still never seen the guy play) be a good choice too, I certainly have no problem going with Berhalter in this one.

[juventino3]

I don't mind having Berhalter start if he's in game shape. From what I've red, however, he played very poorly his last game for Cottbus because he hasn't completely rounded into shape yet. Let's hope Bruce knows what the hell he's doing. Onyewu and Gibbs are good central options, so Berhalter must be showing something.