Potential replacement players

[Sandon Mibut]

I'm on record on numerous threads saying that if the strike/lockout does keep the regular from playing against T&T in February, that the MLS players won't cross the picket line and be used as scabs. And, the well-respected Ives Galarcep is reporting that the USSF is now backing off its original plan to use the youth national teams.

Thus, the US will be forced to use A-League, indoor, European lower division and perhaps college players.

So, with that in mind, here's a look at the players who were All A-League the past two years. First is the teams with an explanation of the players who aren't eligible to play to play for the US internationally OR are now on an MLS roster.

After the list is a little info on each of the players who could play for the US.

2004 A-League First Team
G - Greg Sutton - Montreal Impact - cap-tied to Canada
D - Dustin Branan - Minnesota Thunder
D - Gabriel Gervais - Montreal Impact - cap-tied to Canada
M - Mauro Biello - Montreal Impact - cap-tied to Canada
M - Sandro Grande - Montreal Impact – Canadian citizen
M - Alex Pineda-Chacon - Atlanta Silverbacks - cap-tied to Honduras
M - Johnny Torres - Milwaukee Wave United
F - Byron Alvarez Portland - Timbers - Mexican citizen
F - Alan Gordon Portland Timbers - now in MLS
F - Dante Washington Virginia Beach Mariners - now in MLS

2004 A-League Second Team
G - Joe Warren - Minnesota Thunder
D - Craig Demmin Rochester Raging Rhinos – cap-tied to Trinidad
D - Nevio Pizzolitto Montreal Impact - cap-tied to Canada
D - Mark Watson Charleston Battery - cap-tied to Canada
M - Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar Portland Timbers -
M - Justin Evans - Charleston Battery
M - Alfredo Valente Vancouver Whitecaps - cap-tied to Canada
M - Richie Williams - Richmond Kickers
F - Mac Cozier - Atlanta Silverbacks
F - Ali Gerba Toronto Lynx - Canadian citizen
F - Greg Howes - Milwaukee Wave United

2003 A-League First Team
G - Greg Sutton - Montreal Impact - cap-tied to Canada
D - Gabe Gervais - Montreal Impact - cap-tied to Canada
D - Danny Jackson - Seattle Sounders - UK citizen
D - John Wilson - Charleston Battery
M - Roland Aguilera - Virginia Beach Mariners - Bolivian citizen
M - Marco Ferruzzi - Minnesota Thunder
M - Andrew Gregor - Seattle Sounders
M - Ricardo Villar - Pittsburgh Riverhounds - Brazilian citizen
F - Thiago Martins - Pittsburgh Riverhounds - Brazilian citizen, now in MLS
F - Doug Miller - Rochester Raging Rhinos
F - Dante Washington - Virginia Beach Mariners - now in MLS

2003 A-League Second Team
G - Rich Cullen - Seattle Sounders
D - Scott Schweitzer - Rochester Raging Rhinos
D - Steve Shak - Minnesota Thunder
D - Alan Woods - Atlanta Silverbacks
M - Ted Chronopoulos - Charleston Battery
M - Oliver Heald - Vancouver Whitecaps - cap-tied to Canada
M - Ze Roberto - Montreal Impact - Brazilian citizen
M - David Testo - Richmond Kickers – now in MLS
F - Byron Alvarez - Portland Timbers - Mexican citizen
F - Greg Howes - Milwaukee Wave United
F - Kevin Jeffrey - Richmond Kickers - Trinidadian citizen



Club listed is most recent outdoor team followed by birth date.

Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, M, Portland Timbers (4/6/77)
Left-footed player who is a very good crosser lead the A-League in assists playing, primarily, on the flank. Has played four seasons in the A-League after playing at Fresno State and his assists have gone up each year. One catch is that I’m not sure of his citizenship. He was born in Mexico but grew up in Santa Barbara but I’m not sure how long he lived there or if he’s raised his right hand.

Dustin Branan, D, Minnesota Thunder (5/21/81)
The 6-3 Brown product has emerged as one of the best backs in the second division in just two seasons. Don’t be surprised if he’s under contract with MLS next season and the timing of when that happens could pull him off the table if the MLS players don’t cross.

Ted Chronopoulos, M/D, Charleston Battery (9/16/72)
Former New England Revolution player is a veteran capable of playing left back or left midfield. actually earned one cap with the national team back in 1997 vs. Israel. Would that keep him from crossing? San Diego State product played in Greek first division before spending seven seasons in MLS. Would definitely bring a lot of leadership and experience to the field. Currently playing indoors for the Chicago Storm.

Mac Cozier, F, Atlanta Silverbacks (10/23/73) [/b]
Former UNC-Charlotte played MLS in 1996 but has bounced around the A-League ever since, usually being a pretty productive attacker. Also has one cap – get this – as a SCAB in the infamous Peru game in 1997. If anyone’s gonna cross a USNTPA picket line, it’s this guy! Also played on the U23 team under Bruce Arena but didn’t make the Olympic team.

Rich Cullen, GK, Seattle Sounders (1/12/78) [/b]
Former All-America at the Air Force Academy was drafted by the Rapids in 2000 but never played for them because of military commitments. Was able to play for the Sounders because he was stationed at a base near Seattle. Was initially a back-up but became a starter, and an all-star season in 2003. But he didn’t play in 04 and I don’t know if that was because of military commitments or what.

Justin Evans, M, Charleston Battery (1/31/77)
A solid holding midfielder and good passer who spent two seasons in MLS with three teams after a solid rookie season in the A-League in 1999. St. Bonaventure grad returned to the A-League in 2002 and has been one of its better midfielders. Currently playing indoors for the Kansas City Comets.

Marco Ferruzzi, M, Minnesota Thunder (10/15/70)
Long time minor leaguer who also had one season – 1997 – in MLS is a crafty midfielder who has run the attack for a number of A-League teams. North Carolina grad was a youth national team player at the U17 and U23 levels.

Andrew Gregor, M, Portland Timbers (11/22/75)
U of Portland alum is in his second tour in the A-League after recovering from heart problem that forced him out of Columbus after one season. He later returned with the Wizards in 2001 but has been in the second tier since. A solid but unspectacular central midfielder.

Greg Howes, F, Milwaukee Wave United (3/26/77)
Another player starring on both the indoor and minor league circuits, Howes was the A-League’s Rookie of the Year in 2000 (beating out Edson Buddle) and has won league MVP in the MISL. A target forward (6-0, 185) who a good nose for the goal, the Oregon State alum recently starred for the US team at the Futsal World Championship. Currently playing indoors for the Milwaukee Wave.

Peter Luzak, D, Richmond Kickers (3/18/78)
University of Richmond product has developed into a dominant physical presence for the Kickers in central defense.

Doug Miller, F, Rochester Raging Rhinos (5/5/69)
One of the leading scorers in US second division history, Miller has spent most of his career in Rochester, where he’s won three league titles and the US Open Cup. The Loyola (Md.) product has also played several years indoors, winning a pair of NPSL titles, and has played for the US Futsal team.

Scott Schweitzer, D Syracuse Salty Dogs (8/12/71)
A veteran of the indoor circuit and A-League, was once considered the best domestic player not playing in MLS but could never get a contract that paid him more than he made double-dipping. A four-time all-star indoors who won two league titles, and a multiple A-League all-star and two-time Defender of the Year while winning three league titles and the 99 Open Cup. Also captained US U20 team when he was at NC State. Currently playing indoors for the Baltimore Blast.

Steve Shak, D, Virginia Beach Mariners (2/8/78)
The infamous first overall pick of the 2000 draft, when he went ahead of the likes of Carlos Bocanegra, Nick Garcia, Dan Califf, Sasha Victorine, Adin Brown, Bobby Convey and Nick Rimandom his teammate at UCLA. Tactically sound but limited physically, he wasn’t fast enough to play wing back in MLS, not big enough to play centrally and not good enough with the ball to play in the midfield and was out of the league after three seasons.

Johnny Torres, M, Milwaukee Wave United (4/24/76)
Former Hermann and Missouri Athletic Club trophy winner at Creighton struggled in a couple of seasons in MLS but has flourished doing the A-League/indoor double, being an all-star in both circuits. A good technical player but was limited athletically and had trouble dealing with the physicality of MLS. Recently starred for the US team at the Futsal World Championship. Currently playing indoors for the Milwaukee Wave.

Joe Warren, GK, Minnesota Thunder (10/20/74)
Hometown hero from D-III St. Thomas who has gone from playing in Minnesota’s adult amateur leagues to Thunder backup to A-League all-star. Very big (6-5, 220) keeper who also played football, basketball and ran track in college.

Richie Williams, M, Richmond Kickers (6/30/70)
Multiple All-Star during an eight-year MLS career that included three MLS titles as he emerged as one of the best defensive midfielder in the first few years of the league. Former Virginia star is now an assistant coach at his alma mater but still playing in the summer. Has 19 caps with the national team but his feisty attitude usually carried over towards management so he would seem unlikely to cross a picket line. However, he is very tight with Bruce Arena and if he asked, Williams might play out of loyalty.

John Wilson, D, Rochester Rhinos (10/26/77)
Former first round pick of the Wizards was a reserve on their double winning team then returned to his native Clemson and starred for the Battery and won an A-League title before leaving for Rochester this season. Clemson product is a fast wing back who also had a call-up with the Revs in 2001.

Alan Woods, D, Atlanta Silverbacks (10/12/78)
First round draft pick of the Rapids in 2000 but only played one game for them before starting most of the next season for the Revolution In 02 he settled in the A-League, where he’s been one of the league’s best defenders. Clemson product is tall and very good in the air.

Now, we all know that good players often don't win all-league awards so there are doubtlessly more good players in the A-League who might be used as sca.. er, replacement players. Feel free to make suggestions.

Same goes with MISL and lower division foreign players.

[scaryice]

I thought if you were in camp in the past four years you wouldn't be eligible in this scenario. So that would take care of Richie Williams. I was gonna make a joke about Joe Enochs, but even he got a cap a few years ago. I think they might be better off using college players rather than A-League players. Of course, that could impact their careers if they go on to be drafted. Hey, maybe Jamar Beasley could start. He's probably as good as the guys in the German lower divisions.

[SABuffalo786]

I don't even want to think about this.

[nicodemus]

I don't even want to think about this.
No lie. If that's the primary pool, then we are gonna take it in the shorts from the Soca Warriors.

[UxSxAxfooty]

Pretty sure Chronopolous has a cap, which would count him out.

[Ghost]

Is Leighton O'Brien possible? Don't know a lot about him, but that's one possibility.

WE're lookin at something like

GK:
Cullen

D:
Chronopoulous
Grover Gibson
Branan
?

MF: Jacob Thomas
O'Brien
ABMOD
Enochs?
Torres/Alcaraz-Cuellar

F: Coiner

Isn't this Tailor-made for carrieri? WHat's he up to?

[Stiles]

Nevermind - saw that you mentioned Mac Cozier's cap.

[Tyler66]

Since when did this come up that we can't use MLS players?

[Davids26]

Since when did this come up that we can't use MLS players?

Its not that they can't, its just thought that MLS players will side with the national team players and not cross the picket line...

[spot]

Its not that they can't, its just thought that MLS players will side with the national team players and not cross the picket line...

Certain of that?

[fidlerre]

Certain of that?
I have a distinct feeling the MLSPA will tell it's players not to cross the pickline.

[Diceson]

I have a distinct feeling the MLSPA will tell it's players not to cross the pickline.

I think the big key there will be Arena himself. If he steps in and says he wants the other MLS players, I doubt the MLSPA is going to stop him. Ultimately I think Arena will sit on the sidelines until mid-January hoping the two sides will work out their problems. At that point he jumps in and starts solving to issue himself. If successful, he can pretty much garuantee his next job as USSF president - I think the election is in August 2006(?).

These are two totally seperate teams, and I don't think one greatly affects the other.

Also, if I were a MLS head coach, and I came to realize that one of my capped national teamers was affecting my MLS team by treating my scabs poorly during the week, then the capped national teamer and I would have a serious face-to-face. A player isn't going to ruin his source of income through bad attitude. How many times have you read that a player skips the national team because of his club side? As a player you don't screw with your club side unless you want to be traded, transfered, waived, whatever.

Finally, I don't think the MLSPA is going to get invovled. They just signed a 5 year deal. I don't think they'll want to test their strength on a non league issue. The owners and GMs are probably going to support USSF because they know a strong National Team performance only enhances MLS.

I could be totally wrong, but I just don't see MLSPA or MLS getting too involved in a Nats Team dispute.

[SnakeEyes]

So do we see Freddy on the bench if this happens and MLSers are in play?

[Serie Zed]

I think people are waaay overestimating the number of players (from anywhere) that will cross the line on this one. Certainly very few MLSers will want into that game. Ditto that for any player who thinks he might end up in MLS.

And when you get down to the A-League and lower what do they gain? The right to get waxed at Azteca while crossing the line and cooperating with the big money v fellow players?

No angle in it at all for most of them.

[Adam Zebrowski]

t&t will make usa it's biiiitch all match long with replacements...


espn article:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=319590&cc=5901

National team manager Bruce Arena flew to England to speak with some of the team's top senior players to let them know that the USSF wasn't bluffing. At the same time, U.S. assistant coach Glenn Myernick flew to Germany to scout potential replacement players among the several Americans currently playing in Germany's lower divisions.

Sources close to the situation say sending a youth team such as the U.S. Under-20 or U-17 team is highly unlikely. The likelihood would be fielding a team of foreign-based Americans playing in lower European divisions combined with select players from the A-League.


In 1996, the USSF sent a team of lower division players along with MLS goalkeeper Mark Dodd to Peru, where the squad suffered a 4-1 drubbing. The sides quickly settled their differences while Dodd spent the rest of his playing career living with a residue of disdain among U.S. national team players

[Diceson]

I think people are waaay overestimating the number of players (from anywhere) that will cross the line on this one. Certainly very few MLSers will want into that game. Ditto that for any player who thinks he might end up in MLS.

And when you get down to the A-League and lower what do they gain? The right to get waxed at Azteca while crossing the line and cooperating with the big money v fellow players?

No angle in it at all for most of them.

The angle for them would be free advertising of their skills at a high level. The A-League players could care less what MLS players do. There's already some ill-will built in between the two leagues. If some of those players that Sandon listed played well enough, they might get a trial with various teams throughout the world.

[Adam Zebrowski]

A league players can become marginal MLS players...

it's the rare exception a Brian Ching would emerge....

The greater likelihood is anyone who crosses the picket line gets tagged as a scab, becomes a social outcast amongst his peers...

sure there are some guys who'll prefer getting capped and a payday, after all one payday from ussf is a nice one for A league level guys....

I'm very surprised the u-20 path was tossed....

seems ussf is bright in its assessment of u-20 crossing the picket line getting branded and ussf NOT wishing to BRAND this upcoming group...

so ussf isn't TOTALLY stupid in their decision making!!

[nicodemus]

The angle for them would be free advertising of their skills at a high level. ...and it will be advertised on international television why they're in the A-League and not somewhere else. It'll be a bloodbath. If Peru waxed us 4-1 with scabs, imagine what Mexico would do! I'm sure Trinidad could put a 4-1 scoreline as well. They only thing they could gain from it is being part of some cinderella story for one game.

[AndyMead]

The angle for them would be free advertising of their skills at a high level. The A-League players could care less what MLS players do. There's already some ill-will built in between the two leagues. If some of those players that Sandon listed played well enough, they might get a trial with various teams throughout the world.

There are talented players in the A-League who don't really see MLS as a career path. Not as many as there were, say, 5 years ago - but there are players who make more and play more in the A-League/MISL than they would if they signed with MLS.

Arena might possible be able to cobble together a group of A-League/MISL and lower division yanks abroad - but could he fashion a team?

One question would be whether or not the Futsal national teamers are members of the USNTPA or not. A player like Sean Bowers knows his MLS days are long gone, but he can play outdoors. I doubt a Jamar Beasley would cross the lines (lest DaMarcus stop buying him expensive toys), but there are skillful players out there.

Of course, we're still likely to get waxed.

It's true that a bunch of college kids beat T&T in 1989, but T&T has greatly improved since then.

[bunge]

One question would be whether or not the Futsal national teamers are members of the USNTPA or not.

I just heard on Thursday from one of their players that they do play under the same contract.