Albright to start at left back tonight

[scaryice]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-soccer9mar09,1,6685820.story?coll=la-headlines-sports

Interesting. Our other defenders in camp are Borchers, Marshall, Kotschau, and possibly Mastroeni. Do you think we could see Ralston at right back?

[jmeissen0]

doubt ralston at right back


interesting to see discussion of left back... i forgot about this game (and the date)... i think cause there is no tv... so not a biggie... besides... i can't stay up on it because of other things


anyone have any idea of who colombia brought??? did they bring in a decent squad??

etc...


thanks

[lurking]

Hejduk is out with an injury, Pope out as well. Who else is there to play right back? Marshall? Zavagnin and Olsen are out with NT duty, so there isnt exactly a surplus of DM type players, so Mastroeni on the back line seems less likely. Really there is a very limited set of things Bruce can do here.

[Davids26]

Marshall and Mastroeni likely in the middle. I'm curious as to who plays on the right though.

[Chowderhead]

You must be joking. What a pathetic choice.

[Chowderhead]

Hejduk is out with an injury, Pope out as well. Who else is there to play right back? Marshall? Zavagnin and Olsen are out with NT duty, so there isnt exactly a surplus of DM type players, so Mastroeni on the back line seems less likely. Really there is a very limited set of things Bruce can do here.

Well, he can select another left back, call him in, allow him to train and then let him start.

What's the big deal? Instead we're left with a putz on which the Colombians will prey. And to think that Hejduk had previously been pencilled in.

Arena really could use a splash of cold Pellegrino in the old face.

[forza inter]

ya know what? its cool guys ill handle it.


"forza inter to kick albright out of camp and play left back instead tonight"


forza inter

[nancyb]

Could we see another fire storm of arguments over our left back choices, a la 2003? Boy, this ought to be interesting.

[Sanguine]

jesus, people... it's a friendly... with only out-of-season MLSers... that isn't even on TV. Albright at left back isn't exactly the seventh sign of the apocalypse.

[NBlue]

You must be joking. What a pathetic choice.

Out of the following players in camp (noting that both Frankie and Pope are injured), who, exactly, do you think is the clear cut starter making Albright a "pathetic" choice???

DEFENDERS (6): Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nat Borchers (Colorado Rapids), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Ritchie Kotschau (Colorado Rapids), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake)

btw, I would assume if Frankie and Pope are both out as had been reported then either Borchers or Kotschau would get the start along with Matro and Chad at the other two defensive slots.

[Casper]

Pardon me, but with the group of defenders in camp, why in the world wouldn't you start Albright at his normal position, and play Kotschau at left back, which is also his best position?

This is so wierd that I think it's wrong.

However, the nice outgrowth is that maybe Marshall gets a trial-by-fire start for his first cap.

[Soccer Doc]

doubt ralston at right back


I'm not saying he would be Da Bruce's best option but don't sell Ralston short as a right back. He's one of those smart players who has the ability to quickly adapt to most any position when needed. This past season he played a number of games in the back for the Revs and did well. The US has better backs in the Pool but tonight things are a bit thin and I wouldn't be surprised if Steve saw some time back there.

[forza inter]

i hope marshall looks good out thee tongiht, i wish him the best of luck. that i will say for sure.

as for albright, well im not a fan at all so im hoping he will be dropped as a whole from the player pool. bruce wake up.



forza inter

[Serie Zed]

"One of those hoping to do so is Galaxy defender Chris Albright, who will start at left back tonight.

"He's done well," Arena said. "He's played a fair amount as a left-sided midfielder, so he's our most logical candidate to play left back."

Seems like a reasonable decision to me. I say we give the coach whose team hasn't lost in over a year the benefit of the doubt. Just this once mind you. Arena hasn't really proved himself yet.

[FirstStar]

I'm not saying he would be Da Bruce's best option but don't sell Ralston short as a right back. He's one of those smart players who has the ability to quickly adapt to most any position when needed. This past season he played a number of games in the back for the Revs and did well. The US has better backs in the Pool but tonight things are a bit thin and I wouldn't be surprised if Steve saw some time back there.


If Ralston is starting tonight, I think I'm going to be glad that the game isn't televised.

[TAKK]

"One of those hoping to do so is Galaxy defender Chris Albright, who will start at left back tonight.

"He's done well," Arena said. "He's played a fair amount as a left-sided midfielder, so he's our most logical candidate to play left back."

Seems like a reasonable decision to me. I say we give the coach whose team hasn't lost in over a year the benefit of the doubt. Just this once mind you. Arena hasn't really proved himself yet.

I love thinking like this. BA did a very good job, with some luck mixed in 3 years ago, and now 3 years later he has carte blanche. Question nothing. Try not to evolve and improve. I am happy and content oh master. The players, rules, talent, times, perceptions of the US and conditions have all changed. Who says he knows how to deal with these new conditions, the amount of players in the pool and talent now? In game tactics and subs? Just assume.... shall we? Blind faith is nice. Limited options last time and he did very well with what he had. Different world and time right now.

Yeah, nothing to criticize from those first set of away qualies either - brilliant decisions and coaching littered thoroughout:rolleyes:

As for people's poor reaction to Albright. I get it.
He is a BA guy. BA has been desperately trying to get this kid on the field in some way, shape or form for the Nats.

He failed miserably at forward for the Nats, then in the middle and now he is playing full back where he is pretty average in MLS, with some moments. An OK performance against Jamaica almost guarantees him a pass until the cup in the BA "my guy" system.

If BA didn't have a history of shoving some guys onto the field, and keeping them there no matter what, then it wouldn't be a big deal for a friendly. Seems like an OK choice, see what happens and get on with it. BA has a history however.

Albright can only do so much and evolve so much. Try one of your other guys who just may surprise you. If they don't you always know what Albright will bring.

Albright shows ANY ability over the next year and a half, ANY, I have a feeling he will be on that final roster no matter what in 2006. BA is trying hard with him. Maybe he can get a slight injury. That always helps Bruce out.

[lmorin]

Hey, TAKK! Don't get too bent! The comments by Serie Zed Seems like a reasonable decision to me. I say we give the coach whose team hasn't lost in over a year the benefit of the doubt. Just this once mind you. Arena hasn't really proved himself yet. were, I suspect, said with tongue firmly in cheek. :)

[sregis]

i've honestly not seen enough of albright in this position to make a real judgement, tho i share w/ others' opinions that it would seem highly unlikely an offensive player could possibly switch to an effective defender at the highest levels of the game in such a short time. what is arena seeing, exactly? personally, i'm all for him playing in friendlies if it finally means exposing him for what he aparently is- an average, mls-level defender.

[Martin Fischer]

What did Serie Zed mean? I think he was preemptively anticipating TAAK's post.

[TAKK]

Hey, TAKK! Don't get too bent! The comments by Serie Zed were, I suspect, said with tongue firmly in cheek. :)

If they were I apologize. Sincerely.

It's the BA has proven himself so just acquiesce mentality that riles me.

Appreciate, respect, but move on and live in the world that is happening now.

The older I get the more I question authority. It should have been the other way around, but I have seen a lot at the top levels, and it is very easy to manipulate and take advantage of people. Trust us, we did right by you several year ago. We're doing the same thing now (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Blind faith, have a little. I like BA and what he has done, but I refuse to not question him and wonder if he can prove himself moving forward in different circumstances.