If only.... (left back talk)

[Sandon Mibut]

If only we had a left back in this country who could contribute to the attack, someone who has proven he can add to the attack by scoring goals in two of the last three games (that counted) he's played.

If only we had such a player.

[Tmagic77]

Eddie Johnson to let back?!

I obviously haven't beeen keeping up with someone. Mind letting me in on it?

[forza inter]

i dont know whether its me or cause its 545am, but thats funny.


ha


forza inter

[PYordan]

Obviously he's talking about Cobi Jones

[gnatfan]

geez--I opened this thread and thought he was going to talk about being retained in elementary school.

Or maybe how cobi was retained at Westlake Villiage Elementary school (if there is such a place.

(sorry--5 am humor here too--couldn't sleep)

[Wahoo]

If only we had a left back in this country who could contribute to the attack, someone who has proven he can add to the attack by scoring goals in two of the last three games (that counted) he's played.

If only we had such a player.

Do we have such a player?
And against what competetion would those games be against?

(I score regularly from my defensive position in my adult co-rec league, but I'm guessing you weren't saying I should get a callup).

[superdave]

Burciarga?

[FC Tallavana]

If only we had a left back in this country who could contribute to the attack, someone who has proven he can add to the attack by scoring goals in two of the last three games (that counted) he's played.

If only we had such a player.

But could he still get the JOB done?

[IASocFan]

Burciarga?

MY THOUGHTS when I saw this thread. He's scored all of the Wizards goals in their first two games. ;)

(OK, he's got one.)

[Crewmudgeon]

Burciarga?

He was arguably the best left back in MLS last year. He has good size, decent pace, nice skill and can obviously contribute offensively. Now that he's healthy and has established himself, its time for Bruce to give him a look see. And since Bruce obviously seeks advice from Big Soccer, Jose is now a lock.

[RalleeMonkey]

E-d-d-i-e-L-e-w-i-s! :-)

[Sandon Mibut]

I am in fact talking about Jose Burciaga, Jr. of the Wizards. He scored that cracker in MLS Cup, didn't score in the home leg of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and scored again yesterday in the away leg in Costa Rica.

Two goals in three games that count, one in MLS Cup and the other against the best team in Central America. So, it's not like he's scoring against bad teams. It also means he's coming up big in big games, which is always something you like to see in potential national teamers.

And get this, he's actually left footed and actually a defender, and a wing one at that. Oh, and he starts for his team, a team that is known for playing very good defense. He's only 23, he's got good size (about 6-0) and good pace.

Yes, he had injury problems in the past, but he's healthy now and playing well.

I just think the kid has earned a call-up but instead we get guys who aren't actually left backs or aren't actually even defenders, some of whom don't even play regularly for their respective clubs called in ahead of him.

[St. Patrick]

Yes, he had injury problems in the past, but he's healthy now and playing well.

I just think the kid has earned a call-up but instead we get guys who aren't actually left backs or aren't actually even defenders, some of whom don't even play regularly for their respective clubs called in ahead of him.

Bruce goes with comfort over skill at times, and has a huge beef with guys who pick up bad cards. IIRC, Burciaga was sent off in the final group match in the Olympic qualifying tournament and thus suspended for the winner-takes-all semifinal versus Mexico. That I'm sure is still playing with Bruce's mind. The next two matches are just too vital in BA's mind to risk a card casualty. We'll see him perhaps in the England/Costa Rica/Panama camp if his league play continues to go well, I'm guessing.

[Sundevil9]

Isn't this a Bobby Convey thread? :D

[Clint Eastwood]

I am in fact talking about Jose Burciaga, Jr. of the Wizards. He scored that cracker in MLS Cup, didn't score in the home leg of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and scored again yesterday in the away leg in Costa Rica.

Two goals in three games that count, one in MLS Cup and the other against the best team in Central America. So, it's not like he's scoring against bad teams. It also means he's coming up big in big games, which is always something you like to see in potential national teamers.

And get this, he's actually left footed and actually a defender, and a wing one at that. Oh, and he starts for his team, a team that is known for playing very good defense. He's only 23, he's got good size (about 6-0) and good pace.

Yes, he had injury problems in the past, but he's healthy now and playing well.

I just think the kid has earned a call-up but instead we get guys who aren't actually left backs or aren't actually even defenders, some of whom don't even play regularly for their respective clubs called in ahead of him.

I completely agree, and believe it's only a matter of time before he gets a callup from Bruce. Il Bruce has tried much less obvious experiments at left back, so why not give Burciaga a go. His injury problems have prevented a call-up, but hopefully that's under control.

This MLS season is very important to a lot of players, and Burciaga is clearly one of them. He should establish himself as the best left back in the league.

[Nutmeg]

He's only 23, he's got good size (about 6-0) and good pace.

This is the one aspect of JB's game I think Bruce might be concerned about - his speed. I'm not sure he really does have good pace. I'm not saying that he doesn't - I just don't know for sure that he does. I've never seen him use speed to blow by defenders on overlapping runs, and he doesn't look to beat players off the dribble. He is more of a stay at home guy, and plays smart and technically sound soccer. His goal in the MLS Cup was beautiful, but it came partly because DCU gave him a football field worth of space to mosey up to the ball and take a wicked shot. I haven't seen the other two goals, so maybe others can comment on how those played out.

But based on how strongly Arena emphasizes speed and fitness, I can see why Burciaga isn't part of his immediate plans.

[aj2lagop]

What about Sannaeh, Hejduk, or Spector???

[Teleturn]

E-d-d-i-e-L-e-w-i-s! :-)

Why not Eddie? Is it a height or speed issue?

He's very tenacious playing 1v1 defense.

[swilso01]

This is the one aspect of JB's game I think Bruce might be concerned about - his speed. I'm not sure he really does have good pace. I'm not saying that he doesn't - I just don't know for sure that he does. I've never seen him use speed to blow by defenders on overlapping runs, and he doesn't look to beat players off the dribble. He is more of a stay at home guy, and plays smart and technically sound soccer. His goal in the MLS Cup was beautiful, but it came partly because DCU gave him a football field worth of space to mosey up to the ball and take a wicked shot. I haven't seen the other two goals, so maybe others can comment on how those played out.

But based on how strongly Arena emphasizes speed and fitness, I can see why Burciaga isn't part of his immediate plans.

True, but is he any slower than the platoon we currently have occupying the position at left back? Certainly not slower than Boca, has to be a better attacking threat than Vanney, and we all know he has a better shot than Convey (not saying much). If he can bring a powerful left foot, good defending, and an attacking prowess to the mix, I say give him a shot.

[BigKris]

If you don't like the current candidates at left back and you think we ought to keep experimenting, then I vote for (1) JOB and (2) Lewis to be tried out back there before anyone else.

Of course, with JOB it's a health issue, but I no longer buy the bit about how he's too valuable as a holding or defensive midfieldier -- our other options at that position (Rena, Mastroeni, Zavagnin, Dempsey) are better than our other options at LB.