Conclusions about Gooch? [r]

[FirstStar]

The Defense thread is discussing Gooch's performance last night, but I'd like to solicit conclusions about Gooch right now. We've seen him progress through three WCQs (Jamacia, Mexico and Guatamala). Still, Balboa went out of his way to rip Gooch to shreds on his pre-game analysis last night- blaming him for both Mexico goals.

My observation is that Gooch is a beast in the middle of the field and shows some amazing ball skills like we've never seen in our CBs. His match-to-match improvement has been tremendous and I peg him as a top XI player in 2006.

What do you think?

[Claymore]

I'd say it's too early to tell.

[Wahoo]

First - I'm a big fan of Gooch....

But I think we need to see more of him for the national team before we draw conclusions.

Physically he has all hte tools: Size, pace, ballskills, etc to do the job...
But I want to make sure he keeps his head in there.

If I'm right about him, he'll have a long industrious career for the national team as well as move to a bigger venue in Europe... but after only a couple games... I'll remain cautiously optimistic.

[Jegao Paraiba]

I didn't remember Balboa's comments as ripping gooch to shreds.
In fact, I think he went out of his way to lump someone else in with him in the responsibility dept.
Balboa's comments were in praise of Arena for sticking with a young player who had made some mistakes, and helping his confidence in the process.
I thought he was right on. Gooch made mistakes.
Both completely forgivable in my judgement, but they were mistakes.
He got worked by Borghetti (he's probably in good company, there).
And he was out of position on the other goal.

BUT!

This kid is a FORCE. I'm really excited about his future. He is showing the signs of what could become a dominating physical presence in the central defense.
He needs Bruce to coach him on his mistakes and show confidence in his ability to put that coaching to use.
That seems to be happening.

[Peretz48]

I like the way Arena is handling Gooch. Contrary to some posters who bemoan Gooch's lack of experience, 'WTF was he doing in there against Mexico?', this is exactly how you develop a player for your pool. YOU LET THEM PLAY. Sure, he'll make (and has made) his share of mistakes, but he'll also learn from them. After all, the game is the best teacher. Gooch has obvious size, strength and competitiveness. His positioning and tactical sense need some work, but that will come with more games. His ball handling , while not great, is decent for a big guy, and his passes have juice. As Eddie Pope's int'l career starts winding down, it's important that guys like Gooch and Gibbs eventual develop into the old reliables in the middle of the defense.

[LSUnited]

I'm hoping Arena uses the Gold Cup to try out combos of Gooch, Boca and Gibbs in central defense. Assuming they play six games in the Cup, that's two games for each combo to work together.

By the end of the summer, the US should have a strong group of central defenders with those three and Pope (fingers crossed).

Arean just NEEDS to find a solution at left back so Gibbs and Boca can play predominately in the center. Is it Convey....or Vanney....or Spector....or anyone?

[DutchFootballRulez]

I think we'll need Either Gooch or Chad Marshall in Germany. If not bring them both. But we'll need a giant defense pairing when playing a side that's great on set pieces.

[The Magpie]

Raw talent, really like his size, but needs more experience, especially in reading the game.

The Magpie

[forza inter]

i thought gooch played a solid game last night. as a fan of his i was happy to see him put in such a performance. i was shocked but happy to see him start, go full 90 in BOTH qualifiers this past week. i think he will become one of our starters or quick alternates in center d within this next year. eddie pope if he remains injured/reinjured will see an earlier exit form the nats and gooch will be there to step into the new spot left for him. theres still a good chance pope makes the wc06 roster, but it might be used sparingly or as a veteran to help the new guys along...with this in mind gooch i belive would definately get a spot too to be the new guy to take the spot. bruce is showing confidence in him already which is very encouraging to me personally so i think he will recalled quite a bit for qualifiers, friendlies, and the gold cup. im looking foward to gooch getting more action for the nats!


forza inter

[FirstStar]

Arean just NEEDS to find a solution at left back so Gibbs and Boca can play predominately in the center. Is it Convey....or Vanney....or Spector....or anyone?

JOB

[javaj]

My girlfriend watched the Mexico and Guatamala matches. Her conclusion was that he's hot.

[DaMa]

I thought he was pretty solid last night. He used his athleticism to his advantage and didnt seem to be caught out of position much. My one comment is I thought he was a bit too agressive at times and with a different referee could have found himself with a lot more fouls called against him.

That being said, Balboa was spot on in what he said about Mexico. As good as Gooch looked last night, he looked equally bad in Azteca. Summation: he is a player Arena has clearly identified as someone with a lot of potential to be a mainstay for the USMNT (apparently and confusingly even more so than Eddie Gaven... perhaps because of position) but is still clearly not a finished product. Strikingly similar to where LD and DMB were post qualifying for 2002 but obviously ahead of the schedule they were on as they weren't used in consecutive early qualifiers like this.

Here's hoping for continued development.

[joe guy]

He's got the physical tools, that's a no-brainer, but also I believe that he has learned well from his limited experience.
Arena sees his potential and is willing to risk some for his over all development, which IMO is a good thing.
I think Gooch will eventually prove out to the Nats benefit, but it might be a good idea if some of you folks develop some patience along the way.

[sch2383]

Gooch is simply lacking expierence, but other than that, he seems to have it all. His physical talent alone is stunning, he just needs to keep working hard, keep improving, and he will get rewards he deserves.

[harttbeat]

ya dont remember he's only his 2nd season (1.5 full yr) playing Centerback. Experience will come even faster if Standard can reach Champions league next year.

[Beast_Ed]

The guy is like an American version of Rio Ferdinand ..

.. a work in progress and one to watch in the future.

I don't think he'll be in Belgium for long .. EPL or Bundes soon.

Beastie

[sch2383]

ya dont remember he's only his 2nd season (1.5 full yr) playing Centerback. Experience will come even faster if Standard can reach Champions league next year.
You really think he will be with Standard after this summer?

[jri]

As much as everyone makes a big deal about losing in Mexico, it is the (only) real place that you can lose pts. in WCQ, and not be too worried about it.

In that respect, it is a great place to vet young players (as long as you don't crush them in the process).

The entire team looked like crap in Mexico, and the altitude factor just makes it hard to draw comparisons..

However, we don't have privvy to all practices, game films, etc that Bruce sees. Apparently he sees something he likes to start him two games in a row and Boca out of position left :) I don't think its dumb luck he started those 2 games- he musta earned it in Bruce's mind.

Also, we are building on Gooch's experience w/Nats, but he's got more Euro competition experience than Boca and Gibbs combined (zero). He's assembling a nice folder (including the rest of WCQ) of stuff to draw upon next World Cup.

Next to Kompany, he's the best defender in Belgium (according to several observer polls)...that's something for a 22 year old...

I think Bruce sees the trajectory curve, and it looks GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH

[jri]

I also love how he made Eddie Johnson look small in that wall! :D

[um_chili]

Next to Kompany, he's the best defender in Belgium (according to several observer polls)...that's something for a 22 year old...


Whoa--is this true? What are the "observer polls" that make this claim?