Jose Burciaga

[AndyChase13]

I posted it on the usa men site but nobody responded. What does everyone think about giving Burciaga a chance on the US NATL TEAM. I have had the chance to play with hime and I know how good and tough and how his left foot is as good as anyones in the US. Please Respond.

[forza inter]

hes discussed alot in these parts.

id consider him for a look see this gold cup, hes had 2-3 straight solid seasons with kc and i think hes the best in the league at the position really.

scored a goal last night too, hes still rising this year.

forza inter

[hansel]

I've only seen him in MLS, but I think he's done pretty well with the Wiz. I'm surprised he hasn't at least been called into camp yet, I think that his play at least warrants that. Left back has been a little slippery for us as of late.

[Heathens '87]

Having not seen either recently, I'd be curious about how he compares to Todd Dunivant. Who would be the better choice to bring into camp?!

[stopper4]

I'm sure Arena will look at him during the upcoming Gold Cup.

[sabretarheel]

I didn't get to see his most recent game (where he scored), but I've seen a fair few. He may be one of our better options at left back to be honest, but he's certainly no world-beater, at least not at this stage. He seems really composed on the ball, marks well, has the size and a decent amount of speed. But he seemingly tends to punt the ball downfield in hopes of finding a target forward a little too often, and rarely seems to actually find them. While this is something that could likely be coached out of him, I would like to see him work the ball through the middle more than sending a prayer downfield whenever he receives the ball just behind half field. That said, I think he should definitely get a look, if for no other reason than our relative lack of depth there. And given Bruce's affinity with the 4-4-2, the Gold Cup would seem an ideal time to give him a run out.

[AndyMead]

I'm sure Arena will look at him during the upcoming Gold Cup.

I'm guessing that Jose's chance will come next year after the World Cup.

Very few players get kept around for three worthless seasons recovering from knee injuries. He's always been a very special player, but he lost three years of professional development. He's just now catching up to his potential. He still can use another year of refining, if you ask me.

But he's a very attack minded man-marking left back. Probably the closest thing the U.S. has ever had to a "Roberto Carlos-type" player. Certainly not in that class, but he definitely scores some incredible goals.

[Martin Fischer]

I'm guessing that Jose's chance will come next year after the World Cup.

Very few players get kept around for three worthless seasons recovering from knee injuries. He's always been a very special player, but he lost three years of professional development. He's just now catching up to his potential. He still can use another year of refining, if you ask me.

But he's a very attack minded man-marking left back. Probably the closest thing the U.S. has ever had to a "Roberto Carlos-type" player. Certainly not in that class, but he definitely scores some incredible goals.

Normally, I would agree with you. But the USMNT situation at left back is desparate. Refined or not, I suspect he gets a look at the Gold Cup. What follows from there, I don't know.

[BenC1357]

Normally, I would agree with you. But the USMNT situation at left back is desparate. Refined or not, I suspect he gets a look at the Gold Cup. What follows from there, I don't know.

I have to agree here. If this were a player that played central D, keeper or forward there would be no rush to get a look at him. But at left back, our most glaring hole on the USMNT, we have to try anything we can.
Having been around for his entire career, having his last ACL tear literally 10 yards from me, and just seeing the kind of man he is I really want to see him get a shot. When you talk with him or are around him, you really see how much this game means to him. I think he would take any opportunity given to him and run with it. The Gold Cup would be the perfect time to give him that shot.

A little side story about Jose...
After MLS Cup 2004, where most of you would remember Jose opened the scoring with a cracker from way out, the travelling KC fans went to the Wizards hotel for a post party. I was out in the hotel lobby and approached the bar to get a beer. I look to my left and realize Jose is standing next to me, head hanging over a beer. He calls to the bartender to put my beer on his tab. I say thanks, but you don't need to do that. He looks up at me and says "After all you guys do for us, after coming out here and watching us perform like that, it's the least I can do." I take the beer and chat a bit about his goal, his comeback from the knee injuries, my playing days and reasons I quit and just soccer in general.

After that night Jose ranks up with Arnaud, Zavagnin and Klein as the players I have the most respect for. Top class guys who care about their fans and the game.

[DP_elyanqui]

After that night Jose ranks up with Arnaud, Zavagnin and Klein as the players I have the most respect for. Top class guys who care about their fans and the game.

Great story. It's refreshing to see that there are still professional athletes who realize they are no different than anyone else, they just happen to be able to kick a ball or run fast and get to play a game for a living. Maybe this could be MLS's key tactic to increase the fan base.

I hope he also gets a shot at the Gold Cup for all the reasons mentioned. There is a hole and he seems to be the best man for the job. Good luck to him.

And not to rain on his or anyone's parade, but what were the comments he made to a mexican newspaper concerning MLS or the American style of play? I never did catch the real story.

[AndyChase13]

I have to agree here. If this were a player that played central D, keeper or forward there would be no rush to get a look at him. But at left back, our most glaring hole on the USMNT, we have to try anything we can.
Having been around for his entire career, having his last ACL tear literally 10 yards from me, and just seeing the kind of man he is I really want to see him get a shot. When you talk with him or are around him, you really see how much this game means to him. I think he would take any opportunity given to him and run with it. The Gold Cup would be the perfect time to give him that shot.

A little side story about Jose...
After MLS Cup 2004, where most of you would remember Jose opened the scoring with a cracker from way out, the travelling KC fans went to the Wizards hotel for a post party. I was out in the hotel lobby and approached the bar to get a beer. I look to my left and realize Jose is standing next to me, head hanging over a beer. He calls to the bartender to put my beer on his tab. I say thanks, but you don't need to do that. He looks up at me and says "After all you guys do for us, after coming out here and watching us perform like that, it's the least I can do." I take the beer and chat a bit about his goal, his comeback from the knee injuries, my playing days and reasons I quit and just soccer in general.

After that night Jose ranks up with Arnaud, Zavagnin and Klein as the players I have the most respect for. Top class guys who care about their fans and the game.


I played on the Region team with Jose for several years and he is just got something else that other players dont have. And we will all see this in time!