Best Options at Striker for Germany '06

[robchap628]

I think EJ and BMB starting with Twellman coming in off the bench,

note that players like LD and DMB are not options in the poll because they are most likely to be playing in the MF.

[Justin O]

Hmmm...interesting list after McBride and EJ. I'd say, among others, Wolff and Quaranta, both Gold Cup participants, have a much much MUCH better chance of making the roster than, say, Kreis. Hell, I'd even say Kenny Cooper or Jemal Johnson finding 1st team playing time somewhere in England and impressing is more likley than Kreis making his way onto the squad.

[ElRoss425]

What? No Spector?

[bigtoga]

We might see LD up there if Il Bruce wants to play Reyna and LD at the same time

[FirstStar]

Along with RM and LB, this question is yet to be answered.

[kubrick74]

David Beckham and Freddy Adu.

[robchap628]

We might see LD up there if Il Bruce wants to play Reyna and LD at the same time

I think its more likely that Reyna would end up playing on the right ar a holding mid position. The only way I think LD plays up front is if Dempsey really steps it up for the nats between now and then.

[JohnR]

This poll is a landslide.

[robchap628]

I guess theres not to much question who our two best strikers are, but we're going to need more than two for Germany, so the rest of the pack are going to have to scrap it out for a place on the roster. I forgot to put Brian Ching and Pat Noonan on the list, and they probably have a better chance than most on the list to make it.

[Reccossu]

Until we see Johnson actually recover from his injury, Donavan has to be considered as an option at striker.

[robchap628]

Until we see Johnson actually recover from his injury, Donavan has to be considered as an option at striker.

I think it can be assumed that Johnson will actually recover from his injury as he is already playing again. It seems that Arena has his heart set on Donovan playing an attacking mid.

[Wahoo]

Well I think this poll will be about the most lopsided in BigSoccer history in favor of Johnson and McBide...

But come on... how can you possibly have a list that includes the likes of Casey, Buddle, Twellman, Jacqua, Kreis, and Cunningham - most of whom never have been big fans of Arena... and yet let Josh Wolff and Brian Ching be lumped in with "Other".

??????

[Chowderhead]

Noonan is the most effective and poised finisher and needs to be near the goal. Don't kid yourselves.

[CrazyDCFan]

I would like to see Johnson and Cunnigham just once to see how they do.

[clashcityrocker]

I only want strikers who can fill in at defensive mid, if need be. Like Dempsey. And Brian McBride. And Chris Armas.

[Ahly]

It's really too early to choose. Ideally I would prefer to send as many of the young guys as possible. I'm not a big BMB fan. My main gripe with Brian is that he established himself into the nat pool when the field was much thinner. We now have younger players who are very productive for their club sides. Brain has had periods of dominance for the nats, but he also has had periods of ineptitude. I'm just hoping that others in our talent pool step up like EJ did. It's unfair, but it seems that players only get noticed if they have an unbelievable stretch of multiple goals. At our current rate I wouldn't be surprised of we have a 37 y/o BMB at the 2010 cup.

That being said - if BMB has a solid year in England, and is banging in goals during the run up to the World Cup he should start. Otherwise I would use him strictly as a tactical option off the bench, or as a starter in certain games. If we play a tiny team like Saudi Arabia 2002 BMB could have a Miroslav Klose type day.

By the way - I voted for EJ and for the hell of it Bundle.

[thedeuce_2]

Until his injury, it is quite obvious that EJ was the easiest choice. But a duo that I think would be nice (but probably won't get much PT) would be Twellman and Dempsey. They are both very talented and play together on a consistent basis. Experience and Dempsey's ability to play up top are the glaring issue here, but I do think it would be worth a try in a qualifier or a friendly or two just to see how it goes and to make me happy!

[mickhayafe]

Twellman and Dempsey

I like this duo combo, after EJ - MCB

and after the GOLD CUP can someone tell me why Wolff would even be an option?

[obewan]

I think the ideal midfield, if everyone's healthy, is Donovan and Beasley/Lewis on the wings with JOB and Reyna in the middle of the park. You could also put JOB out wide and bring Donovan into the middle. Bruce likes to play a holder and a runner together, hence BMB and EJ. Right now, no one we have up front is better in the air or holding the ball than BMB. I think Donovan is more effective as a midfielder where he sees more of the ball.

[robchap628]

I only want strikers who can fill in at defensive mid, if need be. Like Dempsey. And Brian McBride. And Chris Armas.

I only want strikers who can finish