Cello on Pope

[Maximum Optimal]

I thought Cello made a good point during the Panama game when he said that Pope's legs had lost some spring because of having to play on artificial turf, first for the Metrostars then for RSL. I wonder if the Bruce can invoke some sort of "in the national interest" clause and try to get Pope traded to a team that plays on grass. This might seem like overreaching but central defense is starting to become a worry with Gibbs injured, Boca in poor form and maybe having lost a step, Berhalter old and slow, and Spector and Marshall a bit too green.

[sidefootsitter]

Or RSL can put in a softer top layer (or an impact absorbing pad underneath the top layer) to make their surface's hardness closer to the natural grass.

Of course, Pope's been sucking on the natural grass also.

[MLSNHTOWN]

Is this what is also wrong with Mathis? Perhaps we should trade him and give him another shot as well with the USMNT?

:)

I honestly do not think that the turf is a valid excuse. Regardless, Pope will be off the turf for the next three months prior to the January camp. If he is hurtin as a result of the turf, then he should show marked improvement in January.

[schmuckatelli]

I thought Cello made a good point during the Panama game when he said that Pope's legs had lost some spring because of having to play on artificial turf, first for the Metrostars then for RSL. I wonder if the Bruce can invoke some sort of "in the national interest" clause and try to get Pope traded to a team that plays on grass.
I would hope Pope and his agent would have more to say about this than Bruce Arena. At this point, if his knees are suffering on account of turf, he'd have to consider taking a trade and even a pay cut to play on natural grass.

[Aquarius21]

I hate to say it, but I don't think it's just the artificial turf. I do think we still need Pope in the middle because there aren't that many other alternatives available- since arena plays 4 in the back and Onyewu is playing, we still need someone in the middle. But I think Pope is just slowing down. I started to see it against England, but I hope I'm wrong (please, Pope, prove me wrong) :(

[LittleMaradona]

I do think we still need Pope in the middle because there aren't that many other alternatives available- since arena plays 4 in the back and Onyewu is playing, we still need someone in the middle. But I think Pope is just slowing down. I started to see it against England, but I hope I'm wrong (please, Pope, prove me wrong) :(

Maybe Pope can be our 2002 Sanneh. Arena has too much loyalty to Pope to not pick him for the 2006 squad (barring an injury), so we have no other choice but to hope that Pope can pull it together next summer.

[Deuteriumoxide]

Bruce doesn't, and very well shouldn't, have this sort of influence on MLS.

[Adam Zebrowski]

i thought it was the altitude in salt lake!!

still, onyewu and gibbs are my preference and may 2006 is a long way off, so there's plenty of time for gibbs to get healthy....

i se berhalter or bocanegra as the 3rd central defender based on form in early 2006....

I prefer marshall, but it's arena's call....another 8 months on pope and maintaining even current form is disturbing....

in a pinch mastroeni can play central defense too...and this would mean someone taking over d-mid....and again there's a depth question here...

I would like to see spector play some d-mid too, if he can cover in many places adequately, the flexibility helps his final 23 chances

[LittleMaradona]

still, onyewu and gibbs are my preference and may 2006 is a long way off, so there's plenty of time for gibbs to get healthy....

i se berhalter or bocanegra as the 3rd central defender based on form in early 2006....
Sounds about right.

With Arena's preference for frequent line-up changes to keep people fresh, all four will see starts in the Group Stage next summer.