View Full Version : Why Not Boca?
Dr.Phil
05 Dec 2005, 08:28 PM
I know I will be flamed for this but why not try Boca on the left again. I think w/ Gooch and Gibbs the center is filled. I dont have anything wrong w/ trying Spector out there I actually think that will help the team out but why not Boca sure he has not been playing up to par but that might be a slump. I think Boca brings experiance to the team so I think Arena should TRY Boca out on the left side again.
kinstlinger
05 Dec 2005, 08:36 PM
Of Spector, and Gibbs, Boca is the only one who is healthy and playing first-team minutes in the EPL - that merits inclusion on this club.
I really hope Gibbs is ready. I hope GAM is, as well.
What I really hope is that their delayed season starts give them fresher legs this summer.
chrisinho
05 Dec 2005, 08:57 PM
I know I will be flamed for this but why not try Boca on the left again. I think w/ Gooch and Gibbs the center is filled. I dont have anything wrong w/ trying Spector out there I actually think that will help the team out but why not Boca sure he has not been playing up to par but that might be a slump. I think Boca brings experiance to the team so I think Arena should TRY Boca out on the left side again.
1) Boca is slow
2) Boca can't take someone on the dribble
3) Boca can't cross on a dead run to the touchline
4) Boca isn't an end to end player
ugaaccountant
05 Dec 2005, 09:01 PM
Of Spector, and Gibbs, Boca is the only one who is healthy and playing first-team minutes in the EPL - that merits inclusion on this club.
?
Spector is both healthy and playing first-team minutes in the EPL, so I don't get your point.
Boca's good, glad to have him and yes there are many scenarios where he could start in CD or LB come world cup time.
Northcal19
05 Dec 2005, 09:38 PM
Because:
Spector-Boca-Gooch-Dolo
is a pretty good back line for the WC.
But I think if something happens to Spector then Boca goes left and Gibbs or maybe Mastroeni fills in in the middle. Berhalter is there for last resort.
csctn
05 Dec 2005, 09:44 PM
Lewis will be starting at LB before Boca or Spector or Convey or anyone else.
Northcal19
05 Dec 2005, 09:54 PM
Lewis will be starting at LB before Boca or Spector or Convey or anyone else.
Maybe. He certainly is a good option, but if DMB is left half in a diamond midfield, then Lewis becomes redundant. Behind a box midfield. I think you are probably correct (though Spector pushes Eddie).
SUSIE-Q
05 Dec 2005, 10:43 PM
Lewis will be starting at LB before Boca or Spector or Convey or anyone else.
do you remember last world cup against Germany in the quarter final ? the Germany's goal came from Lewis foul in that left back area .....
Bajoro
05 Dec 2005, 11:03 PM
The foul was called against Lewis. But there was no foul committed.
Hugh Dallas is one of the all time wankers of US soccer history.
Never forget! :D
fillmorejive
05 Dec 2005, 11:13 PM
do you remember last world cup against Germany in the quarter final ? the Germany's goal came from Lewis foul in that left back area .....
Lewis' positive qualities far outweigh that called foul.
helmzgk
05 Dec 2005, 11:17 PM
But I think if something happens to Spector then Boca goes left and Gibbs or maybe Mastroeni fills in in the middle. Berhalter is there for last resort.
Mastroeni over Berhalter? Wow, I'm sure glad Berhalter was our last resort against Mexico. Name a better Central defensive pairing right now for the USMNT than Gooch and Berhalter. Things might look good on paper, but when those two play together, they've been a rock back there.
SUSIE-Q
05 Dec 2005, 11:25 PM
The foul was called against Lewis. But there was no foul committed.
Hugh Dallas is one of the all time wankers of US soccer history.
Never forget! :D
My blood boils again when i hear the name Hugh Dallas. By the way why didn't we complain to FIFA about that hands ball and many more...
Bajoro
05 Dec 2005, 11:37 PM
Mastroeni over Berhalter? Wow, I'm sure glad Berhalter was our last resort against Mexico. Name a better Central defensive pairing right now for the USMNT than Gooch and Berhalter. Things might look good on paper, but when those two play together, they've been a rock back there.
Arena will have all Spring to figure out who will play. Don't judge next year based on last year. Berhalter is 32 years old. He's older than Pope!
Northcal19
05 Dec 2005, 11:40 PM
Mastroeni over Berhalter? Wow, I'm sure glad Berhalter was our last resort against Mexico. Name a better Central defensive pairing right now for the USMNT than Gooch and Berhalter. Things might look good on paper, but when those two play together, they've been a rock back there.
Berhalter always looks like a disaster waiting to happen to me, and I am a Rapids fan; so Mastroeni.
Not saying your not right though.
The Big Ticket
06 Dec 2005, 12:41 AM
Hugh Dallas is one of the all time wankers of US soccer history.
http://www.section8chicago.com/images/image_library/assorted/demadallas.jpg
Even Dema agrees.
I've never been a fan of Bocanegra on the left. I think in the games he has played that position (for both Fulham and the US) he has, quite frankly, sucked.
Galaxian
06 Dec 2005, 12:42 AM
I think boca is a strong and a good defensive player.. but he is just a little inconsistent , and he might go from making a good tackle to doing a stupid little back pass across goal to put us into trouble . I stil like him though and think he should definitely get some playing time in Germany . Lb or center back .
ChelseaMatt
06 Dec 2005, 01:02 AM
Mastroeni over Berhalter? Wow, I'm sure glad Berhalter was our last resort against Mexico. Name a better Central defensive pairing right now for the USMNT than Gooch and Berhalter. Things might look good on paper, but when those two play together, they've been a rock back there. I don't know why more people don't see this: Berhalter and Gooch were awesome together against Mexico-- I'd really like to see this pairing when we go to Europe for friendlies in the spring.
Shaydee
06 Dec 2005, 01:18 AM
anyone that wants Boca on the left doesn't know sh!t about soccer.
anyone that wants Mastro over Berhalter in the middle doesn't know sh!t about soccer.
Allamerican74
06 Dec 2005, 03:18 AM
Heath Pearce might actually be the LB. Too early to tell but I certainly wouldn't be surprised. So we would have from rt to left Dolo, Gooch, Boca and Pearce.
helmzgk
06 Dec 2005, 03:50 AM
I think if all are healthy, only 'dolo and Gooch are locks in the back. That leaves Pope, Berhalter, Boca, Spector, Gibbs, Marshall, Pearce, Hejduk and possibly Dunivant (heard he got called into camp) fighting for the other spots back there.
Pope is getting old and its showing real bad. He could end up being our Agoos this time around, but he has been able to get himself out of bad form before, so lets hope he can do it again. I don't think playing for Real helped his psyche at all, but he's a veteran in the World Cup and Arena will be thinking about that.
Berhalter has formed the best pairing with Gooch in the middle, but I agree with other people, he's a disaster waiting to happen. He's a great organizer and has a good aerial game, but he's a bit slow and not as solid as other options.
Gibbs has athleticism and talent, but is inconsistent. Hopefully he gets fit again and learns a lot at Feyenoord so that he can become our next Berhalter, just with more soccer skills. He has shown the ability to shut down top class strikers.
Boca, by all accounts, is playing well in the middle at Fulham. Let's hope he keeps it up there and gets his old MLS confidence back, something that has been lacking since he moved to England. It's shown with the national team as well. He can cover at Left Back, but I'd prefer him in the middle. If he plays at left back, he'd be playing as a stay home defender and winning aerial battles.
Marshall is going to be fighting to back up Gooch in the middle. He's still a little bit too raw, but has tons of time to improve. I still see Pope getting the nod ahead of him, but a future pairing of Gooch and Marshall in the middle makes me drool.
Spector is a decent option right now on either side of our defensive middle. Look for him to backup Dolo or fight for the left back spot. He has good speed, touch, and can attack up the wing. He has no left foot however, and could end up being the '06 version of the 02 Hejduk, only with more coordination and skill.
Pearce we haven't seen enough of yet, but seemed damned confident in his first cap on the left side. Right now however, he could be a bust or a hit, we'll have to see.
Hejduk also has World Cup experience and was one of our best players in both world cups he has played in. He still has the lungs and legs for it, but he is aging and will probably back up Dolo on the right. He can be put on the left in a pinch, as he was in 02, but I think there are other options there now to prevent that from happening.
Dunivant is too green and unless he is just amazing these next couple of months, probably won't make the squad. He could push Pearce for an alternative spot, and maybe a backup spot, but I'm not expecting much this time around. Personally, it is nice to see him get noticed.
Lewis and Convey could play left back in a pinch, but does Bruce really want to get rid of two attacking players for defense? We'll see, but I think that would be a mistake.
My opinion, our defense lines up like this next year:
Spector - Bocanegra - Onweyu - Cherundolo
But right now I can't argue with:
Spector - Berhalter - Onweyu - Cherundolo
Hopefully all goes well these next six months in regards to injury and form. I trust Bruce enough to take the best with him, and quite honestly, I think our defense is probably our strong point. It's our midfield and forward situation if we're missing even one of the following five: Reyna, Beasley, O'Brien, McBride, and Johnson.