View Full Version : Vox Populi--Week 8, Part 2
Cobi Jones has been voted off the team. We are now taking votes for one player to be added to the 22 listed below.
Keller, Howard, Hahnemann
Cherundolo, Onyewu, Lewis, Bocanegra, Hejduk, Gibbs, Spector, Berhalter
Mastroeni, O'Brien, Reyna, Beasley, Convey, Clark
Donovan, Johnson, McBride, Wolff, Rolfe
Please vote based upon the team YOU would choose, not the one you think Arena would select.
dlokteff
12 Jan 2006, 01:36 PM
Ralston
rlrcpa
12 Jan 2006, 02:07 PM
Tino Q.
I am from St. Louis, and would love for Ralston to play in the World Cup, but only if he can contribute to our success. I think he is not of that Caliber; great at club, does well vs concacaf, not enough pace for the big boys.
keller4president
12 Jan 2006, 02:09 PM
Freddy baby!
dc 1sided
12 Jan 2006, 02:17 PM
With the injuries, the midfield is a shambles. We need another pivot, so I choose:
Olsen
Maybe Martino could do it, but I need convincing, maybe Carroll could do it, but I need to see his passing game be consistently strong. Ben "If you could have seen me a few years ago, this shirt pulling nonsense would make you scratch your head" Olsen is a little slow, but so is Reyna.
tomwilhelm
12 Jan 2006, 02:18 PM
Mapp. Think 2010 and beyond.
USAClash
12 Jan 2006, 02:21 PM
Cobi
The Big Ticket
12 Jan 2006, 03:42 PM
Quaranta
fl-kw
12 Jan 2006, 03:47 PM
Ralston
Bajoro
12 Jan 2006, 03:47 PM
Quaranta
What he said for me too.
We need a right mid. Quaranta and Ralston are about the same to me, but Quaranta's younger, which will help the team this time around as well as in future WC matches.
Quaranta in.
Chicago1871
12 Jan 2006, 04:23 PM
Herc. Donovan drops back to mid.
Casper
12 Jan 2006, 05:05 PM
Ralston. I can't imagine Bruce playing him that much in qualifying and not wanting him on the team.
equakesfan
12 Jan 2006, 05:55 PM
Ralston
mikeivan
12 Jan 2006, 08:11 PM
Freddu
avhj
12 Jan 2006, 08:28 PM
Santino
Dr.Phil
12 Jan 2006, 10:04 PM
This is going to be a constant droping and adding of RM.
I like how the D looks Mid is hard because of the RM so I choose
ME
WC2010Champs!
12 Jan 2006, 10:44 PM
freddaahhhh
swedust
13 Jan 2006, 12:03 PM
Albright; here's why:
Re-inforce the right side at an area of strength (attacking RB) not one of weakness (RM). Helps retain Lewis as midfield depth option (because there's more depth at outside back) and therefore helps Beasley be employed wherever best suited. Also reduces likelihood that Maestro has to become emergency CB because you won't have to push either Gibbs or Boca out wide for depth because you have Hejduk/Albright/Spector even if both starting outside backs go down/cards.
Through-Ball
13 Jan 2006, 01:27 PM
Albright; here's why:
Re-inforce the right side at an area of strength (attacking RB) not one of weakness (RM). Helps retain Lewis as midfield depth option (because there's more depth at outside back) and therefore helps Beasley be employed wherever best suited. Also reduces likelihood that Maestro has to become emergency CB because you won't have to push either Gibbs or Boca out wide for depth because you have Hejduk/Albright/Spector even if both starting outside backs go down/cards.
I'll vote for Q by a nose.
I also think we need a RM above all. It's got to be one of the toughest choices to make between Q and Ralston. You've got a wily veteran with good skills in Ralston, but who lacks pace. You've got a talented young athlete also with good skills and more pace in Q, but with much less experience and consistency. It's tough not to reward Ralston's qualifying effort with a WC slot. I wish that Q showed more when he had his chances in qualifying to make this argument moot. The superior potential of Q along with his speed, athleticism, youth and his skills (which aren't far behind Raltson's despite the difference in experience) is a very tempting factor in choosing between them. Ultimately, I think it comes down to how well and consistently that Q plays in the lead up to June as compared to Ralston. If he plays pretty well I think his upside and youth win out. I think he'll play well. Q goes.
On Albright:
I can absolutely see why you could lobby for Albright on the squad. However, I think one of Hejduk and Spector would have to go in favor of him.
I'm not sure why you would add Albright to a sqaud with Spector and Hejduk when their positions are covered so well. 'Dolo/Hejduk/Spector/Gibbs at RB, Lewis/Spector/Hejduk/Boca at LB. I understand he's a decent backup at RM as well, but who is he backing up? I see how his inclusion helps the depth at LB, but it would matter more if he could play on the left as well. I think there is a direct battle between Albright, Spector, Hejduk for only 2 slots. I think Albright's ability to play RM is his best argument for inclusion given that Spector and Hejduk can both play LB or RB. The only certainty is that some damn good players are going to be watching from home this year.