So... Pope's in?

[Honore de Ballsac]

We already know Arena's rooting for the guy, but this quote was quite an endorsement:

"Some of our players that have been in Europe a little bit longer have an edge in experience on some of our domestic players. However, as I’ve mentioned, a Landon Donovan and an Eddie Pope don’t take a backseat to any of our players."

Pope still faces two significant hurdles that Bruce mentions: Fitness and form.

1. He seems to get injured a lot.
2. May not look good playing for Salt Lake - though Nat camps and warm-ups could keep his form and his standing high.

Thoughts?

[eissman]

We already know Arena's rooting for the guy, but this quote was quite an endorsement:

"Some of our players that have been in Europe a little bit longer have an edge in experience on some of our domestic players. However, as I’ve mentioned, a Landon Donovan and an Eddie Pope don’t take a backseat to any of our players."

Pope still faces two significant hurdles that Bruce mentions: Fitness and form.

1. He seems to get injured a lot.
2. May not look good playing for Salt Lake - though Nat camps and warm-ups could keep his form and his standing high.

Thoughts?

I say keep....and Conrad as well... they compliment eah other well.

[Honore de Ballsac]

yeah, I love Conrad. He's a guy who's playing well and reaching for his peak, whereas IMO Pope has cruised on his rep for looong stretches.

That said, if Eddie can turn back his body clock or somehow regain his best form - and find a new level of inspiration, as Bruce suggests - I don't have a problem with him starting.

[eissman]

He has been impressive... I give him that. I would like to see he and Conrad against Ppland or Germany to give a full opinion.

I saw the game in Chicago versus England and Pope to me was abominable. (I did not like the "Chemistry" between he and Gibbs... much to be desired) He has made some great progress since then.

[Scoobs]

Thoughts?

If we take four CDs then it's Gooch, Gibbs, Bocanegra, and Berhalter imo.

I don't see Pope beating out any of those guys.

[Zeppelin]

What if the player pays for his own ticket, will it be ok for Bruce Arena ?

[Zeppelin]

If Pope can guarantee playing like he plays against japan, i would say, he must go.

[Sachsen]

If we take four CDs then it's Gooch, Gibbs, Bocanegra, and Berhalter imo.

I don't see Pope beating out any of those guys.

YOU may not see it, but I guarantee if Pope is healthy and in any kind of form at all, Bruce will take him. Will he take 5 CBs? We'll just have to wait and see. Boca is still available at LB of course, and we have yet to see if Gibbs is going to be fully healthy. But at this point, I would say yes, Bruce in his mind has Pope on the roster. Period.

[Ringo]

barring injury bruce is taking eddie.

he's like comfort food to bruce.

[Zeppelin]

I have a Q, why is it that Donovan is a lock, is it fair to others ?

[DCFAN96]

If we take four CDs then it's Gooch, Gibbs, Bocanegra, and Berhalter imo.

I don't see Pope beating out any of those guys.

Berhalter is probably the guy Popes gonna have to beat out for the spot. I was far from a fan of Greg's but his play during the qualies displayed how solid the guys is, I'd be comfortable with him starting for us if we were in a pinch. I'd go with Greg but with Pope putting on the good performances that are fresh in Bruce's mind he might go with Eddie instead.

[forza inter]

I have a Q, why is it that Donovan is a lock, is it fair to others ?



:eek:

i dont even know where to being answering that...im sure the other on this forum will do plenty for me. im gonna take the easy road and say, "not the topic of this thread"




forza inter

[Honore de Ballsac]

who's Donovan?

[Honore de Ballsac]

If we take four CDs then it's Gooch, Gibbs, Bocanegra, and Berhalter imo.

I don't see Pope beating out any of those guys.

I could see Pope or Conrad beating out Gibbs - but I was underwhelmed by Cory before the injury.

[WarriorSoccer]

If we take four CDs then it's Gooch, Gibbs, Bocanegra, and Berhalter imo.

I don't see Pope beating out any of those guys.


FWIW, it seems that Berhalter hasnt been on his best form lately in the B2. I could easily see him not going and Eddie taking his spot. Also, if Gibbs doesn't gain form soon, I think we'll see Conrad on the roster. I think Conrad and Pope have really done alot to help their causes this camp. I also really like Conrad at the Gold Cup, I gained alot of confidence in him then. As for Berhalter, if Bruce is following him closely, he may have slipped down between those two. If anyone has different news that Berhalter has turned the corner I would be glad to hear it. I'm just stating what I've read online.

[Scoobs]

He's still captain of his team; so he must not be slipping to far.

[Scoobs]

Conrad got the job done in Gold Cup against bruising teams with good size
and athleticism in games that mattered.

Pope on the other hand hasn't been too hot in the WCQers and def not
in the Gold Cup. Didn't look good in the England friendly either.

These cupcakes that the US are playing right now flatter CDs.

[ursula]

As long as he stays healthy, Pope's in. A mortal lock.

[ProfZim1]

As long as he stays healthy, Pope's in. A mortal lock.

I agree in that I don't think he has to do too much over the next few friendlies in BA's eyes, but it would make all of us feel better if he played well against Poland and Germany.

[ursula]

I agree in that I don't think he has to do too much over the next few friendlies in BA's eyes, but it would make all of us feel better if he played well against Poland and Germany.

I totally agree.