The National Team Effect

[Maximum Optimal]

Has anyone else noticed that an extended stay with the national team dramatically elevates a player's game once he returns to his club team? I first noticed this watching DaMarcus Beasley and Josh Wolff terrorize the Metrostars upon their return from Korea. They put on an awesome display that day. It will be interesting to see whether guys like Dunivant, Twellman, Noonan and Dempsey take their games to new levels with their clubs.

[GOOOOAL!!]

It seems to happen every year. It is basically putting the players through pre-season for 2 months before everyone else with the best fitness coaches and playing with the best players with something on the line.

The one thing I noticed in years past is that they players seem to burn out towards the end of the summer more than the rest of the MLS guys. It just seems to shift the whole season.

[fhsol76]

its natural. The international game is faster paced and better skilled. The more you are exposed to the international competition the better players become. Why do you think its an added bonus when guys like DeMarcus play in the Champions League?? Its because he is facing stiffer competition that will force him to elevate his game and give him more expierence for the future.

[brinobyrne]

It will be interesting to see whether guys like Dunivant, Twellman, Noonan and Dempsey take their games to new levels with their clubs.

Hopefully we'll see this form in the Champions Cup

[Ronaldo's Idol]

Hopefully we'll see this form in the Champions Cup


Yeah, seriously. I am sick and tired of MLS teams underperforming in the competition. It is ALL WE HAVE to show our worth to the rest of CONCACAF at the club/league level, and we blow it year after year.

I find it hard to believe the Revs can't compete with the better Mexican clubs, despite the salary difference.

I'd fully expect the MLS-based USMNT to beat any Mexican club team, including America and whoever else, so the Revs and Galaxy, who are probably pretty close the the MLS-based USMNT in overall quality (this is debatable, I know) really ought to win some games in this competition.

[mrliioadin]

pretty scary to think of twellman returning in better form.

[sidefootsitter]

Has anyone else noticed that an extended stay with the national team dramatically elevates a player's game once he returns to his club team?... Yes, but it's often a dissipating effect.

If you don't maintain a high level of competition, it's easy to revert back to the bad habits 2-3 months down the road.

[Scoobs]

Yeah, seriously. I am sick and tired of MLS teams underperforming in the competition. It is ALL WE HAVE to show our worth to the rest of CONCACAF at the club/league level, and we blow it year after year.

I find it hard to believe the Revs can't compete with the better Mexican clubs, despite the salary difference.

I'd fully expect the MLS-based USMNT to beat any Mexican club team, including America and whoever else, so the Revs and Galaxy, who are probably pretty close the the MLS-based USMNT in overall quality (this is debatable, I know) really ought to win some games in this competition.

I don't think CCC is taken too seriously given the amount of prep work done
by the MLS teams(2-3 weeks?).