Berhalter who?????

[BenfromUSA]

people seem to be forgetting about the energie cottbus skipper. He definetly should start next to onyewu in the world cup.

some of you still have sentimental feelings for Pope.... Berhalter has played well in important matches, as opposed to pope who has played well against a few 2nd rate squads in friendlies. I would be very worried as a US fan to see baros or gilardino at striker with pope as the last man back :eek: he had enough trouble untangling his feet against andy johnson.

Gibbs/Bocanegra: Yes they are sexy, and probably will figure into the team as good center backs in the future... but its not right to push them into the team just yet, with very little experience in any matches with this much at stake. and I think its a recipe for trouble to have two youngsters anchoring the backline.

Experience, Leadership, And solid all around play.. are the three things that sum up berhalter and that is why he is an obvious choice in my opinion to lead our back four.

[LittleMaradona]

people seem to be forgetting about the energie cottbus skipper. He definetly should start next to onyewu in the world cup.

Experience, Leadership, And solid all around play.. are the three things that sum up berhalter and that is why he is an obvious choice in my opinion to lead our back four.
Maybe some on BigSoccer have forgotten about Berhalter, but the one person that hasn't is Arena.

Berhalter may not give the backline world-class speed or size, but he does provide all the attributes that you've described. The only way he's not going to Germany is if he gets injured before this summer.

[Galaxian]

I think Berhalter played well with Onyewu in some of the friendlies , but Pope has had a great showing at these friendlies , and has really worked hard to get back into form and the best shape he has been in for a while now . Pope is a very experienced defender , two world cups is pretty experienced . Pope is a very good and solid CB , probably the best weve ever had .I wouldnt write off Pope , because even though he is getting older , hes starting to play very well again and is definitely pushing for a spot on the roster .
I think Cory Gibbs getting back into shape is very important . He recently played 45 minutes for the young ADO side , and is getting back into shape , and should be playing with the full team soon . Gibbs is very strong and athletic , and I would love to see him on the field this summer .
Berhalter is a good , strong defender , but i think the friendlies coming up against poland and germany could help his case a lot . He will have to fight Pope for a spot in the Germany friendly , because Berhalter plays in Germany , and should be in the squad for that game , along with a lot of MLSers .

[Geneva]

I think Berhalter is ahead of Gibbs and probably Conrad, but behind Boca, Pope and Onyewu at the moment. And that sends him to Germany! But a lot can change in the next couple months. I would expect we'll see Berhalter in the European friendlies, although how you comprehensively look at all 4 centerbacks in just 2 games I don't know. Injuries will probably play a factor.

[BenfromUSA]

I think pope is definetly in the mix... and should make the squad and be the 3rd or 4th center back, which would mean he will definetly get playing time with the yellow card rule, or red cards.

[VOwithwater]

people seem to be forgetting about the energie cottbus skipper. He definetly should start next to onyewu in the world cup.

some of you still have sentimental feelings for Pope.... Berhalter has played well in important matches, as opposed to pope who has played well against a few 2nd rate squads in friendlies. I would be very worried as a US fan to see baros or gilardino at striker with pope as the last man back :eek: he had enough trouble untangling his feet against andy johnson.

Gibbs/Bocanegra: Yes they are sexy, and probably will figure into the team as good center backs in the future... but its not right to push them into the team just yet, with very little experience in any matches with this much at stake. and I think its a recipe for trouble to have two youngsters anchoring the backline.

Experience, Leadership, And solid all around play.. are the three things that sum up berhalter and that is why he is an obvious choice in my opinion to lead our back four.


I believe berhalter will porably start in the italian game at least.

[VOwithwater]

"Berhalter may not give the backline world-class speed"

Which one of our centerbacks has "world-class speed"?

[Bob Morocco]

"Berhalter may not give the backline world-class speed"

Which one of our centerbacks has "world-class speed"?

For a centerback

Gibbs

[BenfromUSA]

I feel sorry for berhalter... robbed of what would have been a monumental equalizer in 2002, now nobody pays attention to his consistent strong play and leadership in the back.

[Bruce S]

I feel sorry for berhalter... robbed of what would have been a monumental equalizer in 2002, now nobody pays attention to his consistent strong play and leadership in the back.
now how the heck do you know that? Do you get Cottbus games on your TV?

[Martin Fischer]

No one has forgotten about Berhalter. I personally have not forgotten about his performance against Brazil in the Confederations Cup -- it shows the limitations of a lack of speed.

Anyway, Onyewu, Gibbs and Bocanegra are all quicker and all play at higher levels in club play than Berhalter. When healthy, Pope has always been better than Berhalter, ever since they were in college together. He has a shot, but he will have to step up to the plate when it is his turn.

[Zeppelin]

people seem to be forgetting about the energie cottbus skipper. He definetly should start next to onyewu in the world cup.

some of you still have sentimental feelings for Pope.... Berhalter has played well in important matches, as opposed to pope who has played well against a few 2nd rate squads in friendlies. I would be very worried as a US fan to see baros or gilardino at striker with pope as the last man back :eek: he had enough trouble untangling his feet against andy johnson.

Gibbs/Bocanegra: Yes they are sexy, and probably will figure into the team as good center backs in the future... but its not right to push them into the team just yet, with very little experience in any matches with this much at stake. and I think its a recipe for trouble to have two youngsters anchoring the backline.

Experience, Leadership, And solid all around play.. are the three things that sum up berhalter and that is why he is an obvious choice in my opinion to lead our back four.


Do you remember who was responsible for Mexican's second goal in Azteca during last year Qualifying ? .... ha ha ha GOTCHA !!! :D :D

[russ]

Do you remember who was responsible for Mexican's second goal in Azteca during last year Qualifying ? .... ha ha ha GOTCHA !!! :D :D
The one where he was left with two runners to cover,one of whom ran by Reyna like he was standing still,all after Onyewu went too far upfield and missed a challenge?He was responsible for that one?Really?:rolleyes:

[Zeppelin]

I think both he and Gooch were on Borgetti while left the right side wide open

[russ]

Berhalter and Onyewu had not gone up together,so I might accept some collective responsibility.The worst error was Reyna letting a runner go right through to the 18.Of course, his legs were totally gone after 20' in that game.

[Cweedchop]

"Berhalter may not give the backline world-class speed"

Which one of our centerbacks has "world-class speed"?

Onyewu is one of the fastest players in the player pool.

[Roehl Sybing]

Berhalter. I forgot about him for a few months or so. Now he pops back up. Thank you very much.

[Zeppelin]

I feel like Berhalter has never gotten old, he is still standing there while others fall off one by one...by the way, he looks like the one on the American Idol and was the worst singer on the last couple of shows, if you watch the show, you'll know what i mean.

[ElRoss425]

Gibbs/Bocanegra: Yes they are sexy, and probably will figure into the team as good center backs in the future... but its not right to push them into the team just yet, with very little experience in any matches with this much at stake. and I think its a recipe for trouble to have two youngsters anchoring the backline.


I love how you characterize Gibbs/Bocanegra as being "youngsters with very little experience in any matches with this much at stake" and then pencil in Onyewu as a starter when he's only had 5 caps and is the youngest of the central defenders you name. Gibbs, when healthy, and Bocanegra are both playing in top European leagues(better leagues than Berhalter) and have played against and held some of the top players in the world(Gibbs on Van Nistelrooy, Bocanegra on EPL strikers). If that's not enough for you they're both a ton more athletic than Berhalter and 6 years younger. Do you want a 33 year old to try to run with some of these dynamos on other teams? I wouldn't. And if that isn't enough Bocanegra and Berhalter have relatively the same amount of caps while Gibbs has less, but as I've said before, they're both at least 6 years younger so they shouldn't have as many caps as Berhalter.

These kind of quotes make me wonder how many USMNT games people watch and how big of homers they are for a player.

I see Berhalter and Pope in pretty much the same light. They both could have the ability to start one or two games, but I wouldn't want to have to rely on them against top quality strikers.

[CbR]

to the topic starter:

you have come to the wrong place. This is where they build great golden statues of Gooch's and Gibb's penis and worship them