View Full Version : Koller returns. how does this change things?
Eleven Bravo
05 Mar 2006, 09:09 PM
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060226/6/65my.html
at this rate if he's training than he'll most likely be ready by June.
*sorry if this has already been posted. i didn't bother to look.
OldFanatic
05 Mar 2006, 10:01 PM
As I said in another thread, a fit Koller will cause problems for Gooch, Berhalter (or Pope, Conrad, whoever happens to be the centerbacks). His physical strength is intimidating which only Gooch can match upto, in my opinion. Even then, he could cause Gooch lots of headache and force him to pick up an early card. If I was Bruce Arena, I could have done without this news. But you have to take on whatever team they put up, with the best options we've got.
Dr.Phil
05 Mar 2006, 10:22 PM
it makes it harder
But
we Now have Gooch
Sandon Mibut
06 Mar 2006, 12:24 AM
If Koller plays it underscores the need to have a fit and healthy Cory Gibbs, who, after Gooch, is our biggest and best in the air CB.
BED-STYPUNDIT
06 Mar 2006, 12:27 AM
Same as it was before he got hurt. Big deal not to me
judodono
06 Mar 2006, 01:34 AM
Gooch vs. Koller
anyone have height/weight stats on these guys?
sidefootsitter
06 Mar 2006, 01:47 AM
Gooch vs. Koller
anyone have height/weight stats on these guys? Gooch is listed at 6'4" and 210, Koller at 6'8" and 227.
Lord15
06 Mar 2006, 02:02 AM
Gooch is listed at 6'4" and 210, Koller at 6'8" and 227.
Good thing for us in the recent NFL combine Gooch bench pressed 227 thirty times.
lmorin
06 Mar 2006, 08:53 AM
Koller's big and a great player for a guy so big. But, the qualifier of that sentence says it all. Gooch is nearly as big, but is a lot faster and seems to be a more skillful defender than Koller is a skillful attacker. Also, as far as I can tell, Koller isn't a guy who primarily relies on his strength and he will not try to outmuscle anybody.
Bruce S
06 Mar 2006, 09:25 AM
Koller is simply not a player to worry about specifically.We are not El Salvador.
mschofield
06 Mar 2006, 09:35 AM
Koller is simply not a player to worry about specifically.We are not El Salvador.An excellent point. Of course, neither is the Czech Republic. In fact, you can say that about most places (with the exception of el salvador).
I might add that we are, also, not Holland, Peru or Burundi.
On topic, Koller is a threat, but the fact that he's playing changes nothing. I think most people who pay attention to the 1bund assumed he'd be back before the cup. I'm sure BA did.
Beckham7
06 Mar 2006, 09:36 AM
Koller is simply not a player to worry about specifically.We are not El Salvador.
Yup true that. Koller does'nt have any special skills. He is just really tall..Gooch can handle him with no problem.:D
BED-STYPUNDIT
06 Mar 2006, 09:48 AM
An excellent point. Of course, neither is the Czech Republic. In fact, you can say that about most places (with the exception of el salvador).
I might add that we are, also, not Holland, Peru or Burundi.
On topic, Koller is a threat, but the fact that he's playing changes nothing. I think most people who pay attention to the 1bund assumed he'd be back before the cup. I'm sure BA did.
Yes, for we are the United States
OutKast3000
06 Mar 2006, 09:54 AM
An excellent point. Of course, neither is the Czech Republic. In fact, you can say that about most places (with the exception of el salvador).
I might add that we are, also, not Holland, Peru or Burundi.
On topic, Koller is a threat, but the fact that he's playing changes nothing. I think most people who pay attention to the 1bund assumed he'd be back before the cup. I'm sure BA did.
That's accurate!
Koller is just another player to prepare for - Bruce will figure it out.
striker
06 Mar 2006, 12:37 PM
Koller is simply not a player to worry about specifically.We are not El Salvador.
How quickly we forgot the way we bowed out of the last WC!
Sandon Mibut
06 Mar 2006, 12:41 PM
How quickly we forgot the way we bowed out of the last WC!Thank you, and that was one of our bigger and more athletic defenders being out leapt by Ballack.
Not a coincidence that Bruce has added more size and youth and better aerial players since in Gibbs, Gooch and Bocanegra (who is great in the air despite only being about 6-0).
sidefootsitter
06 Mar 2006, 12:41 PM
... Also, as far as I can tell, Koller isn't a guy who primarily relies on his strength and he will not try to outmuscle anybody. Uh, no.
Koller is a brute. Ask Jaap Stam how it felt trying to get around Koller at the Euros'04 ... because he never did.
BTW, by comparison, Jared Borgetti is 6'0", 172. He and Koller don't play the same game.
imasyko
06 Mar 2006, 12:45 PM
Uh, no.
Koller is a brute. Ask Jaap Stam how it felt trying to get around Koller at the Euros'04 ... because he never did.
BTW, by comparison, Jared Borgetti is 6'0", 172. He and Koller don't play the same game.
Additionally, how he compliments Baros is a major concern. Milan won the Golden Boot at the Euros playing off Kohler. don't under-estimate him. I'm sure BA won't.
Adam Zebrowski
06 Mar 2006, 12:47 PM
well, fifa says shirt pulling and elbowing will earn automatic yellows...
it appears fifa wants to minimze the physical aspect of the game...sort of like what the nhl is doing in hockey...
as to defense, watching the dutch trot out their munckins against ecuador it seems the focus is upon skill in defense...
now if koller goes, onyewu is the best option, and since gooch is more mobile than koller, the hope is he's always in a better position...
personally I'd prefer gibbs on baros, since i think cory mobility is better than any other usa central defender....
i really don't want pope chasing baros around, because I think it'll lead to situations which nedved can exploit
Poachin_Goalz
06 Mar 2006, 12:48 PM
Gooch is listed at 6'4" and 210, Koller at 6'8" and 227.
Not since Godzilla b----slapped Mothra have two such titans clashed. It's a good thing that this battle didn't occur at Japan/Korea 2002. The fans would have fled in terror.