Yes or No: Is John O'Brien Going to Be on the Team in Germany?

[auf Amerika]

People continue to talk about John O'Brien being on the team come June. I think there is no chance in Hades he'll be there.

It's sad and unfortunate, because he is an exceptional footballer, but he will not be ready come June. Even if he is physically fit, he won't have played enough meaningful football before June to be game fit.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it blows my mind that people are talking like this great player is going to be there when I doubt he'll likely be the same player he once was, at least come June.

Thoughts?

[Zathras]

As much as I wish he would be, the realistic side of me says no way.

[spot]

Errr... I want to believe.

[chelseacrew]

No chance, Bruce won't waste a spot on someone who is injury prone and not fit. A lesser player that is fit coming off the bench is a much better choice. I like O'Brien, but he just isn't consistently healthy.

[alocksley]

His timing was perfect in 2002. Came off an injury to reach peak fitness and form at just the right time. certainly, there's a chance he'll do it again. I wouldn't write him off.

[El-Professor]

I said yes only because I think that if he's back by April and can get a month of first team action in his legs The Bruce will bring him along for depth even if he can't go a full 90. I think the poll should have had a third option "yes, but won't play much".

[guanaco]

No chance, Bruce won't waste a spot on someone who is injury prone and not fit. A lesser player that is fit coming off the bench is a much better choice. I like O'Brien, but he just isn't consistently healthy.


I certainly hope you are right, I happen to believe when healthy AND IN FORM O'brien is among the best if not THE BEST all around player on our side but............. I just don't see how BA would even consider taking him, there is just not enough time for JO to not only get healthy but in game shape. No way, and it is a darn shame.

[Sion]

People continue to talk about John O'Brien being on the team come June. I think there is no chance in Hades he'll be there.

It's sad and unfortunate, because he is an exceptional footballer, but he will not be ready come June. Even if he is physically fit, he won't have played enough meaningful football before June to be game fit.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it blows my mind that people are talking like this great player is going to be there when I doubt he'll likely be the same player he once was, at least come June.

Thoughts?

All ture. And given the way you've set up the situation; if it comes down to it, do you take Kerry Zavagnin over a physically fit JOB who has not played in 2 years?
JOB will still read the game better and make better decisions, imo. A tough call to be sure ~ but I'd go with JOB.
I understand why many would think this stupid, but that's what I would do. Luckily I have no say.:D

[FC Tallavana]

For some reason I thought this was asking me if Brian Ching was going to be on the team, so answered no. Now that I see it is asking if O'Brien is going to be on the team I'm not so sure my answer changes.

While I would love the notion that he is superfit and being hidden in some East German tunnel just waiting to be unleashed, I kinda doubt that's the case.

[Adam Zebrowski]

if JOB can handle 20-30 minutes as a sub, then he's on the team....

he's reyna's back-up, where we have no one...

and the 8th mid who'd be battling JOB just isn't there...

donovan
beasley
convey
reyna
mastroeni
dempsey

are 6 must goes...

7th...zavagnin as d-mid back-up....

8th -o'brien....20-30 minutes for reyna or mastroeni would be my projection...

those 20-30 minutes would be better than any one else could offer...

[spike]

No one on the team can open up a defense with his passing skill like O'Brien can. Even if he loses a leg from gangrene, he goes to Germany.

[Davids26]

Does anyone know how far along JOB is with his recovery? He's at least back in Holland at this point I think?

With the current MNT schedule, JOB likely won't have a chance to suit up for the nats before Bruce announces his roster, then again its likely that neither will Reyna or Gibbs. I'd suspect that JOB might be a bit further along with his recovery than people know or than they're letting on, but that's just a guess.

It just seems like we haven't heard an update on him in a while?

[TxFan]

I say yes. We still have plenty of time for him to heal up... the question is will he start?

[Shackleton]

Maybe I'm wrong, but it blows my mind that people are talking like this great player is going to be there when I doubt he'll likely be the same player he once was, at least come June.

Thoughts?

I didn't vote because it's pretty much uninformed speculation either way. A healthy and in form O'Brien makes the roster. An unfit or out of form O'Brien doesn't. Unless you are familiar with O'Brien's medical condition and his rehab status, who knows?

[FC Tallavana]

I didn't vote because it's pretty much uninformed speculation either way. A healthy and in form O'Brien makes the roster. An unfit or out of form O'Brien doesn't. Unless you are familiar with O'Brien's medical condition and his rehab status, who knows?

Isn't that what any vote is?

[furby]

I voted yes based because he is rumored to be or have been rehabbing with Athletes Performance group, who focus on building core strength and developing underused muscles to prevent injury, and hopefully this approach will work better for him.

I don't know if it is any better, but that has to classify as at least partially informed speculation, which is probably worse than uninformed, in that I should know enough not to speculate, but I have done so nonetheless.

[Shackleton]

Isn't that what any vote is?

No, not always. Sometimes people express opinions based on knowledge, training, and experience.

Which is not to say that people are wrong to vote on here. Sometimes it's interesting or fun to speculate, even if we don't know much about O'Brien's health status. But, unlike some other issues where we have some good reasons for believing one way or another, there doesn't seem to be a lot of facts to reach an informed opinion about O'Brien return to the team.

[FC Tallavana]

No, not always. Sometimes people express opinions based on knowledge, training, and experience.

Still an opinion.

[dcole]

I voted yes based because he is rumored to be or have been rehabbing with Athletes Performance group, who focus on building core strength and developing underused muscles to prevent injury, and hopefully this approach will work better for him.

I don't know if it is any better, but that has to classify as at least partially informed speculation, which is probably worse than uninformed, in that I should know enough not to speculate, but I have done so nonetheless.

He trained with them prior to his most recent injury as well; he credited them with getting him in shape to play in the Gold Cup. Not that they won't help him, but they didn't prevent his most recent lingering injury.

[auf Amerika]

I'm surprised slightly more people have said he'll be in Germany. Nobody doubts a fit, in form John O'Brien goes, but I think it is just way to late in the ballgame for John to make it back in time, which is sad, sad, sad.

Even if partially fit or in form, I think Bruce has to take Olsen or Zavagnin since they could physically be counted on. Not the prettiest solution, but better than a gimp/slow O'Brien on the team.