Too many friendlies?

[Raulduke]

Is it possible that we are playing too many freindlies? I know its the best way to gauge the progress of the team, evaluate the weaknesses and discover the best on the field player combinations, but at what number of games does this become a process of seriously diminishing returns.

Not to mention the fact that it's the best way to get some folks injured right before the WC with no time for them to get fit.

[Shaydee]

Is it possible that we are playing too many freindlies? I know its the best way to gauge the progress of the team, evaluate the weaknesses and discover the best on the field player combinations, but at what number of games does this become a process of seriously diminishing returns.

Not to mention the fact that it's the best way to get some folks injured right before the WC with no time for them to get fit.


We're playing less games then we did in 02.

[Adam Zebrowski]

too many friendlies...

canada
japan
norway
guatemala

were for the mls guys, out of season...

poland gets the euros...

germany gets some of the euros...

jamaica, back to mls guys...

then the 3 may ones with venzuela, latvia and morocco...

I don't see too many friendlies here...

it's like the 3 bears, it's just right number

[thigpig]

Not to mention the fact that it's the best way to get some folks injured right before the WC with no time for them to get fit.
nah that doesn't really make sense. they all play for clubs that are playing right now so they are all game fit and can get injured in any of those games.

[PaulGascoigne]

Not to mention the fact that it's the best way to get some folks injured right before the WC with no time for them to get fit.

While this is hypothetically possible if guys play an intl. game every other week for 5 months, I disagree on principle. You need to have your players in extraordinary condition. Occasionally injuries may happen, but if you aren't in great shape and if your team isn't well-practiced, you are at a distinct disadvantage, unless you are Brasil.

Look at Korea NT in 2002. They worked out like maniacs, played a lot of friendlies, and some of their players' bodies couldn't handle it. But it's hard to say it wasn't worth the effort.

[peledre]

Our team is at the point now where 1 player is not going to make or break our world cup. We've got competent backups at every position, and while they may not be as good as the starter, it's just another cog in the wheel. The wheel will keep on rolling... We shouldn't be not scheduling friendlies, based on concerns over injuries. Our guys need to get game fit and learn how to play with each other. That can only come with real matches.

[NBlue]

it's like the 3 bears, it's just right number


I think only one of those was just right . . .

[Gints86]

No, not too many. You want your guys to be in shape and in form. Remember how long the recent camp was and then look at the results. The more the team is playing together the better our chances come June. Now I would have liked to see some other teams scheduled but that is a completely different thread that has been beat-to-death already. Besides you want to give Arena as many looks as possible so he makes the right decisions when it comes to the 23 limit.

[NBlue]

post completely ignored except for avatar


Is that Skakira? wow. still trying to recover.

[DutchFootballRulez]

You want friendlies so that your players learn to play together. Sometimes training doesn't show you what actual match play would. However, when the players walk out of the tunnel on June 12th, the friendlies won't matter much other than comfort and match fitness. However, if your shell shocked by the Biggest Stage in the World..100 Friendlies won' help you.

[m vann]

Are we playing too many friendlies? No. Are we playing more games than most other nations before the Cup? Yes. Arena has the luxury of having and evaluating players longer because of the MLS schedule and he can afford to only use the Euro based players on a "as needed basis". We will be one of the most prepared squads at the Cup and you can directly attribute that to the number of friendlies we play and the long winter camp we held. Most national team managers would love to have that luxury. Arena is a perfectionist and you can bet he has every little piece of the puzzle figured out in the run up to the Cup. He never leaves bases uncovered. There's no such thing as being over prepared but you can certainly be under prepared. That's why these frienlies are so important.

[sidefootsitter]

Also, with 6 subs per game, you can rotate your line-ups very well.

Still, I'd rather have them play someone like Bayern Leverkusen or PSV in Europe instead of Latvia and Morocco in the US.

[soccerfan]

Are we playing too many friendlies? No. Are we playing more games than most other nations before the Cup? Yes. Arena has the luxury of having and evaluating players longer because of the MLS schedule and he can afford to only use the Euro based players on a "as needed basis". We will be one of the most prepared squads at the Cup and you can directly attribute that to the number of friendlies we play and the long winter camp we held. Most national team managers would love to have that luxury. Arena is a perfectionist and you can bet he has every little piece of the puzzle figured out in the run up to the Cup. He never leaves bases uncovered. There's no such thing as being over prepared but you can certainly be under prepared. That's why these frienlies are so important.

Let's hope you are right. I just wish he had more friendlies played in Europe and against better opposition then we have so far. Norway doesn't sound bad on paper but when they bring their D squad the friendly becomes almost meaningless.
Then there is a big difference if we play away or home. I wish there would have been a series of 3 games in Europe. There are plenty of quality teams in Europe without having to travel much, once there. Now that would have been a true test.
For some reason Bruce and US Soccer do not see the importance of more games on european soil in preparation for this WC. I can tell you that the European teams will play at a higher level then if the WC were on another continent. The US Team is at a disadvantage here and they haven't done much to close the gap.

[VOwithwater]

Is it possible that we are playing too many freindlies? I know its the best way to gauge the progress of the team, evaluate the weaknesses and discover the best on the field player combinations, but at what number of games does this become a process of seriously diminishing returns.

Not to mention the fact that it's the best way to get some folks injured right before the WC with no time for them to get fit.

How many games are we playing in May? A month before the tournament I can't remember we have book. If it is 2 that's about right. You don't want to deal with injuries meaning only over use injuries just before a big tournament.

[generals soccer]

I think that since we played Poland and Germany in Germany the whole issue about not scheduling games in Europe is off. USSF wants a send off tour. Raise money, morale, and all that. I think the current line-up is ok. I imagine we will have a scrimmage or two once we get to Germany.

[monster]

Not to mention the fact that it's the best way to get some folks injured right before the WC with no time for them to get fit.

Yeah, that's why we're the only team preparing for the WC with friendlies. :rolleyes:

[Edwin Thorne]

When you look on the surface it appears the US may have too many friendlies scheduled, but in reality the number is probably right. Not all of the friendlies serve purely as preparation for the WC. Here is how I would break down the friendly schedule.

JAN-Feb Friendlies (5 games/scrimmages)
These friendlies utilize an all MLS player squad (plus Pearce on Winter break in Denmark) to do the following:

1) Jump start MLS players' overall conditioning, ball touch, and match fitness. If not for early camp and games, these players would just be beginning to get in shape. There could be a question of only playing ~6 MLS games before WC camp begins what type of match shape the players would be in. The European players may be worn down a bit in May/June, but are probably more match fit than most in MLS at the time.

2) Identify key players who can contribute to the WC effort. Every 4 years at these initial MLS camps some group of players start to separate themselves for WC consideration. In 2002, Beaseley and Donovan started to assert themselves in games. IN 2006, I'd say Clint Dempsey and Taylor Twellman have pushed for serious WC playing time. Todd Dunivant, Pope, and Conrad have shown options for depth in those positions.

3) Get players' caps. The US needs to continue scheduling large numbers of friendlies to continue capping MLS players who show promise. Why is that important? The players without an EU passport through some family connection need to have played enough international games to got to most European leagues (Not Netherlands). As much as I like seeing US players stay and play in MLS, I recognize the need to have the best of the crop playing abroad where they recieve much tougher challenges week in and week out.

Mar-APr Friendlies (3 games)
Start blending European and MLS players to begin forming team chemistry. Also finalize who from MLS can truly contribute to WC squad before camp.

May Friendlies (3 games + unknown scrimmages)
Team chemistry and playing style/formations adjusment. Truly prepare for WC.


The only group who could be upset with the number of games is MLS. How will players who started the season in January be playing in August or September when team is making a push to the MLS cup?

[Raulduke]

Yeah, that's why we're the only team preparing for the WC with friendlies. :rolleyes:

Your stupidity is only overshadowed by your ignorance. Maybe if you read the whole thing and actually took some time to think before smattering your drivel all over the board, you wouldn't look like such an idiot.

I said "too many friendlies," not friedlies period. Look up the stats for the other 31 qualifiers, I don't think many of them are playing near the number that we are and we're playing 3 right before the start of the WC.

In any event, it was more of a question than a statement that I'm positive that it is too many. I was interested in other peoples informed and intelligent opinion about the issue. I was not interested in reading stupid insipid crap like your post.

[MikeLastort2]

Is it possible that we are playing too many freindlies? I know its the best way to gauge the progress of the team, evaluate the weaknesses and discover the best on the field player combinations, but at what number of games does this become a process of seriously diminishing returns.

Not to mention the fact that it's the best way to get some folks injured right before the WC with no time for them to get fit.

This thread represents a whole new twist.

Usually, we complain about not enough games, games in the wrong location, or games against the wrong teams.

Complaining about TOO MANY games is something new, and I admit that it completely caught me by surprise!

Just when I thought that USMNT fans couldn't possibly come up with something new to bitch about, you come up with this. Major kudos to you, sir!!!

[SwissGCZ]

Compared to other national sides the U.S. is definitely playing a lot of friendlies. Switzerland for example is playing a grand total of four games between the end of qualifying and the first match of the World Cup. But hey, if you have the time...