View Full Version : The pre World Cup Forward Report
BED-STYPUNDIT
15 Apr 2006, 11:06 PM
Since the forwards may determine whether World Cup glory or World Cup disappointment will happen for the United States soccer team this summer in Germany, it is important that we have detailed analysis and reports of potential World Cup forwards and the final selection of World Cup bound forwards on May 2nd when Bruce Arena announces the final 23 man roster.
Through it is not intended as an insult to leave forwards out, we must go by the assumption that Brian McBride, Edward Johnson, Taylor Twellman, Josh (not Jason) Wolff, and Brian Ching are the forwards in contention for the four forwards spots that Arena will chose in the final roster. (Note: Landon Donovan will be assumed to be selected as a midfielder and since Chris Rolfe was not selected for the Jamaica or Germany game, the chances of him going despite being effective in MLS is slim to say the least)
Anyway, without further ado, reports on a much maligned and pressure packed group, because to be successful in the World Cup you need forwards to score and be the tailismen.
Zeppelin
16 Apr 2006, 05:19 AM
there is strong possibility that BA told those guys not to show so much what they have yet until the game is started in germany since there are too many viruses ( scouts ) out there right now....;)
Hodson
16 Apr 2006, 10:51 AM
OK, if it's Twellman and Wolff (presumably as back-ups) we are woeful up front-duh. Looks as if EJ and BMcB better stay healthy and prolific or our middies will have to really come up large.
S'pose BA has them working an set pieces a lot?
im at the point where i'd drop Wolf,twellman , or ej and count Donovan as a foward...then in turn take another midfielder to the WC
Wolf, twellman and ej have shown dick
BED-STYPUNDIT
16 Apr 2006, 03:06 PM
im at the point where i'd drop Wolf,twellman , or ej and count Donovan as a foward...then in turn take another midfielder to the WC
Wolf, twellman and ej have shown dick
Love the candid spirit, but can we get a report on how they played yesterday instead of sentiments, thank you.
TheRightPants
16 Apr 2006, 03:06 PM
OK--although I do believe his chances are diminishing by the day, Conor Casey has to be included as an option. Woe to me for being the first one to surface his name in this thread, but I have to believe his size, Bundesliga experience, and inclusion in some USMNT camps in the past year merit him consideration. I would consider him a dark horse, somewhere in the consideration chart between Ching and Rolfe. I've got to think BA has an eye on his progress, and if he performs well over the next couple weeks, he does have an outside shot at beating out Twellman and Ching, if not just BA's alternate list.
BED-STYPUNDIT
16 Apr 2006, 03:12 PM
OK--although I do believe his chances are diminishing by the day, Conor Casey has to be included as an option. Woe to me for being the first one to surface his name in this thread, but I have to believe his size, Bundesliga experience, and inclusion in some USMNT camps in the past year merit him consideration. I would consider him a dark horse, somewhere in the consideration chart between Ching and Rolfe. I've got to think BA has an eye on his progress, and if he performs well over the next couple weeks, he does have an outside shot at beating out Twellman and Ching, if not just BA's alternate list.
Respected opinion, but can we get any analysis on his play yesterday with Mainzx, he was a late sub again as Yanks Abroad said.
tbgh
16 Apr 2006, 03:58 PM
I think it's pretty clear that Rolfe will be one of the reserves for Germany, because he was called in for camp and has done so well recently. So there's still a chance he could go, but probably EJ or Wolff would have to be injured (knock on wood).
shinzui
16 Apr 2006, 04:29 PM
Respected opinion, but can we get any analysis on his play yesterday with Mainzx, he was a late sub again as Yanks Abroad said.
Casey played the full 90 against Hannover on the 8th. And the full 90 against Nurnburg before that. He played about 25 minutes against Frankfurt. And he scored a goal on March 25th that would have got Mainz a win as a sub against Hertha Berlin, but their defense gave up an equalizer in the last couple minutes.
ugaaccountant
16 Apr 2006, 05:25 PM
I think it's pretty clear that Rolfe will be one of the reserves for Germany, because he was called in for camp and has done so well recently. So there's still a chance he could go, but Wolff would have to be injured (knock on wood).
Please don't knock on wood, it's our only hope at this point of Wolff not going.
BED-STYPUNDIT
16 Apr 2006, 05:28 PM
Casey played the full 90 against Hannover on the 8th. And the full 90 against Nurnburg before that. He played about 25 minutes against Frankfurt. And he scored a goal on March 25th that would have got Mainz a win as a sub against Hertha Berlin, but their defense gave up an equalizer in the last couple minutes.
Thank you for the full report, although I know that Casey had scored and had played full 90 a few times in the last several weeks, but you gave us news about a forward so that's great.
Silva 5
16 Apr 2006, 05:39 PM
After not seeing Johnson as a threat up top for so long, I really forgot what made him so dangerous in the first place. Last week against Jamacia, I finally rememberd when Eddie is at his best. EJ is awesome at making slashing runs behind the defense where all he needs is the service from Landon and potentially JOB to spring him loose against the kepper. Eddie doesn't play well with his back to the goal because his touch and passing arent what a target man requires, he's not a target man, he's a striker.
If we want to be successful come June, how Bruce wants us to play against each opponent and wither or not EJ is up top...our wingers will have to play HUGE roles, they will HAVE to spread out the defense and the midfield of the opposition, to allow both our midfield and EJ to run at the defenders, so that either Landon or JOB can find those holes in the defense.
So to me, EJ is potentially our most dangerous forward, he must come. McBride is a sure lock to make the trip, we need his presence in the air and as a target man. I don't think that Twellman offers anything to our squad in Germany, I was never sold on him and I still am not. Ching's play has been poor as of late for the national team, but I can remember over a year ago before he got injured with San Jose, he was putting in some very good performances with the Nats, I have faith that he'll regain his previous form for us when it really matters. Ching plays much like McBride and Wolfe is more of a runner with good touch on the ball, not as dangerous of a finisher as Johnson or McBride, but he can definitely set up some opportunities.
I would bring McBride, Johnson, Ching & Wolfe to Germany.
UxSxAxfooty
16 Apr 2006, 05:51 PM
McBride, Johnson, Twellman and Casey are my picks.
Wolff hasn't scored in eons, Ching is crap. Twellman is serviceable and at least tracks back and works hard if he can't score. Casey certainly has the skill set and he'll also be playing at home with something to prove.
Phuqinu
16 Apr 2006, 06:08 PM
im at the point where i'd drop Wolf,twellman , or ej and count Donovan as a foward...then in turn take another midfielder to the WC
Wolf, twellman and ej have shown dick
They havent even shown that... Where the hell is Rolfe? He scored again yesterday and Wolff misses a PK. That guy has gone cross eyed or somethin, he can't even score "gift wrapped" goals anymore.
Phuqinu
16 Apr 2006, 06:09 PM
Love the candid spirit, but can we get a report on how they played yesterday instead of sentiments, thank you.
None of them scored. Wolff missed a pk...
Hustletown
16 Apr 2006, 06:16 PM
I said a year ago that EJ was one of our top three most important players for Germany because of his ability and still feel that way. We have to have EJ (and Reyna) in form for Germany in order to get into the second round in my opinion.
I'm not a KC fan, but hope EJ catches fire between now and WC time.
DCFAN96
16 Apr 2006, 06:24 PM
None of them scored. Wolff missed a pk...
sigh....Its starting to look like Bruce may have to start seriously considering a 5 man midfield with BMB as the lone striker. It won't be so bad at least it'll allow DMB, LD and Convey on the field all at the same time.
tbgh
16 Apr 2006, 07:59 PM
Rolfe scored, and should have had a second goal if the keeper hadn't made the save of the season thus far. He's looked like the most dangerous forward in the MLS so far this year.
BED-STYPUNDIT
17 Apr 2006, 12:07 AM
Rolfe scored, and should have had a second goal if the keeper hadn't made the save of the season thus far. He's looked like the most dangerous forward in the MLS so far this year.
He aslso should have scored a second, or third, afater the horrenduous and uncommon mistake by Chad Marshall by hitting the ball on the post. Wasted the chance and unlike him.
tbgh
17 Apr 2006, 03:19 AM
Yeah, I saw that one. One thing Rolfe needs to work on is his finishing. He's a solid finisher, but he still has room to improve there before he'll be getting calls from Europe.