Left Back in the Next Cycle

[Maximum Optimal]

Compared with the situation at right back, where we have an established starter, a decent backup and a couple bright young prospects, the situation at left back can only be described as chaotic. The Eddie Lewis experiment is over and done with. We have a couple central defenders (Gibbs and Boca) who can play there in a pinch, but we all know that the modern game requires much more of an offensive contribution from outside backs than those two can provide. Spector has played there for his club, but from what I've seen favors his right foot a bit too much to be a good fit on the left side.

Given the desirability of having someone who can be an offensive weapon at this position, there is a fair chance that we will see another Eddie Lewis type experiment, which I believe would be a good thing. The obvious candidates are our old friends Convey and Beasley. Yes, yes, I know neither is perfect for the slot but the chances of success are high enough to warrant a look at these two guys at left back.

Given that Convey is a bit soft on defense what makes me think he might succeed where Lewis failed? First, Bobby is a a more complete player already than Lewis ever was, with better vision and passing. Second, he is younger (23) than Lewis was at the same stage in the last cycle (28). Third, he will be playing in the EPL during the next season and hopefully remain in a top league for seasons to come. This means he will have to play a lot more defense than he did last year. His defense will be tested in league play in ways Lewis wasn't. There is a good chance that this will result in substantial improvement in his defense.

What about Beasley? In some ways a move to left back makes more sense for him. His defense has always been a strong suit. No one seems to notice, but he put on about 15 pounds of muscle between 2002 and 2006. His crossing is not as good as one would like from a left back. But if Beas gets his confidence back he will be a lot more than the equivalent of a left-sided Hejduk.

There are also a couple promising young left backs that I would find a way to give some playing time to. One of them, Heath Pearce, has already gotten a few caps. He'll be 25 come the next world cup. Hopefully, he will impress enough to be able to move up to a stronger league soon. The other is Jonathan Bornstein, who will also be 25 by the next world cup. His rookie season is especially impressive when one takes into account that left back is a relatively new position for him. Dunivant has a nice tidy game for MLS but I'm less convinced about his potential as an international level player. Some of the younger guys like Wagner are probably too far away to be serious candidates for 2010.

So the four I would give playing time at LB during the next cycle are: Convey, Beasley, Pearce and Bornstein.

[Galaxian]

I think heath pearce could be a great prospect for us . He is tearing it up for Njoreland ( cant spell it ) and has been looking at by high clubs in Denmark and throughout the rest of Europe .

Putting Beasley back there could end up being exactly what happened with Lewis , and that didnt turn out well . he may be good at tracking back and defending as a mid , but its a lot different as a full time defender , with attacking as the second option .

Bornstein is doing very well and we will have to keep an eye on him and hope he gets called up in the next camp .

Jonathan Spector could be a very good left back . Ive read that since he has been at West Ham they have thought about moving him to right back ,being right footed . But he is young and will get some great experience this season .

[Shaster]

No Convey. He lacks the defense and also not good on game shape.

No Beasley. He is good on track back defense. Not the defense alone. Also his foot skill is bad and cannot get the ball out with pressure.

Maybe Pierce, but he still need to improve on defense.

Good on Bornstein. When he attacks, he can finish the chances.

Also Robinson from Chicago.

[sidefootsitter]

Good on Bornstein. When he attacks, he can finish the chances... Let's not forget Jose Burciaga. Arena didn't like his defense, though apparently Eddie Lewis's defense was up to snuff.

Spector has played there for his club, but from what I've seen favors his right foot a bit too much to be a good fit on the left side... Bayern has two righties playing on the left in Schweinsteiger and Lahm and they get by. If Spector keeps improving as an EPL player, he should be able to claim the spot as his own.

However, should he fail and an adequate right back can be found (aka Marvell Wynne), it'd also be possible to move Cherundolo to the left. Bruce never tried it with Steve but I don't see why that would be prohibitive.

And, as an additional benefit, if it does work, you can also try an assortment of players at right back. Bruce did experiment with Chris Klein and other mids at the spot and the new coach may have to do the same if only to find a suitable place for someone like Rico Clark, should the midfield positions get sufficiently covered with the likes of Convey, Beasley, Dempsey, Feilhaber, Bradley, Mapp, Davis, Adu, Gros, et al.

[bltleo]

wanted to give Max. Optimal good reputation...but looks like I have given too much reputation in the past:)
"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Maximum Optimal again"

[onefineesq]

No Convey and Beasley at left back. Enough of us just grabbing the left mid that isn't starting and making him the left back. It failed for Lewis (as I said it would), and there is absolutely nothing about Convey's game to suggest that it would be better for him. Beasley is a better defensively than Convey, but that is as a guy who tracks back ........... not as a guy who is expected to sit back and essentially body up with people.

As much as it pains people, it's better to have guys who are used to the position, playing that position. Honestly, I'd rather have Dunivant or Burciaga playing the position, because at least from them I know that they understand some of the nuances of the position instinctively, because of their familiarity with the position. Simply throwing out the guy that is thought to be "more talented" or a "better player" is useless, when that player is better and more talented at playing a position that isn't the one he is currently vying for. Now, we're talking about making the same move all over again? Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[ugaaccountant]

Gibbs or Spector. The other is your starting CD with Gooch. They would also be our 3-5-2 starting D. This will be the situation in most world cup games so that is how we should focus our preparation.

For the rare world cup opportunity to play 2 dolo style outside backs we should look at Pearce and Bornestein. No to Dunivant and Burciaga, waste of playing time if you ask me.

[Matrim55]

Chris Gbandi!

*sob*

If he hadn't taken the cap from Liberia, I think this discussion would be moot. As it is, I think the best candidates are Pearce and Dunivant - though I don't think Dunivant has the requiste athleticism to excel at the international level. He's the next Agoos/Vanney in that regard.

Willis Forko has been pretty good for Real Salt Lake, for what it's worth. Though like Bornstein he's a bit frail for the physicality of the international game.

Tim Ward will also figure at some point.

[sidefootsitter]

No Convey and Beasley at left back. Enough of us just grabbing the left mid that isn't starting and making him the left back. It failed for Lewis (as I said it would), and there is absolutely nothing about Convey's game to suggest that it would be better for him.... How did it fail for Lewis?

The fact that Kasey outkicked him for the first goal and Mastroeni didn't cover the Czech fullback?

Eddie actually looked fine in the role vs. Mexico and then hardly got any practice at the position since Leeds had to go to the Colaship promotion play-offs.

Bruce did replace him with Bocanegra and then was helped to some extent that neither Italy (Lippi started Perotta instead of Camoranesi) not Ghana presented much speed threat on the left flank. Without that to contend with, Bocanegra was reasonable (aside of a screwed up clearance for the infamous PK and a near own goal vs. Italy). But if the US faced a team with speed on the right, Bocanegra would have likely been found as major liability.

Besides, a wing player conversion to wide defensive players have been done often and with much success while playing with inferior talent at a position (Burns vs. Hejduk) has often been met with failure.

[onefineesq]

How did it fail for Lewis?

The fact that Kasey outkicked him for the first goal and Mastroeni didn't cover the Czech fullback?

Eddie actually looked fine in the role vs. Mexico and then hardly got any practice at the position since Leeds had to go to the Colaship promotion play-offs.

Bruce did replace him with Bocanegra and then was helped to some extent that neither Italy (Lippi started Perotta instead of Camoranesi) not Ghana presented much speed threat on the left flank. Without that to contend with, Bocanegra was reasonable (aside of a screwed up clearance for the infamous PK and a near own goal vs. Italy). But if the US faced a team with speed on the right, Bocanegra would have likely been found as major liability.

Besides, a wing player conversion to wide defensive players have been done often and with much success while playing with inferior talent at a position (Burns vs. Hejduk) has often been met with failure. Outkicked him? You are making excuses for Lewis. He was poor from beginning to end, and the play that you mention is just one example of how he was poor. He added nothing to the team, and to me that was no surprise. Left back is different from left mid. An obvious statement, yes, but one that people all too easily dismiss. This team needs a real left back. Someone who plays the position. Someone who is used to the position. Someone who understands the nuances of the position. Not just someone who we think should be fine, because he is normally running up and down the same side of the field, from a different position. Using Burns as a barometer simply doesn't persuade me. Many people didn't think that Hejduk should have been back there either. But if you look at Hejduk's skillset, he was never suited to be a wide midfielder to begin with.

[Adam Zebrowski]

spector did play left back a bit during wcq...i believe it was the jamaica 1-1 match during the semis...

i'd prefer spector, and if he's the guy, he's got two years worth of friendlies to get the experience, then the wcq process itself....so spector would be as many as 10 matches during wcq process, semis and hex...

pearce or dunivant are guys i'd like to see get looks in the next two years...

add in a 4th guy who shows well those two years, and i think you have the core of 4 true left backs...

gibbs, i don't like what he offers going forward...

gooch and gibbs would be my preferred central pairing

[WarriorSoccer]

I'm really hoping that Pearce develops over the next four years and can get everyday time on a team in one of the top 5 or 6 leagues in Europe. I don't want to see another converted defender with only a dozen or so games of experience back there. Lewis probably could have been a good outside back, but he didn't have time to develop his game back there, and I really don't think any of our left mids would get enough minutes in the back to really become a very solid player in the back. Plus, if both Beasley and Convey develop their games further over the next four years(and bease breaks out of his funk), splitting their time on left would mean we always have dangerous fresh legs attacking down the flank. Just can't wait for the day when US Soccer's best option for a position isn't a converted player, but someone playing where they naturally feel comfortable and have had years of training and experience.

[Maximum Optimal]

This team needs a real left back.

Who would you have in mind? The reason another Eddie Lewis type experiment is likely is the lack of a standout "real" left back.

[Fulhamfc3]

I like Pearce to take the LB spot. He's decent going forward and is alright defensively now at just like 21. He will improve and I think he will be a good international player. Spector is a better CB or RB and Beasley would be wasted talent at that posistion.

[onefineesq]

Who would you have in mind? The reason another Eddie Lewis type experiment is likely is the lack of a standout "real" left back. What I'm saying is that I've rather have a decent "real" left back, than some convert who knows nothing about the position and never plays there at any level except for with the national team. I already named 2 people who despite not being standouts, are better than Convey and Beasley will ever be at the position. There is also the possibility of Pearce. I'd rather have one of those guys as a placeholder, than Convey or Beasley back there. However, MaxOp, you aren't getting an argument from me that the US is extremely thin there right now.

[appoo]

Pearce, Bornstein, Spector, Ward

[onefineesq]

Pearce, Bornstein, Spector, Ward I'm glad you said them, because I was shying away from mentioning them myself. Honestly, I think that there Bornstein and Ward have serious upside to them. We'll just have to see if it's ever realized (and in Bornstein's case, he's well on his way).

[appoo]

I'm glad you said them, because I was shying away from mentioning them myself. Honestly, I think that there Bornstein and Ward have serious upside to them. We'll just have to see if it's ever realized (and in Bornstein's case, he's well on his way).

He's been impressive, though Ward has been stuck in neutral this year.

Pearce needs to get himself into a better league

[eric_appleby]

I have a revolutionary idea. Let's play a left back at left back. Just pick your best American playing that position, and live with it.
Arena was caught up in the concept that he had to have certain players on the field, no matter what. So, we started the Czech game with 3 left midfielders at various positions. How'd that work out?

[Eleven Bravo]

Well let's just look at the whole entire backline if we're going to get a good idea for who's going to play where:

The Defenders: (primary position(s); secondary position(s) *note-the semi-colon will differentiate the two not the comma)

FRONTRUNNERS:
Oguchi Onyewu (CB; RB)
Cory Gibbs (CB; LCB)
Carlos Bocanegra (CB, LB)
Chad Marshall (CB)
Jimmy Conrad (CB; LB, RB)
Jay DeMerit (CB; ?)
Heath Pearce (LWB; LM)
Todd Dunivant (LWB)
Jonathan Bornstein (LWB; LM, FW)
Jonathan Spector (CB, LB, RB; DM, FW)
Marvell Wynne (RWB; RCB, RM)
Steve Cherundolo (RWB; RM, LWB?)
Bobby Boswell (CB; ?)
Chris Albright (RWB; RM, LWB, FW)
Jose Burciaga (LWB)
Michael Parkhurst (CB)
Hunter Freeman (RWB; RM)
Joshua Gros (RWB, LWB, RM, LM)
Frankie Simek (RB; CB?, DM, LB?)
Danny Califf (CB)

DARK HORSES:
Ugo Ihemelu (CB)
Marshall Leonard (LWB, LM)
Eddie Robinson (CB)
Nathan Sturgis (LB, CB, DM)
Lawson Vaughn (RWB; RM)
Ryan Cochrane (CB)
Jeff Larentowicz (CB)
Matt Groenwald (RWB, RM)
Dasan Robinson (CB; ?)
Willis Forko
Bryan Namoff (RB; CB)
Tim Regan (RB, CB)
Zak Whitbread (LB, CB)

OUTLOOK:
Blake Wagner (LWB; CB, LM)
Kevin Alston (RWB)
Ofori Sarkodie (CB; ?)
Amaechi Igwe (CB)
Neven Subotic (CB)
Tim Ward (LWB)
Patrick Ianni (CB)


---------------------------------
ok, so looking at this we can kind of determine who will fit where.

My top 7 choices for Right Back:
1. Steve Cherundolo
2. Jonathan Spector
3. Marvell Wynne
4. Chris Albright
5. Joshua Gros
6. Frankie Simek
7. Hunter Freeman

My top 10 choices for Center Back:
1. Oguchi Onyewu
2. Cory Gibbs
3. Carlos Bocanegra
4. Jonathan Spector
5. Bobby Boswell
6. Jimmy Conrad
7. Chad Marshall
8. Jay DeMerit
9. Michael Parkhurst
10. Danny Califf
*kind of had to fill in the blank for #10. wanted to go with Robinson and i wanted to add in Sturgis somewhere, but Califf seemed like the best CB out of the three.

My top 7 choices for Left Back:
1. Jonathan Spector
2. Todd Dunivant
3. Jose Burciaga
4. Heath Pearce
5. Jonathan Bornstein
6. Carlos Bocanegra
7. Cory Gibbs