Fantasy American Starting XI

[soccerguacho]

What if athletes that play in our major sport here in America (MLB, NBA, NFL) grew up with a ball at their feet. Where would we be today. America has amazing athletes but unfortunately they all end up playing the big 3. My starting XI would be:

Strikers: Kevin Garnett and Barry Sanders

Midfield: Steve Nash (Canadian), Reggie Bush, Michael Vick (left sided), Magic Johnson & Carl Lewis (right sided)

Defenders: Kobe Bryant, Ben Wallace and Jeremy Shockey

GK: Jerry Rice

If we had trained these guys since they were 5 years old we would be untouchable. or not? Who knows.

Matt
www.evenison.com

[CincoDmayo]

Nash is Canadian mate.

[scarshins]

well it would be the tallest team ever. and the heaviest.

unfortunately these aren't necessarily advantages in soccer.

[Shackleton]

Steve Nash did grow up playing soccer. He was nothing special--certainly not MLS-level ability. Perhaps greatness in one sport does not always translate into greatness in another?

Also, I suspect Sanders (38), Rice (44), Lewis (45), and Johnson (47) might be a tiny bit old to still be playing top-level soccer.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

oh dear...

[soccerguacho]

Nash is Canadian mate.I put canadian in quoted next to his name.

[soccerguacho]

Steve Nash did grow up playing soccer. He was nothing special--certainly not MLS-level ability. Perhaps greatness in one sport does not always translate into greatness in another?

Also, I suspect Sanders (38), Rice (44), Lewis (45), and Johnson (47) might be a tiny bit old to still be playing top-level soccer.Obviously we would take these guys in there prime not at their current age.

[soccerguacho]

well it would be the tallest team ever. and the heaviest.

unfortunately these aren't necessarily advantages in soccer.tallest, yes. They wouldn't necessarily be the heaviest. You have to assume that these guys have not trained for the power and strenght they need to play football. You have to assume they have been trained to play soccer.

[soccerguacho]

Steve Nash did grow up playing soccer. He was nothing special--certainly not MLS-level ability. Perhaps greatness in one sport does not always translate into greatness in another?

Also, I suspect Sanders (38), Rice (44), Lewis (45), and Johnson (47) might be a tiny bit old to still be playing top-level soccer.
While recently training with the Red Bulls in his off season Steve Nash actually did quite well. Bruce Arena said publicly that he would sign Steve if he wasn't an NBA star.

[BocaFan]

This thread is sadder than death itself.

[soccerguacho]

This thread is sadder than death itself.Actually that 3-1 loss to River was pretty sad

[scarshins]

tallest, yes. They wouldn't necessarily be the heaviest. You have to assume that these guys have not trained for the power and strenght they need to play football. You have to assume they have been trained to play soccer.

try 8 allen Iversons or jerry Rices, Bush as your target forward and Vick your central defender, and then put Kobe or Garnett in goal. Then you'd have something.

*puts on armor*:D

[soccerguacho]

try 8 allen Iversons or jerry Rices, Bush as your target forward and Vick your central defender, and then put Kobe or Garnett in goal. Then you'd have something.

*puts on armor*:D
I agree. That is a hell of an athletic team.

[scarshins]

and Carl Lewis off the bench at forward :D

[soccerguacho]

and Carl Lewis off the bench at forward :DSpeed and strength, I have a feeling he would probably have some pretty great feet if we trained him for 10 years.

[BocaFan]

Things were looking pretty good until it was discovered that this USA team fielded an ineligible player (Steve Nash). FIFA had no choice but to ban the USMNT from all international competitions for the next 10 years. Although, USSoccer is appealing the decision, arguing that they put "Canadian" in brackets next to Nash' name so that makes him at least part-American.

[soccerguacho]

Things were looking pretty good until it was discovered that this USA team fielded an ineligible player (Steve Nash). FIFA had no choice but to ban the USMNT from all international competitions for the next 10 years. Although, USSoccer is appealing the decision, arguing that they put "Canadian" in brackets next to Nash' name so that makes him at least part-American.
These days every national team has a naturalized player why not us. He has lived here long enough I am sure it wouldn't be a problem.

[BocaFan]

These days every national team has a naturalized player why not us. He has lived here long enough I am sure it wouldn't be a problem.

Laughable. :p

[soccerguacho]

:) Laughable. :pThat's all?

[GRBomber]

No Donovan?