We're going to be the most boring team in the world

[Matrim55]

But I'll be too amped up on the world's most delicious energy drink to notice!


Ronald Waterreus, Todd Dunivant, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Marvell Wynne, Dave van den Bergh, Seth Stammler, Dema Kovalenko, Markus Schopp, Claudio Reyna, Jozy Altidore


That's who RBNY started against the U-17s this past weekend and, 4-0 win not withstanding, I want to jab myself in the temple with an ice pick until the bad thoughts go away. Five players over 30, no real d-mid, Reyna right behind a lone striker, and Dema Kovalenko still in my team's colors.

4-5-1 is the Devil's tool.

[Michael K.]

All this excitement, and the handling of the local television contract has been "a disaster," according to the latest Q and A on Ives' blog (http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/2007/02/your_questions__1.html). Are you better off than you were 11 months ago?

[footfetish]

at least ya'll have depth. dc is one deep in just about everything but defensive mid right now. we're like a finely tuned italian car that runs beautifully, but once something breaks you're ********ed and have to send the car to some specialty shop 3,000 miles away.

[Daniel le Rouge]

All this excitement, and the handling of the local television contract has been "a disaster," according to the latest Q and A on Ives' blog (http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/2007/02/your_questions__1.html). Are you better off than you were 11 months ago?
I can't believe one of the morons on that blog thinks that PCNJ is within 100 players of being as good as DCU, let alone best in the League. I mean, we've got serious problems, yes, BUT they are as nothing compared to the fact that the Mutts: 1) can't afford their first DP, let alone the second; 2) blew that DP on a player who is so far 'round the bend he makes me look like I'm 18 again; 3) Are depending for scoring on a kid who isn't even old enough to have figured out that you give the booze to the girls to get them to open their legs; and 4) well ... they're just the Mutts. Really, nothing more need be said.

Once again Matt, I'd say I felt sorry for you--but it was your choice. At least Red Sox fans had a shadow of a notion of a prayer of a reason for hope.

Even Lalas couldn't distract from the essential hopelessness of the situation. He just made it easier to laugh.

[Matrim55]

Dan, thanks for your, um, sympathy. I hope you get syphalis.

I'm hoping we can get a new VP of Player Personnel though, someone who won't bring in hordes of 30+ midfielders. I've got this guy in mind:

http://www.scifistore.com/ebay/t/h2958.jpg

[soccerfan]

But I'll be too amped up on the world's most delicious energy drink to notice!


Ronald Waterreus, Todd Dunivant, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Marvell Wynne, Dave van den Bergh, Seth Stammler, Dema Kovalenko, Markus Schopp, Claudio Reyna, Jozy Altidore


That's who RBNY started against the U-17s this past weekend and, 4-0 win not withstanding, I want to jab myself in the temple with an ice pick until the bad thoughts go away. Five players over 30, no real d-mid, Reyna right behind a lone striker, and Dema Kovalenko still in my team's colors.

4-5-1 is the Devil's tool.

stop whining about the age of the players

MLS is not set up yet to matter long term, its all about this year and nothing else matters. Expect some more changes to come, but this is already an improvement over the last years team.

[McGinty]

Van den Bergh is not a true midfielder. You won't have to worry about him playing too much defense so you can take solace in that.

Plus, if you somehow get Zidane, that formation will look much better. ;)

[livestock]

Stammler and Kovalenko...man, that's painful, and they're part of the group that's bringing the median age down.

Zidane is too noble for MLS...I've got a better idea: Cantona!:eek:

[Der Stich]

Stammler and Kovalenko...man, that's painful, and they're part of the group that's bringing the median age down.

Zidane is too noble for MLS...I've got a better idea: Cantona!:eek:


I will raise you one Gazza.:D

[green94]

Cantona?

Let's get Klinnsman on the Pitch!:D

[Stan Collins]

Van den Bergh is not a true midfielder. You won't have to worry about him playing too much defense so you can take solace in that. In fact, that lineup doesn't sound much like a mediocre 4-5-1 to me at all. . . it sounds an awful lot like a pretty decent 4-3-3, something like:

-------Altidore-------
VdB------------Schopp
-----------------------
-------Reyna----------
Dema----------Stammler
etc.

Now, I agree with the Altidore comments completely, especially as he was decidedly unimpressive against weaker competition and with a better team relatively speaking, in the U-20 qualifiers. I also think it's weird for a DC fan to say "at least you have depth." (Really? You talking about Wolyniec?)

But, this starting XI could work.

[PaulGascoigne]

I will raise you one Gazza.:D

Sounds good to me... :D

[Geneva]

...but you might win some games. It's a start, anyhow.

[pdolan]

In fact, that lineup doesn't sound much like a mediocre 4-5-1 to me at all. . . it sounds an awful lot like a pretty decent 4-3-3, something like:

-------Altidore-------
VdB------------Schopp
-----------------------
-------Reyna----------
Dema----------Stammler
etc.

Now, I agree with the Altidore comments completely, especially as he was decidedly unimpressive against weaker competition and with a better team relatively speaking, in the U-20 qualifiers. I also think it's weird for a DC fan to say "at least you have depth." (Really? You talking about Wolyniec?)

But, this starting XI could work.


I agree with your assessment above. I think the MetroBulls could win some games playing this 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 listed above. VDB and Schopp would not be relied upon for too much defense. Reyna-Dema-Stammler is maybe not NE or DC quality midfield trio but I'd rate it against CHI or anyone else in the east. And Wynne and Dunivant should have room to get forward into the attack. I would be perfectly comfortable with this as my starting XI for opening day.

[BigKris]

One thing's for sure about this year's AFKA Metro's squad - it has the potential to go a long way towards settling the debate about Bruce Arena's quality as a team-builder. If he wins with this crew of cast-off's that no one else thought looked like a coherent team, he's a f***ing genius. If he loses... well, if he loses I'm sure he'll tell us all that it's somehow the fault of shadowy behind-the-scenes figures at US Soccer. But we might draw our own conclusions.

[USA_2014]

Ronald Waterreus, Todd Dunivant, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Marvell Wynne, Dave van den Bergh, Seth Stammler, Dema Kovalenko, Markus Schopp, Claudio Reyna, Jozy Altidore

it sounds an awful lot like a pretty decent 4-3-3, something like:

-------Altidore-------
VdB------------Schopp
-----------------------
-------Reyna----------
Dema----------Stammler
etc.

And Wynne and Dunivant should have room to get forward into the attack.

So, like this?

-----------------Altidore----------------
--------VdB-----------------Schopp------
---------------------------------------
------------------Reyna---------------
---------Dema--------------Stammler
----------------------------------------
----Dunivant---Mendes---Parke---Wynne-----

------------------Waterreus-------------

[Stan Collins]

Yeah, more or less, though I guess you could draw WYnne and Dunivant slightly forward of Mendes and Parke to make clear which two stay at home and which two will do some overlapping.

I actually think if Jozy fizzles this season there's enough else there that some goals will get scoreed, though it's nowhere near as intimidating as if you have someone like Delgado at the point of the spear. What would worry me if I was RBNY:

1 Parke/Mendes, collectively, is not that great defensively
2 What's in front of them also includes no "pure destroyer" cumulative results of which is a lot of shots on goal
3 Striker
4 Depth

[monop_poly]

Perhaps it's a plot to bring back Kenny Arena.

[Matrim55]

I never said we wouldn't win with this lineup. In fact I think we'll win a bunch.

I'm just not looking forward to watching a team that's making no bones about playing for 1-0 each and every time out. I tried to find a witty and insulting way to say that, but I'm too tired and drunk.

[peteo]

Edited your post. RIP World Cup chances. :o 4-5-1 is Arena's tool.