This depresses me

[ISSfan]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LTTkJSOgDbM

Came across this highlight of Mathis' goal against the Koreans from WC2002. I hadn't thought about this play in a while, and while I remembered well the clinical finish, what I really didn't remember was the spectacular assist by John O'Brien.

What's depressing is not the fact that these players in particular are no longer part of the pool, it's that these KINDS of players still don't really exist in the pool. Mathis, albeit for a brief period of time, was a legitimately dangerous two-footed finisher, whether it was during the run of play or on set pieces. I do think Clint Dempsey has a lot of that in him, though he plays a different position than Mathis. Most other guys we are talking about nowadays in a USA jersey don't really post that kind of threat.

However, is there any center mid in the current pool who can run with the ball at full speed into open space, deliver a brilliant chip over the defense the way JOB did against the Koreans, all the while combining that with some defensive know-how?

Certainly not Pablo, and as much as I like the guy, I am not sure if Ricardo Clark has those skills. WC02 was so successful in large part because, for those 2 weeks, Reyna and O'Brien were two world class two-way midfielders playing up to their considerable potential. That dynamic combo lifted the quality of the entire team in my opinion, beyond the realm of what we so often saw against the better teams in the world.

The center midfield needs at least one player like that and we just don't have it. Also, it seems the tactics/formation Bradley prefers demand these kinds of players.

Maybe Feilhaber and/or Michael Bradley can do the same thing eventually, but not until they show they are ready for that at the club level week in and week out.

Sorry to rant about stuff that is already well on the radar, but I was awash with pessimism after having seen that clip from 5 years ago.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Reyna, JOB world class??? o_O:eek: I'll agree they played very well in the World Cup, but considering that Totti, Ballack, Beckham etc. etc. thats a bold statement.

Anyways, I think that if you give Eddie Johnson time, he will be a much bigger threat than Mathis ever would be, but the presence that Reyna and JOB had in that WC would be hard to match, they did both raise their game up higher, something which I didn't expect.

[ISSfan]

Are you serious about Eddie Johnson? I respectfully though adamantly disagree, even on EJ's very best day.

And Reyna was world class enough to be named to the Best XI in 2002.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Well I did say give him time, you're expecting too much, just like how I fear we're expecting too much out of Mario Gomez. I just think he's going through a purple patch, but admittedly I don't watch him enough to know, or to really give a ******** really.

Didn't know Reyna got to the starting XI, but even at his prime, he was not good enough. He made a huge difference to our side, but there were quite a few players ahead of him in his position.

[dfb547490]

However, is there any center mid in the current pool who can run with the ball at full speed into open space, deliver a brilliant chip over the defense the way JOB did against the Koreans, all the while combining that with some defensive know-how?

Dempsey, if his passing improves (which will happen playing in the EPL).

Kljestan and Feilhaber have potential there too, although I'd say the former should try to get into the EPL or La Liga.

This is one of the main reasons I want to see us go to a 3-4-1-2 with a defensive mid (Mastro, Clark, or Bradley) playing alongside a 2-way mid (Dempsey) and behind an attacking mid/forward (Donovan or Adu).

[JeremyEritrea]

Reyna, JOB world class??? o_O:eek: I'll agree they played very well in the World Cup, but considering that Totti, Ballack, Beckham etc. etc. thats a bold statement.

Anyways, I think that if you give Eddie Johnson time, he will be a much bigger threat than Mathis ever would be, but the presence that Reyna and JOB had in that WC would be hard to match, they did both raise their game up higher, something which I didn't expect.

Reyna was definitely was world class in his prime. And the only time Eddie Johnson is worth a damn is if we're playing Panama.

:D

[Mattinho]

I think Kljestan is our big hope for a Mathis type player. He needs to improve his shooting/scoring though.

[MarioKempes]

Reyna was definitely was world class in his prime. And the only time Eddie Johnson is worth a damn is if we're playing Panama.

:D

Reyna certainly was a good player, however, I don't think he ever consistently hit the level of World Class. His games against Mexico and Germany in 2002 are his shining moment.

[JeremyEritrea]

Reyna certainly was a good player, however, I don't think he ever consistently hit the level of World Class. His games against Mexico and Germany in 2002 are his shining moment.

He was world class during the 2002 World Cup. That'll work for me. :D

[sregis]

Well I did say give him time, you're expecting too much, just like how I fear we're expecting too much out of Mario Gomez. I just think he's going through a purple patch, but admittedly I don't watch him enough to know, or to really give a ******** really.

Didn't know Reyna got to the starting XI, but even at his prime, he was not good enough. He made a huge difference to our side, but there were quite a few players ahead of him in his position.

johnson has a lot to prove this mls season. if he shows the necessary improvement, fine.

reyna in his prime was the best we've ever had at his position; there were no american players ahead of him.

[Riotom9]

Who knows what 'World Class' means anymore.

They could compete on a consistent level against world class
competition - that is the point that is being made. I'll never
forget the game against Holland where Reyna fought Davids at
the top of his game in the central midfield.

Reyna and JOB had it. Who does now? Donovan has the talent, but you need more than 1 player that can pass. I still think Donovan's game is severaly impacted by having so few people he can pass to that won't turn the damn ball
over.

EJ is crap. Period. Even in his good 6 months, he was a poacher or solid finisher at best - he brought no other soccer skills to the game. We need other skills now more than ever (see above), and he doesn't have it.

[The Big Ticket]

I love how everyone is writing EJ off, as if we have Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Obafemi Martins backing him up.

[Wessoman]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LTTkJSOgDbM

Came across this highlight of Mathis' goal against the Koreans from WC2002. I hadn't thought about this play in a while, and while I remembered well the clinical finish, what I really didn't remember was the spectacular assist by John O'Brien.

What's depressing is not the fact that these players in particular are no longer part of the pool, it's that these KINDS of players still don't really exist in the pool. Mathis, albeit for a brief period of time, was a legitimately dangerous two-footed finisher, whether it was during the run of play or on set pieces. I do think Clint Dempsey has a lot of that in him, though he plays a different position than Mathis. Most other guys we are talking about nowadays in a USA jersey don't really post that kind of threat.

Hmm...How do I put this...

O'Brien and Mathis were a MACHINE. But I remember the days before Columbus, when Mathis was typical against Australia, and O'Brien was just a backup for Armas. And yes, you have to realize these kinds of players DO exist, even now, besides Dempsey. (Wynne, Kljestan, Bornstein, Cooper, Mapp!?) But what made Mathis great was the fact that he had to work his way back on the Nats from injury, and there was clearly competition for his position. 2002 Arena had no room for complacency. Being forced to play out of your skin in every match pretty much insures that you will have your best come World Cup time. Also, the US played together a LOT.
You see, that wasn't the case in 2006. Everybody keeps forgetting that Landon Donovan was once tenacious and intimidating, I mean, look at the U-17 World Cup, or the 2002 Gold Cup, and later the World Cup. Donovan not only had to earn his place but really play his best. The same with Beasley, and even Reyna. By 2006, complacency was the defining word for the US National Team. Everybody had inked in the roster back in 2004. Except for Dempsey and Onweyu, we all pretty much knew who was going to be there. Nobody had to fight for a place, so the US got lazy. Even a killer like Onyewu, knowing he was going to start, looked thuggish and uncreative in the finals. Add to the fact that we played half the matches before 2002 against weak opponents (And we struggled against them!).....
Luckily, in 2007, with the exception of Tim Howard, nobody is inked in anywhere. I mean, it's all up for grabs. And the USSF seems to want to get as many fixtures as possible. This is beginning to look good. Bradley may not be the guy, but he's on the right track so far.

[Delta Blues]

Reyna, JOB world class??? o_O:eek: I'll agree they played very well in the World Cup, but considering that Totti, Ballack, Beckham etc. etc. thats a bold statement.

Anyways, I think that if you give Eddie Johnson time, he will be a much bigger threat than Mathis ever would be, but the presence that Reyna and JOB had in that WC would be hard to match, they did both raise their game up higher, something which I didn't expect.

I pretty much disagree with everything in your post. Let me know when EJ is a bigger threat than say Steve Ralston, then we'll talk.

[Delta Blues]

I love how everyone is writing EJ off, as if we have Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Obafemi Martins backing him up.

As far as writing EJ off, well EJ's the one with the pen in his hand...

[The Old Lady Hertha]

I pretty much disagree with everything in your post. Let me know when EJ is a bigger threat than say Steve Ralston, then we'll talk.

I said give him some time....who knows he could be the next Thomas Brdaric :rolleyes: :D

[The Big Ticket]

I said give him some time...
NO!

EJ is crap! SAY IT!!!!! He's crap and he'll never amount to anything! How dare you insinuate that a young and talented player who made two appearances in a World Cup as a 22-year-old, but is currently going through a rough stretch, could turn things around between now and 2010? That's preposterous!

EJ is the worst player ever. SAY IT!!!!!!!!

:D

[Wessoman]

I love how everyone is writing EJ off, as if we have Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Obafemi Martins backing him up.

I agree. EJ is certainly still in the hunt. That said, he has a heck of a lot of people gunning for his job, and he isn't doing anything special to keep it. But something about people writing EJ off reeks of people who were writing Dempsey off back in 2005, and that included me.

Of course, I can write Rolfe out right now.

[DestroyerDaMarc]

I agree. EJ is certainly still in the hunt. That said, he has a heck of a lot of people gunning for his job, and he isn't doing anything special to keep it. But something about people writing EJ off reeks of people who were writing Dempsey off back in 2005, and that included me.

Of course, I can write Rolfe out right now.

But with players like Hill and Ferrari who play for top notch sides in Europe, and who both have the potential to break out I think EJ better go %120 more often.

[SgtSchultz]

Clint Mathis was special. He had a swaggar that very few Americans had. Unfortunately his lack of professionalism has made him nothing more than a mediocre player who shows periodic flashes of brilliance in MLS. We missed a fit Clint Mathis in Germany. His fall has been very sad especially to US Soccer fans.