Important points from Lalas, Arena

[Tick]

I sent this quote to a friend of mine, and he made a good point:

"Klein might get another look, but the fact that he
played well and that was just dumped by Bruce makes me think there's something Arena doesn't like (could be that chemistry stuff)."

It's a good point. Klein's only time in the hex came during that rough spell where Arena said our chemistry was bad... and he was never called back into camp. Part of that had to be injured/ suspended players returning to the team and displacing him, but it might have been more.

If it WAS a chemistry problem, then there are three possibilities: 1. Arena thought he was a bad influence and is unlikely to call him in again, 2. He didn't get along with some veteran who is now off the team anyway, and will get a shot, 3. He didn't get along with some player who's still on the team, meaning he's out for now.

I guess my point is, there might be more to it than what we see on the field for KC.

[Warzycha]

Someone mentioned earlier that the next group won't have as much WC experience as this one did, and I agree, but Bruce did some great things with inexperienced players this time around. Pablo was so good, especially if you consider he didn't even play in qualifying. Sanneh was our best player in his first Cup. DMB was very good vs Portugal. Hedjuk, while he played in France 98, hadn't spent any time at left back. Wolfe, Mathis, etc, with one galring exception, everyone who played contributed. Bruce will put out a team with Eddie Pope in his 3rd WC, Donovan, DMB, Wolfe, Mathis, Pablo, in their 2nd, hopefully a veteran Ben Olsen in his 1st, a bunch of good young guys capable of taking on the worl in Twellmen, Convey, Quaranta, etc., and with one player so good, he is not fazed by any of the competition....Freddy Adu. However it works out, we weren't nearly this excited for 2002 this soon after 1998. I can't wait for the next match

[JohnW]

Originally posted by Bajoro


Yeah, well, watch out, it's about to hit you.

http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/2002/aug05.htm

(Monday, August 5, 2002) -- American midfielder\forward Jovan Kirovski, 26, became the sixth American player in England's Premier League today after signing a contract with newly-promoted Birmingham City.



It's a Wagman rumor. Although Bruce (Steve Bruce, that is) is interested and trying to sign Kirovski, nothing is official yet.

jgw

[DigitalTron]

I said it when Bruce was entering the Hex and I'll say it again, 2002 wasn't "his" World Cup, he has been targeting 2006 for quite a while. He is looking to add players like Convey, Santino Quaranta, Eddie Johnson, and Ben Olsen to his young cadre of Donovan, DaMarcus, Wolff and Mathis. When those horses are in his stable and mature, he'll be able to play attacking soccer without fear.

Right now he's going to look at a bunch of newcomers, particularly Carlos Bocanegra, Corey Gibbs, and Ryan Suarez to determine who will form the cornerstone of his next defense. In time he'll add guys like John Thorrington, Taylor Twellman and Connor Casey to the mix as well, but for the next year and a half he's going to throw a lot of elements into the pot and see how it cooks. He realizes that there is a lot of development to be done before the next World Cup, so guys like Steve Cherundolo, Pablo Mastroeni and Richard Mulrooney need to keep progressing.

Bruce will give everyone a shot, but in the end, he'll only keep the guys that collectively form the best team, not necessarily the best individuals, so there is an audition of a non-soccer kind as well.

-Tron

[whip]

COME ON PEOPLE......Are ya'll out of your mind ?...How easy we beat PORTUGAL??? if we use this line up until it does not work no more, why change if they work so good !

[Mattinho]

Originally posted by whip
COME ON PEOPLE......Are ya'll out of your mind ?...How easy we beat PORTUGAL??? if we use this line up until it does not work no more, why change if they work so good !

Great logic there mate.

Out of ten games, we may beat portugal twice, and that's a big 'may', and that's including the "world class" lineup that you would pick for every game.

[whip]

Come on guys......Kirovsky ??? He is probably good with CRISTAL PALACE OR WHATEVER, But every time this guy SUIT UP FOR THE NAT is a warranty that his ass will be DRAGGING PUPPIE STILE.

PS: Jovan please earn a place on the national team, come here to MLS and show how superior you are......jajajajaja

[whip]

Portugal coach is asking for a refund, our of his LOGIC 101 course.... The facts: USA WHOOP PORTUGESE @SS on KOREA.......Mexico why even talk about it..... Germany.....I hope their checK to the LINE REFEREE DOES NOT BOUNCE I am still triying to find DONOVAN OFF SIDES CALLS, he got the golie pants down and ready but....ya'll know a referee save the GERMAN

[BallStateMiddie]

Originally posted by whip
if we use this line up until it does not work no more, why change if they work so good ! Well gee, isn't that exactly why we beat Portugal-they didn't have the b@lls to change their lineup from the previous successes?

[USA4Life]

Kirovski has been playing out of position for the Full international team.

Bruce thinks that he is a target forward. I have always thought of him as an ACM.....

[Martin Fischer]

Originally posted by USA4Life
Kirovski has been playing out of position for the Full international team.

Bruce thinks that he is a target forward. I have always thought of him as an ACM.....

Arena does not think of him as a target forward since over the entire course of BA's time with the Nats he has used Kirovski more as a midfielder than as a forward. He played Kirovski as a target forward in some late Hex games as a matter of necessity due to the drastic injury situation.