Important points from Lalas, Arena

[Nutmeg]

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/216/sports/Perception_is_reality_for_US+.shtml (Many points made here including transitioning players into and out of the MNT)

I think Lalas' points about never catching a team by surprise anymore are right on. 2006 will be a much more difficult competition for the US than 2002 was, but hopefully an improvement in talent from our players will help overcome that jump in difficulty. I think a transition from the role of underdog is only one of the obstacles. A lot more players on the next roster will not have had World Cup experience. The US has badly struggled in Europe. A team leader has to step forward and be what Reyna was to this team. In short, there are many unanswered questions.

One quote from Arena in this article shed light on who is likely to get immediate looks from the head coach. ''There are players who need to be replaced,'' Arena said. ''But there are a number of guys who played on the team but were not on the [World Cup] roster.''

To me, this says a player like Greg Vanney, Richard Mulrooney, or even Chris Klein were being groomed by Arena as possibilities for 2002, but probabilities for 2006. I believe we'll see these three get looks right away from Arena. Other than that, four more years of the same. Arena will be looking for players based on many of the same qualities he looked for before, but the end-all of selection will be Arena's much-used line, "We'll select the group of players who make us a better team."

[The Wanderer]

Clicked on the link three time and no dice. Thanks for the summary anyways.

[SeattleFan]

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/216/sports/Perception_is_reality_for_US+.shtml

[Murray]

Just go to www.boston.com, then click on sports then it's right there in featured articles

[Bruce S]

I like Klein. I think he is a national team calibre player. Big, tough, works hard, surprising skill.

[Chester FC]

Chris Klein could make an interesting attacking RB in a 4-4-2 or a right sided midfielder in the 3-5-2 formation. He certainly seems tough enough for the defensive duties. I wonder if Bruce is thinking about a switch for the Nats (ala Mulrooney).

[Martin Fischer]

Chris Klein has always reminded me of Tony Sanneh.

[Shaster]

Originally posted by Martin Fischer
Chris Klein has always reminded me of Tony Sanneh.

Martin,

Chris is a LOT more skillful then Sanneh. His goal scoring touch is better than most of our right side players. May not good as Stewart in WCQ, but as good as Olsen, definately better than Jones.

[Martin Fischer]

Originally posted by Shaster


Martin,

Chris is a LOT more skillful then Sanneh. His goal scoring touch is better than most of our right side players. May not good as Stewart in WCQ, but as good as Olsen, definately better than Jones.

Well, you and I just see things differently. To me, Sanneh's skill level is often underated, with I hoped, the World Cup providing the counterpoint to that argument. Klein might have a slight skill advantage over Sanneh (keep in mind that Sanneh played attacking positions in MLS with strong success), but I think Tony is a better player because he is slightly more physical and, of course, more experienced.

I don't see Klein as skilled enough to play in the midfield and I see his future, if any, with the Nats as a right back in the Sanneh mold, with a little more skill and not quite as much of a physical force.

[Elninho]

Sanneh is definitely underrated. Also... who else has the cojones to flick the ball over his head to beat a man in his own box when leading by just one goal in a World Cup match? Or nutmeg an opponent in his own box as in the Netherlands friendly?

[The Wanderer]

Originally posted by Elninho
Sanneh is definitely underrated. Also... who else has the cojones to flick the ball over his head to beat a man in his own box when leading by just one goal in a World Cup match? Or nutmeg an opponent in his own box as in the Netherlands friendly?

These are all skills that he had not previously shone anybody.

[ursula]

Originally posted by Nutmeg

One quote from Arena in this article shed light on who is likely to get immediate looks from the head coach. ''There are players who need to be replaced,'' Arena said. ''But there are a number of guys who played on the team but were not on the [World Cup] roster.''

To me, this says a player like Greg Vanney, Richard Mulrooney, or even Chris Klein were being groomed by Arena as possibilities for 2002, but probabilities for 2006. I believe we'll see these three get looks right away from Arena. Other than that, four more years of the same.

Yeah, I'd put much more money than I have on a bet that says that Arena will bring in and especially play who he thinks will make the team as good as it can be now. That would mean near miss MLS guys like Klein and Mulrooney (Euro guys like Vanney might not be called up due to club conflicts on certain dates) will be Arena-camp regulars at least for the next year or so depending on if they play themselves off the team.

[Delta Blues]

Just think, no ABMOD, Kirovski, Cobi bashing threads. What will we do?

[tcmahoney]

Originally posted by Delta Blues
Just think, no ABMOD, Kirovski, Cobi bashing threads. What will we do?

We'll always have ESPN.

[odg78]

Originally posted by tcmahoney


We'll always have ESPN.


and let's not forget Jim Rome

[Sinko]

Originally posted by Delta Blues
Just think, no ABMOD, Kirovski, Cobi bashing threads. What will we do?
Why not?

Kirovski seems to fit into the "fringe, but non-roster" category, as (unfortunately) does the little Ankle Grabber.

I like Alexi's take on the transition from underdog to contender. It will certainly be interesting to see how well Arena handles the evolution.

[Bajoro]

Originally posted by Delta Blues
Just think, no ABMOD, Kirovski, Cobi bashing threads. What will we do?

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.

As soon as (if?) Jovan scores a couple of goals for BC, people will be posting that he's the greatest American attacking player ever.

You never know.

[Tick]

I'll add fuel to the fire a bit here...

Kirovski still has a chance to develop into a good player. He's 26, which is old for a player to mature, but considering how little playing time he's had in his career, he's still on the learning curve. He really could turn things around and be a good national team player.

I haven't written him off for 06 (note, I DID write him off for the 02 roster after qualifying).

[Bajoro]

Tick, I never write off anyone who still has a job in a decent league--including MLS.

The great thing about the WC being over is that for a bunch of guys who didn't live the World Cup dream last time, the slate can easily be wiped clean.

[Bajoro]

Originally posted by Nutmeg
To me, this says a player like Greg Vanney, Richard Mulrooney, or even Chris Klein were being groomed by Arena as possibilities for 2002, but probabilities for 2006. I believe we'll see these three get looks right away from Arena. Other than that, four more years of the same. Arena will be looking for players based on many of the same qualities he looked for before, but the end-all of selection will be Arena's much-used line, "We'll select the group of players who make us a better team."

You gotta admit, BA never seems intimidated about the task at hand.

I agree one of his biggest jobs will be to give the team the right training/attitude to compete as favorites -- or at least, how to be successful as highly prized targets.