Cannon Gets Call-up for Wales Game

[Powderfinger]

CyberSoccerNews is reporting that Joe Cannon will be part of the roster for the May 26 game.

http://www.cybersoccernews.com/othernews/030515cannoncallup.shtml

[Brownswan]

What is a bit mind-bending is the fact that Bruce can build his selection around MLS players on the bye for the weekend, plus players from Europe.

It's called depth, and it's still a new experience on these shores.

[Captain10]

Powderfinger, welcome to Big Soccer! :)

[Bajoro]

The San Jose fans will go wild. But not as wild as they would have gone if Pat Onstad weren't the MLS' leading goalie.

[voros]

Originally posted by Powderfinger
CyberSoccerNews is reporting that Joe Cannon will be part of the roster for the May 26 game.

http://www.cybersoccernews.com/othernews/030515cannoncallup.shtml
Cannon should be fantastic after facing all of that top caliber competition in Europe. :)

[Treetaliano]

The match will have a local flavor as Earthquakes Jeff Agoos and Ramiro Corrales have already been confirmed as selections

Oh dear....

[russ]

No,really,this shows how much depth we have....

Umm,never mind...

[MLSNHTOWN]

Agoos better just be practice fodder. I mean he will probably do a fantastic job organizing the defense of the practice squad and his leadership will be invaluable. But if he takes the field against Wales, (assuming all of our centre backs remain healthy), I will be disappointed.

[branko97]

Originally posted by Captain10
Powderfinger, welcome to Big Soccer! :)

"Shelter me from the powder and the finger..."

Great Neil Young song.

[BenC1357]

Sounds to me like Cannon may be rethinking his decision to chase money and fame in Europe.

[Foosinho]

Originally posted by MLSNHTOWN
Agoos better just be practice fodder. I mean he will probably do a fantastic job organizing the defense of the practice squad and his leadership will be invaluable. But if he takes the field against Wales, (assuming all of our centre backs remain healthy), I will be disappointed.

While he's certainly not one of the better center-backs we have, he might end up being one of the better ones in camp. We'll see, I guess, how it shakes out.

Hard to argue that there couldn't be a better way out of the international game for Agoos than to play in front of the home fans, however.

[Martin Fischer]

Originally posted by MLSNHTOWN
Agoos better just be practice fodder. I mean he will probably do a fantastic job organizing the defense of the practice squad and his leadership will be invaluable. But if he takes the field against Wales, (assuming all of our centre backs remain healthy), I will be disappointed.

You are not serious. Agoos played a lot for the USMNT over the last 10 years, including some excellent play in World Cup Qualifiers. He has played for Arena going back to UVA through DCU. He has won four MLS titles.

You may not respect that, but Bruce Arena is a number of cuts above you. Agoos is not being considered for official matches but as lots of people know, this is an excellent opportunity to honor him. Agoos will undoubtedly start and be replaced at some point.

Buy a clue!

[Quaker]

Jeff Agoos has had a fantastic season with the Quakes so far. He looks very solid at the moment. The defense he's organizing has allowed only two goals, and one of 'em was swatted in by Onstad.

No, he's not the future of the National Team, but he certainly deserves to be in this squad.

[striker]

Originally posted by BenC1357
Sounds to me like Cannon may be rethinking his decision to chase money and fame in Europe.

Can you let us know how you come to this conclusion?

[MLSNHTOWN]

Let me say this, which probably wasn't clear in my post.

I think Agoos has had a terrific career for the USMNT. I am thankful to him for the hard work, dedication, etc. that he put forth in every game. I have always been a fan of his.

From my understanding we haven't been too big on USMNT "testimonial" matches. This isn't a Jeff Agoos testimonial. This is another opportunity for Arena to get a look at some new players and see who can or cant' help out in the next World Cup Qualifying cycle.

I don't think Agoos fits that bill currently. That is why I would be disappointed in BA starting him, even if it is at his MLS club.

It is particularly disappointing when a Ryan Suarez or other similar players can't seem to get into a match at all.

That is all that I was saying. I didn't mean to be hating on Agoos as much as it sounded.

[Martin Fischer]

Thanks for the clarification on your attitude towards Agoos. It seems quite reasonable.

Originally posted by MLSNHTOWN
...

From my understanding we haven't been too big on USMNT "testimonial" matches. This isn't a Jeff Agoos testimonial. This is another opportunity for Arena to get a look at some new players and see who can or cant' help out in the next World Cup Qualifying cycle.

...

The fact that Arena is calling up Agoos for this seems to belie your "understanding." In addition, Arena has a very limited pool for this match due to availability issues. It appears obvious that he will be using at least a few guys with no Nats experience in this one. In addition to giving Agoos a well-deserved recognition, Agoos' presence will allow Arena to have a little continuity in defense in the face of the other experiments going on. Given that Agoos is still one of the best defenders in the MLS, it doesn't seem all that hard to understand to me.

[tubby_butter]

I think the general consensus on these boards is good MLS performances over time should merit a National Team call-up. But there seems to be a double standard in Agoos' case. Obviously, he had a poor run of form and bad luck at the World Cup, but he has always been solid in MLS and has continued that this year. I think his biggest weakness is lack of speed, but don't see that as important in qualifying as experience and toughness.

So, assuming Boca and Pope are first choice, what if one of them get injured? I think you have to take a serious look at Agoos for the backup, and hope some of the other young guys step up closer to 2006.

Relevant to the title of the thread: congrats to Cannon! He deserves it.

[USA4Life]

Berhalter is Boca's Backup.
Garcia can also play in the middle, but I think I like Agoos better. Players like Agoos, JMM, and Stewart all can help the team during qualifying. They may not be WC 2006 material, but can offer depth against average competition.