Did Lalas Do Enough to Get Called Back?

[GoDC]

I am sure I will get flamed for this one, but for my money Lalas was the best central defender on the field Saturday. Sure the MLS team scored 3 goals in the second half when he was out there but hell he was so busy covering up for the mistakes Burns was making that he barely had a chance. He was forced to cover two thirds of the field. If they had played Lalas out there with a defender who had a clue, then he would have stood out even more.

In addition, he was unstoppable on dead ball plays int he offensive end. One header cleared off the line and another calling on an unbelievable save from Cannon. On the second one, he cleared two defenders out of the way as well as McBride and powered the ball on goal. You may disagree but I think he moved ahead of Llamosa, Bocanegra, and Sanneh and should start in the middle with Pope when we start playing serious games again.

[Brownswan]

He has no illusions about his abilities. He even joked
when Zigi praised his ability to read the game, that he's slow and has to play smart, he has no choice.

It's good to know he still has zest for the game and is in good shape -- looking like a players these days and less like a ZZ Topp wannabe.

We might even need to call on him in a pinch against TFC opponents. We could do worse. But I think he'd admit that he's way down the list against top international sides. I think he's as good as Goose, for what that's worth.

[nobody]

Lalas is past it. Of course, he's better than Agoos, but I don't expect to see Jeff out there in any games that matter at this point either. Alexi is borderline over the hill now, and by 2006 he'd be a gigantic liability. I do think that if he hadn't temporarily retired and instead concentrated on his game the last couple of years, he may well have had a decent shot at going to Korea.

Besides, this was a poorly played, fun-fest, not exactly anything to use in judging players.

[Casper]

Originally posted by GoDC

You may disagree but I think he moved ahead of Llamosa, Bocanegra, and Sanneh and should start in the middle with Pope when we start playing serious games again.

Ahead of Sanneh? How was Tony playing the last time you saw him? I think it was a little bit more impressive than Lalas's effort in an exhibition.

[Zenit]

Originally posted by GoDC
You may disagree but I think he moved ahead of Llamosa, Bocanegra, and Sanneh(!!!???) and should start in the middle with Pope when we start playing serious games again.

You're kidding, right?

[DAKCrew]

how old is Lalas?

[MarioKempes]

Lalas is old, slow, and not terribly talented. He knows it, Bruce knows it, and so does almost everyone else.

Still, Lalas is smart, and good with his head.

Please close the thread.

[schmuckatelli]

Originally posted by DAKCrew
how old is Lalas?
32

[GoDC]

Originally posted by MarioKempes
Lalas is old, slow, and not terribly talented. He knows it, Bruce knows it, and so does almost everyone else.

Still, Lalas is smart, and good with his head.

Please close the thread.

So we close threads because you disagree with them??

[Wahoo]

While I appreciate what Lalas did many moons ago, I don't think he'll be part of any future games for the national team.

He knows it as well and seems to accept his role in US Soccer.

Is he really one of the best defenders in the league?

He might be but his inclusion on the USA squad probably had more to do with TeamUSA looking for bodies (note the appearance of Burns) than his having a shot at future glory.

[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by Wahoo
. . . but his inclusion on the USA squad probably had more to do with TeamUSA looking for bodies (note the appearance of Burns) than his having a shot at future glory.

Absolutely. He and others were there as an honor for their past contributions, not to try to make the team for '06.

[MarioKempes]

Originally posted by GoDC


So we close threads because you disagree with them??

We just went thru a World Cup cycle and Lalas played no part in it. He is waaay past it.

Now I was very happy to see Lalas on the field and I was happy to see that he played OK, but let's not get carried away here. This was a kind of testimonial match for him, nothing more.

[eric d]

Originally posted by GoDC


So we close threads because you disagree with them??


No we should close threads that are absolutley moronic Eg this thread.

[Sachin]

Maybe pairing him and Agoos in central defense is the way to go.

Sachin

[Sachin]

Originally posted by eric d



No we should close threads that are absolutley moronic Eg this thread.

And it wouldn't have been moronic without your contribution. Thank you.

Sachin

[eric d]

Originally posted by Sachin


And it wouldn't have been moronic without your contribution. Thank you.

Sachin


Good one! How about a your momma joke to top it off?

[Sachin]

Originally posted by eric d



Good one! How about a your momma joke to top it off?

Since you asked:

Yo mamma is so fat...

She jumped up in the air and got stuck.



Sachin

[eric d]

Originally posted by Sachin


Since you asked:

Yo mamma is so fat...

She jumped up in the air and got stuck.



Sachin


Umm don't think you should be using a fat joke do ya? Only thing I feel bad for here is that '95 US jersey you keep wearing. I can hear the polyester fibers screaming all the way in NY.

[Sachin]

Originally posted by eric d



Umm don't think you should be using a fat joke do ya? Only thing I feel bad for here is that '95 US jersey you keep wearing. I can hear the polyester fibers screaming all the way in NY.

I thought those were the kittens you were killing in the bowels of humanity.

Sachin

[eric d]

Originally posted by Sachin


I thought those were the kittens you were killing in the bowels of humanity.

Sachin


Would you like a rope or a shovel?