Best USA player I have seen in MLS this year: Klein

[Bruce S]

Originally posted by Martin Fischer


In MLS that is. On the international level, whether he has the ability to be an effective midfield attacker is yet to be determined. And in Arena's systems, midfielders can attack down the wings but they better be able to operate in the middle as well.
so who HAS proven themselves and is under 28?

[todda74]

I liked the guy that jumped onto the field during the rain delay at the All-Star game and shanked the ball wide of the open net.
the mooner also looked pretty impressive as well.

[monop_poly]

Originally posted by Bruce S
he doesn't look slow to me. And those other guys play different positions and are much smaller. If the USA team is not to be the Lilliputians, we need some horses.

Um - those Lilliputians got us to the quarters ... but I think I get your point. This thread is all about size??!!

[Martin Fischer]

Superdave -- Arena played the 3-5-2 years ago with DCU and at the beginning of his Nats run. Arena has always known of and considered the 3-5-2, it's just a question of what he thought was the best use of personnel considering the personnel available and the opponents. There is very little difference between a 3-5-2 and a 4-4-2 the way Arena plays them.

Bruce S -- not sure that I implied that other candidates under 28 are more proven than Klein at the international level, but sticking to guys that can play some type of right-sided midfield role, I believe that Donovan, Kirovski and Ben Olsen have proven themselves to be offensive threats on the international level, to varying degrees. In the few times Klein has played, he has not shown me much.

I guess my main point is that my current opinion is that he is not skilled enough to cut it internationally in a four man midfield. I am certainly open to the possibility that I am wrong. Now in a 3-5-2, Klein goes much closer to the head of the list as a right wingback.

[Autogolazo]

I think someone mentioned that Klein's crosses aren't good, but I disagree, I think they're quite good, especially the low hard ones to the feet of onrushing attackers.

On the move, he's a hoss--great power and enough speed to at least use his leverage on a defender. Also tremendous stamina.

He's only vulnerable when he's not moving--it's his on-the-ball skills that I think need a little more work. I've seen him dispossessed with some frequency at the top of the box by a double team if he doesn't cross immediately. Shielding, subtle chips, back heels, all the delicate touch things in the attack he's not as good at.

He's better either taking it to the line and getting in a cross/winning a corner kick, or taking it inside and letting rip far post with that cannon of a leg.

[Unorthodox Yank]

im my CM game, he now plays for Milan on a consistant basis, and is captain of The USA nats.


not that it really matters....

[QuakeAttack]

No. He is only starting to come on...

I hate LA (Randy Newman?), but Ruiz is a horse. His passion for trying to score goals any possible way is impressive. TT and Ariel are close seconds...

[Bruce S]

Originally posted by Martin Fischer


Bruce S -- not sure that I implied that other candidates under 28 are more proven than Klein at the international level, but sticking to guys that can play some type of right-sided midfield role, I believe that Donovan, Kirovski and Ben Olsen have proven themselves to be offensive threats on the international level, to varying degrees. In the few times Klein has played, he has not shown me much.


I sure wouldn't say that Olsen or Kiro have proven themselves as good players at this level. I would hope that Klein might exceed those guys.

[Bruce S]

Originally posted by monop_poly


Um - those Lilliputians got us to the quarters ... but I think I get your point. This thread is all about size??!!
Missed my point entirely. Who will replace the size and power of Sanneh, Pope, Berhalter and McBride?And still be a good player?

[Bajoro]

Klein isn't skilled enough? That's news to me.

The one thing I'm not sure about is his speed. Maybe someone who sees him regularly can write about this definitively.

If he has the speed, he has more than enough skill to play on the USMNT.

I'd like to see how he meshes with a core group of first teamers.

Bruce S., I don't know if I agree that CK is the best I've seen in MLS this year, but then no one looks good other than Quakes at Spartan Stadium! :)

[BrianJames]

I have been very impressed with Klein in the past couple months, as I've been able to see him play quite a bit more since picking up MLS Shootout (what a deal that Shootout is, can't believe what I've been missing).

CK appears to have excellent stamina as he will run up and down that right side for 90 mins even in hot/humid weather. Also has a good passing/dribbling/finishing skills. As a big guy who hustles well, defense shouldn't be a problem for him but I'd have to pay a bit more attention to that side of his game.

He's definitely up there with Twellman and Barrett as one of the more surprising/breakout players of the year, IMHO. I hope this is one of the first guys on Arena's list to call up for the next couple years.

I think he would be a great fit for RB in a 4-4-2 if his defense can match his offensive skills. Not that Klein isn't fast, but I have a gut feeling that a younger, more creative player will turn up before 2006 for the attacking right mid spot.

[slacker]

On a related question of size and strength in the future USMNT lineup, working Mastroeni in at D-Mid certainly helps over the current alternatives (Armas, O'Brien, Reyna).

I do agree that we might need more toughness or "bite" in midfield to have regular success against European teams, especially if Beasley and Donovan are regulars in the lineup - but this doesn't have to come just from size. For example, Reyna has toughened up quite a bit from '98 to '02 just from his experience playing in SPL and now EPL. And O'Brien is fairly tough as well.

Also, aren't most of the younger defenders under consideration comparable to our current crop in size and strength? (with the exception of Cherundolo, I suppose).

We will probably never field a lineup that is as tall and strong as Germany, but that shouldn't really be our goal. We just need to be tough enough to play against that sort of team effectively, and to be able to utilize our speed, which is the one physical advantage that the USA brings in many matchups.

[Bruce S]

But the problem is not just what we do with the ball, it is also what the other team does with the ball. Who will mark players on free kicks and corners? Will Beasley or Donovan mark Ballack, Jancker, Borghetti? Somewhere int he mix MUST be some big guys who can really play. He is not a lock, but CK gets an asterisk next to his name because he is a big horse. Just like Sanneh did.

[soccerfan220]

Connor Casey is huge. How old is he, 21?

[Pegasus]

Originally posted by Bruce S
But the problem is not just what we do with the ball, it is also what the other team does with the ball. Who will mark players on free kicks and corners? Will Beasley or Donovan mark Ballack, Jancker, Borghetti? Somewhere int he mix MUST be some big guys who can really play.

Suarez is great in the air. I think he will move to the inside eventually ( he has filled in there this year ) and be a big physical presence if on the Team. As to Klein, I don't know if he is the best or will be the best in four years but he is a good player and deserves a shot.

[GoDC]

Klein has played very well this year but he was completely taken out of the game by Milton Reyes Saturday night.

[monster]

Carrieri

[whip]

Not bad.....It would be great if we be talking about a 16 YEARS OLD, By the way any EXCEPTIONAL youngster on the sight..........

[BenC1357]

Klein's best attribute are his crosses from the right flank. Klein is fast. I've seen him on many occasions push the ball around a left back and beat him to the end line and cross it in, on the run, to a striker making a run (kinda like the Lewis to LD goal vs. Mex.). And I'm not talking about beating Mike Burns either. :)

I think with two more years of development, barring another injury, he should and will get his shot. What he does with it then is up to him. But he's shown he deserves a chance.

[soccertom]

Originally posted by MarioKempes


That's Klein's one big drawback. Slow speed of play. This comes from several factors, including speed of thought, foot speed, quickness, and ball control. Hopefully he will learn to play a little faster, as MLS pace doesn't cut it at the international level.

The above is among the most ignorant posts I have ever read on BigSoccer!