Michel_Platini
10 Jun 2008, 02:45 PM
Here are my five US players if soccer were a 5 v 5 pick up game (not in any particular order):
Landon Donovan: He get better, smarter, and seems to bring his best game at the International level.
Damarcus Beasley: Injury and age have made him better. I still would bet that he is one of the three fastest for the US squad. He still has blistering pace, but has learned that he has to be strong on the ball as well--note the play where he shielded the ball under pressure at the top of our own penalty area, and then dribbled out of danger, and maintaining possesion.
Clint Dempsey: We all want the brilliant Dempsey to show up every game--and that does not always happen. What he has is the confidence, skill, and flair to go at 2 defenders at the same time and change the game. When your team is under pressure and no one else wants/can get/or can do anything with the ball, Dempsey says 'yes I want, I can get it, and can beat you.' If you can take on two players, you will create time and space for your teammates.
Pablo Mastroeni: Year in and Year out, he shows up for the big games, against the best teams. Sure he gets red cards. I live in Denver and have been a Rapids fan forever. He does not always make an impact at the club level--people have been calling for a trade. But when you go against the top midfields in the world, there is no one better to do what Pablo does. Everyone is so excited about Michael Bradley, but that kid is so far behind Pablo as a central DMID at the international level, that there should be no confusion as to who will start against Barbados this month.
Freddy Adu: He showed in Spain that he could bring the game changing move--ie beat someone/anyone to create time and space for his teammates, when no one else was willing or able to do it. He is no Messi, or Christiano Ronaldo. He doesn't have to be. He can be Freddy. And he will grow into one of the best playmaking/attacking midfielders/ withdrawn forwards in the game.
When those five were on the field--and even after Pablo left--they were dynamic, dangerous, and attacking. Johnson didn't make my five because he needs to become a prolific finisher. Edu and Sasha are promising, and Robbie Rogers reminds me of a younger Beasley--using shear speed to create opportunities.
So by my count that puts us half way there to being able to contend with anyone,
Landon Donovan: He get better, smarter, and seems to bring his best game at the International level.
Damarcus Beasley: Injury and age have made him better. I still would bet that he is one of the three fastest for the US squad. He still has blistering pace, but has learned that he has to be strong on the ball as well--note the play where he shielded the ball under pressure at the top of our own penalty area, and then dribbled out of danger, and maintaining possesion.
Clint Dempsey: We all want the brilliant Dempsey to show up every game--and that does not always happen. What he has is the confidence, skill, and flair to go at 2 defenders at the same time and change the game. When your team is under pressure and no one else wants/can get/or can do anything with the ball, Dempsey says 'yes I want, I can get it, and can beat you.' If you can take on two players, you will create time and space for your teammates.
Pablo Mastroeni: Year in and Year out, he shows up for the big games, against the best teams. Sure he gets red cards. I live in Denver and have been a Rapids fan forever. He does not always make an impact at the club level--people have been calling for a trade. But when you go against the top midfields in the world, there is no one better to do what Pablo does. Everyone is so excited about Michael Bradley, but that kid is so far behind Pablo as a central DMID at the international level, that there should be no confusion as to who will start against Barbados this month.
Freddy Adu: He showed in Spain that he could bring the game changing move--ie beat someone/anyone to create time and space for his teammates, when no one else was willing or able to do it. He is no Messi, or Christiano Ronaldo. He doesn't have to be. He can be Freddy. And he will grow into one of the best playmaking/attacking midfielders/ withdrawn forwards in the game.
When those five were on the field--and even after Pablo left--they were dynamic, dangerous, and attacking. Johnson didn't make my five because he needs to become a prolific finisher. Edu and Sasha are promising, and Robbie Rogers reminds me of a younger Beasley--using shear speed to create opportunities.
So by my count that puts us half way there to being able to contend with anyone,