Frankie Hejduk

[PhillyQuakesFan]

A thought just occurred to me reading the LB thread--don't look now, but there's a good chance he's on the WC roster in 2010.

I look at it this way: we're likely to take 8 defenders, of whom 4 will be primarily CBs and 4 will be primarily fullbacks. Assuming everyone except Gibbs is healthy, Gooch, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Spector, and Pearce (assuming he holds on to the starting LB job) have their tickets punched. This leaves 3 spots, two of which will be filled by CBs (Marshall, Demerit, Parkhurst, whoever). This leaves one spot for a backup fulllback, and right now it'd seem to me to be down to Hejduk, Bornstein, maybe Simek, and Orozco. Given his experience, the fact that despite his age he's showing no signs of slowing down, his tremendous locker room presence, the fact that he can play on the right or left side, and--let's be honest--the fact that he's SIGNIFICANTLY raised his level of play in both World Cups he's participated in, I wouldn't be surprised to see Frankie get that 8th defender spot assuming his pace and fitness doesn't drop off between now and then.

And to be honest, I wouldn't be that disappointed with it. With the guys at the end of the bench like the 8th defender and 3rd GK that are unlikely to get on the field barring meltdown, locker room presence and team chemistry are huge considerations; and no-one brings more to the table in those areas than Hejduk does.

[FnordUnitedFC]

A thought just occurred to me reading the LB thread--don't look now, but there's a good chance he's on the WC roster in 2010.

I look at it this way: we're likely to take 8 defenders, of whom 4 will be primarily CBs and 4 will be primarily fullbacks. Assuming everyone except Gibbs is healthy, Gooch, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Spector, and Pearce (assuming he holds on to the starting LB job) have their tickets punched. This leaves 3 spots, two of which will be filled by CBs (Marshall, Demerit, Parkhurst, whoever). This leaves one spot for a backup fulllback, and right now it'd seem to me to be down to Hejduk, Bornstein, maybe Simek, and Orozco. Given his experience, the fact that despite his age he's showing no signs of slowing down, his tremendous locker room presence, the fact that he can play on the right or left side, and--let's be honest--the fact that he's SIGNIFICANTLY raised his level of play in both World Cups he's participated in, I wouldn't be surprised to see Frankie get that 8th defender spot assuming his pace and fitness doesn't drop off between now and then.

And to be honest, I wouldn't be that disappointed with it. With the guys at the end of the bench like the 8th defender and 3rd GK that are unlikely to get on the field barring meltdown, locker room presence and team chemistry are huge considerations; and no-one brings more to the table in those areas than Hejduk does.

Four fullbacks means you are one sending off and two yellows in different games from having the "23rd" man on your team starting and going the full 90 in the potentially pivotal 3rd match.

[The Clientele]

A thought just occurred to me reading the LB thread--don't look now, but there's a good chance he's on the WC roster in 2010.

I look at it this way: we're likely to take 8 defenders, of whom 4 will be primarily CBs and 4 will be primarily fullbacks. Assuming everyone except Gibbs is healthy, Gooch, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Spector, and Pearce (assuming he holds on to the starting LB job) have their tickets punched. This leaves 3 spots, two of which will be filled by CBs (Marshall, Demerit, Parkhurst, whoever). This leaves one spot for a backup fulllback, and right now it'd seem to me to be down to Hejduk, Bornstein, maybe Simek, and Orozco. Given his experience, the fact that despite his age he's showing no signs of slowing down, his tremendous locker room presence, the fact that he can play on the right or left side, and--let's be honest--the fact that he's SIGNIFICANTLY raised his level of play in both World Cups he's participated in, I wouldn't be surprised to see Frankie get that 8th defender spot assuming his pace and fitness doesn't drop off between now and then.

And to be honest, I wouldn't be that disappointed with it. With the guys at the end of the bench like the 8th defender and 3rd GK that are unlikely to get on the field barring meltdown, locker room presence and team chemistry are huge considerations; and no-one brings more to the table in those areas than Hejduk does.

Personally, I'd love to see Frankie in South Africa. The guy has spirit, tenacity, and fight... which I think is contagious for the younger players...

Rock on Frankie. :)

[dcole]

Frankie is a love him or hate him type for fans. I love him. I think his teammates do too. I was gutted when he had to miss 2006. I'd love for him to make the 2010 roster and I would not be the least bit concerned to see him take the field.

[Marko72]

A thought just occurred to me reading the LB thread--don't look now, but there's a good chance he's on the WC roster in 2010.

I look at it this way: we're likely to take 8 defenders, of whom 4 will be primarily CBs and 4 will be primarily fullbacks. Assuming everyone except Gibbs is healthy, Gooch, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Spector, and Pearce (assuming he holds on to the starting LB job) have their tickets punched. This leaves 3 spots, two of which will be filled by CBs (Marshall, Demerit, Parkhurst, whoever). This leaves one spot for a backup fulllback, and right now it'd seem to me to be down to Hejduk, Bornstein, maybe Simek, and Orozco. Given his experience, the fact that despite his age he's showing no signs of slowing down, his tremendous locker room presence, the fact that he can play on the right or left side, and--let's be honest--the fact that he's SIGNIFICANTLY raised his level of play in both World Cups he's participated in, I wouldn't be surprised to see Frankie get that 8th defender spot assuming his pace and fitness doesn't drop off between now and then.

And to be honest, I wouldn't be that disappointed with it. With the guys at the end of the bench like the 8th defender and 3rd GK that are unlikely to get on the field barring meltdown, locker room presence and team chemistry are huge considerations; and no-one brings more to the table in those areas than Hejduk does.

Starting 4, 2 CBs and 2 FBs. And better if one of them is a guy like Spector who can play all 4 positions.

I'll still be rather surprised if Frankie's on the 2010 roster, though I'd expect him to be on a few qualifying rosters in a pinch. He'll fade away rather than suddenly disappear. As, well, unartistic as he is on the ball, his energy and his optimism are kinda catchy; he was missed in the last WC.

[studzup]

Your number 23 guy should be able to handle it.

[dinosaurjr]

I've mostly been in the hate him camp. I admire him, and I agree that he is likely a great locker room guy. He seems funny and unpretentious in interviews, etc. On the field in 98, I was impressed and had high hopes, but he's a great example of a player from that era who missed some important lessons about field awareness, first touch and so on that must be learned early. From 2000 on, I have always felt like he was a liability with those qualities despite his great hustle and desire, elements which served him and the team well in some games but more often than not held back a squad that was growing in skill and awareness.

Now every game I've seen him with the Crew this year, he's looked good, and I thought he did well against England. I thought, "Hey, maybe Heydude has realized that he's lost a half step and needs to be more cautious." He seemed to play with some poise and restraint which helped his game. Then against Spain he looked like his old self.

You are right that he's not a bad last man on the squad for his spirit, team approach and all, but also for his versatility. Don't forget about him as an outside mid! I think it is a big if to assume that he will be as fit and speedy two years from now at his age though. I guess my worry is that our pool is still so thin that he's our best option for a last man. If Bornstein and Simek don't continue to develop, that's where we'll be.

[ugaaccountant]

Frankie's not backing into his caps. He's gone out and played very well this year and last. Good for him. Wynne, Moor, Bornstein those guys are going to have to bring more to the table to knock him out.

I think Simek will be the extra fullback though. He was right there on par with Frankie last time he was healthy and he may even be a premiership player soon.

[Shibb]

Don't feel bad if he's not on the pitch in South Afrika in 2010... he'll likely just show up in the stands like he did during 2006.

I am not the guy's biggest fan, as I feel his touch deserts him at times and he's much more likely to sky a cross than connect with someone, but you can't deny his hustle and enthusiasm. I hope he eventually migrates to a role as fitness and step-over coach, and I wouldn't mind seeing that happen with some of the youth teams.

[olephill2]

I don't see Frankie making the roster in 2010. He'll be 36, and I think we will simply have better defenders in the pool to choose from.

I agree that we'll take 8 defenders - 4 center backs, 3 fullbacks and 1 utility back. Here's how I see the breakdown:

center backs:
Onyewu
Bocanegra
DeMerit
Parkhurst/Subotic/Califf/Orozco

fullbacks:
Cherundolo
Pearce
Simek

utility back:
Spector

In both 2002 & 2006, Bruce Arena took 8 defenders. Each time, he selected 4 center backs. In 2002, he also selected 4 fullbacks, and in 2006, he selected 3 fullbacks and 1 utility back.

In 2002, our center backs were Pope, Berhalter, Agoos & Llamosa. Our fullbacks were Sanneh, Hejduk, Cherundolo & Regis. In 2006, our center backs were Onyewu, Pope, Conrad & Berhalter. Our fullbacks were Cherundolo, Lewis & Albright. Our utility back was Bocanegra.

I expect Bob Bradley to follow the same methodology in selecting his 2010 roster of defenders, and I think Frank Simek will be much preferred over Hejduk in 2 years.


That said, 4th fullbacks rarely get playing time for us in a world cup. In 2002, neither Cherundolo (who was injured) or Regis saw the field. In 2006, Chris Albright didn't receive any PT. So perhaps Bradley will wager that he'd prefer Hejduk's locker room presence as the last fullback selected while assuming that he won't need to play him.

[dcole]

I hope he eventually migrates to a role as fitness and step-over coach

:p:p:p

[Maitreya]

Frankie's not backing into his caps. He's gone out and played very well this year and last. Good for him. Wynne, Moor, Bornstein those guys are going to have to bring more to the table to knock him out.

Heyduk has been good in MLS this year, but Wynne has been better. It's hard to justify taking Frankie over Marvell for any reason other than experience and locker room presence. They are similar style players, but Wynne is better in nearly every way---he has superior speed, strength, ability in the air, and by a lesser margin, superior touch, dribbling and crossing ability. Are Frankie's advantages enough to overcome all of that? Any reasonable person wouldn't think so, but Bradley seems to love Hejduk and hate Wynne.

Or maybe he just wants to play Edu more than he wants to play Wynne and is willing to leave Marvell in Toronto if that makes it easier to get Maurice. It's hard to know Bradley's thinking on Wynne at this point.

[Marko72]

I hope he eventually migrates to a role as fitness and step-over coach, and I wouldn't mind seeing that happen with some of the youth teams.

Precisely the sort of role I envision for him, actually.

[75 Cent]

He's been in 3 world cups already, and as someone else already pointed out, has played great in all 3. Can that be said about anyone else except maybe McBride? And now he looks to be a factor in qualifying and possibly a 4th world cup. Love him or hate him that is impressive.

[Marko72]

He's been in 3 world cups already, and as someone else already pointed out, has played great in all 3. Can that be said about anyone else except maybe McBride? And now he looks to be a factor in qualifying and possibly a 4th world cup. Love him or hate him that is impressive.

Yes it's impressive. And I'm one of those guys who has since about 1999 cringed every time I've seen him on the field. (As he is the very poster boy of what foreign fans around the world tend to think of American players... naive, completely inartistic, clumsy players who just run all day.) But you'd be totally remiss to not realize the (mostly) beneficial impact he's had on the team over the years, both for his defensive tenacity as well as his energy. I really hope he sticks around as a fitness coach with the Nats after he hangs up his boots, just because his energy and enthusiasm is a boost to the younger guys.

[ty webb]

Yes it's impressive. And I'm one of those guys who has since about 1999 cringed every time I've seen him on the field. (As he is the very poster boy of what foreign fans around the world tend to think of American players... naive, completely inartistic, clumsy players who just run all day.) But you'd be totally remiss to not realize the (mostly) beneficial impact he's had on the team over the years, both for his defensive tenacity as well as his energy. I really hope he sticks around as a fitness coach with the Nats after he hangs up his boots, just because his energy and enthusiasm is a boost to the younger guys.

Agreed.

Not a good player. Has no touch, no awareness with or without the ball, can't cross a ball or pass beyond 30 yards, always out of position, etc.. He also looked completely out of place in the Spain game but he seems like a nice guy.

[Marko72]

Agreed.

Not a good player. Has no touch, no awareness with or without the ball, can't cross a ball or pass beyond 30 yards, always out of position, etc.. He also looked completely out of place in the Spain game but he seems like a nice guy.

No, he's been very useful, as ugly a player as he is. Against England, many posters' favorite defender (and one of mine as well) was absolutely schooled and manhandled by Gerrard for, what, 60 minutes? Hejduk came in and while he didn't get the better of Gerrard, he no longer had the run of the left at will. And gave our team some (yes, I'm saying it) stability and confidence in the back, he injected some energy back into the game, something which England completely took out of us. We weren't good with him, but we were worse without him. Hejduk was a better fullback for us than Steve Cherundolo on the day.

(His addition was positive, but he certainly didn't turn the game around. He was like a band-aid on an arterial wound.)

The Spain match, however, he was useless, and he's not the type of guy you want in that sort of match anyhow.

Great player? No. But he has his moments of usefulness that can neither be ignored, nor belittled with a "nice guy" comment. The player deserves more than that.

[Adam Zebrowski]

wynne playing in beijing is key for him...

do well at that level and he gets into the senior mix..

hejduk is a hustle guy...only donovan might be more fit than hejduk...

so if you want a guy who'll defend and not get beat all that much, hejduk is fine, meaning, you're up a goal on the road with 15 minutes to go...

hejduk for dolo might not be a bad move...

but hejduk as starter...well, wynne doing well prevents hejduk for doing it during wcq...

dolo, wynne, hejduk, the caveat being wynne proves it in august

[ugaaccountant]

wynne playing in beijing is key for him...

do well at that level and he gets into the senior mix..

hejduk is a hustle guy...only donovan might be more fit than hejduk...

so if you want a guy who'll defend and not get beat all that much, hejduk is fine, meaning, you're up a goal on the road with 15 minutes to go...

hejduk for dolo might not be a bad move...

but hejduk as starter...well, wynne doing well prevents hejduk for doing it during wcq...

dolo, wynne, hejduk, the caveat being wynne proves it in august

I haven't seen many Toronto matches this year, but has Wynne actually significantly improved? Over his career Wynne has displayed all of the same problems with skill that Hejduk has, without the experience and extra gear of hustle.

[Adam Zebrowski]

i've seen 3 i can recall, and he's getting better as a player...

better feel for tactics, and ball skills are getting better...

he's got a chance to become real good...

with dolo getting older, wynne can be in the equation