Left Back Remains a Problem for U.S.

[Flipstar508]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=547552&root=us&cc=3888

[cleansheetbsc]

The article basically states "Heath, your mediocre. Not that there is anything wrong with that."

[IndividualEleven]

Not that big of a deal really. I don't remember too much damage being done on Pearce's side during the three friendlies. I'd say he's more than mediocre. The sensible thing to do is to move a quick footed centerback or center mid to the spot for cover.

[Marko72]

I'd say they have it exactly wrong. Defensively, our weak link on current form is actually Cherundolo. And I really like Stevie C, but defensively LB is not at this point our biggest issue. (And if, on current form, Stevie C is our weakest link, I'll take it. That's not too bad a weak link to have, particularly since he offers the most going forward of any FB in our pool on either flank.) Second biggest defensive issue: one of the Boca/Gooch pairing. And I'm still picking Gooch for my line-up for his physical presence, relative calmness on the ball, and generally improved mental approach, long term (2010). We'd really love to have a smart and agile defender who doesn't give up too much athletically to pair with Gooch. My long-term money was on Spector, but we'll have to see just what this last injury has done to him before we can accurately speculate on that. Bocanegra will probably be a quality back-up (and a veteran team leader) a la Conrad and Berhalter before him in the WC.

[Marko72]

The sensible thing to do is to move a quick footed centerback or center mid to the spot for cover.

Yes, and Gooch could use the quick-footed cover. If he's the cerebral game-reader type, so much the better.

[IndividualEleven]

I'd say they have it exactly wrong. Defensively, our weak link on current form is actually Cherundolo. And I really like Stevie C, but defensively LB is not at this point our biggest issue. (And if, on current form, Stevie C is our weakest link, I'll take it. That's not too bad a weak link to have, particularly since he offers the most going forward of any FB in our pool on either flank.) Second biggest defensive issue: one of the Boca/Gooch pairing. And I'm still picking Gooch for my line-up for his physical presence, relative calmness on the ball, and generally improved mental approach, long term (2010). We'd really love to have a smart and agile defender who doesn't give up too much athletically to pair with Gooch. My long-term money was on Spector, but we'll have to see just what this last injury has done to him before we can accurately speculate on that. Bocanegra will probably be a quality back-up (and a veteran team leader) a la Conrad and Berhalter before him in the WC.

good point.

[mattjo]

I'd say they have it exactly wrong. Defensively, our weak link on current form is actually Cherundolo. And I really like Stevie C, but defensively LB is not at this point our biggest issue. (And if, on current form, Stevie C is our weakest link, I'll take it. That's not too bad a weak link to have, particularly since he offers the most going forward of any FB in our pool on either flank.) Second biggest defensive issue: one of the Boca/Gooch pairing. And I'm still picking Gooch for my line-up for his physical presence, relative calmness on the ball, and generally improved mental approach, long term (2010). We'd really love to have a smart and agile defender who doesn't give up too much athletically to pair with Gooch. My long-term money was on Spector, but we'll have to see just what this last injury has done to him before we can accurately speculate on that. Bocanegra will probably be a quality back-up (and a veteran team leader) a la Conrad and Berhalter before him in the WC.

Not sure exactly how Cherundolo is our weakest link. His had a rough patch during the season, but overcame it. He starts practically every match for a team that finished 8th in the Budesliga as opposed to getting relegated. While he did struggle with Messi, there are few defenders who don't. Hey, I think Heath really nailed down a starting spot with his play in the friendlies, but I definitely wouldn't say he is the strength of our defense right now either. Frankly, our defense is not as bad as people portray it. Frankly, giving up only three goals in three matches against 3 top 10 teams demonstrates great goalkeeping to start, but also that while our opposition dominated in the run of play, our defense generally kept enough form to prevent too many great opportunities. Our issue is holding onto posession against pressure.

[USvsIRELAND]

Agreed. Our defense is not that bad. But we were also playing a 6-3-1 in those three games. Well at least the first two.

Heath Pearce did well in those three. I don't see a huge problem.

[bungadiri]

I don't understand the tone of the article. It suggests that Pearce has shown us all he's got and therefore is in a position to be judged, finally and absolutely. Makes no sense, especially given he's been increasingly solid. I feel at lot better about Pearce at LB than I did at the beginning of the year, and think I see reason to expect better things to come. He also neglects to mention that we've actually got something like real competition between two committed LBs, Pearce and Bornstein, which is a first. Even better if you toss in Spector, who's played LB for two professional teams a fair number of times.

[Trav-Man]

Is this guy serious? I thought Heath was probably one of our most consistent players over the past 4-5 games. He has surely promoted himself to the starting LB for the time being. I think Heath does a great job of getting forward and forcing the opposing teams' defense to account for him. I agree with the above poster, if anyone has looked mediocre it's been 'Dolo.

[Adam Zebrowski]

pearce played better than i thought and was probably the best field player across all 3 friendlies...

he's more than acceptable, and i suspect will be a tad better with more international experience...

the problem with dolo is getting older, when does he lose a step, and with his size, losing a step could be big trouble

[Kevin8833]

pearce played better than i thought and was probably the best field player across all 3 friendlies...

he's more than acceptable, and i suspect will be a tad better with more international experience...

the problem with dolo is getting older, when does he lose a step, and with his size, losing a step could be big troubleI wonder if Clark could be a good fit at RB, great athleticism and good technical skills and a solid defensive player but struggles under high pressure in the midfield a little which would be eliminated playing RB.

[Sam Hamwich]

I don't understand the tone of the article. It suggests that Pearce has shown us all he's got and therefore is in a position to be judged, finally and absolutely. Makes no sense, especially given he's been increasingly solid. I feel at lot better about Pearce at LB than I did at the beginning of the year, and think I see reason to expect better things to come. He also neglects to mention that we've actually got something like real competition between two committed LBs, Pearce and Bornstein, which is a first. Even better if you toss in Spector, who's played LB for two professional teams a fair number of times.

this was a poor, inane piece of journalism.

Spector is too slow to play either left back or center back paired up with Gooch. In fact, I am pretty down on Spector until he matures. He gets beat by quick players, adds nothing offensively and has poor passing touch.

I would like to see Demerit get some more playing time with Gooch.

Pearce set up the first score against Poland. Has a wicked outside shot and is very athletic.

Bornstein is just a younger version of Eddie Lewis - left midfielder playing left back because the coach wants him on the pitch.

[Sandon Mibut]

I generally like Steve Davis' work but I think he's way off on this point.

It seems like he had theme he wanted to take in his article and was determinned to do it regardless of whether the info actually backed it up.

Is Heath Pearce as good as Roberto Carlos or Ashely Cole? Not even close. But it's not like we have players of that caliber at other field positions, either.

What we have is a 23-year old Bundisliga veteran who has been a pro since he was 20 and who has good size and pace and decent ball skills an continues to show improvement and maturity.

As others have said, it's not like what we see with Pearce is likely the finished product. Maybe he won't get better as he continues his club career in Europe, but I doubt it.

Quite frankly, I think Pearce is the best option we've had at LB in years and is moving close to locking the position down to the point where he's penciled in to play there when he's healthy.

[LJSoccer]

It's Heath's position to lose in my opinion. At least for now. The sad fact of the matter is, Heath probably never gets the minutes he needs to prove himself if Jonathan Borenstein doesn't get hurt. I thought that Heath got better as the friendlies when along. He is a far better defender than Jonathan. I think that should be the first thing that is looked at by a coach, can a defender actually defend. Attacking is the icing on the cake. I think he is the best we have. I'm more comfortable with him than Gooch or Carlos right now.

[Gooch_Onyewu]

Isnt Orozco a left back? If so he will be our left back by 2010.

[Sandon Mibut]

Isnt Orozco a left back? If so he will be our left back by 2010.How can you make such a proclamation about a player when you aren't even sure what position he plays?

And for the record, Orozco plays CB for San Luis and played centrally for the US U23 team. Hunter Freeman and Nathan Sturgis were the LBs most of the time in qualifying.

Perhaps he can still play LB, but I think we'd need to see him do it for a bit before we can predict he'll be there for the US in South Africa.

[SeaOtter]

Davis would've had a better article had he written about right midfield since our best option there is also our best forward currently.

The Pearce angle is just pulled from thin air and sounds like an idea he came up with in the past when there were performances that produced doubts. If you want to talk depth, then yes, LB is an issue since JB is recovering and Ol' man Lewis is, well.....old (sorta).

[russ]

Who knew Johnathan Bornstein's mom wrote for ESPN?

"Just get it together,John!"

[LeeS]

Ummm, I read the article as less as indictment of Pearce in particular, and more of a general lamenation of not having a player that filled the gap at LB for more than a handful of games over the last 6 or 7 years, which is true.

He doesn't slag on Pearce at all, other than perhaps implying that Pearce isn't much more than a stop gap himself, which truthfully, does remain to be seen.

Settle down guys, no one hates Heath!

Lee