Finally an alternative to McBride

[cvilleva]

With tongue only partially planted in cheek, why not invite Abby Wambach to play in some early round qualifiers...She certainly won't get hit any harder by the boys of St. Kitts and Nevis than she was last night by the Norweigians.

And honestly at 5'11'' and 180 she's as big or bigger than every other credible alternative than McBride isn't she?

On a more serious note, why is that the US, a nation of football and increasingly thuggish basketball players, can only produce two people (McBride and Wambach) with the size, determination, power, etc. to play that role of dominant presence in the box heading or holding that forces goals, dangerous free kicks and makes every corner a threat?

Are these skills/physical attributes/heart really as rare as those that make a gifted playmaker?

At 5'8'', 150 I really wouldn't know :)

[Th4119]

I'm 6'2'', 185...where do I sign up?

From Centreville huh? I'm from Chantilly.

[juventino3]

Conor Casey and Edson Buddle are both around 6'1 and 180-190 pounds. Thats big enough in my book.

[cvilleva]

Having attended the 2000 Olympics and watched Buddle at Columbus I have to say I've never seen either of them jump for a header with 3 defenders holding their jersey, like I've seen McBride and Wambach do regularly -- and they certainly don't draw the freekicks by holding the ball in dangerous areas

[Crazy_Yank]

I'm willing to bet Agoos could out run Wambach. Why don't we just call him up? :rolleyes:

[fidlerre]

Originally posted by Crazy_Yank
I'm willing to bet Agoos could out run Wambach.

i am willing to bet not...

[dban]

"On a more serious note, why is that the US, a nation of football and increasingly thuggish basketball players, can only produce two people (McBride and Wambach) with the size, determination, power, etc. to play that role of dominant presence in the box heading or holding that forces goals, dangerous free kicks and makes every corner a threat?"

You make a good point and also answer it yourself. Unfortunately for soccer these athletes are playing football or basketball.

[reuellis]

John Spencer, what a giant he is, and he still wins air balls.

[Stogey23]

I saw the title to this thread listed on 'BigSoccer Live' and I immediately thought Abby Wambach. :D

[JohnR]

Originally posted by reuellis
John Spencer, what a giant he is, and he still wins air balls.

Not like Wambaugh, he doesn't.

[Blitzz Boy]

Back in the mid 90's, the theory was that the USMNT should have called up Mia Hamm to replace the often-injured Tab Ramos.

Who would have noticed? She's taller than Cobi and has shorter hair than Marcelo Balboa.

[cvilleva]

again, not really being serious here, but with the news that Perugia is talking about signing Hanna Ljungberg, is there any rule that would prevent the US MNT from playing Abby in these silly first round qualifiers that CONCACAF, in its insanity, is requiring us to play?

[zcgf02]

I half-seriously thought the same thing last night as I was watching Wambach abuse the Norway defenders. Frankly, I think the Italian club that was making noises about signing Hanna Lundburg (sp?) should try to sign Wambach instead. I understand she's out of work after the WWC anyway.

[Treetaliano]

Originally posted by cvilleva
is there any rule that would prevent the US MNT from playing Abby in these silly first round qualifiers

Um yeah.

She doesnt have a pecker.

She can't play for the Men

[juventino3]

This is getting a little ridiculous. Wambach could never compete on the same field as men. She is slower then a glacier. I would like to see her win one head ball with Boca or Pope marking her.

[cvilleva]

A good stage to return to the real point...

why isn't there a good alternative to the oft-injured mcbride? if nothing other than the Gold Cup game vs. Brazil it has been shown conclusively that we need someone like him to compete against the better teams.

So given that Casey, Buddle, Johnson, etc. have thus far underwhelmed (feel free to disagree as long as you have evidence), where are the alternatives?

[CrewToon]

The question really is whether there is another player in the US similiar to McBride in that he would be a target man as well as go up in the air to get the ball.

[juventino3]

I don't see how you can say Buddle has underwhelmed. Edson Buddle is one of the most exciting young players in the league. He is tall, extremely strong, excellent at holding the ball, good off the dribble, and finishes extremely well. As much as like McBride, Buddle can do a lot of things that he can't especially considering he is only 21. Casey had a promising start, but seems to have a knee problem at the moment. Eddie Johnson is playing very well right now. He is tall, extremely fast, and very good with the ball at his feet. Add Taylor Twellman to the mix and I think we are doing just fine. Lets not forget that we still have McBride, Mathis, and Donovan.

[dude8]

manute bol-

think of the possibilities!

[Sandon Mibut]

I also want to point out that there's a target forward that should be a pro soon named Knox Cameron, who is a member of the U23 team.

He's 6-3, 205 and currently a junior at Michigan. Word is he's turning pro after this season.

http://www.mgoblue.com/bio.cfm?bio_id=226&section_id=295&top=2&level=3&season=235

Also, don't forget about 6-3 Nate Jaqua. He's not ready right now but give him a year or two and he should be ready.

Between Jaqua, Cameron, Buddle, Casey, Johnson and Ching, we should have enough alternatives to McBride if we want/need a target forward.

For the record, the same thought about Wambauch did flash through my mind when I watcher her score against Norway! I dismissed it, but I did consider it.

And while I don't think she would actually make the team, she is a winner and I really like that in my national teamers. She won an NCAA title at Florida and a WUSA title with the Freedom and finished second in the WUSA last year as a rookie. Now she's two games away from a world title and she will likely medal a year from now.