You can always rely on Frankie...

[Claymore]

Yeah, he looks great against T&T, huh? How will Agoo...I mean Frankie stack up against Argentina, Holland and Ivory Coast a year and a half older from now?

It's disturbing each time he takes the field we're not grooming someone half his age.
Frankie's strength has always been his conditioning; the guy has more stamina on the field than anyone else in the lineup. This allows him to get upfield and provide attacking options without seriously compromising the backs. When we find someone with Frankie's endurance and relative speed (and a better cross), he'll be replaced. Until then, Frankie is our solid #2 at the position.

Frankie provides the same thing to the Nats that Ben Olsen brings to DCU: he may not be the most skilled player out there, but he's in it to win it, and plays at 110% all the time.

[Martin Fischer]

...Frankie provides the same thing to the Nats that Ben Olsen brings to DCU: he may not be the most skilled player out there, but he's in it to win it, and plays at 110% all the time.

Well there is the matter of the fact that he is far and away the best goal scorer of any of our outside backs by a country mile -- plus he plays pretty good defense as well.

He could lose it at any time and become the next Agoos. It's certainly a risk. But it's not the only risk and may be worth taking.

[GringoTex]

It's disturbing each time he takes the field we're not grooming someone half his age.

Thanks, Wenger Junior.

[Geneva]

What defines a dangerous cross in your mind? One that allows another player to get a redirected touch? One that should allow a player to get a redirected touch?

I have a different definition. In my view, any cross that forces a clearance that is not controlled by the opponent to retain easy possession is an acceptable cross. Because clearances than can't be controlled are opportunities to pick up the ball again and go for goal. And even if the opponent does retain control/possession, the cross may be good if the opponent makes a very good soccer play and, had he not, the cross, would have created trouble.

Oh, and no floaters.

Crossing on the run is one of the hardest technical skills in soccer. Watch any world class flank player on the cross. Most are unsuccessful if your ciriteria is getting a second touch in the area. I recall most of Frankie's crosses being low, and hard, in the acceptable fashion. I didn't track each cross, but he put pressure on T&T all night.I agree with the bolded part. Make them make a good play. Crosses that are too short don't have any chance to cause trouble, unless there's a guy there to flick them on. Crosses don't always hit their target, but they should have a target.

The Frankie dilemma is a classic one. Those who don't like him, like me, get frustrated. Those who do love his attitude, and even when his plays don't work out they like the idea or they see how the play could maybe have worked. I'm done ragging on him, for this post-game anyway. Everyone already knows what I think about it!

[City Dave]

Last night I saw Frankie standing in front of a sign that read "heros get remembered, legends never die"
does anyone know where if any, a photo was taken of the moment?
if so, could someone post it here?

I remember that it was right before a throw in early in the game. Don't know if that helps you any.

[YankHibee]

Hejduk's crossing isn't awesome, but at least they're driven. A driven cross in the box is always dangerous, even if not terribly accurate. With Bradley, Mastro, Onyewu, and Boca on the field, it was nice to throw out two attacking wingbacks.

[USArsnl]

Once again, Frankie showed us the love by coming over to the stands and clapping it up for us after the game. He's 50% Caffeine, 50% Talent, and 110% Heart. Flying into tackles, screaming down the wing, and generally causing headaches, he's a hell of an asset to the team, and after Jozy and Landon, was one of the best players on the pitch last night.

TBH, I'd like him to keep his spot even after Dolo comes back.

[mcnaulty21]

Last night I saw Frankie standing in front of a sign that read "heros get remembered, legends never die"
does anyone know where if any, a photo was taken of the moment?
if so, could someone post it here?I was coming here to post just this. I am going to take full credit for being the motivation for that, with absolutely no grounds or proof :p

I loved that, but it think...
"Heroes are always remembered, but Legends are never forgotten"
...would have been better.

[Prime Time]

I have a feeling Hejduk may have taken over as our #1 RB. Even if Cherundolo is ahead, I doubt it is by much. Hejduk has been playing exceptionally well.

[russ]

Depends on form I think.

Wynne may yet a chance at Confed.

[Scotty]

How many remember who the left back was in the second greatest game in U.S. nats history v Portugal in 2002. That's right, a Mr. Francis Hejduk.

Exactly. The guy was a stud in that game.

He did well on the defensive end in that game, but he was horrible with the ball. Terrible distribution.

When Frankie has to rely on his left foot more than normal the results usually aren't very pretty.

[deuteronomy]

Yeah, he looks great against T&T, huh? How will Agoo...I mean Frankie stack up against Argentina, Holland and Ivory Coast a year and a half older from now?

It's disturbing each time he takes the field we're not grooming someone half his age.

Name the players half his age that would have brought something more than he did in these critical qualifiers. My hunch is that they would have looked like saucer eyed jackrabbits in El Salvador.

[JeremyEritrea]

Yeah, he looks great against T&T, huh? How will Agoo...I mean Frankie stack up against Argentina, Holland and Ivory Coast a year and a half older from now?

It's disturbing each time he takes the field we're not grooming someone half his age.

Well done. You've just dissed two of the best defenders to have ever worn a USA jersey in a single post.

:rolleyes:

[USArsnl]

How many remember who the left back was in the second greatest game in U.S. nats history v Portugal in 2002. That's right, a Mr. Francis Hejduk.

Love Frankie, but if you think '02 Portugal is the greatest game in US History, I've got a movie starring John Harkes for you.

[andorj78]

Love Frankie, but if you think '02 Portugal is the greatest game in US History, I've got a movie starring John Harkes for you.


1950 was a blip in the 60 year forest of suckitude. 2002 made us legit and meant a lot more, IMO.

[danndamanny]

Love Frankie, but if you think '02 Portugal is the greatest game in US History, I've got a movie starring John Harkes for you.


Re-read his post

[hanoah]

Someone asked how Frankie's crosses have improved. It's an easy answer, almost all of them stay in play now. Hey it's an improvement.

Don't know if it's a conscious effort but seems like he errors on the side of hitting them too short now instead of too long. A short driven ball that doesn't get past the first defender is still preferred to a balloon ball that sails over the endline.

[cleansheetbsc]

It's disturbing each time he takes the field we're not grooming someone half his age.

F**K grooming. Its not US Soccer's job to groom someone. They need to go out and earn it by working hard and playing well for their club to catch the national team coach's eye.

This job is now wide open. The job is there for the taking.

Spector, Wynne, Hejduk, Simek, hell, even Drew Moor. All they need to do is perform at a high level and they will take the job from Cherundolo.

They are not going to be groomed for it. That is BS. That is what they did in 1994.

[deuteronomy]

F**K grooming. Its not US Soccer's job to groom someone. They need to go out and earn it by working hard and playing well for their club to catch the national team coach's eye.

This job is now wide open. The job is there for the taking.

Spector, Wynne, Hejduk, Simek, hell, even Drew Moor. All they need to do is perform at a high level and they will take the job from Cherundolo.

They are not going to be groomed for it. That is BS. That is what they did in 1994.
Reppppppppped!

[highlander]

He's 50% Caffeine, 50% Talent, and 110% Heart.

210%?! Wow! That is one unique player!