Players to watch for the World Cup squad in MLS Season '09

[Bigrose30]

Consider yourself warned: Clint Mathis looks faster and fitter than he has since his Metrostars days. His pace and workrate were outstanding tonight, his vision superb, and my oh my can he serve a right footed free kick.

[Kevin8833]

Consider yourself warned: Clint Mathis looks faster and fitter than he has since his Metrostars days. His pace and workrate were outstanding tonight, his vision superb, and my oh my can he serve a right footed free kick.
I agree a few others have mentioned this, would really like to see him get some time in the Gold Cup.

[Ghost]

Consider yourself warned: Clint Mathis looks faster and fitter than he has since his Metrostars days. His pace and workrate were outstanding tonight, his vision superb, and my oh my can he serve a right footed free kick.

No.

[wooglin12]

Consider yourself warned: Clint Mathis looks faster and fitter than he has since his Metrostars days. His pace and workrate were outstanding tonight, his vision superb, and my oh my can he serve a right footed free kick.

I assume his name will still come up for consideration, even after he retires. And I would support it completely.

[NYC ugly]

Arturo Alvarez and Cooper are the most impressive for me so far this season.

[Bigrose30]

No.

Yes.

[Bigrose30]

Clint Mathis has always had an eye for the final pass and a seriously deadly right foot, with a more than adequate left. Nobody has ever questioned that. There's nobody in the pool who has a better right foot on the dead ball.

But the problem has always been his fitness and commitment. But watching him Thursday, Clint worked hard enough on defense that I think he can fit into to a Bob Bradley midfield in the spots where Dempsey and Donovan play.

[deuteronomy]

Clint Mathis has always had an eye for the final pass and a seriously deadly right foot, with a more than adequate left. Nobody has ever questioned that. There's nobody in the pool who has a better right foot on the dead ball.

But the problem has always been his fitness and commitment. But watching him Thursday, Clint worked hard enough on defense that I think he can fit into to a Bob Bradley midfield in the spots where Dempsey and Donovan play.

Consider that the problem might also be that Clint, is regretably one of the bigger nit wits, ever to lace up soccer boots and wear a USA shirt. That can be a huge distraction from focusing upon the job that needs to be done. Clint, unfortunately, has put himself ahead of his team in many many instances. Self absorbtion can occasionally be a blessing, the down side is that it can also be an anvil. He could be the answer to all of RSL's prayers and a curse to the NATS. It would be nice if he could be both. I am afraid I am skeptical.

[Bigrose30]

Consider that the problem might also be that Clint, is regretably one of the bigger nit wits, ever to lace up soccer boots and wear a USA shirt. That can be a huge distraction from focusing upon the job that needs to be done. Clint, unfortunately, has put himself ahead of his team in many many instances. Self absorbtion can occasionally be a blessing, the down side is that it can also be an anvil. He could be the answer to all of RSL's prayers and a curse to the NATS. It would be nice if he could be both. I am afraid I am skeptical.

I'm somewhat skeptical too, of course. I just wonder how he would react in a national team environment.

[lurking]

Not noteworthy that Cameron was part of a "defense" that gave up three goals to a San Jose team that doesn't even have a decent forward?

San Jose doesn't have a proven goal scorer. There is a big difference. Personally I wouldn't be surprised at all if Weaver and Johnson both net 10+ goals this season. Weaver has been an able goal scorer wherever hes played, and if you watched Johnson last year you would know his combination of size and speed is a very difficult matchup for defenders.

Maybe Johnson is just too raw, and Weaver is a USL star, MLS washout (wouldnt be the first). But its entirely too early to say.

[OWN(yewu)ED]

most impressive MLS nats so far Cooper, Alvarez, Holden, Conor Casey, and Findley. Unfortunately im not sure if any are legit USMNT contenders outside of Cooper :(. i dunno maybe Casey can have a McBride enlightenment this season.

[IndividualEleven]

Alvarez, Rogers, Holden, Casey, and Cooper are all from a technical and compatibility(with US tactics) standpoint doing well enough in the early going to merit GC consideration. The pool is thin enough on talent that none is a real longshot. For example if Donovan starts on the left with Dempsey on the right and Beasley at left back or on the bench then who are the back up flankers? After Altidore there's not much in the way of line leading forwards.

CDUSA vs Crew

Injuries galore and Chivas still manage to stroke the ball around quite nicely using some anonymous talents. The commentators slated the team for the giving the ball away but the turnovers typically came after a decent spell on the ball. Preki knows how to coach 'em.

Hope Big Chad is OK.

LA vs Rapids

Arena started Eddie Lewis at leftback in this match. Colorado within less than 1 minute after game start floats in the ball in the area vacated by Lewis and cross for the goal. teehee.

Brilliant slaloming run by Sean Franklin from the flanks to inside for the secondary assist. Quality play all around. But going 1 v 1 with no support against wide mid who is bigger and faster than him wasn't a good decision.

And how fast is Colin Clark? Franklin is a pretty fast dude. Still he couldn't make up any distance on the Clark after the tackle. Dang. Get 'em a cap, Bob.

[FC Funkotron]

Alvarez, Rogers, Holden, Casey, and Cooper are all from a technical and compatibility(with US tactics) standpoint doing well enough in the early going to merit GC consideration. The pool is thin enough on talent that none is a real longshot. For example if Donovan starts on the left with Dempsey on the right and Beasley at left back or on the bench then who are the back up flankers? After Altidore there's not much in the way of line leading forwards.


And how fast is Colin Clark? Franklin is a pretty fast dude. Still he couldn't make up any distance on the Clark after the tackle. Dang. Get 'em a cap, Bob.

That was Cummings wasn't it? Not Clark.

Also, I didn't watch the Columbus game, but I saw the lineup...was Rogers really played as a right back?

[IndividualEleven]

On the game winning goal Franklin was advancing the ball up along the touchline past the middle stripe when he tried a dribble move on Clark who tapped the ball away and proceeded in the opposite direction. Franklin could not close on the guy even though there initially less than a yard of separation. Amazing. Cummings was involved in the earlier goals.

Rogers got the start at fullback because of various missing bodies.

[FC Funkotron]

You're right, my bad. I just figured it was Cummings since he was causing all sorts of trouble throughout the game.

[Nutmeg]

Casey looks as fit and mobile as I've ever seen him. Probably more, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if Bob called him in. Not saying I like it, but Bob has no alternative to Ching right now. Another name that will make people cringe in Nate Jaqua. If you watched the Seattle-Toronto game, you should have noticed how big a part Jaqua plays in Seattle's short, quick passing game.

We also need Cuba to permanently rescind Alonso's citizenship so that he can suit up for the US. He's the best central midfielder in MLS right now.

[Bolo]

I'm a Rogers fan, but he didn't look very good in the RSL game, he's carrying a nagging injury, without his speed a huge part of his game he really suffers. (more than most would)

[Nutmeg]

On the game winning goal Franklin was advancing the ball up along the touchline past the middle stripe when he tried a dribble move on Clark who tapped the ball away and proceeded in the opposite direction. Franklin could not close on the guy even though there initially less than a yard of separation. Amazing. Cummings was involved in the earlier goals.

Rogers got the start at fullback because of various missing bodies.
Franklin looked like a Best XI player at center back and now looks like a calamity at right back. No idea why Bruce made this change, but it's not working.

[IndividualEleven]

Franklin looked like a Best XI player at center back and now looks like a calamity at right back. No idea why Bruce made this change, but it's not working.

I'm hoping it's just an experience at the pro level issue at fullback. Imo he hasn't been the biggest culprit in LA's defending issues. But yeah he was dominating at the centerback position last season.

Not familiar with this Alonso. Is he better than Shalrie Joseph?

[IndividualEleven]

Conor Casey and Alturo Alvarez look to be winners of the Biggest Loser for Soccer Players.