[ricostarica]

I just got back to Bigsoccer.com and realized that after the World Cup, little has sparked up in the Concacaf section. I'm curious who everyone thinks are the best players for the areas of goalkeeping, defense, midfield, and forward. There is a similar thread, but it is about the best player in CONCACAF and it's truly unfair for some areas since they're all different. If you could, enter who you think are the best 3 players for each position. Please don't use injured players since at the moment they cannot be judged since they are not in form (a la Reyna and Wanchope)

Here's mine:

Goalkeeping: Frad Friedel, Kasey Keller, Tim Howard (all USA I know, but there really isn't anyone better than any of the above except for Tim Howard)

Defense: Rafael Marquez, Gilberto Martinez, Mauricio Wright

Midfield: Wilmer Lopez, Landon Donovan, Demarcus Beasly (really not sure who should go here seeing as we really don't have any midfielders that stick out other than Reyna who is injured)

Forward: Brian McBride, Shaun Goater, Erick Scott (I am extremely biased seeing my love for Costa Rica, USA, and Man City come over me)

Anyways, those are my picks. Post yours!

[ricostarica]

Wow, no replies yet. Guess when the World Cup qualifyers emerge then life will breath again. Anyways, I would like to withdraw Beasly since he is yet to prove himself and add Amado Guevara. He had a great Copa America, a great season with Saprissa, and shows why so many clubs want him. Sad thing is he'll go to the highest paying club like the one in I don't know what country. So, I want to see some replies

[Captain Canuck]

Originally posted by ricostarica

Here's mine:

Goalkeeping: Frad Friedel, Kasey Keller, Tim Howard (all USA I know, but there really isn't anyone better than any of the above except for Tim Howard)

Defense: Rafael Marquez, Gilberto Martinez, Mauricio Wright

Midfield: Wilmer Lopez, Landon Donovan, Demarcus Beasly (really not sure who should go here seeing as we really don't have any midfielders that stick out other than Reyna who is injured)

Forward: Brian McBride, Shaun Goater, Erick Scott (I am extremely biased seeing my love for Costa Rica, USA, and Man City come over me)

Anyways, those are my picks. Post yours!

I think it might be easier for best 3 at literally every position - ie. instead of just best three midfielders, best three offensive midfielders, defensive midfielders, wide left, wide right etc.

As a specific example, I wouldn't put Da Marcus Beasely as one of the best three midfielders period - many other players within Concacaf deserve consideration before him, IMO, including a few of his teammates. John O'Brien comes to mind. But as a left-sided wingback there is an argument that he would be in the top three in the region at that position, though I'd personally play US teammate Convey ahead of him on the left, as he's a better crosser - not to mention that Canada's Jim Brennan as well.

[Crazy_Yank]

Here are my picks:


Goalkeepers: Friedel, Keller, Howard


I thought about selecting Hirschfeld, but selected Howard over him because he is getting regular first team football so he is match sharp.



Defenders: Pope, Marquez, Martinez


Mids: Blanco, O'Brien, Torrado, Donovon, Beasley, Stalteri


Too many good mids to just choose 3.


Forwards: Borghetti, Mathis, Radzinski

[Gordon]

Originally posted by Crazy_Yank
Here are my picks:


Goalkeepers: Friedel, Keller, Howard


I thought about selecting Hirschfeld, but selected Howard over him because he is getting regular first team football so he is match sharp.

I think Hirschfeld is getting too much credit at this point in his career based on one solid (yes, I am saying solid not spectacular) game in the Gold Cup. He is a fine shot stopper, and has shown much improvement in the two areas some Canadian fans think him weak (ball at the feet and his work in the air). He is going to be a good one, already is in many ways, but I don't see him top three yet.

Originally posted by Crazy_Yank
Here are my picks:

Defenders: Pope, Marquez, Martinez


Mids: Blanco, O'Brien, Torrado, Donovon, Beasley, Stalteri


Too many good mids to just choose 3.


Forwards: Borghetti, Mathis, Radzinski

My only quibbles would be with Beasley and Mathis. I think DMB is much overated ( a la Hirschfeld). He gets a lot out of his assets, and he is valuable because his speed gives players like Reyna an extra tick or two with the ball just because of the threat his speed poses, but his overall skill level still leaves much to be desired. He would be a non-factor on a lessor team which is not true of the others you mention. When he is matched up against a player of similar speed, or who are good enough to neutralize his speed, he ceases to have much impact on the game. With Mathis, his talents are prodigious but I would omit him simply because he does not perform at the level he is capable on a consistent basis. I think he has to omitted for that reason. There are too many good strikers in CONCACAF to put an inconsistent head case in the top 3 (said with respect of course, because when he is on his game...)

BTW, whats the latest on JOB? I hear he is having real struggles with injury and that there is at least a small chance that his career may be in jeapordy.

[ricostarica]

Originally posted by Captain Canuck
I think it might be easier for best 3 at literally every position - ie. instead of just best three midfielders, best three offensive midfielders, defensive midfielders, wide left, wide right etc.

As a specific example, I wouldn't put Da Marcus Beasely as one of the best three midfielders period - many other players within Concacaf deserve consideration before him, IMO, including a few of his teammates. John O'Brien comes to mind. But as a left-sided wingback there is an argument that he would be in the top three in the region at that position, though I'd personally play US teammate Convey ahead of him on the left, as he's a better crosser - not to mention that Canada's Jim Brennan as well.

I would also like to do the whole position thing, but there are many CONCACAF teams that I don't know who plays what other than the Costa Rican and USA teams. Yeah, I withdrew DMB because he still has much to prove and replaced him with Amado Guevarra who is in fine form

[Crazy_Yank]

Originally posted by Gordon

BTW, whats the latest on JOB? I hear he is having real struggles with injury and that there is at least a small chance that his career may be in jeapordy.

No, that's Reyna you're thinking of. He has suffered a set back, which could potentially be career threatening. JOB has resumed full workouts with Ajax's 1st team and should be back in the starting lineup once he's fit and fully healed. Ajax has struggled a bit without him. The coach and many supporters have said as much.

[dawgpound2]

I was wondering if anyone has heard of some kid who plays for Guatemala. Ruiz or something? Anyone?

[Sachin]

Originally posted by dawgpound2
I was wondering if anyone has heard of some kid who plays for Guatemala. Ruiz or something? Anyone?

Or Tyson Nunez? What about Wanchope?

Sachin

[Crazy_Yank]

Originally posted by dawgpound2
I was wondering if anyone has heard of some kid who plays for Guatemala. Ruiz or something? Anyone?

One good season does not a great player make . Seriously, if he duplicates his success in the coming season you might have an argument.