I hadn't seen this anywhere else, so please merge if there's already a thread on it. Anyway, interesting article that came out just a few weeks ago: http://www.sams-army.com/index.php?Mlist=content_full&Article_id=279
Good piece. This part caught me though: I think that's a bit of a stretch to call us favorites. At best I'd say there are no favorites. Holland and Nigeria are excellent youth squads normally, and Japan is no pushover. The last sentence of the article is also poorly written, but that's just my media hate shining through. I like Zizzo. Didn't he get some first team minutes at the end of the season?
Two appearances, and Hanover fans think he's quick. (QUICK! GET HIM ON THE ROSTER FOR 2014!!!) I jest.
I love the part where the said "prom date" thought he should have sounded more Italian! In all seriousness, Sal Zizzo, you won't be making the Olympic squad after a very poor first year in Europe. And the US are definitely not favorites to advance, per se, in a group containing the current European U21 champions, but I think they can pip the others to clinch second place.
I wouldn't say it was poor. Obvioulsy he's impressed them and is in their plans. He's made the bench and gotten some minutes. Its about what I expected would happen and is pretty much par for the course for first year Nats in the B1....from my limited knowledge anyways. We definitely got one of the toughest draws in the Olys.
Hannover had a decent season, so I doubt they were really going to risk the team chemistry by throwing an unproven kid into the mix. I bet he'll see some time next season.
I think that a good pre-season would be crucial in helping his chances. Unfortunately, he could end up missing quite a bit of it for the Olympics.
Speaking about the Olympics, Cherundolo won't be there right? I'm asking because there was a short blurb in the recent Kicker about "Cherundolo's olympic dream" that scared most 96 fans because we really don't have any backup for him.
I think most US fans aren't looking to Cherundolo to be one of the over 23 year old picks. The defense in qualifying was decent and there are other, younger options at the position (Jonathan Spector at West Ham springs to mind). More importantly, there positions that the US could use the assistance of an older player, such as forward (Brian McBride at Fulham), or in goal where the US has a serious upgrade (Tim Howard at Everton or Marcus Hahneman at Reading).
Really? A "very poor first year"? Hannover 96 was very open about calling Zizzo a prospect and too raw for the first team, so the fact that he got very few minutes can't be why his first season should be considered very poor. Can you explain then what is the reason?
Looks like you're right. This is a BILD article from today: http://www.das-fanmagazin.de/forum/thread.php?threadid=37919
ohoh! here we go. club vs country. what should zizzo do? i'd stay with the club. the olympics are not a fifa event. if he were an established player hecking might view it differently.
I think Olympic soccer is kinda useless. Sal should stay at Hannover. On a broader note, I wish Olympic Soccer was an amateur event. It would be fun to see the U.S. College Best XI vs. Everyone else.
He may not have a choice. He was the worst of the attacking midfielders at the trials and with Robbie Rogers tearing it up, Zizzo is the obvious guy for him to displace. Or if Landon Donovan gets his wish and is on the Olympic team, that would also probably reduce any utility Zizzo might have.
Worst of the attacking midfielders?. First of all, dumbass Nowak didn't play him enough. Second, I'd take Zizzo any day of the week over having Charlie "the Swan Dive" Davies on the wing (granted that is not his best position--don't get me started on Nowak's horrible line-ups and formations). I think Zizzo is just as good, if not more dangerous than Gaven, Holden, etc.
I'd take the following U-23 players on the wing ahead of Sal Zizzo right now: Robbie Rogers Stuart Holden Sacha Kljestan Arturo Alvarez Eddie Gaven In my opinion, all of these guys provide more value to the U-23 team than Zizzo does.
I'd tell him to stay at Hanover, and I love the Olympics. Hopefully, he won't have to worry about it given others recent form and potential over age candidates.
It would completely suck for all parties involved if he is on the Olympic roster, but sits on the bench the whole time. And that looks like a distinct possibility.
this is an interesting scenario, and a likely one as pointed out by others. Sal would be bench likely to Rogers, Holden, Gaven, Klejstan. That may be just enough to push him off the team anyways and it'd be fine and he can do the Hannover gig over summer, which is probably best for him anyways if he wants first team action with Hannover next season. Sal's sitting pretty over there in germany right now just starting to get first team action, so i guess he is one of the few im actually rooting against getting a spot. Im incredibly high on zizzo so its not a knock on him, preaching to the choir though, a summer at Hannover is in his best interests over the olympics
Amen. I mean, discounting Subotic, isn't Zizzo one of only three field-player Yanks in the BL next season? And he's starting to get minutes, and he's how old??? I don't think this is a club/country debate. It seems clear to me that him getting more minutes at Hannover would obviously be good for his club career, and longterm, would be great for the USMNT. As a side note, I find it interesting and encouraging that BL1 teams seem to be willing to take chances on young Yanks (i.e. Pearce, Arguez, Zizzo)...
It's a shame that he's being put in this position, but that's definitely one way look at it. The right mid spot for the U.S. team is still so unsettled that if he starts getting regular playing time there for Hannover next season he's got a good shot at making it his own. And a strong pre-season with his club would be crucial for making that happen.