Razov and the "US Reject" label [R for US-Denmark]

Here here!!! I agree with you. Ante deserves a few more chances and has show he can score on the international level. he does have a speed issue Arena apparently really loves speed. Most be something he and his wife talk about alot in the bedroom Arena's real ability to speedily finish off the task at hand. As I am sure Arena's wife would agree with, speed isn't everything.

 

Ante probably deserves more callups, but has not proven to be a first-choice striker. A nice late-game substitute seems to be his chosen role.

 

No. Ante has had enough chances on the USMNT. But Ante is a excellent MLS player whom I wish DC had.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Ante in some of the "smaller" matches ......... against the Barbados' of the world. To think that people are suggesting that Wolyniec is better for the Nats than Ante is just plain ridiculous. However, he just hasn't proven himself to be a starter, as someone else said. As for the speed point ........... is McBride faster than him?

 

Gotta say, he looked overmatched against an all domestic Denmark team. I would have to believe that when the US has the full side together, 2 forwards will come out of Donovan, Mcbride, Mathis, Wolff and even a Casey or a Cooper concievably. I have been plenty critical of Mathis' issues but at least he has the talent.Ante does not have the talent.Maybe even someone we don't know about yet will step forward.I have seen Razov play loads of matches and I am not impressed even a little.

 

most definitely yes. Mcbride is much faster than people credit him for because he often plays with his back to the goal. His first goal in England for Everton last year was on an out and out break-away. Big Mac is actually fairly fast.

 

MLS, yes. International, no.

Lacks speed. Can't fix that. It was obvious against the Danes that he was not able to outrun any of them.

Positioning. Very good. He seems to be in the right place at the right time. However, if you can't finish in big games, you can't play the game. His misses in Sunday's game coming on the heels of MLS Cup where he had a miserable day just add to the questions.

Could he play a role of the bench in the future? Maybe, but in doing so he would be taking time away from younger players who need the development time.

From recent comments from Arena it sounds as though he is willing to use veteran players as role players in the qualifying process as opposed to just the final group. If that is the case, then maybe Ante has a job there. Otherwise, I am afraid he is not at the level necessary to be a component of the run to WC '06.

 

Agree. BMB is faster. When Donovan is on the field he is used as a target but he CAN be a runner when he needs to be.

I was somewhat intrigued by the possibility of Razov in the BMB role Sunday with Donovan. But it didn't happen. Part of that was the lack of quality service but I have never seen Razov demonstrate anything like the skill McBride has in the air. Let's face it, even the Eurosnobs admit McBride is one of the best in the world in the air. Add better than average speed and skill and Razov sits unless someone gets hurt.

 

Razov is one of the purest examples in the US pool of a true striker. He isn't a big playmaker (although he can sometimes create), his proficiency in the air is nothing special, and while he is quick, he isn't fast. He is known as a bit of a poacher, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

As Arena has said over and over about Razov, he has a head for going to goal. He always wants to score and as a striker that is his sole purpose anyway.

However, Razov's performance for the Nats has been subpar for roughly half of his caps. Given the pool of talent the US has up front Razov really could contribute more as a sub than he could as a starter. If nothing else he can stretch a back line thin, and despite his finishing issues he is a man that can never be left alone.

 

Arena has been described in the past as saying that Ante plays too slowly for his taste.

I understand that Arena criticizes even his favorite players (e.g., Donovan) so that the mere fact that criticism exists doesn't kill Ante's chances on the MNT. However, since Arena also has described the international game as being a faster game than MLS, I think that Bruce is pretty clearly signalling that he doesn't see Ante as being on his "A" list. Ante will be used in friendlies like this and/or when the "A" list forwards are unavailable due to injury.

 

alas, yes, but the thread would have a different title. all these mls guys are rusty...even if ante's shot is on frame, that's not an easy angle...all but a perfect strike is going to be saved. no, he's getting the business here because he's already in the doghouse. not to compare the two, but landon seems to get the pardon while he outrageously fiddles in front of goal.

 

Let me start by saying that I'm not a Razov fan, at all, but I did think he deserved the MLS MVP award this past year.

As for his play with the national team my biggest problems are:

1) He's too slow - On Sunday he was caught and passed by relatively slow Danish defenders on balls played to space. Any other forward we have would have gotten to at least 50% of those balls.
2) I think he chokes in big games and for him every US game is a big game.

 

Mike,
in the short time I have been posting here I find you often prone to over-statement. Hence I'll let your assessment that BMB is not even in the top 30 slide by with only this comment:

Both Blackburn and Fulham, along with Everton last year, feel he is good enough in the air (among other things) to give him a contract despite the age that some consider to be too old. All 3 clubs have stated that his skills in the air "bring something lacking" with the current rosters. A few weeks ago I read a quote on one of the Premier club sites that I have not been able to find again in which he was described as "one of the best in the air."

Since this is coming from clubs who play in a league that places a premium on being able to play service in the air, I am going to say that McBride is probably pretty darn good at it.

So I'm not going to get into a P!$$ing contest over whether he is in the top 10, top 30 or top 100. I will only stick by my original assessment that if he is good enough to earn a 3 year contract, at his age, in EPL, he is probably going to be in the top 30 or better, which in the overall scheme of things makes him "one of the best in the world."

 

I would be more impressed if he had even managed to get one on target.

 

First of all Casper. Who in the hell ever said Woly was a mainstay for the Nats? I admit that he has done well for our boys off the bench or did well starting once in a while. But I never said he deserved to stay on the Nats.

Just glad to see him get his 1st cap.

 

Please do so. We love Mike here on BigSoccer, and delight in his delusions regarding McBride.

He's kind of like the beloved old Uncle you invite to Christmas dinner; he sits in the corner muttering about "the Jews" or something, but you love the old guy anyway so you just ignore it and give him a second helping of candied yams.

Mike will end his days in the "Corporal Agarn Rest Home" (which he probably designed) covered with a shawl and a lap blanket annoying all the old ladies by exposing himself and holering "You want McBride??? I'll SHOW you McBride"

Pity. Mike loves water sports.

Look, BMB is in fact as good as anybody in the world in the air. Everybody knows it except Mike.

 

Did you watch the Germany game...Mcbride giftwrapped one goal for Donovan and played the thoughball on the other one that Kahn tipped wide...

 

Razov deserves more chances with this team if only for the sole reason that he can shoot from outside the box. He may not beone of the best in the world at it, but he definitely is one of the best Americans at it. Who cares if he's 29? If he's still got it, he's still got it.

The only thing he hasn't convinced me of is that he's a big game player. Maybe he can work over his nerves, if that's even the problem at all.

Arena has got to know he has to find someone to fill in the holes when McBride isn't around, because, deserved or not, McBride is as much of a lock as anyone on this team, save probably Donovan.

 

Mike Segroves said: C'mon Bill, you know I can't stand candied yams... or Jews for that matter, but that's a another thread altogether.
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Then come on over and say that to me you big Anti-Semetic piece of Garbage. I'll be your little kryptonite to your Anti-Semetic racist Superman (S) on your posts.

Being an arrogant jerk is one thing I have already seen your last post disecting everyone's arrguments. But acting like complete fool is another. If Landon Donovan is a US reject, then Pele scored cheap goals and doesn't deserve the recognition he so richly deserves.

At least Donovan attacked the goal and the only thing that was going to stop him was not the German defenders, but Olivier Kahn. A world class keeper of Kahn's stature was going to stop any attempts that Landon Donovan or any other side against Germany he wasn't going to allow a goal at all. Right now all Razov can do is be the #1 striker along with Ralph up top for the Fire and blast as many goals as he wants. He can score as many hat tricks for Chicago as he likes. In MLS he can do the job, I have no question or doubts about his abillity in MLS. However My doubts are during the Nats games that he gets called up for. And I have seen nothing. In all honesty I have said nothing about Razov till this past friendly against Denmark. And if those are the chances he is going to miss on, or screw up on and he can't handle the pressure? Then he doesn't deserve another chance. I can care less if Razov's blasts are just outside the penalty area and torches the net during MLS play. He has to do it for the nats.

Let's talk about Clint Mathis during the friendly against Germany at Rostok in 2002 before the World Cup. He scored the 1st goal of the match. His original chance went by the keeper and nailed the post. He was able to pick up speed and get his own rebound and tucked it home. Can I see Razov do that? I admit he is not built for speed. He is more of a "Please set me up for a nice juicy pass so I can one time a rocket by the keeper" I'm not comparing Clint to Ante. That would be a true Farce. I want to see Ante do what he does for the Nats just like he does it for the Chicago Fire.

I just don't see it. Sorry to disappoint you Mike. Majority of Razov's chances have gone for not. Time to move on and see who else is gonna come in and make the attempt to replace such strong players like Brian McBride & Clint Mathis. Because you never know when their attempts at another World Cup will be there or not.

 

Without really reading any of the post before me... I think ante is lazy and doesn't have good chemistry with any forward he has ever played with. However, I do think he is probably one of the best MLS strikers and deserves plenty of first team time with Chicago, but the times I've seen him play with our nationals leaves me thinking that he isn't even trying to win a spot. I'm betting he's arrogant too... His is still behind Joe max on my depth chart.... and that's falling fast.

Twellman, however, I'm worried about. the kid has worked his ass off in the few attempts at international soccer, but seems to not get anything accomplished. I hope he can break the "good only for MLS" barrier. If not, I'm still happy with Landon and McBride and Wolff and Mathis (even though he needs a kick in the ass ever game and still only gives about 10 good minutes out of 90... which is good for one goal at least), and by the time these guys peak Adu should be getting his butt in gear.

 

The only think I would argue about was putting the words Brilliant and Agoss too close to each other.
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I did notice in the Denmark game that Ante was waiting for a cross in the game in the middle of the area when he was the only receiver up field. I have a thing about the first receiver down on a cross should move to his near post. Beat the defender inside to the near post their is no defender to keep the receiver from seeing a cross that get's past the servers first defender. The cross can even be an on the ground cross the near post receiver can see it. If you can see the ball you can score. There was another defender between Razov and the ball when the cross was made. It never got to Ante. To me that was a mistake in his positiong on that cross if you look at things like that.

Richie

 

I think he should get a few more chances. Just how bad is his right foot?

On his miss kick where the ball faded to his left on that shot. His best choice would have been use the right foot to the far side netting.

 

This is true you score a goal at striker it will probably get you six more games with the national team as it did Kirovski.

If you are an annoucer for soccer on tv, and you call the goal by the player just before it happens you can do even better. It can get you a 5 year tv contract like it did Rob Stone when he called that "Goal" by Kirovski.