Should Klinsy Consider Cooper? In Search of the Best US U20s
Posted on April 26, 2012 3:27 am
Brett and Derek discuss whether Kenny Cooper has earned a look from Jurgen Klinsmann and the US National Team; also a review of Tab Ramos as the U20s manager and the struggles of trying to pick a final team out of hundreds of eligible players. On The Straight Red Card.
Yes, in the past, Cooper has played like the way Jozy Altidore plays. The way YOU GUYS YOU YOU YOU YOU GUYS have pointed out that Jozy plays.
You guys are having some sort of sudden erection about Jozy. And now you are having one about Cooper.
The problem is that you guys are thinking that Jozy has suddenly learned to be McBride and Cooper can be understudy of NeoMcBride.
Except that not such a thing has happened.
You brought up strike rate. As Stan tirelessly points out, Jozy is very accomplished for his age, and you brought up strike rate, at which Cooper is no slouch at.
I think we old fossils, and by “we” I include you guys, need to relearn things. You guys have criticized Jozy as much as I have for failing to be McBride. Should we praise
Altidore and Cooper for their moments of resemblance to McBride, or should we praise them for their accomplishments, despite their failure to look like we think large forwards should look like?
Mateo, did you happen to drink too much espresso? I don’t ever recall claiming any striker needed to “learn to be McBride”.
We are pointing out that a big and tall striker must learn the trade that fits his physical attributes. I’m not sure if i’m simply missing your point, but neither of us (derek and me) have down played either Jozy or Cooper’s success in the past. We are simply pointing out as big and tall strikers they should learn to use their body as a target striker does.
Derek and I criticize when warranted and praise when earned. I have been a big supporter of Jozy over the years harping that he only needs consistent playing time at the club level to start to shine. I suggest you go back and note any episode in which we talk of Jozy since his move to AZ and realize that we’ve been giving him credit for his successes. I’ve even argued since joining AZ his play with the nats improved greatly as well despite his scoring rate not being stellar under JK.
We’ve also mentioned that Cooper had success prior to figuring out how to play the strong striker type. Cooper always would drift towards the side and try to play behind the backline rather then play the physical striker role and it frustrated many, fans and coaches alike. This is why he didnt see much PT under Bob. He wasnt playing like a target striker and he simply wasnt good enough to play the 2nd striker in his system (not saying Findley was, but he certainly filled a “type” player Bob was looking for).
Under JK Cooper may find some PT if he continues to play as a big striker. He is going to be isolated and will have to hold up the play and distribute. Jozy has improved this ability, hence how well he’s been playing under JK.
BTW, neither player fit a BMB mold. Neither are similar in skill set. But they both have the physical attributes to play a target striker and they both have to learn how to use their body.
Even in the Target striker mold there are difference in players. Not all target strikers are the same as Brian McBride and Brian McBride is not a clone of another target striker.
I see you found the reply I gave down below. I think it was a little more clear on what I was trying to say. Yes less espresso…or some beverage or another.
lol
Well, I’ll fess up. Dee came over, and he brought his bootleg Tequila.
MLS Soccer = ATM machine
I didn’t really hear a resounding “yes” for Cooper being called up. As for Jozy, I really do think he has improved a whole lot. Why not give him credit, Mateofelipe? Is he McBride yet? No, but he sure has made some big time progress–and he may even have some strengths that McBride would openly admit he never had. Just a thought.
Well, what I meant to indicate is that I coming around on not being stuck with a traditional 4-4-2 paradigm rigidly installed in my brain. Cooper and Altidore are good forwards, they are just different from what one tends to expect from very large people, but “different” is not bad. The game is moving on, and I am being more open-minded than I have previously.
The target striker mold of the 90 and early 2000′s will not be the same mold a decade or two later. As you say, the game is moving on. However, there will always be a target striker type especially in those who’ve got bigger frames to utilize it.
The target striker of yesterday will not be the same target striker of tomorrow. Look at Jozy’s hold up play for the Nats. JK requires a target striker to hold up the play while support arrives. Boyd is a physical striker (from what i’ve seen) and will play as a target striker type, but i wouldn’t say he fits a BMB mold (again small sample size to judge). All target strikers are not clones of each other.
Does JK know JK requires a hold up striker? The man he keeps starting is best suited to being a second striker, which is no insult to Jozy. There is nothing wrong with being a second striker who also happens to be very strong, as well as being fast and skilled. Which goes to my overall point (and I’m sure I had one) – Jozy is a very good soccer player and a nice fellow, as are lots of other people who may or may not be described as “strikers.” But how to employ them in these fandangled new schemes is an interesting question.
i would argue since moving to AZ his hold up play and overall decision making has drastically improved. Even under bob he was utilized as more of the target man up front. Early in his career with the nats he was the 2nd striker behind a target man, but as Davies emerged Jozy became more and more the target with a 2nd striker running off him.
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