For the return of the most maligned National Teamer in the history of the US? The defensive midfielder whom we either love (shutting down Totti) or hate (debacle at Rostock). The man who is blamed for every practically every loss. but never given enough credit when we win. The man that Bruce Arena would probably make captain if Claudio Reyna was not around. The man whose torn ACL is the only reason that Pablo Mastreoni is a house-hold name amoung US Soccer fans. The man who is still our best defender out of the midfielder. The man who is still our worst offensive player out of the midfield. The man who has the ignomy of calling Richie Williams a predecessor. The man who turned just 30 (young for a person at his position and skill set) on August 27th. The man who will probably make his return to the International game in our February friendly. Who is this man? If you need to ask your either a new fan or got to this web site by mistake and were looking for bignfl.com.
as far as I'm concerned, Armas can play for the Nats whenever he wants. he'll be back and he'll be great. again.
I don't think Armas is that maligned - especially after the Agoos WC debacle and even before then, Regis seemed the major goat. Folk were even all over Sanneh for being slow.
I personally think Armas-- a player of his skills and abilities-- will be back better than ever, even. That is, as long as his knee is back to normal. However, it is nice to know that should Armas be unfit or out of form, we have someone like Mastroeni who can fill in for him, or even a Richard Mulrooney waiting in the wings as well (provided that his injuries meet a full recovery, also). The whole Armas injury situation proved that there is a great deal of depth with the USMNT right now... and it's getting better and deeper all the time. Cheers, William
huh? has hell frozen over? have I woken up in some weird universe? Am I actually hearing that people WANT Armas back and starting over Pablo?? After tha games vs Germany and Ireland I don't think there was National teamer that was more questioned. wow what a few months and 6th place finish in the WC can do.
Thats because big soccer is obsessed over speed. Speed is over-rated in soccer. Point in case, if I were the manager in a WC game and my only 2 choices for playmaker were speed merchant Landon Donovan and Claudio Reyna, I'd take Reyna in a heartbeat.
Armas? No way is he the most maligned player ever, not even at his own position. My Maligned 11 (in a 3-6-1, of course) ... G - Meola D - Regis D - Agoos D - Burns M - Lewis M - Deering M - ABMOD M - Kirovski M - Cobi M - Albright F - Wegerle
BA loves Armas. He'll be back until he proves he can't cut it anymore. Pablo will be a defender, I think, on the MNT for a while. Thats cool, he'll improve playing in nthe midfield next to Valderamma and when he does step in, he'll be even better. I can't see a 33/34 year old Armas starting in Germany06.
Re: Re: Are You Ready? One of the funniest posts I've ever read. And hard to argue with any of those choices. I assume Lalas is first off the bench?
Which Lalas? Before Retirement Lalas, who played in the Serie A (only American player to date) or After retirement Lalas, who is leading the LA Galaxy to an MLS Cup final?
Anyone happy to see Armas possibly taking Mastro's spot away from him is confused. Pablo is younger, faster, stronger, more creative from that position, etc. etc. and now has just as much big game experience as Armas. It wouldn't be an even switch in my mind. Armas did his job when we needed him and I see at least a couple of more years in which he will be valuable to the national team. However, he has been replaced as a starter and to me it would be a mistake for Arena to decide otherwise. but then again, opinions are like A-holes....
actually, I'm rather see Pablo as a Central Defender. He has the size and stength for it and he can obviously defend and we're short on defenders. Armas can hold the fort through qualifying till and a more athletic d-mid (you hearing this Kelly Gray) develops.
Anyone who watched Mastro demolish Blanco in the game against Mexico knows who the DMid is. Mastro is the future and also the present, younger faster, stronger, and a much better ball handler. In the All-Star Game, in the absence of Reyna and JOB, he took over a considerable amount of the districution duties. That's something that Armas, for all his hard work, has never been able to do. Mastro improves in every game he plays for the Nats. This isn't even much of a choice, IMHO.
Armas' knee injury happened at too advanced an age for him to come back and be effective at the international level. Same thing happened to Waldo, Ramos, etc. We've pretty much seen the last of Armas as long as Pablo Mastroeni is healthy. Gray is going to be a central defender IMHO, not Pablo. Pablo sucks in the air. Bad.
i'm sure Armas will get a few more friendlies in and it will be up to him to prove in those games that he can still play at this level. If he can not we have plenty of talent coming up that will gladly take his place.
I agree entirely, not to diminish Armas' contributions, but I see Pablo as a significant step up because he brings the offensive element that Armas is lacking (on a consistent basis).
I will make one contribution, and ONLY one contribution to this thread. For those of you who so quickly (and for some, eagerly and happily) want to bury Armas, remember this: NO player who has put on the national team kit in the last 4 years had more dedication, determination, discipline, and difference-maker leadership skills -- and yes, a lot more soccer ability and talent than you might believe. As Pablo, rightly so, tries to install himself in the first choice slot, he -- and all the anti-Armas crowd -- should keep THAT in mind.