Here is a brand new interview with Seb Hines at American Soccer Now http://www.americansoccernow.com/articles/seb-hines-hopes-for-a-chance-with-the-usmnt
Sounds like the kid is amped up to rep the US if given the opportunity. I hope he does get that chance. He's proving to be a very good defender and we are in need of quality CBs.
From the story... Hines acknowledges that the U.S. team is steadily improving. He actively follows the squad’s results and is familiar with the team’s players. Put politely, he's seen the CB competition and knows a golden opportunity when he sees one.
Hines is starting today for Boro vs. Huddersfield. PS.. We really need to change the name of this thread. Talk about outdated
Agreed, if we are going by thread titles we are still waiting to see if Mix Diskerud will choose the US or Norway.
And we wonder why people can't get the "21 is when you have to decide what country you represent" rule out of their heads.
Hines played well and is definitely on my radar now. Very smooth distribution skills and presence on free kicks. The only negative is that he looks very slow.
Are we talking Bocanegra slow? If he has the positioning down, speed is not as big a deal. Fast defenders are always nice, but speed does not a good defender make. See Wynne, Marvell.
Yes, Bocanegra speed, but it appears he reacts better. He plays smart though and asserts himself from positions where its unexpected.
Yes, there is a difference, and it's key. I will say, judging pace is sometimes tough on TV, especially with small samples.
Boca at FB speed. I have a hard time calling him "slow". The game I saw was not full of pace. The strikers he was facing included Zigic and King. Neither are fleet footed demons.
Hines has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. He has played in 15 games (12 starts) in the Championship this year. He has a goal and an assist and has picked up 1 yellow card. Middlesbrough are currently in 3rd place and are 1 point off automatic promotion. They are 10 points clear of 7th place (places 3 - 6 go to the promotion playoffs). Middlesbrough made it through to the quarterfinals of the League Cup before losing 1-0 to Swansea City as mentioned by jwat15 above. Hines started 4 of the 5 games including going 64 minutes in a 1-0 home win against Sunderland. Middlesbrough were drawn against non-league Hastings United in the third round of the FA Cup. His own goal against Swansea City is described as follows in the Express:
There is a rare chance to Seb Hines today as beIN Sport is showing Middlesbrough's home match against Watford live at 10 eastern. Hines returns from his hamstring injury for this one and reclaims his place at center back.
I saw some of this game, and wasn't very impressed by Hines. Might of been him coming off an injury, but he and the rest of Middlesbrough looked like crap.
Having watched Middlesbrough multiple times over the last season and a half it's the usual for him really, average Championship level centre half. The people who have been calling for Hines inclusion in to the US setup probably haven't even watched him play...
Hines went the distance in a 2-1 win over Cardiff City on Saturday: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21556886