Dempsey and Howard have served the US team with distinction. Dempsey may well deserve the scoring record. Should they have a chance at a farewell game? Is this too early to discuss?
Maybe schedule Belgium and give them another chance at Howard? Methinks it wouldn't be scoreless after 90 ...
I've posted this in a couple other places, but Dempsey setting the record now would have to feel so hollow for everyone, including him. Bradley doesn't deserve crap. I couldn't care less about Howard getting one.
I voted yes, but now that I think about it, I would say no. I'll always appreciate what Dempsey has done for the USA, but he's past his best and it would be silly to give him a cupcake game just for the sake of breaking the record. Howard doesn't need another cap for any particular purpose. He had a lot of great moments in the USA shirt. What US Soccer should do instead is have a nice pre-game ceremony 9-12 months from now where they honor some of the recent 100+ cap people like Cherundolo, Bocanegra, Donovan, Howard, and Dempsey. Maybe give them all some type of patchwork kit with pieces from all the different USA kits from the past decade, and a number 100 on the back. Something like that.
I kind of agree. There's a poetic justice about two guys that people debated who was better ending up tied.
I said yes, because they gave us some good years, some good memories. It would be something good for morale in the team and the fanbase to have a big sendoff like that. Something positive for us to reflect on - and lend closure as we move forwards into the next phase of the national team. And we have some meaningless friendlies coming up anyway. But here's the problem with farewell games: both sides have to agree to it. Farewell games happen if the player announces his retirement - from internationals or for his career. They don't happen if the player just sucks too much to be called up anymore. Yes, Howard and Dempsey are not gonna get called up again. But will they accept that? If they're of the opinion, "No, I want to keep playing", then you can't hold a farewell ceremony or testimonial for them without it feeling insulting and stirring up ill will. It's the difference between throwing someone a retirement party, and throwing someone a forced retirement party.
[Jurgen] There is no place for sentimentality in soccer. You want them to feel the pressure when they go to the grocery store. Nein! [/Klinsmann]
No, 10/10 was their send-off game as @OGx3 has pointed out, also they distinguished (crapped out) themselves in many other crucial games games for the past few years. 10/10 was when they have reached their international soccer retirement age (also called product shelf life in supply chain).
Usually I'd say no for pretty much anyone but Donovan (who was never involved in the US failing to qualify for the World Cup, in fact he qualified the US last time with his goal and assist against Mexico), but I'd say yes just because it could be a "eight birds with one stone" situation... just make it against a tough opponent so Dempsey can't easily break the goalscoring record.
After WCQ catastrophe every ********ing game must count, no more exhibition matches, every game must be a training session for next WCQ. They are not "over-the-hill icons", they are washouts, they deserve nothing now.
Michael Bradley = Roy Munson. That should be his future from this day forward... a cautious tale of what not to be.
Not a chance in hell. These guys are all disgraced, and deserve nothing. Maybe give Dempsey a plaque at halftime of some friendly as a thank you for being a badass for so many years. Howard got 2 years of send off games, and reminds me of Jeter sucking ass yet still playing that last year. Pathetic. Bradley is the worst captain in US soccer history. The fact he hasn't publicly given up the arm band/retired for int'l duty says all I need to know. Donovan was the only guy who deserved something like that. For all the shit he got (from me included), he carried the team, consistently stepped up when needed, and was the best/most influential player during the best US soccer generation. This all being said, if a send off game meant I'd never have to see these guys again in a US shirt (include Zusi, Beaz, Altidore, Guzan, Omar), then I will offer my backyard and livestream it for the entire world.
Sure, the second friendly in this November window. Oh wait. Well, maybe you could make it an intrasquad scrimmage, that way you could send off quite a few folks we never need to see again.
TIm and Clint, yes. Michael Bradley, no. But Bradley will continue to play for us, so who are we kidding?