I don't think there's much question that both of these guys are first-tier MLS players. I just don't think that's the operative question.
What was the game where Wondo was a foot from the goal line about to score his first goal and the (belongs in MLS-only) scrub kicked it over he crossbar?!! I sh!t you not! I knew then this was the Jason kreis of this era! Who would you take if you being castrated was the penalty for not scoring in a WCQ'S...Kreis, Wondo-ful, or Twellman?! The three MLS kings of goals, but absolute pinwheels at the International level.
Now tied with Wondo for the MLS lead in goals. All cooper has to do is keep on scoring. Be tough for Klinsi to keep ignoring him if he ends up with 25 goals or so.
Kenny is 3rd on the depth chart as a target man. I'd bet on it. He's behind Altidore and Boyd (who's never played a minute above the 4th level of German football. He deserves as much consideration as any forward in MLS. Having said that, being behind Boyd at this point speaks volumes. IMO, Kenny is really going to have to embrace the target role for Red Bull (100%) and he's going to have to excell. If he can fashion himself as a Bobby Zamora type player and still keep up the goal scoring, he should get a call. If not, he's going to be watching the USMNT on TV like the rest of us.
for a guy who has been extremely productive this year, he really hasn't been talked about much recently. I would love to see him get called up to next summer's gold cup
Yup. In fact, of the top 10 goalscoeres in MLS in 2012..............6 are USMNT eligible. 1) Wondolowski 2) Cooper 3) Saborio 4) Keane 5) Henry 6) Johnson 7) Montero 8) Gordon 9) Pontius 10) Bruin
i can see by your face your enthusiastic about that combo... i mean it could be worse, at least they are productive and they look the part of two complementary players (even if cooper doesn't always necceasarily play like a big striker)
Early in the season, there was a lot of talk about Cooper finally playing like a target striker, and there was a lot to show for it. It dialed down a little, but if the guy has truly learned to play the role, then he should be given the call, either in January, or the Gold Cup next year. As far as a Wondo-Cooper partnership, I worry a tad about the lack of pace in that lineup. If we're dealing with a defense like Guatemala that will sit deep and not give any space in behind anyways, then I can see those two tearing it up with the appropriate service, especially if we have Chris Pontius and Graham Zusi offering it. If we've got teams like Honduras or Mexico that press very high up the pitch, we need guys like Johnson running the channels and looking to exploit the space in behind.
Bummer about the missed PK on the 2nd attempt, but he did well to win it. Also showed some good link-up play with Henry and McCarty in attack.
This, for the most part. I mean, if he truly becomes a target and starts to really take after guys like Ching and McBride, I would play him. However, other than that, he's way too much of a winger/poacher in his head.
yeah from what I've heard one of his flaws is he's never learned how to effectively utilize his size. I think he's looked pretty good this year though doing it, but this has been by far his best season of his career. in general i would actually like to see cooper called up.
Well if you look at him like a big man with skills then you will be disappointed. However,if you look at him as a skill player with a big body then you'll be pleased. He's not the only skill player with size. Gullit and Hulk come to mind.
I'm saying those two don't come to (my) mind when I think about Kenny Cooper. Gullit's career ended long ago, but he was much more fluid; and Hulk is very different in body-type and skill-level. Both are a big stretch, imo, but I guess all comparisons are a matter of degree.