So what is your ultimate point wrt moving forward? That Jozy should still be #1 forward? If so, I assume you think MB should continue on as captain and first name on the team sheet because he has load of caps and not a bad goal/assist rate? Doesn't everything else follow on from there? We just maintain the status quo despite everything that has happened the last 1-2 years?
No, I just find it distasteful when people focus all their criticism on a couple of guys who gave us some good moments in the past. We used to call it "respect," back in the day. They're no longer any good, fine. But you still show them the door politely.
Then I'll remind people that after eight caps Julien Green had already scored in a World Cup. Doesn't mean he should be starting all the time. If you look at the latest Hex standings, there are four teams worth a dang more than the US. That's why folks are pissed off.
Why? Sports is a ruthless business. It's all about who can help me the most in the next match. Being polite about Bradley/Nagbe/Howard types is why Clint's window for a 4th WC was shut in his face. But that happens. Sports is unforgiving. If anything, being polite to the vets off past history is why we're not going to Russia and why this next generation was screwed.
Well....if that is what you want to cal its Me, I see it as more like "Bruce Being Bruce" and doing what he does.
It wasn't a big surprise if you had been following the Galaxy post-Donovan, TBH. Bruce was obviously left behind by modern tactics. Still, we failed to make it due to an extraordinary combination of circumstances, from a non-existent goal to a long-distance shot Alvin Jones is unlikely to ever repeat in his career.
I think the Soccer Gods made a cruel deal back during the '09 Confed Cup. "Sure, you can get out of the group and we'll even let you beat Spain. You just have to pay us back one day..."
Bruce didn't employ modern tactics even when he had Beckham and Landon. It was largely conservative long ball, Beckham sitting in deep pockets and whipping long balls forward and Landon pouncing on the occasional counter. Even with Keane/Landon is was similar, bootball and those two would create something a few times per game off their individual skill. Then they'd sit back in a shell. Ugly stuff.
I agree, the key here it was Beckham being so precise with his long passes that it worked, the team was a different team once he left.
Certainly, but back then quite a lot of teams were doing the ugly thing, with one or two runners up front. That set of tactics died when rival teams moved their defense lines forward, and at least half of the defenders were fast guys. All in all, while I wasn't happy with Arena taking over, I don't think we had much choice at that point. We were riding on faith.
I guess the federation can use highlights of this game for the coming cheesy ads of "One Dream... Qatar!"