So few midfielders can play on the wing and centrally at a high level. We only have two - and they are not available. McDonald looked lost on the right last night. Tudela is also a central midfielder. He played well centrally last year but has not impressed this year when Ruud has asked him to play on the wing. Until David returns I am afraid that only Klein can play on the right with any good effect. So I think it is Klein on the right with McDonald central. That sets up midfield but what to do on the back line. Without Xavier we need to use Roberts, who is not really a fullback. So I think we play him at center back (with Valentin at a backup) with Franklin on the right. Franklin has emerged as our best defender and he can play all across the back. He deserves some time on the right, which I think is his best position and where he might get a notice for national team service some day. So its right full back for Franklin. Valentin BTW did well at right back at Toulon, but I think his pace is better suited to center back.
When Klein pushed up last night, MacDonald was covering right back, and I think he could be serviceable back there against Toronto. I was thinking that Klein & MacDonald should permanently switch during the Open Cup game. If Jazic & X & Ruiz & Allen & Pires are not available: MacDonald...Roberts...Franklin...Vanney .........Pete/Tudela..........Franchino...... Klein.................................Randolph .........Gordon.........Buddle............... Or put Gavin at left back & Vanney in the middle for Roberts. Either way, we are not in good shape. Randolph needs to step it up. Very interesting that Ruud blamed the midfield play in his post-game comments. He was pretty harsh. I'm thinking he was bagging on Vagenas a little, although he may have been talking about all the rest - MacDonald, Tudela, Gordon, Randolph, Allen. Because he specifically mentioned players who normally sit on the bench, I'm thinking especially Vagenas, Tudela and Randolph. Ouch - we need these guys to perform. Our team is too thin as it is.
I think you guys are reading too much into Pires not playing last night. Ruud said he couldn't play because of a knee problem and they knew they have to play on turf against Toronto. Sounds to me like they were just saving him for Sat.
Quote: Bradley confirmed midfielder Landon Donovan had missed out on a 100th cap with a tight hamstring, and with his club side the Los Angeles Galaxy due to play Toronto at the weekend he is now almost certain to miss the weekend clash with Spain. Original Article http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=540434&cc=5901 I know this means Landon will most likely miss the match against Spain but does this also mean he will be available for the match against Toronto?
Wtf - the ESPN announcers @ Wembley said Donovan was sitting out due to a groin injury - which one is it?
This doesn't make sense to me. The game vs. Spain is not until next Wednesday, whereas Toronto is this Saturday. If he's unfit to play in a week vs. Spain, how could he be fit to play vs. Toronto in 3 days? I personally don't want him anywhere near the turf in Toronto with a strained groin or tight hamstring (whichever injury it is, though I'm pulling for a groin injury (ha, ha Trickhog!)). He needs to heal, for the sake of the US National Team and the Galaxy.
So, looking at the available roster for us and TFC, I only have one question: Does this game count in MLS standings or Reserve League standings?
I don't know why but that just gave me a chuckle: "Landon, we need you to take care of your groin...for the sake of the entire United States and the goddamn GALAXY. So no while partying with Spanish chicks k?"
Here is a quote from Bob Bradley... http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_6488068.html So Donovan will be here for TFC, but it will depend on his recovery if he plays or not.
If he can go for us this weekend then let him go to Spain and keep him out of the Argentina match. That way he can play for the G's against Colorado on 6/7.
Well, that's just stupid I think. So after the TFC game, if he plays or not, does he board another plane back to Spain? Wonderful way to deal with an injured player. So has Capello released Beckham back to us? Becks doesn't need to play vs. T&T, Bentley does - that dude needs all the practice he can get.
My understanding is that Becks is going to Trinidad. Capello only released the players who played in Moscow last week. As for Landon, I believe the plan all along was that he would play in London and be in Toronto and then not play in Spain. Problem is he got hurt and couldn't play against England. He will continue to Toronto as planned and if fit he will play. Whether he plays in Toronto probably determines if he plays in Spain. Basically if he can play in Toronto and does not reaggravate his groin he will go to Spain.
For anyone interested, the blog has a good update of the Landon situation. He is flying to meet the team in Toronto. Once in Toronto the medical staff will evaluate if hes fit enough to play. Personally, I would rather he stay in Europe and not play with us unless he's 100%. Jazic also off to Seattle to play against Brazil, and beckham staying with England to play against T&T.
Yeah, that's the way I was reading it too and I thought that was just a dumb thing to do. Way too much wear and tear on a body. But what do I know? I'm not an expert on the ways of professional athletics and all that. I'm also unhappy about Beckham playing for England vs. T&T. I mean, come on, Capello, blood the young'ins.
It is not expected to see US players able to match up with high-level English players, but it is still painful to see the short-fall of our players. The loss 4-2 to brazil last summer had a better display of skills than this game. This match proved one thing, that our players belong at the bottom of the premier league and their players belong in the upper teams. Anybody who claims otherwise needs a reality check. National teams should be the most thrilling to watch, yet MLS seems to be more exciting now. Bradley's selection of starting line-up shows that he is not the man for the job. We need serious people like cappello. England misqualified Euro 08 and people think England sucks. Well, Euro is tough land for soccer that's all. Anyone can slip away. Cappello called up the most talented players for this match and our selection is a disgrace. How do u match up guys from bottom teams or reserve to face top players. Bradley should have pool from both MLS and abroad who are presently in the best forms. Instead he brought in players that even their current team doesn't want them. Eddie Johnson? He's a disgrace display for Fulham. Clark? This guy still can't figure it out whats the break down with houston. Also, u got to use the right mixture of experience and new talents. Having a bunch of young players against top players is plainly stupid. Best forwards in the world have one thing in common, speed and creative runs. Look at kaka, ronaldo, henry, messi. Please someone tell bradley to stop using slow and stupid forward like Eddie Johnson. Correct me if I'm wrong but just try to be real here, if clark, bradley Jr, benny, and maurice edu are our pairs of midfielders for WC 2010, then don't expect to get past first round. They don't have the size, strenght, and vision to match up great teams. Lastly, someone plz tell lalas to invite Fulham to play Chicago or galaxy, just to prove that American players going to bottom teams in Euro doesn't mean they will improve or become better that MLS. Fulham's games definitely not sexy, galaxy games, sexy.
Hopefully Ruiz can make it to the game.. he said on the US Cup recap video..he wants to play in toronto then fly to miami and then head to chili.. hope thats true..
fish was not called to the national team, primi(guatemala's coach) said he didnt want to use him until the tough matches so he wont be called until they play chile.
And who do you suggest Bradley play in the midfield instead of the guys you mention? How about up top where we don't have a Kaka, Messi or Ronaldo? How are our guy's shortcomings Bradley's fault? How would Capello make this team better? You can bitch all you want about yesterday, but it was a meaningless friendly and everyone knows it. If your pride was hurt, too damn bad. Our goal is to qualify for 2010. Bradley's job is to see how deep his player pool is. He is going to play marginal players whether you like it or not because his payday doesn't depend on him beating England and Spain, but for beating Mexico, Honduras and the like. We all knew long before yesterday that England's best players are better than ours. Those guys had so much more to play for. Do you think they could have possibly lost at home to a country they look down on after missing Euro 2008 in front of a new coach they all respect? What incentive did we have? Let's get back to LAG v. TOR.
Is it at all possible that Becks is going to Toronto? I know everyone thinks he is not, but on the LA Galaxy website, they have a preview for the game and they list the players who will be absent due to international duty. They do not list Beckham as away on duty. Any chance he could show up in Toronto and then fly to Trinidad for the friendly?
Becks is with the England national team for their sunday friendly against T&T. He will not play against Toronto.
If they're going to bribe Jack Warner, they need to bring at least one big star, and Becks is the biggest.