Gonzalez/Opara/Ream/Boss/Alston/Lichaj

Discussion in 'USA Men' started by JediSoccer, Aug 21, 2010.

  1. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't think any of these guys are ready now, obviously.

    And I think there a players who deserve more USMNT minutes ahead of them.

    At CB:

    1. Deserves some looks with the first teams: Chad Marshall, Geoff Cameron

    Best two CB's in MLS. They've proven it.

    2) Done enough to get a call or some spare minutes: Gonzalez, Opara, McDonald

    Playing every day for the Gals and Quakes (when healthy). Like the size and speed here.

    3) Needs more seasoning: Boss, Ream

    At fullback:

    1) Deserves a shot with the core: Franklin
    2) Deserves a call and look: Lichaj, Pearce
    3) More seasoning: Alston
     
  2. Gamecock14

    Gamecock14 Member+

    May 27, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Isnt Pearce having a better season statistically than any other RB in the league. He is one of the reasons FC Dallas has become good from a decent team. They are not stacked like LA Galaxy. And Pearce isnt even a natural RB.
     
  3. Trav-Man

    Trav-Man Member

    Jun 7, 2007
    Dallas, TX
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I like what Omar Gonzalez brings but I still don't understand why he gets all the love. George John is having just as good, if not better season than him. John, IMO, makes better tackles and positions himself better. He's every bit as tall, though admittadely, he still lacks some pace.
     
  4. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    Perception, hype, repeated opinion and location are 9th's of the law.

    England has 11 World Class players on their national team every four years.
    It's true. English announcers and FSC tell me they do.
    They are an elite team and belong up their with the best in the world this 45 years. The English tell me so, and they broadcast to most here.
    C'mon. That's fact.;):D

    I haven't able to see much difference between the two. Have to watch more, but I think John is a better a natural defender, Omar has better ball skill and vision (passing).

    If John was in LA and Omar was in Dallas I can easily see the hype being reversed.
     
  5. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    AS a NY fan I love Ream. A steal.

    As a Nat fan I say lay off, let him play another full season, and then let's see.

    We have a dearth of technically composed players, especially at back, so naturally we look for these players more, hype them more, and give them more leeway in our hopes/projections.

    I think Tim is better than Parkhurst, who should give half of his Danish salary to Sharlie Joseph, just like John Terry should get on his knees for Rio Ferdinand, but there is lot to be concerned about. He has Rafa to learn from now which is fantastic...oh the irony.
     
  6. Trav-Man

    Trav-Man Member

    Jun 7, 2007
    Dallas, TX
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I always hear about how he is bailed out by Hartman (these were Ives' words) and how FC Dallas is always attacking so it takes away from his responsibilities. Meanwhile, LA has arguably the best keeper in the league, the best player, and the leading goal scorer. But yea, Omar has no help around him. :rolleyes:
     
  7. braun

    braun Red Card

    Feb 22, 2001
    metro Boston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    All of these names are not ready, even Gonzalez.

    Lichaj is the most interesting because he is a yank abroad and we have fewer and fewer names in the pipeline from Europe.
     
  8. salsa_caliente

    salsa_caliente New Member

    Nov 11, 2009
    Tulsa, OK
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I really, really like Cameron. In fact, I think if we had a player like Cameron this past cycle, he'd complement any one of our top 3 CBs (Bocanegra, Onyewu, and DeMerit) extremely well. He has great technical skill on the ball, he's a good one-on-one defender, he's good in the air, he's deceptively fast, he's a good tackler of the ball, and he's a very mobile player. When you pair him with a calm presence, who is strong positionally and mentally, and can read the game well, I think you have a very strong CB pairing.

    My question is: who does the latter description fit the best out of all of our prospects?
     
  9. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    I do find it interesting that Cameron's name isn't in the thread title, yet he is the guy most ready IMO, for the Nats.

    Sure, Houston sux this year, but if you watch him - positioning, passing, movement, first step, reading the play, quick feet, tackling he i sbetter than all the above right now.

    It is amazing how quickly he came back from the injury and how quickly he has stepped in. Yes, I know, Houston has given up a lot of goals, but I haven't seen him out of position, or make a major error once recently.
    Also, this is MLS, parity rules and he is stuck on a crap team. You have to judge players differently here. Really have to focus on the individual play because better players don't get to play with the best like in every other top heavy league in the world.

    Again, I would add John to the prospect list.

    It's nice that we have actual prospects. Question is now -


    Who will step up.


    I'm not in love with Omar like so many others seem to be. He is a prospect and he has to show he can handle that level.

    Should be interesting. Hell, at least we have prospects!
     
  10. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    Ream is looking like a later round rookie pick tonight.

    Bad. Real bad.

    When the play around him speeds up he can make mistakes, and he is making them in boatloads tonight.

    Damn, like I said, as a NY fan we got a gem, but for the Nats...

    ...the speed of play, along with CCAF physicality, is something he will have trouble with right now. He has more work to do than so many want to believe but very good to excellent MLS player could easily be his ceiling.


    Before the excuses come in, and I am a NY fan mind you, most of the errors were unforced where the speed of play and his decision making has been terrible.

    Yes, we love his passing and calm play, but you can't ignore stuff like this, and it's not the first time.
     
  11. Gamecock14

    Gamecock14 Member+

    May 27, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire


    This sounds like Omar gonzalez. Except Omar has a solid group around him and Ream did not until recently.

    Frankly they all are young and it is pretty obvious that it is too early to predict there futures. If Bocanegra was a standout in mls and for the national team, i dont see any of the mentioned except for Cameron, being in the same class as Boca was in MLS. And i am not exactly sold on Cameron as a defender seems more like a DM.

    As for alston and Franklin at RB, they should get a shot but they are really midfielders who can defend. They are pretty poor for a final ball but have decent shots from distance. Franklin played well but it was probably due to the "Donovan" effect because when he is on, the entire team is on. Frankly Marvelle Wynne has had a quiet but solid season and frankly he offers the same as the above plus we have seen glimpses of his talents at the olympics.
     
  12. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    Defenders need to defend.

    Ream and Omar...eh. They can look so damn shaky. No coincidence that once the game slowed down in half two TR looked much better.

    I think John may the best "defender" of the bunch.

    I also believe Cameron is the most ready and he needs to play a match back there with the Nats to see what happens. He has almost all the tools you need.

    Franklin has earned a real shot with his play.

    Opara is the kind of guy who may not have the skill, but if he learns his craft and stays healthy can "easily" be the best defender of the bunch. Another CB with limited ball skills and passing ability. What a surprise.:p

    Alston? Can be a Heydude type. Nothing to sneeze at in CCAF...but still.

    Then there are Gale and Lichaj of course. We will see.

    The big problem is that Jon S has been a shadow of himself since the Confed Cup and Chad M is someone I have basically given up hope on. I'm not certian he can handle highly charged CCAF matches.

    We betetr hope someone steps up and takes the bull by the horn in the next 12 mths or so. Will make me feel a lot better.
     
  13. Skevin

    Skevin Member+

    Aug 9, 2009
    Colorado
    Club:
    Aston Villa FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    Omar Gonzalez is really playing great even in LA's slump. He needs to go to Europe. He has so much potential it amazes me. I really want Gonzalez to be a regular fixture in the National team in the next 4 years
     
  14. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    Let's hope.

    I've go my fingers crossed. Someone has to come out of this.

    Like I have said before. At least we have prospects!
     
  15. eric_appleby

    eric_appleby Member+

    Jun 11, 1999
    Down East
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Alston had a nice game last night. Shut down Montero.
    Also, he bagged his first pro goal in the SuperLiga final.

    I'm not sure how he would fit into Bob's scheme however.
    He's not the guy to get to the endline and put a cross in. That's Nyassi's role for the Revo.
    More often, if he can get the ball to Nyassi, he continues his run into the box looking for the return.

    His strength is defending speedy wing players.
    Nothing to sneeze at.
     
  16. Tony in Quakeland

    Jan 27, 2003
    Pleasant Hill, CA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree - if they leave him at CD, he has a chance to be outstanding.

    Obviously a DC United fan... He has been outstanding, aside from the occassional rookie ups and down. He is easily the smartest of the bunch. That said, we will need to see if he is athletic enough for international play.

    Right now, i'd say that Cameron combines a lot of the strengths of Ream (intelligence, vision, passing) and Gonzalez (athleticism).

    All in all, NONE are ready today, and all of them won't make the transition. But I like the future here.
     
  17. wcssstar33

    wcssstar33 Member

    Aug 28, 2008
    Milwaukee
    Club:
    Newcastle United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We aren't nearly as dire at center back as some people thought we were a few months ago for 2014.

    What we are going to see, and are seeing already, is a growth in National Team depth. Things like the development academy, Bradenton, and MLS youth academies are helping facilitate the growth of talent.

    The big question is whether or not greater depth will produce a few great players to build a team around
     
  18. Scott e Dio93

    Scott e Dio93 New Member

    Jul 1, 2006
    Montevideo, URU
    Cameron as rightback.
     
  19. iceberg602

    iceberg602 Member

    Jul 23, 2010
    Well this is proof at least 3 people have seen George John play lol. He's been the most dominating player on FC Dallas back line for a while now. A back line that is ranked 1st or 2nd in the league.
    Hes shut down every man hes marked on set pieces, 1v1, 50/50 balls, etc

    A good example of his talents can be found by watching the entire FC Dallas vs Inter Milan Match

    FC Dallas getting into the playoffs should introduce him to some new fans including Coach Bradly.

    Lord knows we need as much compition for the CB spot on the USMNT as possible.
     
  20. Gamecock14

    Gamecock14 Member+

    May 27, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire

    People are forgetting the one person who has been different on the back line from last year. He plays an unnatural position of rightback abd is statistically the best right back in mls. He is Heath Pearce. But they also have Kyle Davies, who will be a solid pro.
    As for the question of hype.
    Omar has been hyped up. There is a reason why la has struggled without Omar's usual CB partner and that is because he is the rock of the defense, not Omar. Omar has held up the fort well though. I dont think Omar would be getting such high praise or would be as comfortable and confident as he is if he played on NYRB or FC Dallas. That what makes John and Ream more intriguing. Imagine if they had the great midfield and defense around them. Well they kinda of do now.
     
  21. Skevin

    Skevin Member+

    Aug 9, 2009
    Colorado
    Club:
    Aston Villa FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    2nd this. That seems the only spot he'd probably be able to take. I doubt he will out preform Gonzalez, Onyewu, Goodson, Boca, or even demerit.

    Cherundolo is retiring and Spector isnt that great. Lichaj is still young so that spot is wide open
     
  22. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Tim Ream's strong showing yesterday was VERY important for USMNT fans and it showed me a lot.

    As a rookie we all knew he was going to, at some point, hit a bump in the road. Last week he did and looked awful.

    The real key to a young central defender is how they respond to their first really bad outing.

    Ream responded terrifically.

    I am not saying he should be called up in the upcoming friendlies or that he's ready to contribute to the USMNT yet.

    He still has a lot to work on but he passed an important test yesterday and showed me something about his mental strength
     
  23. Honore de Ballsac

    Oct 28, 2005
    France.
    Yeah, Zoidberg sounded like he was describing somebody's classic bad game. Everyone has them. And sometimes it seems like defenders (like rookies) are only out there to be exposed. I keep hearing what a terrific defender Conde is, but he must-have an Agoos-like passion for getting himself into highlight reels, whatever it takes.
     
  24. Honore de Ballsac

    Oct 28, 2005
    France.
    BTW, how's Jason Hernandez nowadays? And why hasn't Robbie Rogers been disappeared for a couple years in the service of Operation Left Back?
     
  25. Captain10

    Captain10 Member

    Jul 26, 2000
    Marietta, GA
    Club:
    Corinthians Sao Paulo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bradley keeps talking about bringing them "in-time" during this cycle, but the time to bring them in IS NOW!!! That will give them plenty of time to learn, make mistakes, and correct them ... just like Michael did. (Well, he corrected some of his mistakes anyway.)

    Just like Brasil is doing and like Denmark did last cycle, IMMEDIATELY after the World Cup is the time to integrate the young players and let them play -- A LOT!

    Forget this lame "bring them in slowly" attitude. In a recent interview on USSoccer.com Bob said that we should look at veterans' past contributions and decide to let them keep playing. That it total and utter BS!! Why should someone at the end of their career take the opportunity away from an up-and-coming talent -- because of what they've done in the past?! :mad: That attitude at the National Team level is maddening!

    Play the kids right away, and if they don't make the desired impact after about 4 or 5 games playing (not just in camp), send them back to their club and play the next guy on the list. Sure, keep an eye on their development and bring them back in and try again when it looks like they're ready again.

    We don't have time to sit around and let the old guys get older without bringing the young guns right away. Let the veterans stick with their clubs for the next year. There is a wealth of youthful soccer talent just chomping at the bit for their opportunity -- let's give that chance to them NOW!
     

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