The Gyasi Zardes thread

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Scotty, Sep 11, 2014.

  1. juveeer

    juveeer Member+

    Aug 3, 2006
    It must be tough to be a Zardes hater while he just keeps showing up in dangerous places and scoring goals.
     
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  2. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That was a good goal he scored. Even though the ball never should have gotten to him in the first place because the defender should have knocked it away. He hit it hard, low and with good accuracy across the goal. Can't ask for more from a striker. Zardes continues to show his worth.
     
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  3. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
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  4. jackiesdad

    jackiesdad Member

    Apr 13, 2008
    Since his debut for the USMNT a little over 6 years ago, Zardes has clawed his way up to tied for 13th all time for the US in international matches. (Tied with Cobi Jones and Carlos Bocanegra.) He has more goals for the USMNT than Balboa, Wood, Mathis, Ching, etc... In fact, 3 more international goals, and he's in the top 10 for the USA. Not bad for someone who many thought didn't belong on the field.
     
  5. nobody

    nobody Member+

    Jun 20, 2000
    The death of Gyasi Zardes has been greatly exaggerated. He's definitely top 3 strikers in the US pool along with Sargent and Hoppe. Whatever your sense of style dictates, you simply can't ignore production for a striker. This ain't figure skating, it's what's on the scoreboard that counts. Zardes always knows where to be and what to do. His intelligence is one of his key assets and when you pair that with hard work and some physical tools, you could certainly do worse.
     
  6. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    Amen. He is vanilla ice cream. Not exciting or sexy, but you need some in your freezer for occasions such as this!
     
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  7. nobody

    nobody Member+

    Jun 20, 2000
    I thought this was a good quote from Zardes after the game:

    "I looked over at a couple of their defenders, and when I saw him huffing and puffing after I ran the channel once I was like, 'You know what? That's gonna motivate me to keep running and working hard, just so we can we can [win] this game and not go into overtime."

    A fresh Zardes against tired legs is a real weapon and he was able to recognize his advantage and then press it. He found the weak spot and just attack that spot repeatedly until he broke through. Oh you're tired? Well then, we're gonna turn this into a track meet now. That kind of focus and application is a big reason for his success. He takes what the opponent gives him and makes the most of his physical tools.
     
  8. Maximum Optimal

    Maximum Optimal Member+

    Jul 10, 2001
    How about Gioacchini pointing to the spot where he wanted Zardes to run. Great assist. And also some outstanding work from Williamson during his brief shift.

    I would like to think Zardes, Gioacchini and Williamson will be rewarded with a bigger chunk of playing time against Mexico.
     
  9. ChrisSSBB

    ChrisSSBB Member+

    Jun 22, 2005
    DE
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It was a very nice play by Gioacchini.
     
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  10. yurch10

    yurch10 Member+

    Feb 13, 2004
    Despite being the resident "MLS H8r", you won't find a negative word from me on this website about Zardes.

    Think he's found a great spot, as a super sub. Love his work rate, his hunger, and his attitude.

    And for all the hatred of his "technical skill" or lack thereof, did anyone see Dike the last couple games? Dribbling directly out of bounds, passes slammed into touch with zero pressure. Spare me the injury talk. If he's on the field, he's ready to go. And if Zardes had one of those moments, everyone would be going nuts.

    And he had an absolutely gorgeous one touch pass/long ball bring down last night as well. Good to see. I wouldn't even mind this guy on the 23, even though I don't there's room.
     
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  11. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    Agree about Dike. GB has a very tough choice at the CF if he insists on playing 4-3-3 in WCQ. Personally I’d take Hoppe, Sargent and Zardes. And I’d have Weah in the roster as another CF alternative. But Greg’s attitude toward risk/reward probably leaves Hoppe out of the mix in favor of someone who plays a safer, less direct game.
     
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  12. dams

    dams Member+

    United States
    Dec 22, 2018
    #1887 dams, Jul 30, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2021
    Prior to the GC, I was on board with Dike in the 23 this Fall but at this point it’s a pass if it were up to me. Whether it’s fatigue, or the injury, or something much more fundamental with his game, he is not up to the international level right now. I have yet to see him perform well for the US against decent competition and it doesn’t make sense to me to bring in a guy that will only get it done against minnows. The response will be that he is better than Sargent in that the latter isn’t scoring , and yeah he isn’t getting it done either and maybe be shouldn’t start, but Josh can work within the context of what the team is trying to do. At this point Dike is a major liability. I’m going with Josh, Zardes, and Hoppe. GGG may see things differently. One way or the other, I imagine he will have plenty more chances going forward to prove himself, so the book is far from written on him.
     
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  13. Maximum Optimal

    Maximum Optimal Member+

    Jul 10, 2001
    I actually see some good things in Dike even when he is struggling. I think he'll be part of the mix in qualifying. Sargent will be the main guy. But the others will be called in based on form and circumstances. Mix and match.
     
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  14. juveeer

    juveeer Member+

    Aug 3, 2006
    Gyasi "PIPPO" Zardes.
     
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  15. felloveranddidanadu

    Plymouth Argyle FC
    Dec 12, 2009
    Club:
    San Jose Frogs
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Have we ever had a player like Zardes? Probably every fan has had some wild swings of opinion on him. He's like a bizarro Dempsey...he tries shit and gets shit done in usually the most prosaic way. "Ball's at head level? Throw my face at it! Ball's between me, my teammate and an onrushing keeper? Throw my legs at it!"

    He works his tail off, is brave as hell, and seems to have some crazy innate ability to Rube Goldberg machine his way to a goal. Like, we're gonna get a goal called back when Zardes scores off his shoulder, off a defender, off GGG's bald head, off Zardes' knee, off the crossbar, off the post, off the keeper's ass and in. I wonder if Vegas will give me odds on that happening.
     
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  16. juveeer

    juveeer Member+

    Aug 3, 2006
    Did you ever watch Gerd Mueller?

    He scored with every legal body part available from any spot oil the area.

    Inzaghi was the same way.

    Penalty box poachers are worth their weight in gold, esp. one with the length speed and work rate as Pippo Zardes.
     
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  17. Guinho

    Guinho Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes, bless their hearts
    Estonia
    May 27, 2001
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    You have no idea. He is now my favorite player that I hate.
     
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  18. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    Lol
     
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  19. OWN(yewu)ED

    OWN(yewu)ED Member+

    Club: Venezia F.C.
    May 26, 2006
    chico, CA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Love him or hate him, currently a top 4 forward
     
  20. felloveranddidanadu

    Plymouth Argyle FC
    Dec 12, 2009
    Club:
    San Jose Frogs
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    My memories of Pippo are of the consummate poacher. Right time, right place, perfect first touch, finish. I think 3/4 of those are Zardes in any given moment, but it works.
     
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  21. Guinho

    Guinho Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes, bless their hearts
    Estonia
    May 27, 2001
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    If we can love Dempsey scoring with his belly, we can loves Gyasi for scoring by having the ball smashed off his face.

     
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  22. MPNumber9

    MPNumber9 Member+

    Oct 10, 2010
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Early in his career, I once compared Gyasi Zardes to Clint Dempsey. Obviously, that comparison was way off base. Clint never won an MLS Cup.
     
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  23. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I've found myself frustrated with Zardes plenty over the years, but he's definitely been pretty good in this Gold Cup and stepped up when we needed him. I think the frustrating thing with Zardes has always been is that he gets himself in really good positions, but then his first touch lets him down. Maybe its just me but I feel like there's been less of that.
     
  24. laxcoach

    laxcoach Member+

    United States
    Jul 29, 2017
    intermountain west
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The guy is 100% positive locker room material. He grows on you. He's not the fastest or most talented in the pool but he fits. I hate to think he could displace a Pefok but I do realize it could happen. I hope they both make the 23 because I think we could use both.
     
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  25. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Neither has ever scored a goal against Mexico... although Zardes could do so on Sunday and prove his haters wrong.
     
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