And whether MB's earned it or not, that's an argument that has been circulating through US Soccer for a long time, the "family plan". I have no idea as to it's validity, but Big Soccer isn't the only place people talk about the game in this country.
Again, Gulati has the ear of every owner in the league, especially the owners of the NE Revolution, he gets whatever he wants.
While I liked Lewis and I am sure he can still give a solid performance how does it help our team for 2010? Same for Wolff. They won't be there so why not give the spot to someone else? Puzzling--unless he just wants a veteran presence (I think Boca, Gooch and LD give him that).
They may not help us in the next World Cup, but they may help us get to the World Cup. See Cobi Jones in 2004... we were lucky to have him on the team in Jamaica and Panama.
Which brings us back to our debate about how fixed our A team is in Bob Bradley's eyes. I still think, based on the Mexico friendly, that Clark is his first choice partner for Michael Bradley in central midfield, and with the only other MLS player who is clearly in our starting eleven being the only other MLS field player called in for this friendly, I would say this roster provides a little more support for my position.
Actually, USSF is paying them to play in these games too and, with the FIFA Top 10 matches, the pay is probably higher than in MLS for most, except Donovan (who makes about $30K per each Galz contest). The European based players are, of course, on their break. The "we don't have to release anyone for Copa America" mantra is bullshit because these are the two hands agreeing with each other. If there was another invitee, its national coach could have made a strong case for all of his selections to be included.
I'm assuming that you are merely reiterating what I'm already saying. Gulati cut the deal with the MLS before he even accepted the invite to CA; the same MLS in which he has a direct financial interest. It wasn't as if he accepted it and said, "Gee, what am I going to tell the other owners." (Not to mention that Garber and Payne both sit on the Board of Directors of the USSF)
question: how about davies for jaqua? at least charlie has been playing question: pls tell me why jaqua is out of contract? comment: spector, providing he is fit, should get a start, or as much time as possible
i really like edu in clark's position. but i think bradley and nowak have clearly decided that edu will play in china and clark will play in the wcq's. so they are giving clark as much time with the senior side as possible. it just seems to me that that's one of the tough choices they have had to make, and i'm ok with it.
Probably right. But I could easily see him getting the entire second half. Especially if we have problems keeping the ball in the first one.
Why doesnt anyone think Adu will pair up top with Dempsey? Against Terry and Ferdinand, I really dont think our forwards are going to be winning headers anyway. And in the back? It's gonna be funny watching Rooney run circles around Boca and Onyewu. We really need to have someone faster back there (DeMerit?) Also, why would BB play Pearce on the left when Spector has historically shut down the Cristiano Ronaldos of the world. Enjoy Theo Walcott Mr. Pearce.
Sure, but he's not in form. He's barely played anywhere over the last year. He didn't even play in Derby's reserves. The guy only continues to get selected because he's in Europe, so he's a good choice for the subs bench. MLS teams don't want their guys called up (hence missing their games) to sit on the bench. How can you say he makes defense-splitting passes? In order for him to do that, he'd actually have to play in some games so we could see it. Players should have to actually EARN a call-up. Benny Feilhaber, point blank, is THE most overrated player in our pool. He's a decent player who scored a great goal against Mexico. Other than that he's done nothing to justify a call up to the national team. Nothing. He's 23 years old, and has played 20 club soccer games. If it weren't for that goal against Mexico he'd be Kamani Hill by another name. Hopefully he'll move this summer. My guess is he's either going to come back to MLS, or go to Israel. Maccabi Tel Aviv made a bid for him in January but a deal couldn't be worked out. Benny's at a critical stage in his career.
Feilhaber is going to get a run out with the U23's in Toulon this week. If he plays well, don't be surprised to see him out there vs. England. He has NEVER locked down any decent minutes with any club and yet he has been called upon by Bradley time and again. Oh, and he's played quite well in a US shirt regardless of not getting club minutes. Go figure.
Not puzzling. Other candidates have jobs and it doesn't make sense to take them away from the people who pay them to sit on the bench -- even against England.
Yes, and we must remember that these games are tune-ups in preparation for world cup qualifiers. I'm assuming Bradley thinks these guys have the potential to contribute in those qualifiers. We qualify, THEN we worry about the 2010 squad. If we look back at players who played in 2006 qualifiers we'll see some names that didn't end up making the world cup squad. Some due to injury, some were contenders who were left off the squad, and others helped fill in during the qualifiers (and never had a chance of making the squad). Conor Casey for example STARTED 3 qualifiers for the 2006 WC (Grenada, El Salvador, and AT Panama). You need depth during qualifying. What if Beasley and Convey are injured (surely a possibility as we know), and Bob wants to start with some experience for an away qualifier. Surely Lewis can fill in. Chris Armas Danny Califf Brian Carroll Conor Casey Ricardo Clark Ramiro Corrales Jeff Cunningham Corey Gibbs Frankie Hejduk Cobi Jones Jovan Kirovski Justin Mapp Chad Marshall Kyle Martino Clint Mathis Pat Noonan Santino Quaranta Steve Ralston Tony Sanneh Jonathan Spector Taylor Twellman Greg Vanney Kerry Zavagnin And people tend to forget how absolutely vital Ante Razov's play was in getting us to the 2002 world cup. His goals against Guate in 2000 and T&T in 2001 were essential. The overall point of my post is you need depth, and you need veteran players you can trust to fill in during a pinch. Eddie Lewis and Josh Wolff fit that bill for Bob. Wolff isn't some dinosaur, he's 31.
I am sure this has been discussed ad nauseum, but what has happened where all EJ is really willing to do is to show for the ball and then immediately back pass it to a midfielder? Does he just ignore coaches who tell him to use his speed? It just makes no sense to me. Also, the one thing I really want out of this friendly, other than making English fans gnash their teeth and rip their clothes in the street, is to see Adu and Donovan on the field together, and see exactly what happens. Can they mesh? Or will it be like Lampard and Gerrard, where they seem to just get in each other's way?
After the Eddie Lewis disaster against CR, Boca came in and shut down the left side at the last World Cup. He was awesome against Italy -- Italy -- and his only error was the backpass on the stupid penalty call against Ghana. Otherwise, nothing got past him.
Anyone who's still accusing Bob of nepotism after the season Michael had is an idiot. He's simply one of the best 4 midfielders in our program based on current form. I suppose that could change if Edu continues to develop, Adu actually gets playing time, and he drop LD back into midfield where he belongs. But this idea that Michael's only on there because of Daddy is asanine.
Boca always seems to play at a higher level with the National Team than with his club. And I also think he kind of got scapegoated at Fulham for defensive woes that were not totally his fault. I think a change of scenery would help him out. Perhaps a warmer climate in a country that starts with an S.
Without an in-form Beasley, our midfield will not be all that successful vs the Brit's midfield. Whoever starts in LM will make all the difference vs a talented (yes, talented) English side. We may lose badly. BTW, Josh Wolff tied Henry for most goals scored in 1997 at Toulon.
Yes the USSF is paying the players but when they make the roster. But the MLS sides are paying the players no matter what. That includes while they are on their national team duty and not playing for their actual employer. That's a HUGE difference. Look it at it from the Red Bulls perspective. They are losing lots of money every year playing at Giants Stadium and are pouring tons of money into a new stadium. They are trying to get the club to play respectable football for the first time. They are trying to do wonders for the league and Jozy is a figurehead in their marketing (see the commercials and the billboard in NYC). They have agreed to let their best player go for World Cup Qualifiers, the Olympics, and probably some pre Olympic friendlies. I am sure Jozy will play in the Argentina friendly and maybe the Spain friendly. I think the National team does have to give the MLS some respect and the league's desire to be competitive. Also, as it's been said Jozy has been overused too. Between MLS, U20's, U23's, and the senior team he's played a ton of football non-stop all across the globe within the pasy year. I know you would like to blame Bradley for everything that's wrong with the sport in this country, but believe it or not, his job requires him to play politics with clubs and juggle his players. I have my issues with Bradley too. I think he's wrong to constantly call up Eddie Johnson and he vastly overrates Feilhaber. But I also think he's done an outstanding job trying out many many new players.
Well thats a lot different than telling MLS to piss off, ain't it. He had to cut the deal because MLS was under no obligation to release players for that COMNEBOL event. Had he accepted and told MLS they had to release players or else without their approval....deaf ears. So...why exactly were you disputing my statement?
Club games over the past season (starts and sub appearances): Howard - 40 (includes Uefa Cup) DeMerit - 37 Guzan - 37 (2007 and 2008 MLS) Dempsey - 36 Bradley - 36 Cherundolo - 33 Donovan - 33 (2007 and 2008 MLS) Johnson - 31 (Fulham and 2007 MLS) Jaqua - 29 (2007 MLS) Orozco - 27 (Apertura 07 / Clausura 2008) Spector - 26 Onyewu - 25 (can't tell, Standard Liege's site is rough) Clark - 25 (2007 and 2008 MLS) Lewis - 24 Bocanegra - 22 Beasley - 19 (includes Champions League) Pearce - 19 Adu - 11 (according to Wikipedia) Feilhaber - 10 Couldn't find easy stats for Califf, Cervi, Wolff, or Jaqua in Europe. Note the bold: Adu and Feilhaber - two guys who bring unique skills to the US pool - have the fewest number of games in the past year. What I want to see from Bradley is consistency. If you're bringing in these two because of the skill, fine...but play Adu as well.
Adu doesn't play because he's behind Rui Costa. Feilhaber doesn't play because he's behind Robbie Savage and Stephen Pearson.