Re: Donovan has a right calf injury You'll have to pump in massive amounts of smog into the room to really acclimate him to the shit cloud that is Mexico City's air.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Although he did grow up in the Inland Empire, so he's probably more conditioned than some....
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Well, it's been discussed many times here, the outside mids in BB's current system aren't really wing players. They are guys that have to run up and down the field a lot, but more centrally than wingers. The width come from the FB'sTheir defensive contribution is a huge factor, too. I see Bradley as much more of a guy that could track up and down the field and be someone that keeps a Gio, Guardado, or Vela busy, while marking a Gio, Guardado or a Vela, than Benny would be. I like Benny a lot, but he just doesn't seem that active to me. I don't see him making repeated 30-40 yard sprints through the course of the match. Bradley, otoh, that's his M.O. - In fact, sometimes a beef with Michael is that he's too active in the midfield. Runs himself out of position sometimes. Let him take that energy and put it to use in the Donovan/Dempsey role. Plus, Benny has been very poor when he's been put in the Donovan/Dempsey role. Bradley really couldn't be any worse than Benny there. I'd almost rather take a chance with Holden in that spot (if Donovan couldn't go) than Benny. And, like I said, I'm a Benny fan. Just to babble a little more, the D/D position seems very suited to Michael's game. If Jones is all that it is claimed, I would not be shocked to at some point see Jones paired with another CM, and Bradley in the current D/D role. --------some combination of Jozy,Davies,Dempsey up top------ Donovan---------------------------------------Bradley ---------------Jones--------other CM: Benny, Rico, Edu, etc. But, as another poster said, Bob has played Benny in the D/D spot, not Michael. I don't imagine we'd see it for the 1st time at Azteca.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury If you find a book in the fiction section, it may not be your best guide for stock picks or player analysis.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Dude, you and the others who like to criticise Donovan and Dempsey should finally realize how valuable they are after Sunday's game. Donovan's been on a tear lately. You tube some of the goals he's scored with the Galaxy this year if you're not convinced.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury The beauty of it is you don't even have to show him the entire game...just the last 35 minutes...
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Why the f*** is Donovan doing playing in the All Star game? Why risk playing if he has any sign of an injury? I hope he is feeling no pain because i have always trusted Donovans judgement of injuries.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Easy does it, Landon. After the game we need to wrap him in bubble wrap and put him on ice until the 12th.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury He was perturbed that he hit the post in regulation, and markedly stoked at beating Timmay in the shootout. Game meant alot to him. Timmay was better in the end. Fun match to watch.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury No, looked like the best player on the field while he was out there.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury This was a "political" injury, like when Labour decide to need to move Gordon Brown along, he may suddenly need medical attention of some sort, or he may have a family medical problem. PKs are utter silliness in terms of a result. But I guess they were entertaining, and they reminded Sigi why he needs to keep PKs in mind in knockout situations. Less Freddie, more Seba. And, for general purposes, in MLS games, Freddie is right out.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury So, I've asked myself this question and cannot find an answer. I can imagine a replacement (lower in quality, but still acceptable) for each position/player in the USMNT. Not for Donovan. Who could take his place if he were injured?
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury All you would need would be Kyle Beckerman blowing smoke from his "pipe" in his face.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Had someone like Ching, Casey or Cooper missed that absolute sitter that LD missed these boards would be blistering those 3.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury There's no player in the pool remotely on Dempsey's level in terms of quality and versatility. I'd replace Donovan with Feilaber. You lose in some areas but gain in others.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Had Brian Ching scored that goal and six others, won the Champions League as a one-man team, and then gone on to cure cancer, these boards would still be blistering him.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Ching should relax. Michael Bradley will be back in the lineup soon. Or perhaps Demarcus.
Re: Donovan has a right calf injury Are you saying Landon Donovan is not remotely on Dempsey's level in terms of quality and versatility?