Yes I've been injured. Charlie said himself that he's practicing with the club @ full force. He also said that all he needs is a game to see where his level of play is at. So according to him, he's completely healthy. So again I ask, what specific moves can't he do? He can either play or he can't. Putting game shape & timing aside, is he physically capable of playing soccer? I guess we'll know soon enough.
Are you all forgetting that you need to go FORWARD in time to get the MR. FUSION before you can go back and change results? I say we put contact lenses in Hugh Dallas's eyes. After we win the 2002 World Cup, remember to bring John O'Brien back forward in time so we can put him at left back in 2010.
From listening to his interview, I felt that he all but said he could play, but his endurance wasn't there. Atleast that what I inferred from it.
You remind me of the guy standing next to the water fountain whining, "I wish I had something to drink." We don't have to guess about his condition, he is telling us his condition. The only thing insane is having the information right in front of you, but not seeing it. We're not entitled to our own reality. We have to embrace the one in front of us.
Not sure if I should put on my flame retardant rain coat for this but I'm going to say it anyway. This has a feel of Charlie actually lobbying for a spot to me. To be fair he's responding to questions but in the Bradley era this is the most I've seen or heard a player argue for their own inclusion. The only comparison I have is Stuart, his interviews focus on hit team inclusion with no mention of WC. Very interesting situation.
no endurance... his edge is his speed and ability to continually put pressure on defenders... give me gomez or buddle over davies, as either of those two is in form, and davies, well, is unlikely to be in a month..
How exactly does saying one is ready to play = one is ready to play. So everyone who says they are ready to play in the WC are therefore actually ready to play in the WC ? Think of the house cat that is on its death bed yet does everything in its power to not appear weak. Athletes have the same thing to be concerned about, because your opponent will always go after you weakness. Look at the UFC fighter who sustains an ankle injury. For the next fight, he will tape both ankles to mask the injury so as not to provide a target. Or look at the teams that will say their star player is not ready for the game--and then the player appears. I am a fan of miracles so I am pulling for one. And him making the team would still qualify as that.
I will tell you exactly how. Charlie Davies just passed a fitness test with Sochaux. He is training with the team now and playing in training matches. He was just visited by the US National Team trainer, Ivan Pierra, who evaluated him in person. The team’s fitness coach, Pierre Barrieu, is in weekly contact with the medical staff at Sochaux and is monitoring his progress closely. US Soccer and Bob Bradley know exactly his condition. Do you really think Charlie is going to lie about his condition? Do you really think he could get away with that? That's great, except that Charlie Davies isn't injured. There is nothing to mask, nothing left to heal.
Match fit. I hope we field 11 of the best match fit players we have for every game. If Davies, or Gooch or Chingy or Stuey fall into that category, great. If they don't, they won't play. And as a supporter of the USMNT I don't want them to play. We should know the answers by the end of May. Now, as for the Flyers, ...............
As a rule, it seems to take two weeks of full/unlimited training to get on the pitch. Davies's got one week under his belt.
"Match fit" is definately key for me too. Also, recent form (which is of course somewhat related). Buddle, considering the form he's been in lately, might be a much better choice than Davies if Davies isn't up to his previous ability. I know Buddle doesn't have the international experience and MLS obviously isn't the same level, but then again we don't know that Buddle CAN'T or won't play up to that level, you don't really find that out until someone plays those games, and he's been on fire lately so I'd give him a shot. I also hope Davies makes it, but I think the two worst case scenarios here both involve Davies going to the World Cup. The best case scenario = Davies recovers and goes to the World Cup, scores goals, and helps the team to a successful tournament. The worst case scenario = Davies goes to the World Cup, isn't up to scratch (think Wynalda 98), and helps the team to a massively disappointing, possibly even goal-less first round exit...
Right on the money. No way do I see him playing in this World Cup. I'd be surprised if he makes the team.
That would certainly be a dream come true for you But if Charlie doesn't make the 30 man roster, it's probably the call of the USMNT doctors and trainers more than it is Bob's call. These are strictly medical/fitness issues, not ability/skill/tactical decisions. I don't think Bob has seen Charlie play since he began training again so Bob's decision will have to be based on the observations and evaluations from the USMNT medical staff. I see no reason not to trust the USSF medical staff. I won't be upset at anybody if Charlie doesn't go to Princeton. If they don't think Charlie can help the USMNT, I'll take their word for it. If Charlie is still a long shot, having him in Princeton will be more of a distraction than anything