USA vs Mexico - The ongoing, never-ending battle of Pride, National Teams, and Posters. Part 1

Sorry to interrupt the argument about a completely worthless Gold Cup match, but I wanted to point this post out.

Speaking as someone who's played basketball as their primary sport their whole life, this is an utterly moronic statement. Basketball takes an incredible amount of skill. Or, maybe I just didn't use enough steroids.

However, remarking on a deeper point, I will say that basketball is the sport most like soccer in many respects. I remember that, the times I play soccer, I simply transfer many of the tactics and skills I developed in basketball from my hands to my feet. I noticed that a lot of my use of angles, player movement, vision, body placement, etc. were more similar than I realized.

Saying this, I think that there is a market to use the massive market of basketball players in this country, though not for the reasons of athleticism so often stated. I don't know if it's the key to rising above Mexico in CONCACAF (You see how I worked the thread topic in there? Nice.), but I do see a good reason to tap that particular market.

 

chicarito just scored in the charity shield.

As an american fan, it pains me to say the the mexis are starting to successfully respond to the amrican challenge over the next 10 years and may have the upper hand for the next 4-6 years.

I partly don't mind becuase it will make us work harder to get our guys playing first team soccer for the european big boys.

 

The charity shield is a glorified friendly. He still will need to prove himself every week in the Prem something that isn't easy.

 

... which Ihave a feeling he will. I actually want him to succeed at man united. It will motivate our guys.

 

Did you see it? In case you didn't, here's a quick description from Sky.

"Attempt of the match: Javier Hernandez trying to convert Valencia's cross from close range only to kick the ball into his own face and into the back of the net. Comical moment. "

GOLLLLLLAZZZZZZZZO.

No but seriously I like the Chicharito is doing well, as someone else said, it helps us raise our game playing against guys like that, but its not like he scored some amazing goal if he managed to shoot the ball off his face from right in front of the goal.

 

I'm sorry but...LOLLLLLL, good for the kid though, awesome to see CONCACAF guys scoring at the top level.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNagK4KZLxQ"]YouTube- ‪HD - Javier "El Chicharito" Hernandez Goal - Manchester United vs. Chelsea - HD‬‎[/ame]

 

jozy wouldn't have scored.

 

as long as hes making goals

 

Agreed...you've gotta admit that goal is pretty funny though. If that had been Jozy/Dempsey/Donovan it would have been the laughing stock of the Gringo's Wall of Shame. I just don't know how he even managed to do it. He's almost lucky that he was falling forward or else he would have skied it way up over the goal and that would have been embarrassing as hell.

 

yeah it is but you know he was a little nervous on this one hopefully this doesnt make him to embarresed to play doubt it

 

like one of the announcers said he is so fast he finishes his own crosses ..

I'm glad he is proving people wrong..when he scored his first against the MLS stars it was because the defenders are lame, when he scored on Man U it was just a friendly where Man U wasn't trying, now he scores against Chelsea but it was just a glorified friendly...and i'm pretty sure that the list will go on and on...and now we have Vela, Gio, Efrain and Barrera having a good preseason with their teams too

 

LOL! 30 seconds, I'm gonna see how many jokes I can type.

All right start the clock!

1.) He probably wanted to get an assist on his goal

2.) nice one-two, really carved the defense.

3.) way to use your head!

4.) Crazy Jabulani ball.

Ugh! only 4


In all honesty, I hope Chicarito does well for Man U, I'm all for Concacaf players doing well at Big Clubs.

 

Of course there have been plenty of young American players in similar situations to Barrera and Juarez. With Juarez, for example, we have the famous Celtic/Rangers rivalry which will now have Mexico vs. USA implications.

Hernadez right now, along with Dos Santos and Vela over the past several seasons, are in different situations. Hernandez definitely seems to have the best opportunity of them all right now. It makes watching ManU all the more intriguing.

 

I don't think there are many people on here who are downplaying how good Chicharo has looked so far. Most Americans are impressed and not making excuses. This one isn't an excuse though...he literally shot it off of his face.

But honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see him nab like 10 goals for United this year, and it would make me somewhat happy to see him do it. Like I said, I think our guys like the competition and if our players keep progressing on the world stage like they have been, it will just make both of our teams better.

 

I already rate him as the best player in the region.

 

Nothing wrong with laughing. I was crying my eyes out when I saw it this morning.

The kid keeps scoring. In a matter of a few games, he's scored against; Holland, France, Argentina, MLS-All stars (lol), Manchester United, Ireland All-stars (lol), and now Chelsea.

Finally, someone that agrees with me. He's only 22, and in my opinion the best in Concacaf. I've been saying this since before he signed with Manchester United.

 

My top 10 all-around best field players in CONCACAF go (note: this is mostly based on effectiveness at the Intl. level within their respective teams):

1. Giovanni Dos Santos (MEX)
2. Landon Donovan (USA)
3. Michael Bradley (USA)
4. Javier Hernandez (MEX)
5. Wilson Palacios (HON)
6. Clint Dempsey (USA)
7. Andres Guardado (MEX)
8. Carlos Vela (MEX)
9. Maurice Edu (USA) <- underrated imo
10. Efrain Juarez (MEX)

Honorable Mention: Bryan Ruiz (CR), Carlos Pavon (HON), Carlos Costly (HON)

Obviously just my opinion but I think those are the top 10 in pretty much whatever order. If we include Keepers you can put Howard somewhere in the top 5 imo.

 

Landon is still #1 in CONCACAF IMO, but I believe Hernandez can take the title on February 1, 2011 if the 2 following things happen.

1. Hernandez continues to impress at Manchester United
2. Donovan does not permanently transfer to a side like Everton (and even if LA screws him over).

less likely are players like Dos Santos, Bradley, Dempsey or Palacios taking the title.

 

No love for Bryan Ruiz?

 

Is this WC performance, if it is just qualifying? Pavon and Costly should be up there if it is for the qualifying.

 

Its neither, it is based on who I think the best players in CONCACAF are, at any level (just weighted more heavily towards overall intl. performances).

Costly and Pavon would be in my top 15, but in the top 10 the only player talented enough for me is Palacios. He does a lot of work that people never see defensively.

 

I only had space for 10 players!

Its not going to be perfect, solely an opinion based on what I see in qualifying/WC/friendlies and then their play in club. Ruiz, Costly, Pavon, Kenwyne Jones etc. would all be in the top 20-25, Suazo at his peak for me was one of the best players CONCACAF has ever produced but he has since really fallen off. I've got love for the Catrachos and the Ticos, but we're talking about the best of the best and I just don't see many in the top 10 out of the two most dominant teams.

EDIT: I added an honorable mention to appease you lot.

 

Fair enough

Ruiz imo is very underrated as is Keylor Navas

Ruiz based on his performance with Twente should at least make it to the top 5

La comadreja FTW!

 

True, as a forward he has done more playing for Twente than anyone on your list.

28 goals in 2009-2010

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/bryan/leistungsdaten/spieler_39642.html