I like Teal, but no way should he be starting over CJ at this point. His first touch just isn't there and unless someone springs the perfect pass to get him one on one against the keeper, he really doesn't contribute that much to our offense. Honestly, I really can't think of any part of his game that is amazing other than his 1v1 ability. CJ has that big physical presence up top, has great ball control, can hold up the ball as well as anyone in the league, knows where to position himself on set pieces, and did I mention the big physical presence up top? I just don't see how Teal is continuing to get the start over CJ at this point (I know, one game into the season and I'm already using phrases like "continuing" - oh boy). I would much rather see CJ up top wearing out the defenders, then maybe putting Teal on late in the game with some fresh legs to blow past the tired defense and get his 1v1 chances. Penny for your thoughts?
I think last night, and the way the season is going to go for the most part was because Vermes thought that Bunbury's pace would be the better option last night against DC. Bunbury only had one good chance to get behind and his touch allowed DC to recover.
CJ for me. He's bigger and stronger, and he works really hard for the team. What did Teal do last night other than a couple bad first touches and some halfhearted jogging? He's got talent and he can finish pretty well but Sapong offers more in his game. He can hold the ball up, he wins headers, and he obviously knows where the net is. That being said I won't give up on Bunbury yet, he could be a great impact sub or maybe we should give him some more chances.
I'm also not completely ready to ditc Teal for CJ yet, but CJ is making more and more a case for himself every game. In my mind, the progression would be Teal got about 80 minutes last night and didn't do much. He should get about 70 minutes for the next game, and if he doesn't show up again, give him around 60 minutes in week 3. If he still doesn't look like he's back on his game, give CJ the start.
Because at this point it's Teal's job to lose. I still think Teal can be really good. At this point I think Teal can be better CJ and should be given that chance. If he doesn't take advantage of his opportunities, then he can, and should be, replaced.
What play was that? Are you talking about the nice touch he made from the Zusi pass in the 2nd half? On that play, Bunbury made a nice run, dragged the ball with his right and shot with his left. At first, I thought it was a lousy shot, but after re-watching the game, the shot was deflected by a sliding defender. If you are talking about the play previous to that, you are right, Bunbury needed to touches to settle the ball, but the defenders were already set before the ball got to him. Re: Sapong starting over him, most will get their wish. Bunbury is expected to be gone for 3 weeks. It certainly gives Sapong and his supporters an opportunity for him to hold on to the starting spot.
CJ > Teal Debate over. Teal is going to be the next EJ. Big potential but may run off before he should. CJ has more tools and should be starting.
Sapong has been my favorite SKC player since early last season. I just find it uncanny how he seems to be able to get his head onto almost any ball in the air in his general vicinity. He always works hard and has surprisingly good touch. Although center forward is clearly his best position, he is versatile enough to play any of the three spots up front. And that is one reason why, although I think that he deserves to start, I am okay with him being a substitute, at least initially. He can replace Bunbury, Convey, or Kamara--whoever needs to come out first. I also see the logic in giving Teal as much playing time as possible while he is around, because CJ will get plenty of opportunities while Bunbury is away on national team duty--unless, of course, Sapong also gets called up again himself. Finally, CJ may simply be better equipped in terms of his personality to yield starts to Teal when both are available than the other way around. All is well that ends well. If Sapong keeps coming on late and scoring game-winning goals, everyone will be happy!
Just last nights game. Convey starting instead of CJ ? CJ is better than Altidore as a sole striker right now. Sporting does not play that way so CJ is better as a winger than anyone except Kamara. And he has more skill and more soccer intelligence and works harder than bunbury in the middle So........why is he not starting ? As has been said. Perhaps thè coach is experimenting? It's just one game? But maybe it's because CJ will be the one who is away this summer ! I have said since the middle is last year, CJ is the best isolated striker in the entire pool even with his nominal international experience . Lenhart is close. But not as skilled with the ball and too reckless. ( jozy will never be a great sole striker--he needs a partner) CJ has many tools. Your blind if you cannot see it
It would have to be with the varsity team for WC qualifiers though. CJ's too old by about a week for the U23 competition that Teal is slated for. Overall, I really dont know. They are both different and thats one of the things we should use to our advantage. Lets not forget, it doesnt have to be one or the either. Not with some of the options we have up top off the bench.
Teal has so many gifts, yet his head isn't on straight. He's just not as mentally tough as CJ. Teal has heard "you're so ********ing awesome" too many times, and I've been guilty of heaping praise on him as well. However, last year's nine goals, and two in the playoffs, can't be ignored. That little frustration kick reminded me of when he was ejected last year. And it was just as stupid. I think all things being equal, CJ and Teal will share the starting duties. I'm Okay with this for now.
As was stated, Sapong will only miss time with the full national team (unless he's one of the 3 overage players called in for the Olympics, assuming the US qualifies). He's 3 days too old for the Olympic team, unlike Bunbury. Lenhart is a red card waiting to happen, and is not a very good goal scorer period. I want him no where near a national team jersey, ever. I'm waiting/hoping his dad will sit him down and give him some of his knowledge that he learned from playing around the world. And one in the Open Cup. A point that is quickly forgotten by people is that Teal was our leading scorer, not just in league where he tied with Kei and Bravo, but in all competitions by himself with 12. It'd been 4 years since we had a guy score that many, and Teal did it without back to back hattricks... I firmly believe Vermes is going to rotate who starts depending on who he feels gives us the better match up.
I've stated before on the boards that I prefer CJ to Teal because of his hold-up play. It's nice to have someone who can keep possession while our other forwards/mids get into positions to score. You can see the difference in their playing styles in the stats - I believe Teal had 9 goals/0 assists last year compared to CJ's 4 goals/5 assists. CJ tends to get others involved while Teal is the more traditional #9. It won't happen (nor do I want it to), but as others have mentioned, the two of them up top of a 4-4-2 would be interesting. I was hoping Klinnsman would use them in those roles in the January camp but it didn't really happen. It's a nice luxury to have both players and I hope we manage to hold onto them for a few years. I tend to think one or both will be gone in a year or so.
I think your last point is the best part. Teal and CJ could start on most teams in MLS and were discussing who should be on the bench. If this is the biggest problem we have this year, Ill be thrilled.
Well, yes. Convey is a left winger; CJ is a center forward who can also play on the left wing. The only way Sapong starts over Convey on the left wing is if Convey is injured or in terrible form, or perhaps moves to attacking midfielder because Zusi is unavailable.
Having either one available to come off the bench in the 70th minute is a fantastic luxury. And as others have said, they'll be rotating with Kamara and Convey as well. It's a long season, and being able to give different players breaks, and having a starting front line based on matchups, will pay huge dividends down the road. It's why PV has stressed the system, and players knowing roles and where they fit into the system on any given day. Interchangeable parts will keep other teams guessing, will make us less predictable, and will keep us with fresher legs and more able to work around knocks. Keep supporting Teal. He's young and still learning. Writing him off as the next EJ is premature.
I'm sorry, but CJ is not a winger. We saw many times last year he's much much more effective in the middle. Convey is the better winger. He hasn't entirely gelled with the team or the playing style yet, but Convey has more field intelligence (and experience) and is easily the better crosser and passer. Not trying to discredit CJ, but he's a hold up man, not a winger. I think a lot of us are getting too high on CJ. He's gifted and can play up top really well, but he still has a lot of room to grow. He needs to continue to not only work on his finishing, but taking chances. He doesn't take them as much as he should. Not asking him to play selfishly, but he's capable of turning on guys (like he did in Portland) but really doesn't utilize it. He's smart, but he's not yet using his tools to their full ability. I honestly don't think we would've gotten that goal if CJ had started. Whats so great about him is that he's such a great sub. He brings in a different element and energy to a game where all of the other guys are losing gas. Really, I just think CJ fits the playing style more and I'm not going to demolish Teal for that. What I think is that Teal is more likely to score in the run of play and CJ is more capable to score in set pieces. As far as current ability. He still haven't seen that killer instinct from CJ to know when to shoot or to know when to best utilize that fantastic turn he has. He's still learning. Lets not pretend like he's already an elite striker in MLS. He's not. Yet. TLDR; We're being way too hard on Teal and way too high on CJ. Let them grow. God yes, this. The last three sentences x1000. People are so quick to make judgements and I just about spat out my water when I read that he's the next EJ. They're not even the same type of player... Yeah and we're doing that exact same thing with CJ right now. CJ is a little different than he was last year. Beginning of the season last year, I would not have expected him to make the claim of wanting to play for a top Euro club a couple of years (that quick, huh?). It didn't surprise per se when it happened, but man when I first heard his humbleness at the start of last season, I wouldn't have expected that. I'm with you on not ignoring what Teal did last year.
i think most people are just saying they prefer cj over teal. that doesn't mean that it automatically makes one a 10 and the other a 0. i think teal has a critical role to play on this squad. i also prefer cj getting as many minutes as humanly possible.
Hmm, I think comparing Teal to EJ is perfect. Young striker with loads of talent has a few seasons of good form, a little time with the national team, let's it go to his head, rushes for the jump across the pond, falters, and eventually comes crawling back to MLS to try to grab some minutes as a second striker. I'll just leave this here for when it happens. I'd love to be proved wrong, but I won't be.
Wow, that was rough. If Teal went to a good league in Europe he would probably be warming the bench for a while. Like everyone else, the rest would depend on his attitude, work ethic and some luck with not landing with a terrible coach. Based on watching both play, I would give Bunbury a better chance of earning some field time than EJ.