Ya. I hate those USYNT coaches who stuck with same kids for their whole U-17 to U-23. If our coaches have open mind to do some rotation work to include all the kids, Joseph will play as defensive midfielder for USMNT now.
Mike- That's the first time I've seen Cooper since I caught a game from his stint at Oldham. I have to give you my frank opinion. (I have the feeling he's heard this a ton....I also think this is why Man U was interested in the first place): If he is going to max out his ability, he MUST learn to use his body (a la a Brian McBride) FIRST. He must be a physical, 'banger' with that kind of body. The good ball skills (excellent for a guy his size) should be a compliment to the big body banging, and not his strong point. Because, there will always be smaller, quicker guys (and defenders) who can compete on the quickness, skills level. But on the physicality first, then skills level? Not a lot. I actually think if he could master what I suggesting (picture: putting Conor Casey's brain and Cooper's brain in a blender...and throw in what McBride's learned over the years)...that would be our next Men's Nat Team prototype point forward. I have the feeling this is what Man U saw when they signed him. I have the feeling young Ken is much more/more interested (and it comes more natural to him) to be the ball playing, at the feet guy. And I also think that's why it didn't work out. Don't get me wrong: As is, I think he can have a stellar MLS career, and maybe some late Cola/Premiership with that. But if he would master (what McBride has- usually his body to full advantage)....which he could do if he puts his mind to it...I think he becomes as good or better than Mark Viduka. Just my humble opinion. Congrats for the lad. Great job. I was really happy for him (and you!)
NOt necessarily..Why do our players at forward have to be BMB "the Second"? Love the guy (BMB) , but why do we have to necessarily engage in the figurative "beat down" of technical talent in favor of physicality?.... I am of the " technical talent first,....physical play as compliment" way of thinking....
Well, in my opinion, McBride is playing in the Premiership because of certain strengths: (1) His abililty to be a link player and knockoff man (2) His ability to punish, physically, defenders until he outworkes them on one opportunity a game (for a goal or near goal) (3) His ariel ability The rest of his game would not get him in the Premiership alone, because it is pretty standard, and not exceptional. I would like to see Cooper get stronger at (1)- (3). If it were McBride or not, that would be his needs (in my opinion). It just so happens, that's what McBride does exceedingly well...
in that case, maybe we can agree that Kenny, if he were to keep developing -as he is still relatively young soccer wise- does not have to look at the EPL as the only future option... and as long as he improves in verious aspects (physicality among them) there is no real need to worry at least this season -his very first in MLS- whether he looks more or less like BMB..As i said, the EPL is not the only destination as player can aspire to in the future, and hence, other attributes can be emphasized in certain leagues less than the EPL.... physicality an example of this.... NO need to pidgeon-hole the guy, if there is the chance hew can become a better overall player by not having to necessarily make him "BMB II" ... PLus, BMB went to EPL after he was 30 (IIRC) ...Kenny has some time to see what fits him better and turns him into the best player he can be... at least while in MLS..... He certainly seems to have the desire....
The are struggling (only slightly) with connecting because Clarke keeps screwing around with both the lineup and the formation, for Pete's sake. Any team is going to fumble around when you keep throwing multiple variables into the equation.
Cooper goal a Top 10 Play of the Day Had a nice surprise on SportsCenter last night. ESPN showed their Top 10 Plays of the Day, and Cooper's goal came in at #5. I've gotten the impression that ESPN typically ignores MLS on SportsCenter, so it's good to see the league slowly increasing the league's profile a bit. ((Not to mention that WFAA showed all 3 Dallas goals in its news broadcast this morning)).
Re: Cooper goal a Top 10 Play of the Day i think you will that with the new MLS deal with abc/espn they will now want to "invest" sportscenter time to follow their money. It's now in their own commercial interest to "cover" the game.
Re: Cooper goal a Top 10 Play of the Day Good point. Next step: educate some of the blowhards we see on Around the Horn and PTI that millions of Americans are soccer fans, and that the sport deserves the same respect you see shown to the NHL.
Cooper is not on USMNT because he has not started for ManU EVER. He has not hadmuch playing time, hence he has moved to FCD. And this is his FIRST game in a while!
I agree that Cooper should maximize the use of his body. But I don't think Cooper should work on making himself into a Brian McBride clone. Taylor Twellman would be a better model for Kenny to follow, IMHO. Cooper's added height and what look to be better ball handling skills give him even more potential than Twellman. But whether or not Cooper realizes this potential is the big question.
ya i just rewatched the game and I stick by my comments...there was maybe 5 times were they strung "complex passes" together...if cooper doesnt score the winning goal, which looked even better on tv as you can see him start the play at midfield, bust his ass to get in box and then bury the chance, then i think the boards would be flooded with the same things I am saying..the team looked bad for long stretches. you can disagree all you want, but i think the talent level on the roster is much to high to play like that.
Re: Cooper goal a Top 10 Play of the Day I was watching sportscenter at 11 saturday morning before I headed out to the game and in their What 2 Watch 4 segment they pimped both the MLS games that were on the ABC networks.
I think the people on this board do not seem to realise the type of player they have on their hands. Cooper is not twellman or McBride he is not that type of player his physical atributes and skills give him the potential to be something the US has never had. A striker that can create his own shots and whose mere precense can put defenders at odds. We are talking a Ballack type player here strenght, speed and good handling skills. Oh and him being out in left is not even his natural position, that would be the middle of the field running straight at the defenders and using his body to create space.
I see a lot of potential, but I don't think we should be talking of Ballack level potential (or for that matter, Wayne Rooney potential). At least not yet.
You are getting WAY ahead of things. Cooper has yet to show he can create his own shot in MLS, let alone with the National team. Coop does not have the speed to separate from defenders in MLS, there is little chance of that at the international level. He so far to this point is a player that gets buy with work rate, effort, better than average foot skills, and a fairly good shot when he is not blasting it too hard. Cooper looks likes like a nice addition with some potential, but he has yet to even win a starting job with FCD. Ballack? That's nuts.
I couldn't be happier. This ought to help put the “nay-sayers” to rest and build Coop's credibility as a top-notch player for the hoops.
It seems to me that he looks like the kind of player that will create an ongoing debate -- create and not answer -- as to whether wee want to replace his size in any given game situation with another player who has more speed.
Brian McBride can't create his own shot either and I saw him make the Portuguese center back his bitch at the last World Cup. Cooper, Casey, McBride, Twellman et al are service players. Coop looks to have better foot skills than all of those and as mentioned is a monster physical presence. Mark it down, he's McBride's replacement with a good season this year.