Gregg Berhalter replaces Injured Cory Gibbs

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by littau, May 25, 2006.

  1. galperin

    galperin Member

    Feb 1, 2001
    Maineville, OH
    Losing Gibbs is gigantic, and here is why:

    If we were to play a 3-5-2, I can really only see Pope and Gibbs, and then possibly Gooch as solid 3-5-2 players. I don't see Boca, Conrad, Berhalter, Lewis, Albright, or Dolo being able to play a 3-5-2. The loss of Gibbs pretty much assures the fact that we cannot play 3 in the back.

    As far as I am concerned, losing that option really hurts us. We'll be fine defensively playing a 4-4-2, but not having the option to go to a 3-5-2 sucks big time.
     
  2. LetsGoYanks

    LetsGoYanks Member

    Jul 23, 2005
    Dirty South
    Damn this sucks sucks sucks sucks... yah, Eddie Pope, wow do we need you to have a huge WC now!
     
  3. MikeLastort2

    MikeLastort2 Member

    Mar 28, 2002
    Takoma Park, MD
    Wrong.
     
  4. StillKickin

    StillKickin Member+

    Austin FC
    Dec 17, 2002
    Texas
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Cory has got to be devastated. Seems he, too, is often rehabbing an injury, if memory serves me correctly. This is too bad.
     
  5. foozer

    foozer Member

    Dec 19, 2005
    Indy
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Sad to hear for Cory. Although I didn't think he was all that effective going forward against Morocco, I think he will be missed on this squad. That said, I'm hoping Berhalter doesn't see as much time as I think Gibbs would have; he worries me some. I'm not sure who I would have rather had join the team: Berhalter or Dunivant, though I think I'm leaning towards Dunivant.
     
  6. zakruvalcaba

    zakruvalcaba New Member

    Jun 15, 2005
    San Diego
    Like I said....it was just something that quickly came to mind after reading these articles on JD. I agree Berhalter's experience and superb play against Germany :rolleyes: earns him the spot.
     
  7. ScottyB10

    ScottyB10 Member

    Nov 21, 2005
    Waco, Texas
    berhalter or open space?

    i pick open space, more room for Gooch to dominate!
     
  8. MikeLastort2

    MikeLastort2 Member

    Mar 28, 2002
    Takoma Park, MD
    You're the one who mentioned DeMerit and Bradley as replacements, not me.

    If that's how your mind works, it's pretty scary.
     
  9. NMMatt

    NMMatt Member+

    Apr 5, 2006
    Relax. Bradley isn't going to the World Cup. Bringing in young available players to a camp is very common, as is letting them suit up as a thank you. Your reading way too much into that. Bradley will get more looks, as he deserves them. DeMerit is likely to as well. Chill.

    Gibbs is lost. That sucks, but I could think of worse losses at this point. Gotta feel for the guy, and it does limit our options, definately.
     
  10. Supersuperman99

    Supersuperman99 New Member

    Oct 28, 2004
    Los Angeles
    We're ********ed I'll start praying for Bruce not to start him please. This ********ing sucks Im ********ing pissed I was delighted when I found out that Beerholder didnt make it. But now poor Gibbs he must be crushed I feel for you bother. Did I metion we're ********ed this day just got worst. This is one of the most injury prone squads at the WC.
     
  11. zakruvalcaba

    zakruvalcaba New Member

    Jun 15, 2005
    San Diego
    When did I mention Bradley as a replacement? Someone made mention to the fact that I was stupid for thinking about adding an uncapped player to the roster...I just said why not, they added Bradley to the practice roster? Ease up...you people take things way to seriously here.
     
  12. hirtme

    hirtme Member

    Nashville SC
    May 2, 2006
    Nashville
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not great news but some of you are over-reacting. I was for Gibbs starting next to Gooch, but it was clear all along that BA favored Pope. Gibbs did not look good at left back on Tuesday so I posted that Lewis was a lock to start there at this point. Gibbs was coming off the bench so as long as Pope stays healthy its not too big a loss. And Boca or Berhalter isn't that big a step down from Gibbs. Frankly, other than Gooch any one of our backs is replaceable. I do feel bad for him though.

    I was surprised Berhalter didn't make the roster despite the performance versus Germany until I read or heard something about team chemistry and he wasn't a great guy to have around.

    This is the biggest concern I have regarding the news.

    That said, recall it was a BS handball that kept Berhalter from evening the score versus Germany in 2002. Take that away and he's a hero. Probably getting as much BS love as Dempsey and Mathis :)
     
  13. shooter6065

    shooter6065 Member

    Nov 16, 2000
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Bocanegra can't play as part of a 3-man backline? Are you high? Check your facts guy........

    Playing in the Bob Bradley/Chicago Fire traditional 3-5-2, Carlos Bocanegra won MLS Rookie of the Year in 2000.

    In 2002 and 2003, Carlos Bocanegra, for the first time in MLS history, won back-to-back MLS Defender of the Year Awards....all from playing in a 3-5-2.


    I think Carlos is probably comfortable in a 3-man backline.......
     
  14. mrliioadin

    mrliioadin New Member

    Feb 16, 2006
    Hagerstown, MD
    i definately don't wanna see gibbs gone, but i would've taken berhalter over conrad. This isn't terrible but certainly not good.
     
  15. brainer 99

    brainer 99 New Member

    Jan 30, 2006
    Just seems like we really need someone who has experience at left back, is Beerholder our only option at this point? Does this mean it's Lewis and Boca? For all the talk about our conditioning, do we go too hard? seems like we've had a few pre WC injuries. 2002 and this year? how do these injuries compare to other countries preparing for the WC?
     
  16. zakruvalcaba

    zakruvalcaba New Member

    Jun 15, 2005
    San Diego
    I thought the same thing when the roster was released. IMO Conrad is a solid player and dare I say funny (he'll amuse the boys on the flight to Germany) but I was suprised to see Conrad over Berhalter. Man, I would've liked to see Dunivant in there if for nothing else than to see McBride head one in off a throw in.
     
  17. Gerail

    Gerail New Member

    May 2, 2006
    You're not English, don't say 'gutted'.
     
  18. nowherenova

    nowherenova Member+

    Jul 20, 2003
    Formerly Terminus
    I agree that Boca is a good option while playing with 3, and he has experience playing against top- level strikers. I'm sorry to see Cory get injured, but Boca will step up.
     
  19. United20

    United20 Member

    Feb 26, 2001
    New York City
    This is depressing news. Gibbs was important and a sure starter. I would rather have Spector than Berhalter who is the new Agoos.
     
  20. MikeLastort2

    MikeLastort2 Member

    Mar 28, 2002
    Takoma Park, MD
    Americans can't feel gutted?

    Since when?
     
  21. zakruvalcaba

    zakruvalcaba New Member

    Jun 15, 2005
    San Diego
    Oh, and I'm the stupid one? I may be a newb but at least I know enough to see that Spector is injured! Ha, redemption....:D
     
  22. Tricky Tree

    Tricky Tree New Member

    Jul 27, 2001
    Diego's boots
    Having watched a lot of Bocanegra and DeMerit and a little of Conrad this season I know who I'd want in my eleven and he doesn't play for Fulham or the Wizards - Goalscorer and Man of the Match at the Championship playoff final means something. Berhalter, well he's 50-50 isn't he? Experienced yes, reliable, er...
     
  23. NYKeeper

    NYKeeper New Member

    May 18, 2006
    Astoria, NY
    I read the headline and my first reaction was that it was a joke. After realizing that it wasn't, my second reaction was to feel sick. This is really terrible news....I really thought a Gooch/Gibbs pairing in central defense would be outstanding.

    I think Eddie Pope was perhaps our best player overall in 02, but I'm really worried that he has lost a step (or two) and will be exposed in Germany. Right now I'm sort of hoping Boca gets most of the playing time with Gooch in the middle.
     
  24. chrisinho

    chrisinho Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Back in HelLA
    This really does suck. Even though he wasn't a natural left back, I think he's a stup up in that position from the other alternatives, Boca and Albright, assuming of course that Lewis is the starter.
     
  25. zakruvalcaba

    zakruvalcaba New Member

    Jun 15, 2005
    San Diego
    Thank you!
     

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