2/13/03 My thoughts for the last several days… USA versus Jamaica: 1) I read the headline footer on CNN on Tuesday night about the 10 Iraqis detained in Montego Bay. Due to the major concerns of war, I was immediately concerned. 2) Best players against Jamaica: Bocanegra and Convey. I really like Bocanegra at left back and Convey in the middle of the field. Also, I think Convey has the potential to be the next Reyna. 3) Cunningham is terrible whenever he gets the nod. Why does he always try to take on the entire opposing team’s defense by himself? 4) Mathis wore the armband again. Bruce, please rethink the selection of captain. 5) Mathis and Donovan were just too quiet again. Other: 6) I wonder if Cannon’s move to Europe will hurt his chance to make Team USA for Germany 2006 (most likely as a backup in some capacity). The goalkeeper situation is going to be such a mess with our deep bench… it just really makes me think. Currently, Howard and Rimando are clearly the top choices for YOUNG talent. Who will be the third if these two are chosen for the real deal? Cannon? Thornton? Brown? One of the Big Three (Friedel, Keller, Meola)? 7) Nowak retired a great soccer player. I was at the Rose Bowl for the 1998 MLS Cup upset of the DC United dynasty. I never thought Chicago even had a chance. Nowak’s performance was awesome… unbelievable to watch. Sir, good luck with your future endeavors; I appreciate your service to the Fire and MLS. 8) There is no question in my mind that Barrett will suffer the consequences for leaving San Jose (just when he finally broke into the Team USA camp). Arena will no longer be able to watch this potential left back every week. I still hope Barrett gets call-ups when the European based players are brought in for games. 9) Will Team USA ever play a “home” game with crowd support in a city with a large Hispanic population? The “home” issue is beyond frustrating although the “away” environment is clearly productive for training purposes. Quite honestly, this situation infuriates me. And do not tell me that Team USA is neither exciting nor good, therefore deferring to heritage for passion and quality. Love it or leave it. Yes, love it or leave it. You are American now. 10) I wrote a letter to Earnie Stewart, welcoming him to DC United and MLS. The letter was waiting for him when he arrived in Washington DC on February 3. I am thankful that Earnie decided to come home. Please make him feel welcome in your own way. 11) I love the name “Santino Quaranta”. What will happen to him though? Will he show up to play? The person starting next to Earnie Stewart will need to be healthy. And he will also need to score. Paging Alecko Eskandarian… please report to the DC United front line. 12) Devin Barclay was traded to DC United. I like it. A lot. 13) Wheelock’s writings about the Wizards in South Africa rock. I just returned from South Africa. Reading the columns only makes me want to go back more. 14) Where will Johnny Walker end up? I thought that he was going to San Jose… oh well. 15) The Black and Blue Ball for the "new" Colorado Rapids looked awesome- check out the pictures if you have the chance.
I'm not sure this entirely fair. Arena always brings Cunningham in in the last ten minutes of a match, or as the lone forward when we're trying to hold a lead or at some point like that where he actually IS taking on the entire opposing defense by himself. I actually feel badly for Cunningham. It must really suck. Personally I have no idea how good a player Cunningham is at all, because I don't feel like we've actually seen him playing as a starter yet with a full team support behind him. Also, you complained about Mathis as team captain. I totally disagree with this. I think Mathis looks like a good captain in that he's constantly working the refs, working the opponents, he just looks very fiery in that role. Very John Harkes-ish! Personally, I prefer this kind of team captain to the more sedate Claudio Reyna. Now I just wish Mathis would look as fiery as a PLAYER again! Let's hope Bob Bradley whips that guy back into proper shape this season.
2) I really like Convey at central midfield too. 7) "Nowak retired a great soccer player ... Sir, good luck with your future endeavors; I appreciate your service to the Fire and MLS." Well said. 9) It would be great for the US to be totally into soccer, but it isn't yet. But having games in the US with crowds supporting the other team isn't so bad. We generate the revenues, it allows soccer to be shown here, and those same new Americans get exposed to the US game while seeing "their" team. I think it would be very naive to expect someone who grew up in one country not to remain loyal to that country, regardless of whether they moved to another. But I agree with you that they are part of the American mixing bowl now, and should also embrace the US. I know many who do, but I wish more would. 10) I wholeheartedly support all of the USMNT players here in the US. Our soccer present and future is based squarely on the existence of MLS. Without their support of MLS, we might still be a soccer minnow, and might return there in the future. 11) Santino is a very skilled young player who is progressing into a decent MLS player. His improvement should continue, but DC United needs more than 2 forwards, even if they're both healthy. 12) I wish Devin the best, but I'm not holding my breath. It would be another great local story if Devin really blossomed (i.e. Santino), and he has the athleticism, but I'm still waiting on the soccer skills to come into focus. 13) Wheelock is great. Getting an MLS team's games from South Africa televised in KC is a major coup. 14) Walker wanted too much money, so the Quakes are opting for a cheap backup keeper with hopes of landing another defender with the rest of the salary cap money. 15) I'm happy with all of the new uniforms except the Metros white away uniform. I'll keep an open mind though, as the drawings of the white/grey aomeba may look better in person. -Tron