Disagree. The U-23 team needs to get used to playing with Jozy up top. We need to get into that competition to help develop our youth teams. Also, the Olympics is an important stage to market our players to the world-- note how Zizzo and Sztella came out of (relative) no where to get Euro contracts after the U-20 WYC. Playing well in the Olympics will up Jozy's value more than a US/Mex friendly (b/c a LOT more scouts will pay attention to the Olympics) and doing well there will help showcase more of our talent. It's a no-brainer, really, that the Olympics are a top priority.
Let's not forget what country knocked us out of Olympic qualification last time around: our old rival Mexico! So while it's important to beat Mexico in a friendly, it's more important to be able to beat them with something like Olympic qualification on the line.
Aren't the groups setup so that US and Mexico won't face each other with Olympic qualification on the line this time?
That's not the way I understand it. My understanding is that if both the US and Mexico finish first in their group they won't play each other in the knockout round; however, if one of them finishes second and the other finishes first (like what happened last time), they play each other for all the marbles. Is this not the case?
You've got quite the little ego wrapped up into this thing. You'd really rather beat Mexico yet again than see our team in the Olympics? Interesting priorities, bud. I'd much rather us make it to the Olympics and Mexico not. That's a far more satisfying face-rubbing than beating them in a friendly.
True-- but the NHL harnessed the public interest generated by the medal run. It was pivotal for their development.
jozy playing against mexico will do far better for our U-23 team in qualifying than jozy spending a training day with the U-23's. and Michael Bradley's going to be on the U-23 team and will be there for the Mexico game, so there's no reason Jozy can't be there too.
For the qualifying the top team from each group advances to Beijing 2008. US will be in a different group than Mexico so in reality the US cannot do anything to keep Mexico out of Beijing 2008. I think the US should bring in Jozy and Adu for the friendly against Mexico which is going to be more important for there development in the future than training with the u 23 Either get experience with one of the biggest rivals the US has and train with the US team or training with younger guys with less skill.
if usa wins the group and mexico wins their group, can't meet until the finals... if BOTH are 2nd in their group, can meet until the finals if 1 is 1st and the other 2, then they meet in the semis... if either is 3 or 4, they don't get to the semis.... so on matchday 3, if mexico is playing after the usa result is known, they know what sort of result avoids the usa...
The two teams that win their semi-finals go to the Olympics. If for some reason the US or Mexico do not win their groups they will play each other in the Semis and determine who will go to the olympics. It is very important to be given time to gel with your team mates before a big tournament like this.
the problem for usa may be the absence of guys like bradley or adu in oly qualifying... if usa meets mexico without those two, would you really put your pesos on usa??
last olympic qualifier, what did mexico do to donovan and beasley??? usa wasn't in athens... worst scenario is seeing them in the semis without both adu and bradley... be cocky, but it will be tough without adu and bradley...
i feel like i'm in the wrong hood... (childhood in lynwood re-lived) in any case, i would prioritize olympics over any rivalry. these friendlies are more for making heaps of money for both teams, TV stations, etc. i haven't seen the rosters for either team for the feb 6 meeting, if anyone would like to link to either roster confirmed for that friendly, i'd be grateful. for what it's worth, as a friendly, i undoubtedly hope to see mexico succeed, but do hope the US wins in the end as it keeps most mexicans who still don't know how to behave like human beings, down at a quiet level. i think that is ultimately what bothers me about this rivalry, is the $hit talking. Also, i respect donovan as a football player, but he tends to put on a different hat (vicitim of everything and prick to all that is green and white) against mexico that i don't like about him, specially as a captain. i think both these teams have a great deal to learn from each other now more than ever, and they seem too wrapped up in the BS to capture the good qualities of one another. in an interview, which he got a lot of crap for, Hugo Sanchez stated that US is to be treated like any other team , not as good VS evil. both teams have the potential to play good clean football, sadly w/ 1 bad call it turns in jungle ball w/ arms flying "accidentally" here and there. bottom line i guess i do agree w/ the lot of you who think jozy should keep his eyes on the real price, and out of his ass w/ this hyped up rivalry. does anyone else feel like i do? for what's it's worth, i think any midfield bradley can throw at mexico's best possible midfield... well, i'd put my money on the US still. Guardado and Torrado are the best we can do in midfield right now... sad no?
I misread your post, I apologize. I thought you were saying the US would have trouble beating Mexico in the friendly if Adu and Bradley were away with the U-23 team.
I'm sorry I missed the part that Jozy definately not going to play against Mexico. He can play in both if called upon. Considering Bradley and Adu will probably not available for the qualifiers we could use Jozy on the squad
If he is called in after being sent away I'd have to seriously question Bradley's wisdom concerning Jozy. He's playing with the best players now. If Bradley is planning on using him, why would he jeapordize continuity by sending him away? We've had a striker crisis since McBride retired. If we're going to use him, why go in half-arsed? Penny wise pound foolish.