It wouldn't be as much in favor of the Europeans as one would think. MLS GK- Jonny Walker Back four- Pope, Gibbs, Maestroeni, Hejduk Midfield- Zavagnin, Beasley, Convey, Armas Forwards- Wolff, Donavan (moving him up is better than Ching starting) Reserves- Meola, Twellman, Gaven, Ching, Albright, Kirovski Abroad GK- Any of the Big 3 Back Four- Cherundelo, Berhalter, Bocanegra, Vanney Midfield- Reyna, Lewis, Mathis, JOB ( assuming the match will be played during his annual Healthy Week) Forwards- McBride, Casey Reserves- Another of the Big 3, Sanneh, Barett, Russell (Yikes), Cooper, Enochs The Europeans suffer from a lack of depth in the midfield, but they have what might be our starting forward duo, and a huge edge at keeper.
If I had to pick between those two teams, I'd pick a (healthy) Euro-based team. There's not much difference between the two tough. BTW... I think Mulrooney should be ahead of Zavagnin on the depth chart
Eh, the abroad team would have 60% possession if not more. The MLS defense is probably better, but the keepers even it out. MLS has the better forwards. I think the huge midfield advantage of the yanks abroad allows them to win 2 or 3 to nil.
I'd actually take the MLS side... I am not going to go into position by position ratings..... I will, however, remind a few that this is an incomplete roster (from the MLS side). Also, just last year, both 'rosters' were practically (or partially), reversed... And next year, expect the same...
One more thing..... I told you last year that Jonny Walker would be considered the best keeper in MLS by this time... (and if you don't think he is, then tell me why.......)
I don't think he is because of something I started in the Mens News and Analysis Section. Basically he has the 2nd worst (only thanks to Nick Rimando) ratio of goals/save (or goals/shot whichever you want to look at). I'm not saying he's a bad goalie, but something isn't right with his Metrostars team in MLS... and it's not because he sees more shots than others. I think Walker has great skills, but isn't living up to his half a season last year. My MLS lineup would be: Cannon left back??? Pope Gibbs Hejduk Beasley Gaven Masatroeni (yes as def mid) Donovan Wolff Ching Unfortunately this team will lose to the Euros by a score of 1-0 because this midfield is too weak (comparatively) to break down the Euro defense of Boca, Vanney, Cherundolo, and Berhalter... and if they do then 1 of the big 3 keepers is there to shut it down. Basically McBride knocks in a cross from Lewis or Cherundolo.
May be different in 06, but as of today, I'd say the Euro team has at least seven and probably eight of the starting 11, along with a couple of the most important subs. Right now, the Euro team is quite a bit better (as it should be expected to be, the best MLS players want to play overseas and earn more money, LD and Pope excepted).
------------Howard Cherundolo-Berhalter-Boca-Vanney ---Reyna(capt)---------JOB ------Mathis-----Lewis --------Casey---MCB -------Wolff-----Ching --Beasley----LD-------Gaven --- --------Armas(captain) --Convey-Gibbs-Pope-Hejduk ---------------Meola My choice for this fictional match and I would predict a 2-1 MLS win.
Hopefully the YA team will look like this in a year or three: ---------------Howard -JOB----Spector-----Boca---Whitbread ------Szetela---------------Convey ---Gaven---------LD-----------Beasley -----------Mathis------Casey Provided the following: Howard - 1st Teamer at Manchester United JOB - 1st Teamer at Ajax (Lord willing) Spector - 1st Teamer at Manchester United Boca - 1st Teamer at Fulham Whitbread - 1st Teamer at Liverpool Szetela - 1st Teamer at FC Youpickem Convey - 1st Teamer and teamate of Szetela at FC Youpickem Gaven - 1st Teamer at Manchester United (I mean we should always believe what the papers say, right?) LD - 1st Teamer at Bayer Leverkusen or as they might be known then - Bayer San Jose! Beasley - 1st Teamer at PSV and target of Chelsea Mathis - 1st Teamer at Hannover Casey - 1st Teamer and local hero at Mainze If so, Seattle's Keller will have his hands full.
Before I catch any grief for listing 12 players, remember that one of them is JOB. Odds are, my line-up will be perfectly legal on game day!