Arena Discusses Confederations Cup, Gold Cup, Tim Howard during Conference Call

Arena agrees with me kinda, that it would be ideal to have the luxury of Reyna and O'brien at the outside backs, but feels that we need Reyna in midfield.

I disagree, but I am a nut, and he is the coach. I am glad that Bruce obviously has been thinking about the concept, hopefully he will come around to the idea that we are ready for it.

 

I actually agree with Arena here. Right now, we need Claudio in the midfield. Convey and Martino are not ready to take on that role. 3 years from now, they very well could be, and then it becomes a real question. Could O'brien and Reyna play as outside midfielders?

That, in my mind, is THE most intriguing question leading up to 2006.

Casey and Buddle's development is huge, too. If those two step up and become big-time alternatives, we can be extremely flexible with where and how we play Donovan.

Finally, the development of Dolo and Gbandi will be something to keep an extremely close eye on, as we desperately need depth at the outside back positions.

 

Like Bruce, I too am worried about the lack of experience in the back. Bocanegra and Berhalter weren't at all impressive in the NZ friendly. It was Armas that did most of the defensive work. I hope that their performance in that friendly won't be typical of them in games to come. Gibbs, however, was really impressive in that game.

 

I always like these interviews with Bruce where it shows/seems like he's on top of things, just as I expect.

I can sleep well tonight.

 

I'm looking forward to watching this team in the Confeds Cup. I want to see how guys like Boca, Callif, Martino, Convey, Howard do.

Reyna, OBrien and Pope seem like the guys that will be missed the most

 

Sounds like O'Brien will be out for the Gold Cup too.

 

The thing I love about Bruce is that he adapts his system to his players, something many coaches are unwilling to do. He said he was open to the idea of Reyna and JOB at outside backs, which is something in and of itseld.

 

23 players on WC squad. 19 played. Of the other 4, 2 were goalkeepers (Keller and Meola) and one was injured. (Cherundolo???). And one was left on the bench (David Regis). I guess we can officially say that David Regis is no longer in the pool.

 

Is it part motivational? From what I've read, JOB has made clear that he would prefer to play in the midfield. Is this sending him a message to pick it up a notch?

Related, could it backfire? As intrigued as I am by the idea of Reyna and JOB as the outside backs, and the unprecedented skill that it would give us at those positions, is that the kind of message you want to continue to have floating around? How about, "JOB was one of the stars of our World Cup run, and we expect to see him running our midfield for years to come." ???

 

He also seems to think that at least one of Keller and/or Friedal will not be around in 2006 -- maybe both. I agree.

 

I've never heard of "bloodying" players before.

 

Its used when the younger generation is being broken in. I'm sure it has something to do with farming or ranching, but I am a proud product of the suburbs and I know nothing about those things.

 

The Europeans will "Blood" new players though.

 

I thought of something when I heard "Blooding" of new players...but it sure as hell didn't involve ranching. More like the birds and the bees

 

I think its fairly obvious that this English term "bloodying" is a crude reference derived from the idea of popping their cherries. Saying "Bloodying" works much better than saying, "we want our young guys to lose their virginity", although it isn't as funny.

 

Never heard of "bloodying", but have heard of "blood", and "blooding". Presumably, it refers to a pagan ritual after a young man's first kill, of being marked by the beast's blood.

 

The JOB segment didn't sound too optimistic, did it? I hope he can get back to full fitness, but with a reccurence of the Achilles injury after 5 mos rehab, it doesn't sound too promising.

I agree with Arena about Howard. I hope that before he signs he gets a committment about their interest in him being "the guy" in a few years. If he isn't brought in to be developed as the first choice keeper, I would rather him stay at NY/NJ, or sign for a lower rated premiership side and start immediately. This part of his career is crucial for him, and if he's sitting on the bench, he could really fall into obscurity quickly.

 

I agree with Nutmeg that the interesting thing is in the midfield right now.

Arena rightly sees Reyna as a midfielder for now, but seems open to moving him back in time. I think if he moves back or not will depend on if Convey develops into a guy who can run the midfield at top level or possibly the health of O'Brien. If Convey, or maybe Martino for that matter, isn't ready or hasn't had the chance to pick up a decent amount of high-pressure experience at top levels, at least one of Reyna or O'Brien will be absolutely necessary if we want to field our strongest team possible.

I think Bruce knows that right now his best team would feature a healthy Reyna and/or O'Brien in the midfield. He just seems to be playing things safe by planning for future replacements and/or injuries. And, if on the off chance one of the young uns plays out of this world, he knows he can always find a place on the field for his better players in spots where we are weak.

 

I found this surprising. Sure, they'll both be in their mid-30s, but neither has shown signs of slowing down. Its always good to have a contingency plan, but I'd be shocked if neither of them is around. Keepers generally have a longer shelf-life than field players. I suppose the ideal scenario would be that neither Keller nor Friedel loses anything, yet one of the younger guys really steps it up and wins the spot with dazzling form. Hey, I can dream...

I didn't think the JOB talk sounded particularly bleak.

 

Actually, the term comes from fox hunting, where the new hounds are 'bloodied' with the freshly killed fox, to train them. The practice extends to smearing fresh fox blood on the faces of new riders as well.

As to the goaltenders, given KK's petulance about not playing in the WC, do you really think he'll committ to sitting on the bench behind Friedel in 2006? Evidently, Bruce doesn't.

 

I think what hurt JOB is coming back and playing 3 games a week at a very high level. Its like hurting an ankle that keeps you out for a few weeks. When you get back you try and go all out, you feel good, then you take off your shoe and your ankle looks to size of a grapfruit. I'm sure if JOB just rests this summer, it should feel much better when the season starts.

 

I agree with this statement 100%, and it was my first reaction to such a move.

I would love to see Howard step up and be our first choice, but its interesting to me that Adin Brown's name has not surfaced as a possibility as well for that spot.

 

probably because of how many guys are in the frame, a bit overwhelming when being 7th on the chart means you're pretty damn good - but i agree he's improved 10-fold - i always remember him being huge, i don't remember him being so agile

a little off topic, but am i correct in assuming that nihat kahveci and tayfut korkun will not be available for the CC opener? la liga will not be finished yet and sociedad is in first place by a slim margin - if we don't have nihat to deal with, a good result seems a lot more likely - that guy is tearing everyone to shreds this year