Arena interview today.

Well, given how Ryan played against DC, thank god. (Don't shoot me; I like Ryan. I hope he gets a cap soon.)

Most of the answers are rote. Bruce wasn't really in a talking mood for this one.

Interesting that in the game v. Wales we should see some new faces.

 

Re: Re: Arena interview today.

This HAS to be mean new faces from Europe. I mean outside of Tino and EJ (end even he is questionable at this point) and MAYBE Ricardo Clark (as a right midfielder, he has to be better than Klein) who could he bring in from MLS. I'm almost positive he won't bring in EJ and Clark. But then again I look at Europe and think maybe Cory Gibbs, Connors Casey and John Thorrington. Not a trio that really inspires anything, other than curiosity.

 

I found it interesting that Bruce considers the Gold Cup as a more important competition than the Confederations Cup. After all, winning the Gold Cup gets you to the Confederations Cup.

 

Re: Re: Re: Arena interview today.

Ramiro Corrales has been mentioned by name by Arena in the past. Probably others who havent been mentioned. Who knows?

 

Winning the Gold Cup also gets you an invitation to Copa America.

 

I think Suarez is a mouthy little prick. That said, hes a very talented player. I think if he can get his head screwed on straight Bruce may take a look. I dont see why he hasnt gotten a look already. I will say though, that some of the things I've seen him do and ways I've seen him act in MLS games (in person, some directed at players in front of me and a couple times directed straight at me, the fan) he isnt ready for the international game. The mental aspect is just as important as the physical, and he doesnt have it.

Very scripted responses from BA except for the Suarez statement and the "new caps" expected vs. Wales.

 

when he mentions "new caps", he really just may mean players who have very few caps - a la Buddle and Martino - to get a longer look.

 

The Gold Cup is also a "Regional Championship" too and so it carries more weight in the FIFA rankings -- which will help us be seeded better for 2006.

I agree that Wales would be a good opportunity to see a bunch of the European based players. All (or most) would be done with their league play.

 

Euro-based US players

Is there a good resource that has descriptions of some of the Euro-based players that we haven't really seen yet?

 

That's a HUGE maybe. As impressive as he has been, he hasn't even played a full season.

 

I like Corrales as a possibility simply because the game will be in San Jose.

 

this way if we get spanked he wont look as bad in the media

 

Well honestly the fact that the game is in San Jose makes it an easy call, but the Corralles mention alone makes him the most likely call in of guys we havent seen.