I just got back to Bigsoccer.com and realized that after the World Cup, little has sparked up in the Concacaf section. I'm curious who everyone thinks are the best players for the areas of goalkeeping, defense, midfield, and forward. There is a similar thread, but it is about the best player in CONCACAF and it's truly unfair for some areas since they're all different. If you could, enter who you think are the best 3 players for each position. Please don't use injured players since at the moment they cannot be judged since they are not in form (a la Reyna and Wanchope) Here's mine: Goalkeeping: Frad Friedel, Kasey Keller, Tim Howard (all USA I know, but there really isn't anyone better than any of the above except for Tim Howard) Defense: Rafael Marquez, Gilberto Martinez, Mauricio Wright Midfield: Wilmer Lopez, Landon Donovan, Demarcus Beasly (really not sure who should go here seeing as we really don't have any midfielders that stick out other than Reyna who is injured) Forward: Brian McBride, Shaun Goater, Erick Scott (I am extremely biased seeing my love for Costa Rica, USA, and Man City come over me) Anyways, those are my picks. Post yours!
Wow, no replies yet. Guess when the World Cup qualifyers emerge then life will breath again. Anyways, I would like to withdraw Beasly since he is yet to prove himself and add Amado Guevara. He had a great Copa America, a great season with Saprissa, and shows why so many clubs want him. Sad thing is he'll go to the highest paying club like the one in I don't know what country. So, I want to see some replies
I think it might be easier for best 3 at literally every position - ie. instead of just best three midfielders, best three offensive midfielders, defensive midfielders, wide left, wide right etc. As a specific example, I wouldn't put Da Marcus Beasely as one of the best three midfielders period - many other players within Concacaf deserve consideration before him, IMO, including a few of his teammates. John O'Brien comes to mind. But as a left-sided wingback there is an argument that he would be in the top three in the region at that position, though I'd personally play US teammate Convey ahead of him on the left, as he's a better crosser - not to mention that Canada's Jim Brennan as well.
Here are my picks: Goalkeepers: Friedel, Keller, Howard I thought about selecting Hirschfeld, but selected Howard over him because he is getting regular first team football so he is match sharp. Defenders: Pope, Marquez, Martinez Mids: Blanco, O'Brien, Torrado, Donovon, Beasley, Stalteri Too many good mids to just choose 3. Forwards: Borghetti, Mathis, Radzinski
I think Hirschfeld is getting too much credit at this point in his career based on one solid (yes, I am saying solid not spectacular) game in the Gold Cup. He is a fine shot stopper, and has shown much improvement in the two areas some Canadian fans think him weak (ball at the feet and his work in the air). He is going to be a good one, already is in many ways, but I don't see him top three yet. My only quibbles would be with Beasley and Mathis. I think DMB is much overated ( a la Hirschfeld). He gets a lot out of his assets, and he is valuable because his speed gives players like Reyna an extra tick or two with the ball just because of the threat his speed poses, but his overall skill level still leaves much to be desired. He would be a non-factor on a lessor team which is not true of the others you mention. When he is matched up against a player of similar speed, or who are good enough to neutralize his speed, he ceases to have much impact on the game. With Mathis, his talents are prodigious but I would omit him simply because he does not perform at the level he is capable on a consistent basis. I think he has to omitted for that reason. There are too many good strikers in CONCACAF to put an inconsistent head case in the top 3 (said with respect of course, because when he is on his game...) BTW, whats the latest on JOB? I hear he is having real struggles with injury and that there is at least a small chance that his career may be in jeapordy.
Re: Re: Best 3 of each position I would also like to do the whole position thing, but there are many CONCACAF teams that I don't know who plays what other than the Costa Rican and USA teams. Yeah, I withdrew DMB because he still has much to prove and replaced him with Amado Guevarra who is in fine form
No, that's Reyna you're thinking of. He has suffered a set back, which could potentially be career threatening. JOB has resumed full workouts with Ajax's 1st team and should be back in the starting lineup once he's fit and fully healed. Ajax has struggled a bit without him. The coach and many supporters have said as much.
One good season does not a great player make . Seriously, if he duplicates his success in the coming season you might have an argument.
No way is Amado Guevara better than Gerardo Torrado. I think Guevara is overrated. He had an awful WC qualifyng against the US and Mexico and he then flopped in Zacatepec, which is as bad as it gets. One season in Saprissa to me is not enough to say he is one of the best. And there is no way he is better than Torrado.
Tyson Nunez is currently not in the right form to challenge for an actual consideration. Ruiz has always given his life for his country and is a team player. All he lacks is talent. But, his vision and determination is enough to at least give him a mention, though I would include others before him. Wanchope has just started training about 5 days ago. He is not fit enough to be considered yet. The sad thing is that he has to give a pretty tough fight to challenge for a place in Man City's starting line up since the recent aquisition of Robbie Fowler. The thing is Fowler is in horrible form, but the manager will let him partner Anelka just because of his name
Ruiz and to a lesser extent Freddy Garcia should be considerd. As mexies go, they produce, but no particular stand outs ever flurish from them, Although people are hyping Rafa Marquez and Cuatinho or mr. jump ball. Beasley or Mathis are not even close to top level in concacaf. Guys to consider are: Onandi Lowe, Deon Burton Stern John, Dwarika, maybe Dwight Yorke Tomaz Radsinzki Wanchope, maurico wright, centeno are all pretty good.
Onandi Lowe plays in English 3rd division (equal to 4th) and is not doing superbly. Can't say anything about Burton. Stern John maybe, but is fighting for place with Duggary and Morrison. What in the world is Dwarika? Wanchope is currently getting into form and Centeno thought scored against Real Madrid and Roma, is now way out of form (watch Copa Uncaf).
Arnold Dwarika is Trinidad & Tobagos best player at the moment. He should be captaining T&T when qualification time comes. super talented mid-fielder Ran the likes of Donovan and JOB off the pitch last time U.S.A was down in T&T. about a year ago.
Where does Dwarika play his club football? Also, I'm surprised at the little mention of Paul Stalteri, Canadian international at Werder Bremen. He's been a constant in their midfield since at least the beginning of last season, and now he's helped them to first place in a highly competitive Bundesliga. Surely that's worth more credit than a decent MLS season.
Ok, mine on recent form: Goalie -- Howard, Friedel and Keller. Shaka Hislop plays in the EPL and Clayton Ince has some success in Division 1 in England. Defenders -- Gilberto Martinez, Marquez, Pope. Marquez is struggling at Barcelona, but with JOB out injured, he is sill the best choice. Midifielders -- Reyna, Arellano, Staltieri Torrado has not played this year as far as I can tell, so he is off my list. I really think Staltieri is kind of mediocre, but no one else is performing well enough. Beasley is close to making this list. Forwards -- Donovan, Radzinski and Ricardo Fuller
I'm going to play up the Canadian interest again & mention Julian De Guzman. The young lad is reportedly having an outstanding season thus far in the Bundesliga with Hannover 96, and has one of the better rankings for midfielder's in the Bundesliga at the season's halfway mark. He deserves consideration. Also a word on Stalteri, he's normally a right back for Werder Bremen, and has been used at right back for Canada in the past 3 matches under an interim-manager, so I would put him as one of the top 3 right-backs (if not the top, considering he starts every match for the current first place team in Germany), rather than one of the top midfielders. We'll see what happens with Yallop as the Canadian coach, though it will be at least two months, if not three before Frank will be able to get his hands on Canada's Euro-based players.