Didn't see this posted yet, Brian West is quoted as saying that Bruce spoke to him about coming over for the Jamaica match. It sounds like a groin injury will prevent that, though. http://yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=news&id=000297
Thanks for the link. I'm impressed. It looks like a very good site. Also good to hear confirmation that BA is pays attention to the YA's that are playing well.
I've never really seen much of him and nothing at all since he went abroad. Hopefully, this is a sign that he's developing more than just his speed.
Funny, I was just reading that site before I came over. Good to see Bruce looking at everybody even if he isn't healthy this time. I really want to see us win and go undefeated for the first time in the wcq semis.
But, a groin injury is the kind of thing that a player needs to gradually bring back - flying across the pond to play a midweek game is a bad idea.
what position is he playing over there? i know he played alot right wing for the crew. if so, this is a no brainer since we don't have anyone really at that position.
You know, you're being SO clever when you're condescending like that. Really. It's impressive. Maybe you're choosing to be in the minority, but the prevailing opinion around here is that LD is best used as an a-mid, directing the offense from the center of the field. Beasley has played some right mid, as did Klein before he got hurt, and Gaven is a future possibility there. But Donovan? Hopefully not.
I'm glad that Biran West is getting a look. Sorry to hear that he's hurt. He is a hometown boy (Columbia, MD) and we are proud of him.
"Prevailing opinion" or not, Donovan has played a lot of right mid in the five qualifying matches the USMNT has played so far. I don't see where it is unfair to point out what, prevailing opinion or not, is clearly a legitimate option. And if Gaven develops further, then that is certainly an option. But the drop off to the backup central midfielders would have to be pretty great to justify moving Donovan to the center if the only option is to play a jourenyman like West (assuming he has not made amazing strides under the superior Norwegian training methods). I think your ideas of an "a-mid" like Carlos Valderama and Marco Etcheverry who hangs around the center of the midfield behind two strikers is a bit dated. Much more likely today is to have a free flowing midfield like the one against Panama where Donovan was central or right or even left and Beasely was in all three areas as well. Brian West neither fits this type of scheme or is of this quality.
Anyone know of how much more he makes now than what MLS offered? Unfortunately, I don't see him ever being in the USMNT's plans. A little surprised Bruce called him.
True ... but 3 weeks is not a "minor groin tweak". It may not be Joey Gallaway serious but it ain't minor either. Anyhow, I hope he's well enough to at least attend the camp since the Norwegian season will be over.
The key question isn't how much he is making now but how much he'll be able to make after this season, which he started as an unknown and ended up being ranked as one of the top players in Norway. (top 10 by one paper, top 30 in another) This makes him a likely transfer candidate if/when another club approaches Fredrikstad where Brian has another year to go on his current contract.
That is what is amusing about life. A couple years ago when Brian Ching was in Seattle, I never would have thought that he would be a factor in WCQ play. And I'm sure that when Chris Armas played for Puerto Rico back in 94 (?) that anyone would have ever thought about him becoming our most important defensive midfielder for several years. He was playing for the LI Roughriders at the time. Like I said, friggin Brian Cunningham got some looks from Brucie, including Gold Cup (sorry, but I still don't understand that), so why not give another Central Marylander a look? The kid went to Norway and BLEW UP! If everything works out with a nice transfer for him, he will have won his gamble with leaving the security of MLS.
Jeff Cunningham. But I agree. I don't see the harm in calling in West, sounds like hes doing well in Norway.
What it doesn't say though is that Arena told him "he has two to play against Jamica, slim and none." And Jeff Cunningham .... He's our favorite player. He stops more attacks by being offsides our defense. He's still trying to understand the offsides rule and doesn't realize (don't tell him) that he's fast enough that doesn't have to play it so close. Give me a break. Brian West!
Brain West is a player with some talent.I am not sure what you could have against him.He is very fast, a hard worker with a good team attitude.Unlike Cunni, he passes the ball. He may or may not be good enough, but he certainly is no stiff, no joke.
and west has played well in norway in a position of need....right wing. how can arena get a good read on him unless he brings him to camp to see how he's progressed... speedy right winger might come in handy at some point during the hex... I doubt west is viewed as contributor to the JAM match, but more of the look see call-up..
Look, he made a change, he has vastly improved and he's earned another look with the national team. Period.
The West and Russell callups mean nothing more than Bruce using this special opportunity to call some of the younger Euros into camp and observe them. What's special about the opportunity? 1. FIFA sactioned date for international callups 2. We have already qualified, so the game doesn't matter much to us 3. The game means everything to our opponent For all of you who have been bemoaning Bruce for sticking with "The Geritol Crew" during qualifiers, time to send some love Bruce's way. And if all you can muster is, "It's about f'ing time!" so be it.
Agreed He could be a good compliment winger for beasley and allow donovan to take over the middle of the field. Too bad he decided not to come.
or...he made a change to an inferior league and is successful, but his talent level has remained the same.
Ahh, No, actually he didn't. - He played forward at Jamaica. - He played Right AM in a box midfield at home against ES for 82 minutes until they switched to a diamond and he shifted out to the right mid for the last 8. - He played 57 min at Right mid at Panama until the mathis sub when he moved to AM. - He played CM and AM at ES - He played AM at home against Panama. He only played about 65 minutes of Right mid in the 5 qualifiers. Even if we count Right AM in a box, which isn't the same position as Right Mid, he only has 147 minutes on the right. I wouldn't call 65(or even 147) out of 450 "a lot of right mid" minutes. He's played more minutes at forward than he has as a right mid. I'm not advocating a West call up but it's pretty obvious that there is a hole at the right mid/right wing.
What club is he playing for right now ? ..... oh, by the way, why hasn't Bruce called-up Quaranta for so long ?