I think Bruce Arena should start grooming Chris Klein to fill in at right back for WC qualifiers. I think he would be a shoe in right behind Tony Sanneh. Chris Klein does not have what it takes to be a national team player at the midfield position but with his speed, height and strength he would probably make one hell of a right back.
I was very disappointed in the way he played on Saturday. In the second half, an Argentine picked his pocket at midfield. Chris WALKED back to US area of the field while his team was under siege. He was dogging it and was replaced shortly thereafter. Compare that with Garcia who husteld and hustled when the same thing happened to him. I used to be a big fan of Klein but not after Satruday.
Well based upon how well he did at coming back from his right mid position and providing ANY defense at all, I'd say this isn't too good of a prospect.
He got shots off and he was praised afterward by BA. Klein played a lot more defensive last season for KC, but I'd have to say he's better offensively. His crosses, at times, can be as good as anyone the Nats have had. Give him time and you'll see what he can do in the offensive end, both going down the wings and coming in to score. I think denouncing a player after one moment or game (as Flannigan seems to be doing) isn't right at all. If it were a trend I'd have no problem with it, but if you were on his bandwagon before this game, why would one game shove you off?
I've been looking for this move for years. The only reason I can think that Bruce (seemingly) HASN'T tried it is that he really likes Klein at right wing. If so, fair enough. Klein is a quality option.
I'd go with Klein at right back, too. Also, regarding Sanneh's prospects and the possibility of Klein replacing him, they may be deteriorating rapidly. His spine is bothering him seriously. It is apparently a degenerative problem that can sometimes go on indefinitely.
I'd be curious to see Klein at right back. And, I thought he did OK Saturday. At least he was aggressive enough to get a couple shots off. Sometimes guys make things harder than they really are. He was at least willing to step up to the plate and take what was given to him and go for it. A lot of more talented players didn't.
No. I think his strength is on offensive, not defense. I don't ever remember him shutting down an attack on his side. He just doesn't have the work rate or tenancity.
When he played in his first world cup qualifier Bruce Arena called him "a player who battles, who scraps for every ball".
he is our most aggressive attacker down the right side. Why give that up? He crosses well, he shoots well, he runs well. Sounds like a midfielder to me.
Back after hearing about US/Jam. Not going to give anything away, but lets stop questioning Kleins offensive abilities after these last three games. And this crap about him not hustling...do you people watch any KC games? If you did you'd know Chris was all hustle.
Ralston I wonder why Arena does not give Ralston a shot? He seems to be a good assist guy. I've only seen him play a few games, but he looks deserving of some play on the outside mid.
Exactly, I have no idea where this is coming from: a single play in the Argentina match maybe? I think of Klein PRIMARILY as a hustling scrappy player. His offensive skills are solid, but he's no Mathis or Donovan...hell, skillwise I don't think he's even Ralston. But he's big, strong, runs all day, and knows what to do with the ball when he wins it.
So a few people can come rip on Klien after one bad play in one game, but after being one of the best offensive threats in a three game stretch not one of you can come back and say anything good?
aside from his utter lack of quickness & his impending retirement from the international game, I don't see why not. Klein is no Sennah knock off. He's big, fast, strong & knows how to finish but he's not very good at man marking, anticipating the next pass, or protecting the ball in tight spots. He's got a great 90 minute motor & I think he's a pure winger, not a right back. Though I'm not enthralled w/ Heydude, Dolo, Mulrooney & I'm anxious to see Ryan Suarez & Cory Gibbs play.
Klein looks like our player most willing to shoot, and he has a good one too. So let's keep him in attack. As for Ralston, I have actually become a Ralston fan since I see him a lot now that he is a Rev. He is a very good player but he has a probelm, not of his own making. The US has many good , small, non-physical players. If Ralston and Klein are of remotely equal abaility, Arena MUST get some size and physical power in the line-up.We can not put a team of Lilliputians out there and expect to beat a good team.Klein is good, he is a horse, and this team badly needs a few horses.
From an earlier post of yours, I try to not watch too many KC games! Klein had a great game against Jamaica. Let me clarify my earlier comments... Some players have offensive tenacity, some defensive, and some both. Hopefully, your outside midfielders have both. I believe Klein needs to improve his defensive tenacity (track back, coverage in tight spaces, etc.). Against Jamaica and Argentina, he did both. Hopefully, the trend will continue...
As soon as BA stops experimenting and moving players around, to say nothing of calling in Euro-based players, Olsen is the right mid and Klien sits. If he can learn right back he will get more PT. Arena seems to like converted Fwd/Mids as outside backs. Sanneh is just that. Look at the Convey experiment. Look at Reyna in JK. It seems like something Klien should work on if he wants to play.
Re: Ralston I don't think BA will call him in, mainly on the fact of age, with getting ready to do qualifying for 2006, I doubt that BA would call Ralston in.
Ben Olsen first has to prove that he's going to be the player he once was before he missed nearly two years due to an ankle injury. Brian Maissonueve was never the same after he came back from his injury, and Ben has NOT been the old Beninho we once new.
Based on WHAT?? I am neither a DCU nor a KC fan. But I would take Klein over Bennie straight up every time.Add to that the fact that Arena will sorely be needing to get more size in the line-up and I would say that the right mid job is Klein's to lose, even with a healthy Olsen.