Quick question. Why are these two guys not playing for the USMNT? i was watching the Chicago Fire V. SJ Earthquakes match and these two players were at their best. Cobi Jones would get the ball out wide and just run at defenders daring anyone to stop him. His play probably catalyzed his team to winning that game. Also dont forget about Razov getting the ball near midfield and streaking down the middle of the pitch, cutback to his left foot, shot and GOAL!. Also dont forget about him FINALLY making a PK. I know its just one game but its one game that exemplifies what they've been doing their whole careers and they deserve to be representing their country.
the funny thing is that this shows you how ridiculous Stewarts caps now are. Cobi, for all the bashing on him, is way more productive (and plain better) than Earnie Stewart is, but yet Earnie is still getting caps. obviously, this is only because of his chase to 100 caps.
I personally am an Earnie Stewart supporter. People bash him a lot because of his finishing but he's not really out there to score goals. He's out there to provide service to the forwards which he does a pretty good job at. Also he's a good defender and works hard.
I have always liked Earnie too, but Cobi is just plain better than he is, and the fact that Stewart is getting caps is a sham. mind you, i'm not advocating Cobi getting caps at this point of his career either.
I don't know what it is about Cobi, but i've watched USMNT games in bars in three continents, and in every place listened to people cheer, wildly, when Cobi, inevitably, gets hacked, whacked, pounded to the turf, etc. For some reason, people just hate the guy.
I think Cobi is a better player when is isn't a regular on the team. I've a feeling he is in Bruce's plans though should injury's rule out a couple of current vets. When he was a regular on the squad, his performance level for both club and country did drop.
To quote Dee Snider, "It that's their best, their best won't do." Seriously, Razov's career isn't over. With our current midfield personnel and strategy, Cobi has no position except late-game sub. Earnie at least fits the box midfield better.
I think people miss the point with guys like Razov and Cobi. It isn't that they're currently "not good enough" for the National Team, they certainly are good enough to contribute. The issue is whether there are better options, and usually there are. More interesting was that I didn't think either player was the best player in that game (though Cobi did have an excellent game). IMO, the best player in that game is a hell of a lot younger than either one of them and also is currently not being capped.
You mean the guy who had the game-tying assist and game-winning goal? Or the guy who burned him for 78 minutes before getting all tuckered out and pulled for Scott "not Grabavoy" Buete?
Razov? Two words: Jason Kreiss Some players for whatever reason just dont have what it takes to contribute consistently on the national team level (See Also: the line formerly known as the Ralston line).
somebody hit it on the head. coby jones is not good enough for our current national team.(neither is ernie stewart) cobi is what we used to be as a national team and are no more. the fast, athletic american with limited skill. now with have players that are athletic, fast and have soccer skill beyond what cobi possesses.
I was never exactly sure about the demise of Steve Ralston. I can't remember him playing a terrible game to get himself taken out of the national team picture, he was actually very good in the Gold Cup last year... Can anyone here remind me? Was it a specific game, or did Arena just figure it was better to put Landon there?
Why does Bruce Arena put players on the USMNT for a few games or tournaments and they completely disappear from the squad? E.g. Ben Olsen, Ralston, Chris Albright
----------------------------------------------------------- you guys pounded viva cobi into the turf like the mexicans were trying to do with cobi. i think you gave him a career-ending injury.
Ben Olsen had a bad injury that will probably hold him back from the promise he once had for the national team. Chris Albright has always been somewhat average for the nats (plus there are at least three or four better options at right back now Dolo, Sanneh, Hejduk, Mulrooney), Ralston, as you can see above, I'm not really sure about, anyone?