Listening to the rest of the interview now. Other USMNT relevant highlights include: Best USMNT team ever: "That's tough. It's either 2002, or I want to say 2014. [Long pause.] I will say 2002....I think 2014 and 2010 definitely had more talent. Man for man, those two teams had more talent than the 2002 team, for sure....But the close knit...the closeness of that group in 2002 was special. Like you really felt it. Not that the other ones didn't, but I think that what we had in 2002 off the field...that makes the difference between 2010 and 2014. Because those teams were way more talented. Not way more talented, but more talented than the 2002 team, because you got the players that we had in 2014. But I think 2002 was the best all around group of guys." On Claudio Reyna: "Oh man. He was the best player on that [Manchester] City team, by far. But he was injured. He was getting older, so he was injured a lot of time. But when he was fit and ready, he played, and he just brought a calmness to the game. He was so skilled with both feet, he never lost a ball. He was a guy that can dictate the tempo of games. He never got rushed...He does everything at his pace, his time. When he wants to play the ball long, he'll play it. When he wants to play the ball short, he'll play it. When he wants to dribble out of somewhere with his skill, he'll do it. But he's never rushed, he's never panicking...Claudio was hands down one of the best players who ever played for the US." Other interesting segments: He gives Klinsmann credit for sitting him down and giving him some tough love after Beasley failed to find playing time in Hannover. Beasley attributed his failure to living alone in a smaller city, experiencing language barriers, and having a manager that didn't like him and who wouldn't make much of an effort to communicate with him (complaints I've heard from several other players now who have struggled in the Bundesliga). Klinsmann told him that managers will start the players who they trust to win them the game on that day, regardless of their feelings about the player, and that Beasley must not have done enough to earn his manager's trust. Beasley realized Klinsmann was correct, and that he hadn't trained hard enough at Hannover, especially once he started to think that it wouldn't make a difference and that the coach would never play him regardless. He believes that motivated him to redouble his efforts and helped him achieve success and longevity in his career after that. He also credits Bob Bradley for really pushing Bruce Arena to integrate Beasley into the national team early, even though Bruce didn't think he was quite ready yet, and for getting him to pass more, when his initial instinct was to try to dribble past everyone on every play.
Pulisic already made the all time best 11? Dang Certainly Beaz's entitled to his opinion, but I would put McBride next to Dempsey up top instead of Jozy. McBride is a legend for Fulham and a tireless fighter for the US.
I actually listened to this podcast and the Total Soccer Show with Sanneh both on the same day. It was fun hearing them both reminisce about 2002, but I still don't believe that Sanneh was not asked about his assist on McBride's diving header versus Portugal...
Loved McBride. He's a fighter till the end, always willing to put this head and body in the box and taking kicks and punches. I'll never forget his bloody face against Italy in the WC. Jozy, as big as he was, a very mediocre #9; never has the guts to stick it in there or able to win a header.
I have a very similar 11 Dolo-Pope-Boca-Beas Reyna Bradley Landon CP-Jozy-Dempsey Bease providing extra width and that front 4 would be a problem for any team. Pulisic
I'm not sure who's even close to Stevie at RB. The second name on my list is Yedlin (ducking) although Sanneh was incredible in 2002, he's not really a RB.
Agree. Have no idea why the coaches didn't just tell him he was too good there to play anywhere else. He could have been there for two cycles.
When he moved clubs they played a 3 back line. So he was a wingback and grew to love attacking more and stoped wanting to play it for us. If he had stayed in a back 4 I suspect he’d have stayed there for us.
On peak performance, he's in consideration. On longevity / aggregate accomplishments, he's not. You could arguably make the same case against Reyna, though. Although the debate on individual peak performance by a CM between Reyna and Jones could be good. Not sure how Pulisic makes it to an any kind of all-time US list right now under either consideration.
I was surprised CP was on that list myself, it's a bit earlier I think. I think what might went against Jones could be his total length of time in the team. I am a big fan of Jones amd love his tenacity and aggressiveness. Plus, who would you take out in the middle to put Jones there? I think O'Brien was really good, but his time was short lived so I would not even consider him for best 11 either.
Haha, that reminds me. *German accent* "Listen, I am Champions League player." Forgot who was telling that story about JJ in the locker room.
not when he was there. I’m pretty sure they didn’t make UCL and if they did, it was only in the group stage.
there’s career for club and then only for USMNT. O’Brien fails both tests, reyna dominates both tests and Jones’ club career is likely the best midfielder to ever play in our jersey (so far....) but you are correct that he didn’t have an exceptionally long USMNT career.
I guess it's all subjective but O'Brien probably makes my team too although I haven't put names in every spot to be sure. Pulisic also as he's already been a terror and 34 caps is enough but I'm not sure where I'd have a cut off. More a feel thing I guess. Also with Beasley's choices the midfield would likely get overrun. Jones would be better as a single d-mid than Bradley. Not sure that the US has ever produced a d-mid that can solo back there against the best in the world though so one of the other mids would have to be very good defensively also. Holden would be in the mix but he's on that edge of maybe not enough caps (feel thing again). BTW, did O'Brien ever play left back for the US? It is where he played with Ajax but he was too valuable for us to play there. If he was around today he would be in consideration there since there are more midfield choices than left backs.
Yep, this is mine too. I agree with others, Jones was a better player, and he certainly was more fun to watch in my opinion. But Bradley's longevity and consistency I think makes him a better fit for the US best XI (which needs to account for that, I think). Similar argument for Jozy over McBride. I have fonder memories of McBride, and he had a few very solid years at Fulham. His club highs were higher than Jozy. But you can't argue with JA's int'l career, and the amount of goals he has scored.