Demi-Final Gooch report from Belgium (R) 4/12/06

I'm not sure if the denizens of BS know what a monster he is in the air. He's even better then McBride when he can prepare himself. If he was better at the tricks and flips, he'd be USA's starting forward. But he's not so he plays defense.

 

no, if he didn't have to "prepare himself", then he'd be a forward

 

That's what I said.

 

How many times have you seen McBride pull a Cruyff on the wing and send in a cross for a goal? I'm guessing your answer is one less than the number of times I've seen Gooch do it.

 

Not doubting you...but do you, by chance, have any video of this play?

 

That's one I saved, but can't find.... I'll take another look on my computer for it.
It was an incredibly sweet play -- one that shouldn't be capable by a 6'4 220lb player.

 

I remember one clip where he basically executed a back-heel volley (if that's possible) to spring his teammate in on goal. It was most impressive.

 

So your point is that Gooch is a better forward or winger than McBride?

 

BTW I remember the Cruyff. It was during the time he was at Metz, IIRC. I was saying at the time that Gooch was a natural centerback. People just couldn't accept that especially after that cross. Still though, he's a natural centerback.

 

It was more recent because I'm sure I got it off of Standard's website, he also scored a goal off a cross in the same game. He's a natural centerback but he's got more tricks and flicks than McBride.

 

Perhaps you're thinking of the Cercle Brugge game in 2004, where he scored two goals, and assisted on the third, with a nifty cross from the right corner. I think Cercle Brugge is Gooch's personal whipping boy, because I believe he scored two more goals against them in 2005.