I've been going back and forth over this...in a hypothetical scenario...if you could only pick E.J. or JOB to be healthy/in top form at the WC, who would you pick? Cases can be made for both and they both add a dimension to our team that nobody else does. All that being said, I'm going with E.J., because our team is so used to playing without JOB.
Why pick either or? They play different positions and there's room on the roster for both. However, I'll play your game. If he's healthy, I'd have to go with JOB. He played well in 2002 and brings experience to our team.
EJ. For the reason you cited, and we have more of a need for an in-form striker than midfielder. I like JOB dont get me wrong, but an inform EJ has much more upside for our particular team.
Same here, we need both of them..A healthy JOB will do wonders for our midfield and a healthy EJ will definately help out our attack.
I'll go with EJ as well. I think his athleticism would cause our opponents more problems than JOB's skill in midfield.
EJ. You gotta score to win and I don't think we've had a real spark up front since he's been injured.
Eddie J. Like others have said, you have to score to win. I can see us dominating games still gettin shut out if EJ is not around.
JOB. Too often I have seen what the US team is like without someone who is organized and composed in the midfield. It is not a pretty sight, and there are no guarantees that Reyna will be healthy (and remember we are aaaasssssuuuuuuming in this thread that JOB is healthy)
My vote is for a 100% healthy JOB. Give me the guy who's proven himself on the highest international stage. EJ hasn't done that yet, but to be fair, he hasn't had the opportunity yet.
Eddie Johnson. don't ge wrong i want John O' Brien to be there but a healthy Claudio Reyna could make up for an injured JOB. Reyna and JOB are almost the same style player and we don't have another player in our selection that is a big, strong, super fast with a lot of flair striker. i can't wait till 2010 to see the Adu/Johnson combo.
They do not play the same position do they? However if I had to choose one over the other it would be EJ in a heart beat. It frees Donovan to play right flank mid or an inside midfield position.
I'd go with JOB. As others have said, we can use the proven international experience. From what I have seen of EJ, I think too many people are fantasizing about how good he is. In my opinion, he is way overrated by many American fans. In his best form, I think he would have a hard time seeing time in Germany. I think he would make the team though, being that we don't have many talented strikers, McBride being our best. I hope EJ can prove me wrong though. I have watched him play for a few years here in Dallas and on the NT. Beside coming in against an already defeated Panama team and scoring 3, what has he done. You could tell, Panama didn't feel like playing anymore before he scored his goals. He got the Golden boot award at the U17 World Cup for scoring the most goals. I think they were all PK's with the exception of maybe one. Not even PK's created by his attack in the box. I wish the guy well, but I am amazed at how many people in here look to him to be some sort of savior for the U.S. team. To me, he hasn't proven to be that great yet.
JOB, btw this should be a poll. The only way I would have said EJ is i he would have scored goal at the Azteca. JOB has too much to offer this team in the middle of the field. Donovan and McHead are proven up top at the Cup. I'll take JOB's all-around game.
I agree, but on I look at it as a positional choice. We have a couple of players that rival JOB or can almost fill his shoes in midfield. What are our options for strikers? We are thinner with depth in that position. For me, it doesnt come down to who is the "better" player. It comes down to where which position we need individual performance.
JOB, I also think EJ is slightly overratted, although its not like I wouldn't take both of them if I could.
Mr. Johnson. Speed, speed, speed. We'll need a true breakaway threat since the counter will be our lone attacking option IMO.
JOB, we'll need his experience in the midfield against Italy and the Czechs. EJ will be a late second half sub for McBride. What I really don't know enough about is EJ's ability on set pieces, how good is he? Lastly how about putting a new and more proper perspective on this question: EJ or Twellman? or Dempsey? Ching? Let's get one thing straight, Landon Donovan is the key to our success in Germany.