There was EJ's sliding goal v. Panama and then the crossed ball v. Jamaica. Both moments saw EJ and McBride essentially in the same exact spot on the field. EJ was first in both cases, scoring once and not scoring on the header the other night. McBride looked unhappy about EJ getting on that cross. Is this just a lack of time playing together and will be worked out through a few more camps?
Lack of time playing together, they were both at the same spot a couple of times, there was one time where I shouted at the TV, "You're on the same team," when they were both going for a header and the Jamaican guy obviously wasn't going for it. I'm sure they'll both get over it and learn to play together but I wouldn't dwell on it to much.
i don't think there is much to worry about. McBride is quickly becoming replacable and I doubt he is going to be a first choice forward for much longer. Casey and Ching have both out played him the majority of the past year. Does he still have a roll with the team, sure, but I doubt he is going to be paired with EJ over the long term.
You are so very wrong about this, in my opinion. McBride will be a mainstay on this team throughout qualifying next year, and my guess is, barring injury or some unforeseen event, he will be starting in Germany. The question is who will be paired with him, and EJ, Casey, and Ching are competing for that spot. This is, I believe, what Bruce has in mind.
I'm concerned about McBride. He's still good at the "target" part (winning headers) but not so hot at "forward" (scoring). With the amount of forward talent becoming available to the US his starting days are fading.
The history of forwards in the World Cup who were the age McBride will be (34) is not very promising. We need to plan on replacing McBride even if ultimately we decide not to. There's a good chane we'll have little choice.
2006 is too far away for me to make predictions. But right now McBride is still one of the top forwards for the Nats. I don't think a lot of people understand his role and what he does out there on the field. Casey is the only other true "target" forward and he hasn't shown much of anything with the Nats. McBride and EJ will get more time together to sort things out.
I've got to qualify my comments as saying I am a Dallasite who quit early on EJ. Too boot, I am also a fan of a SA modern attacking style of soccer. EJ is the quintessential target forward. McBride is also a target forward. Until the last couple of months, EJ was a target player who would miss every breakaway or first time shot. Now, he is converting. His speed is vastly superior to anything that BM will ever dream of achieving outside of a motorized vehicle. If I were putting the ultimate world dominating machine together, I use both. However as the thread implies not at the same time. Yes, they both fulfill a redundant function. Better to pair one of them up with a player better suited at checking back into space and creating. EJ is as of late akwardly giving the back to pressure pressure relieving passes back to the supporting players, (HUGE improvement). However, he is still a stretching breakaway threat. BM is also that same type of forward, but w/o the turbo. Unfortunately, we lack the 1-2, schemer type of forward, (Cletus? Don't cuss me out. My imagination lets me down at the moment), to play off of these guys. Play the experienced Machead at the get go, and then bring fresh bionic legs off of the bench to pulverize a tired defense. Unheard of options in our talent barren soccer land. But the future tactical implications are loads of fun to ponder.
seriously. i dont get it either. conor casey belongs nowhere near the world cup. end of story, for me.
mcbride offers possession and ball winning capabilites over goal scoring prowess.... I wouldn't totally discount ching NOR casey from the equation in 2006, although, I expect mcbride to get the 1st call in the hex... my gut says mcrbride would become the leading candidate to be the 2006 agoos in 2006....the question becomes would arena have learned a lession... to me, part of the hex is dedicated towards transitioning toward a new forward pairing in 2006.... I like mobility a lot...and ej can offer some of what mcbride does, AND then I'd prefer another mobile player to be paired with johnson...buddle has a chance...wolff has a chance....eskandarian has a chance... ching and casey are options when you're looking for bigger more physical approaches up top ....arena's choice of style of play will determine this matter .......
i may b biast, but i think McBride is one of the few spots on this team not in question. he can do a lot of the dirty work which should allow the younger guys to shine.
i agree, when healthy mcbride is a lock at one of the 2 foward positions. PPl are so concerned with age, who cares, as long as he can play whats the big deal. What we need is a dangerious free kick taker, other than mathis we have noone
In his defense, while Casey didn't look good in recent nats, he also was off form back here. He's been playing very, very well of late, and crossing him off a 2006 list would be a huge mistake. He's gaining confidence, and looking more like a legit 1bund starting striker every week. He's moving well, shooting smartly, accurately and sharply, when he's scoring, he's getting robbed. In short, in a very competitive league, he's looking like a constant threat. His name these days even raises the voice of announcers by an octave. I think he'll get more chances with the USMNT, and will be surprised if he doesn't change minds.
2 comments. I believe as much as anybody that a target forward's job is not just about scoring goals but setting up the offense in general and creating danger. But you have to score some goals and Casey's production in the Bundesliga is not very good. Is it just bad luck and can we expect it to improve? Secondly, regardless of how he plays at the club level, he has to perform at the international level. He had a good game in Poland, but has been poor other than that. There is too much competition for that kind of record to get him playing time on the USMNT.
Because age tends to have an effect on who can play. That is why Batistuta no longer plays for Argentina and Wynalda no longer plays for us. McBride hasn't exactly lit up the National Team in 2004. Had a great game against Honduras and has been very quiet otherwise. A hell of a lot more forwards at the 2006 WC will be Eddie Johnson or Clint Dempsey's age than will be McBride's age.
speaking of buddle, why in the hell didn the get called into camp but Jeff freaking Cunningham did? Buddle could be a star for us, particularly on free kicks.
While I hope that someone younger surpasses McBride to claim his starting spot, I haven't seen it yet. I'm not so much worried about speed in that second foward position, but rather the ability to win balls in the air, get the ball to teammates (especially GAM, but also DmB and Donovan) when they make runs, and convert on obvious goal scoring opportunities. Right now, McB is more consistant in doing these things than anyone who would take his spot. The younger players will get better, while McB, at best, will stay the same. For this reason I hope that someone outplays him by 2006, but I'm not counting on it.
as you get older, your skills continually diminish... mcrbride has a certain functionality now, but I suspect from amongst ching and casey and buddle and twellman and eskandarian, one of these 5 will emerge to partner mcbride, and be more effective... mcbride offers possession and holding skills...but it might be the case this strength hinders the usa game because he'll slow the usa attack down too much... mcbride had his time...just like agoos, and the hope is arena learned a lession in 2002 and does NOT repeat it in 2006...
Right Now our best Forwards are EJ and McBride. No question. If EJ keeps scoring he's a lock for 2006. Casey has to start doing SOMETHING, Twellman has to score, Buddle has to prove himself, and Esky has to prove himself. I think we could have 2 MLS guys up top in 2006.