McCarty, Dunseth, Martino, and Cunningham http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=23628&itype=
That should open some eyes regarding the value of McCarty and Dunseth. With the exception of a few pet players, The Bruce is pretty good about player evaluation, and there is no reason to think these two are pets of The Bruce. We'll see who sticks around for the match...
I really cannot believe McCarty got the call, that is un-believeable. I honestly thought that Denton might get called up. He is a very solid player in my opinion and definitely more deserving than McCarty. But, I will support all members of the Crew called up. Very glad to see Martino get it, but I knew he would.
Damn, I been agreeing with Foos a ton recently. And this is no exception. I am extremely happy for McCarty and Dunseth. I sure didn't expect to see them called up just yet.
I understand that this is merely a chance for Bruce to check out the youngsters, but what do you all think about McBride even being around for qualifying? If the youth like Twellman (and even Cunningham) pan out in international competition, do you think we could see the end of McBride's world cup duties?
Interesting roster. 11 players gettinmg their first callups at the senior level with DONOVAN the most experienced with 29 caps. The roster looks good. Dunseth and McCarty were captains of the U23 team a few years back so they have been in the pool and it's only somewhat surprising to see them called up. Good to see some second chances to a few players, like Klein of KC.
I too thought Denton had a better chance of being called up than McCarty, given his excellent play down the stretch. But McCarty is a player who, IMO, is vastly underrated by Crew (and MLS) fans. He's got good skill, good positioning, can read the game fairly well, decent passer, and is pretty good about recognizing and taking opportunities attackers give him to take the ball. He does, however, have an annoying tendency to play a little reckless. He's a hard man, and I'm not sure he knows how to play it a bit softer when sitting on a yellow card. He tackles very hard. Unfortunately, I think he's a bit of a marked man with MLS refs now - a number of his cards recently have been a bit weak, IMO.
I'm not gonna argue with anyone regarding Denton. Suffice it to say I don't think he's worth a bucket of warm spit, let alone a callup. Dunseth has certainly earned it, and McCarty - well, I can see Arena wanting a hard man around. Let's see some Mexi kick HIS ass while he's laying on the ground. As for McBride, in case you haven't noticed, Chris, this is a developmental lineup. Have I taught you nothing? BA has said several times lately that he intends to spend the next two years looking at players. I think he's seen McBride. The MOST interesting pick, to me, is Mathis. Putting him in the mix with a bunch of kids trying to impress the coach is, I would think, Arena's not so obscure way of saying "You want in? Prove it." It also stresses that, Clint's opinions notwithstanding, Arena just signed a new $700,000 four year contract with USSF. The only way onto this team is through him. Overall, it should be a fun side to watch.
I remember a couple years ago when a lot of foreigners were complaining about the rough-house tactics of the young US players (U-23). I dismissed it as BS, even though I never really got around to watching US play the games in question. I now think that their entire gruff was with McCarty -- McCarty, giving US an enforcer for 2006 and beyond! Like Bill, I can't wait until a Mexi, Tico, or misc. tries to play dirty with McCarty!!!
The guy even looks like he just swaggered out of a bar fight. Busted up nose and everything. If he sticks around and plays more than one match... what's the over-under on him breaking some central american in two? I say 3 games...
ok...brown/rimando/howard... sure, they're all good mls keepers....but who's your pick for the international level? i don't really have an opinion regarding them yet, so im interested in yours...
No... Here's the deal. Bruce is going to bring him in for every camp so he can meet all the players. He won't play him again until we play a friendly with Mexico. He will then point out Marquez, and say, "Go get 'em tiger".
Ditto, ditto and ditto. The funny thing is, nobody mentions Thornton anymore. He was supposed to be the hot young comer, right behind the big two. Hell, as rtecently as two years ago there were guys who thought he'd put FriedelKeller on the pine. All of a sudden Zach Thornton has about as much chance as Billy Bob Thornton.
IF Adin Brown plays the way he did in the last two months of the season, THEN he probably has the best chance at being in the WCQ; and maybe even taking the number 2 spot by 2006. Howard is number two but I would say that Cannon, Hartman, and maybe in the future, Busch may see some camps in the next 2-3 years. Rimando is a given due to the fact that Arena has picked him a few times although I'm with everyone else in not seeing what the guy does to merit the callups (but I never saw the value of Sanneh either until WC02). McCarty may be an enforcer BUT he knows the game, is usually well positioned and has very good anticipation (just ask Ralston who thought he had an empty net in game 1 of the SF series). I would say he has an outside chance of making the team considering the fact that we do have a good bunch of players ahead of him (and Dunseth).
Good points, but we all have to keep in mind how Arena assembles a team. Once you get very far past the starters, you get guys who are there NOT as substitute starters but are there to fill specific roles. Late game flank speed, late game ball control/time killer, mid-game offensive push, fifth guy to play behind the ball, man-marker with wheels to pick up the OTHER team's late game speed, etc., etc., etc. I don't see McCarty with the skills to go 90 for the USA but I CAN see BA finding a role for him. And the interesting thing about Arena, and what makes players just love him, is that rather than plan roles and plug in players, he sees your strengths and builds a role for you.
Unlucky for Edson Buddle. I think he might have been called in for camp this time if not for his injury. Perhaps Cunningham took his place. Not that I know him personally, but I'm happy for McCarty. Along with a couple other posters I think McCarty is a much better player than a majority of Crew fans think he is.
Mad Dog does a nice job of cover AND a good job of transition, IMO. He deserves a shot. We're getting some bigger and stronger backs to handle the German type forwards. Nice...
i agree. you can ask hang about how much i ridiculed him in the beginning of the season....i'm glad he's getting this opportunity and i hope it strengthens his skills. looking back on his growth throughout the season, im ready to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I was frustrated with him at the begining but I'm glad we gave him a chance. He isn't the best defender the league has but he's a solid player and has great work ethic.
We think alike, Toon. I just posted something similar on the Crew site. I think that Bruce does look for guys to play roles in practice as well as on the field, and McCarty is a tough nut like ABMOD. Maybe Bruce can polish some of those rough edges enough that he can stay in games a bit longer. Come to think of it, McCarty is really no rougher than Bruce's long-time protege Agoos, it's just that Agoos learned when, where, and how to apply the choke holds and kidney punches without getting carded. This could be a very good development for Chad if he can hang around long enough to benefit from the experience.