I notice that after an impressive Gold Cup Frankie Hejduk has been awol from the nats, including the last camp. Is this a case of- Older player being phased out or Older player, we know what he can do and will only call him up for qualifiers?
Frankie's days with the nats are likely done. But he is a guy that could get called in for some away qualifiers in Central America. He is a versatile guy to have on your bench. He is also a veteran of trips to the hostile environment we are often subjected to in Central America, so he can be a calming influence in the locker room even if he never gets on the field.
And that's why he wasn't called up..lol He's an older version of Bornstein except there are four other guys better than him so I see no reason to call him up if we already have Cherundolo and Spector.
I think its a little bit of both. He is being phased out to make way for younger guys like Spector, Simek, Moor, Bornstein, Pearce, Wynne etc plus we also have Cherundolo. However I don't think Bob would hesitate to call him for some qualifiers especially if there are injuries or suspensions. He is a nice asset to have in for that situation.
so we've covered Pablo and Frankie... up next... Gregg Berhalter Josh Wolff Eddie Lewis Kasey Keller and the NATS
I'll start the Berhalter & Lewis threads. Giffenbone, do you mind covering those for Wolffy and Keller?
I would request that Giffenbone does not start the thread about Wolff. I like him and don't want to see him fall through a manhole cover and break both legs.
I just bought a Hejduk 06 USMNT jersey. say what you will about his recklessness & goofy stepovers, but the dude would die for the shirt. he's the kind of player every manager wants in the locker room.
I don't think we have anyone in our current pool that is such a good service player as Eddie Lewis. He's very good on the ball in set peice situations, and his ability to whip the ball in the box is something we lack on the left... Some say Ralston but he's not playing at the level Lewis has over an extended period. The fact we don't have much of a set peice specials would leave him in the mix for the 2010 cycle in my opinion. After 2010, he's obviously done but hopefully by then Adu is a constant out wide on the left with Jozy getting on the end of the services.
Freddy Adu will do just fine i believe, he actually can score off them, something the US dosent have!
I have to agree, i really like him from everything i see about him, from our way, to the ussoccer clips, he seems as you would say, he would die for the jersey, and i respect him a lot.
I've got a great story about Frankie... I faked media creditals to the US-Jamica game in Cary NC and got to hangout near the locker room. Talked to all the players, and stopped Frankie and told him how big of a fan I was. He had his jersey over his head and was very cool to me, I asked him if I could have his jersey, and he said... "I've got to keep this one...". I thought maybe he knew somehow that he wouldnt be playing again. In a strange way he realized this was one of his last games as a USMNT player in the US and wanted to keep the jersey. After a short conversation he walked off and I wished him luck... he walked about 15 feet turned around and yelled "Yo Josh... Here take this one, it's nasty". He reaches into his bag and throws me his worn jersey from the game with grass stains all over the place. He says "Rock On" and walks off. In March Columbus and Kansas City are playing in a preseason game at Wake Forest... Frankie is signing tons of autographs, running around like a kid after the game. I walk upto him... and said, "Frankie this is the last jersey you worn as a NAT, I wanted to give it back to you... just in case." He was VERY appreciative, rememberd me from Cary the pervious year and shook my hand, grabbed a sharpie and signed the back of the shirt... Winked at me and said, "I'll be back, dont you worry..."
the gold cup was probably be the last we will see of him. he most likely wont have a chance at the world cup in 2010. he only played on the gold cup because it was a tournment, not a guy you'll see in friendlys very much if at all.
i guess but id rather see the younger guys get the minutes since there the ones that may make the squad not hejduk
Well, I'd like to see him there to get through qualifiers. At least until we get our progress into the next stages locked down. Besides 'Dolo, he's right now our 2nd or 3rd best option.
Hear hear. Caught up with him in the stands at the Ghana game. He was dying but always positive and egging on the crowd.
That's a great story. He was on my flight back to the states after wc06. I wound up running into him at customs, told him I was a fan and wished he could've been on the squad. He was extremely nice, but you could also tell it killed him to not be with the team. I honestly believe that team missed him dearly in the locker room. His energy & intensity raised other players' level.
Great story. I always though Frankie was probably the coolest guy to hang out with in person, this post basically confirms this.
i just think its kind of a waste to play players that dont have a chance to make the final squad. the usa is alreayd a lock so we dont need to worry about that. i want to see spector and simek or other new options in there.