Frankie's Magic Number...16

I don't think he will be part of the plans post WC 2010. I am not sure if he will be used much in South Africa other than for his positive locker room impact.

I would rather we move to Dolo, Spector, Wynne etc.. immediatly. I think Heydude will have huge problems against any team above CONCACAF level.

 

Hedjuk's best chance is at LB, but we have beaz, spector, boca and orozco there. Either way, I doubt Spector (or beaz) sh1ts that position up enough that we need to experiment there.

 

He will be on the 2010 roster even if he is the Ben Olsen of the team, more on for character than actual soccer talent. The guy will go down on the all hustle/iffy soccer skills list. The US plays tons of games and he will have plenty of chances to play. I think the US has had more 100 cap players than ANY country in the world, says something about the amount of games the US plays and of course the lack of 'new talent' thats able to bump off some of the old guys.

 

I'd say yes he does make it. If he doesn't start in the remainder of this year's games due to Cherundolo returning, then things could get tricky but Hejduk is playing some inspired soccer and I expect him to get some more reps.

 

I don't see Beasley as a long-term option at LB, and his recent injury puts that even more in doubt.
Spector's health is always an issue, as the most recent concussion shows.
Bocanegra IS NOT A LB in the US's system. People have to stop with this.
Orozco is more of a CB than a LB.

Frankie is my #1RB until Dolo is fit, and my LB when everybody is fit.

 

Not sure if Bradley would do that but you never know. I think it is Beasley's spot to lose as of now.

 

The US has far and away the most with 100 caps.

http://wapedia.mobi/en/List_of_football_(soccer)_players_with_100_or_more_caps

We've got 11, while the next closest nations have 6.

100 caps doesn't even get you in the US soccer hall of fame now, as we've learned with Joe-Max Moore not coming close to election.

If Frankie gets to 100 caps, I'm not sure he'd get in either. He has had a great MLS career and run with the USMNT, but I don't think many people still consider him an elite player. He's just a good player with fantastic heart, and by all accounts is a great teammate.

When players get close to 100, the US coaching staff usually finds a way to make it happen. The one exception to that is Brian McBride, who stopped at 96.

 

Yeah, I am still a little sour about that one. I remember Tony Meola was deservedly given his 100th cap in a meaningless friendly before World Cup 2006.

 

Hrm...that's fairly disturbing. Beasley didn't show all that well during T&T and it seems like his game is on the decline, so to say he has a LOCK on LB is scary. I'd really hope we could find a better option.

 

I seem to remember Lalas stuck on 98...

If Frankie makes the WC roster, he's a Stone Cold Lock for the Hall of Fame...regardless of the number of caps...for being on 3 World Cup teams.

(and yes, it peeves me that Earnie Stewart isn't already there...)

 

We are already having this dicussion in another thread and I won't get into this debate here for fear of having this thread go off topic.

 

What's there to be sour about?

I'm sure that if McBride had wanted to get to 100 caps that the coaches would have made it happen...

Him "officially retiring" seems to suggest it wasn't important to him at that point to get to 100 caps (otherwise he would have waited 'til that point to retire). If at anytime soon he wants to get to 100 caps, he could probably still "unretire" and do it. (I wouldn't be surprised at all if he got called up upon such an announcement...I would be surprised at him making such an announcement however.)

 

He played in the Olympics so he did kind of unretire.

 

No, that doesn't count as "unretiring"....I believe he specifically said that he wasn't coming out of retirement, but that the Olympics were something special that he wanted to do because he didn't have the chance earlier in his career.

If he said he wanted to come out of retirement and play for the full team again, I guarantee you he'd be called up.

 

Doubt it. At least not while we're qualifying.

 

I disagree. I can't say for sure that he would get game time (though I'm fairly certain he would)...but I guarantee you he would be called into camp.

But, I don't think he'll make any such announcement. IIRC he said after the 2006 WC that it "was the right time" to retire and that he was stepping aside to let others get their chance.

My whole point is that there's nothing to be "sour" about at all...unless you want to be sour at McBride himself. HE made the decision. HE is the one sticking by it.

 

I won't say I am sour at McBride then, but I will say I wish he would have pursued the 100 caps. Regardless, McBride is still an American great.

 

That I can agree with.

 

I think Frankie's pretty much a lock for the 2010 roster as long as he's fit. He has too much value just as a locker room presence not to be on the roster.

 

The thought of Frankie providing service from his left foot makes me laugh. But then again, so does his service from the right so you may be on to something here.

 

LMAO... His service is laughable for an international level outside back. We need players who can provide quality service such as Dolo and Spector to get healthy quickly.

I agree with others that Heydude will probably go to SA, owing to his locker room presence. If he has to play, we are in serious trouble. Could Bob bring him as an assistant coach, so a roster spot is not taken for his team building presence?