http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/exclusives/481447.html Greg Lalas's column about Peter Vagenas frustration of not getting national team callups. "I always know who I'm playing against," Vagenas explains. "And I know -- whether it's the Mulrooneys of the world, the Armases of the world -- what's at stake. I take it personally, and more times than not I've come out on top. And it goes sorely unnoticed." "I don't care if you've played in the third division wherever and you're getting called into the national team for that sole reason. I'll line up my Galaxy against you're whatever, and let's see what happens." Sounds like this guy has a chip on his shoulder and a fire under his arse...something I personally don't see much of from the current top American players. So here's a question to those Galaxy fans out there or anyone who has seen more of him than me: does Vagenas deserve a chance from Bruce? He seems to think so.
Pete Vagenas is a perfectly decent holding mid, but I can't see him making a impact on the national team scene. He is nowhere near the tackler of Pablo or Armas, or even Zavagnin, and he doesn't have the range of passing of those guys either. Though his play has improved dramatically this season, he's just doesn't bring enough to the table to justify pulling any of our current d mids. Nice to hear some passion from ol' 'passback pete', but just because all of a sudden he's shooting 50% from 6 yards into an open net doesn't mean he should get to pull on the nat jersey yet.
Simple. He doesn't fit into Bruce's system. He is a good two-way player, but is not great at both. Bruce usually likes the defensive mids and holding types, neither of which is Vagenas strong point. Mulronney, Zavagnin, Armas, etc. are all better defenders. However, Vagenas is better in the attack than all of them. He definately is confident in his skills which is good for any player. His frustration probably is the realization that he has zeo chance of making the WC 2006 squad because he didn't get a chance to play in the Gold Cup. By 2010, he will be 31-32 and past his prime. Sorry Pete, life sucks. It could be worse. You could be sitting typing on BigSoccer and wishing you could play professional!
let me get this straight... he tripped over a ball which was slowly rolling in front of a wide open goal, denying his team the surest of all possible scores, and still thinks he deserves a national team call-up?
Vagenas is good, and he's getting cocky, which is good. He's on the fringe right now. I think if he keeps improving & STAYS HEALTHY, he'll get his chance. I don't think it's a good idea for him to spout off about it, though. I guess that's part of being cocky. He's probably just frustrated cause he knows he's miles better than Chris Armas & maybe even Kerry Zavagnin.
I think Vagenas is a good player.Did I miss something in the article, I am not sure what he wants an "international challenge" playing for the USA or an international club.
Maybe Vagenas has a point? I mean, he could def. provide Alecko Eskandarian with some good setups. That pairing up top could be LETHAL!
1. every player thinks he deserves a shot. they all don't get it. 2. he compares himself to mulrooney and armas ... two players who have seen limited playing time with the nats over the last two years. interesting that he didn't compare himself to pablo and zavagnin, two players who actually suit up on a regular basis for the nats. 3. he's galaxy, therefore he's of inferior timber, and clearly not nats material. he should shut up and go choke on smog.
He's hurt right now, is he not? He didn't play Saturday against the 'quakes. The way he's played the first half of the season I thought he may see a call-up for the Gold Cup -- he was playing the best soccer of his life and was making life hell for opposing teams, plus he seems to have a good partnership with Landon. But let's just take a second and look around and see who Arena called in to replace EJ -- and that about explains all you need to know about Arena. He'll baffle you with his selections...
...and true. Give him a shot if he's healthy. I thought the Gold Cup was supposed to be about testing young and unproven players not calling up the same old guys (I know there were a couple of exceptions, but not many).
I think Arena just calls in whomever is nominated to the AAXI. Q has made the list twice this year, and Eddie Pope and Cobi got callbacks after they were nominated. Then again, Twellman and Vagenas have both made the list this year.......
Very true. Gotta feel good about yourself and your chances first (although an awareness of where you sit in reality isn't such a bad thing, either). But confidence aside, is his ability enough? Doubt it. As you implied in a previous post, there are at least four others who would rate ahead of him in any kind of a depth chart at the d-mid position. Dreams are nice, but that's all Pete Vagenas' chances to play for the USMNT is... just a dream.
i have no problem with vagenas getting a look .... but it's not like bruce is searching for new talent at this point. maybe after the next round of WCQ's, if we schedule a few friendlies, he might get a chance. mulrooney, even before his injury, seemed to be off the radar screen. I think we all hope that Armas's days with the nats are done (and I like Armas, by the way) ... Zav isn't bulletproof. If Pete gets his chance and things fall his way, he could be a factor over the next year. who knows?