I vote for Bocanegra. USA defense was a bit shaky in the middle- Carlos looks like he was ready, more than ready. Fast, strong, smart. Who would you have brought in in retrospect?
Black Mouth was hurt then. No reason to call him in. I would have called in Conor Casey, mostly as a big EFF YOU to people. Sachin
Re: Re: If Arena could go back to spring 2002, which ONE player would he call in? cory gibbs maybe? was he ready yet? i would have definately given him a look at least
I don't mean to be a spoil sport, but this is a rather useless thread, isn't it? Bocanegra wouldn't have become experienced enough by the World Cup to be considered a starter, no matter how early in the spring he could have been brought in. No one player was going to get us any further in the Cup than we managed to get. It is a pointless discussion. No?
Well.. aren't all threads on BigSoccer pointless? But anyway, the USA played 14 matches before the World Cup. If Boca hadn't gotten hurt, there would have been plenty of time to blood him. Remember Maestroeni didn't see any time in qualifying matches that mattered and still played in Korea. Sachin
we played 15 matches including the S. Korea match at the end of 2001. And yeah, if he played in the majority of those then I agree, he could have featured in the World Cup. You're right. He would have replaced Agoos in the starting lineup I would assume. But would he have done better than Berhalter did once Greg became our starter in that position?
not haveing agoose might have made it easier to advance, but i dont think any other guy would have made a difference against germany anyway, cloneing pope would have helped
I agree....I thought he was going to get in.....oh well, its over and done with though...hopefully having him not go will make him work harder for the next one.... -PB20
boca was called in to the gold cup squad but ended up getting hurt. honestly out of all the players that i think could have made a difference in the squad at the world cup would have been boca. he was the best player that was not included in the final squad, and all that due to him being injured and not being able to show bruce what he had to offer. we were set with good options at every other position, like everyone else has said...boca would have been a great alternative to goose in the back 4.
i would have said los boca also but now that i think about it, the attack physicality and size of klein/kirovski might have helped late v germany
Boca & Vanney I believe were both coming off injuries but IMHO, seniority wins out and vanney's a better, more versatile contributor in Le Championate(sp?). It was Lewis' defensive lapse that led to the free kick and game winning goal.
Boca. Let's remember that Regis did take up a spot. He was the only player not to see action. That's because Arena finally realized that he was useless. A green, recovering Bocanegra could have made more or a contribution. That doesn't say much because Regis did sweet FA.
Richie Williams!!! kidding I think losing Vanney to injury was pretty big. Other than that, I don't think the 23rd player was going to make a difference, as Meola, Cherondulo & Regis didnt see action. But for the sake of the arguement, and the thread, in all seriousness.... Preki James