Wolff is of special importance to the USMNT.First, he is a good player and tends to play well in big games.He can pass and score.Of equal importance, he provides speed up top,something that only Donovan can otherwise provide for the USMNT.If Wolff is on his game and healthy, then Arena can play Landon up top OR he can play Landon behind Wolff and a big guy or whoever. His re-emergence (mainly health issues) gives Bruce MUCH more flexibilty with attacking options!
I would agree. Here's to hoping he can have a good long healthy run with the USMNT and the Wizards. He seems to still have pretty good wheels even after the injuries. Haven't got to see him really fly yet though. To those that have seen more of him this year does he still seem to have the great speed he always has?
He's starting to get back into form, he scored a goal this weekend against Colorado. Hopefully he can stay healthy & have a breakout year.
Some people were unhappy with Woolf's performance last week.I thought it was pretty good,considering it was his first runout in a serious Nats game since...ummm,a long time ,I guess since J/K really. Key question :does he have all his gears back? Good luck and continued health to him.
I was at the US v. Mexico game, and he looked slightly slower than I remember him in the past. He's not as fast as Donovan/Beasley, but I thought he played very good and seemed dangerous. So I'm really hoping he can completely regain his form, all his gears. Plus anything that can keep Donovan as AM is a plus.
Wolff also brings that attitude to the front line that the US has not had since Wynalda. In my ever so humble opinion, Wolff needs to be starting all the time in big games (he produces) IF healthy. It is too bad that he has been so injury prone over the years...
I've been a Wolff fan, and if he can overcome the injuries, it would be a great story. He is an exciting player, and he always did enjoy tormenting El Tri. Good finisher and works well inside the box, and I'd like to see Arena use him late in matches as a good pair of fresh legs.
If he can regain the form that he exhibited during the last round of qualifying, then there is no doubt that he belongs on the field. But he's not there yet. He's either not back to 100% after the injury or he has lost a step from the injuries. I am hoping it's the former, but I'd like to have his speed up top to team with all the speed we'll be throwing at our opponents out of the midfield.
I've always liked Wolff's game, but his health status has made me question whether or not we shoud count on him for '06. At this point in the MLS season, I would much rather see Eddie Johnson getting the playing time for the National team. Just to see how his impressive play in MLS could translate to a higher level. We know what Wolff brings to the table and if healthy over the next 2 years he is a shoe in. I honestly thought that our forwards were weak against Mexico. Johnson and Twellman could have really used that arena to prove themselves or at the very least, garner some invaluable experience. What think you ?
Wolff (if he can stay injury-free) and McBride up front, with Landon in the AM position would be a dangerous offensive trio. Backed up by Twellman, Casey, and Mathis. I agree Eddie Johnson should also get a call-up or two. Poland game perhaps?
El Lobo For me, the best part of Wolff's game is his breakaway speed, as evidenced against Mexico in the WCQ in Colombus. This is best utilized when he is playing with a midfielder behind him who has an eye for the through ball. Reyna or Donovan can provide this. So can Mathis, when he is playing in midfield (recall the Mexico WCQ in Colombus).
But Wolff didn't show breakaway speed against Mexico. Quite the contrary. There were at least two instances when he could have used his speed to win balls in the attacking quarter, but slowed down instead. Cause for concern, I think--judgment issue or physical problem??
Why is it guys like Connor Casey and Chris Armas who had decent games but nothing spectacular get thrown under the bus on these boards, but Josh Wolf who probably had the worst performance of any Nat on the feild, and was absolutely invisiable in the offense, while looking a step slower from what he was is deemed 'important.' At this point Josh Wolf is valuable, but emminently replaceable.
well, he is the only experienced,fast forward besides Donovan.So it gives Bruce A flexibility. I like Casey and Armas but neither is remotely similar to Wolff.
My enthusiasm for Johnson would go up if he shows he can play at the MLS level.His play in the U-20s was not particularly impressive unless we have a special need for a penalty taker-heck Peter Vegenas does that well too.
Bingo. And if Wolff keeps up the form he's shown in MLS so far, and Eddie Johnson keeps up the form he's shown in MLS so far, I will expect that Bruce S will be starting the "Importance of Eddie Johnson" thread within the next year. Or the "Importance of Edson Buddle" thread. Either one works.
Others may emerge but a Wolff overlook. Please, I add him to fantasy in time for goal in M.L.S. He is a one in three for production outside of M.L.S. and come off bench for assist. If coldness reach out to him, then bench is in order. Until then, five to eight matches per year with U.S.M.N.T. Situation help us with Mexico against attack. Mexcio's showmanship in World Cup 2002. It having same trait. Wolff did not excute, however; Team U.S.A. fealing notion of existence. I said (to myself after foul) "Sneak in there." Team U.S.A. did. A relieving weight of gratuitousness. On the up-and-up, I know little of whippersnapper (Buddle, Johnson, Ralph ect...). I learn. Wolff remind myself of M. Owen from England. Injury plague and failure to dominate exception to few of teams.
Josh is a nice player, but that position needs to be upgraded. In case it's passed everyone's notice, we're not scoring right now. And we can't count on the bulk of scoring to come from the target position. That might happen, but we can't count on it.
With a couple of exceptions we are looking at players fighting for backup positions. Let Europe wrap up and the 'A' team get on the field before bemoaning scoring.
if Josh can get back to his form before the injury bug( a big if of course) that WOULD be a big upgrade. He was leading the charge in WCQ 2002 before injury, if you recall.