I know most USMNT fans think that Brian Ching is not worthy to wear the national uniform. I wonder if he might become more valuable then we think. Remember when Chris Albright was getting caps and everyone was wondering why? The only reason that made sense was Arena grooming Albright to become the "future target man". It seemed like Chris should have had the tools, but for whatever reason he struggled at the club and full national team level. Now we have Ching off to a good start and you have to think that Arena may see the type of player he hoped Albright would become. Here's some comparisions of the two: Albright 6-1 185lbs Ching 6-1 195lbs Albright 4 goals 4 assists in MLS career Ching 4 goals 1 assist in MLS career Albright 4614 MLS minutes played Ching 794 MLS minutes played Albright born 1-14-79 Ching born 5-24-78 Ching is only 7 months older then Albright. He's already scored as many goals in FAR less minutes. Here's my take on their abilities: Speed Albright-great Ching-average Quickness Albright-average Ching-average Strength on the ball Albright-below average Ching-above average Finishing skill Albright-way below average Ching-below average Ability to direct headers Albright-average Ching-above average Balance Albright-way below average Ching-above average Fitness Albright-great Ching-above average Defensive skills Albright-average Ching-above average Durability Albright-average Ching-great Footskills Albright-below average Ching-below average Passing Albright-average Ching-below average First touch Albright-poor Ching-average
Seems like a fair assessment. When we have McFragile, we know that if we use a target forward it is him. After McBride though, we really don't have one. So this is an opportunity for BA to look at Ching due to the restraints on MLS squads being called in for this match. If Ching shows well in practice he will get some minutes as the depth at forward is somewhat suspect. If he doesn't, I doubt Arena will give him a go. He is off to a good start with the Quakes but is not polished enoug yet for international football. Especialy with our talent at forward. I think this match provided BA the opportunity at looking at more of the bottom of the pool in terms of our depth. It isn't a bad thing. Last go around, BA wasn't afraid to call in youngsters. However, we have a lot more depth this year. Thus, i doubt we see much more of Ching.
Jovan vs Ching Thought I'd put this out there as well, even though it does seem like an episode out of Star Trek. Having watched Ching last year he's the ultimate blue collar player, will run until he pukes then get up and run some more. Has motivation after being dropped by the Galaxy, was probably the Sounders best player last year. I have a hunch he's one of those players who will get better the higher level he goes. Jovan on the other hand got the great sendoff to ManU, article in SI and was basically the fair haired boy who never lived up to expectations, really only seems to go through the motions, won't kill to score. Albright always looks like he's on a skit for SNL.
Is Ching what Albright is supposed to be? Hawaiian? No, I think Albright was always supposed to be a white guy from Phily.
I agree with everything except above. Ching has at least "average" finishing skills and footskills. He has put away chances that he should have and not had any glaring misses, like say, Cunningham. His footwork is actually very good. He can turn defenders pretty well and plays very well with his back to the goal. I'd say his passing is average too because I've not seen him lose it a lot and knows when to find a player with a back pass or when to turn. I'm excited to see how he does if he gets a chance.
Yeah, if BA is dependent on a rugged target forward, who's behind McBride? In MLS we have: Colorado-Zizi (not American) Metros-Mathis (target forward not his best suit) Kansas City-Brown (not ready) Dallas-Johnson (too young, hasn't shown true "target" skills) LA-Albright (enough said) Chicago-Jaqua (not developed enough) Columbus-McBride DC-Quaranta (see Mathis...not his best position) New England-Harris (not American) San Jose-Ching On that list, you'd have to say that Ching is number 2 behind McBride for a true "target forward". Someone who uses his body to create space and hold possession of the ball while his teammates make runs to get into scoring positions. Someone who will jump with defenders all over his back and flick on the ball into dangerous spaces. Albright and Eddie Johnson were both touted to be that type of player. Neither one looks like they want to do it. They prefer to slash to goal, instead of camp out under a high ball with a guy kneeing them in the back. Of the "Yanks Abroad", only Conor Casey looks to be that type of forward. He MIGHT be the answer, but he has struggled in pressure situations. He's young enough to develop, but if he's the ONLY one we count on, then we're an injury away from being without a true target. Ching is young. His skill level is fairly similar to McBride's at that age. It wouldn't be that much of a stretch to say that Ching could get more caps then this....
US Target Forward short term: McBride. US Target Forward medium term: Casey US Target Forward long term: Adu Everyone else is fighting for scraps.
From Cybersoccernews.com, Arena on Ching: "There's some similarities,(with McBride)" Arena said. "I don't know Brian [Ching] that well, but watching him, he's a good player that gets in front of the goal. I think that's a good quality that's very important. We don't have enough forwards in Major League Soccer that like to play as full-time forwards and make their presence known in the places on the field that count, and that means in front of the goal. "Brian's a guy that gets there, and hopefully we get the kind of service that he needs and he can finish his chances."
Forget Adu as a target forward. He prefers to play attacking midfield. He's going to want space to dribble. He's not going to be a Ronaldo type power forward. More of a Ronaldinho Gaucho type of striker. While I hope you are correct about Casey being the man in the medium term, I'm still concerned about him. The lack of poise in front of the goal at the international level is very troubling to me. A good example of this "confidence issue" was the Japan game at the Olympics. After OT, Clive Charles had to pick the five to take PKs. Charles asked which players wanted to shoot. Casey decided not to, Landon Donovan, the youngest on the team, volunteered (and made his kick).
Freddie Adu because you need to get him the ball in the 'D' and let him strike fear in the central defenders. The closer he is to goal, the more goals your team will score. He is going to get fouled. A lot. I would rather have the other team pay for that with a free kick at the top of the box than a meaningless free kick in the circle. Conor Casey had a bad Olympic experience, mostly due to Clive's tossing him to the wolves without the benefit of pro experience. Most all I have heard from his Hannover days have been positive.
As another poster said, Ching will run until he pukes then keep running some more. Or as his teamates and coaches have said he works his ass off for the team. Id upgrade this on a fair assessment. Additionally Id agree with Helmet. One other thing that doesnt show up here but is worth mentioning is that Ching makes some savvy runs. He may not be the fastest guy but hes gotten some goals because he is anticipating the pass and making intelligent runs to get seperation from defenders before the ball is played.
I agree about getting Freddy as close to goal as possible. On the other hand, target forwards in the traditional sense don't get enough time on the ball to dribble. Adu would mostly be challenging for headers and chasing balls backpassed to the keeper. Not the best use of his skills IMHO. If he played underneath someone who could knock balls down to him, he'd have more success (just ask Landon Donovan about this). Casey had more problems then just the Olympics. He didn't show well in qualification for the Olympics, U-20s, or the U-20 Championships. He also struggled in the Toulon Tournament as well. I'm talking about goal scoring, but he also lost balls due to rushing himself or lack of poise. I'm not saying he doesn't have talent, but he's not confident on the big stages yet. If he can't score, but can set up others, then that might be enough. Has he scored in Bundusliga yet? Or the second division?
But you (well, me anyway) don't use Adu as a 'traditional' target forward by pumping in crosses all day long. Use (let's just say) DmB, LD and Convey as runners slashing towards the goal opening up the 'D' for a guy like Adu. Not a traditional target forward, but it is an enticing thought.
Whoops! Should have included him. It has to help training with McBride. On the other hand, Buddle has reminded me a lot of Johnson and Albright in the sense of wanting to recieve balls and run at goal. Buddle has the body, will he want to model his game after McBride though? Target men are often abused and their main job is to hold possession and set up the "finishers" if you will. Ask Stern John about being set up by McBride....
I like your thought, there must be a way to get all these guys on the field and working together. On the other hand, Arena sees a need for a more traditional target forward. Why do I say that? Look at the caps that Albright got after the Olympics. Arena had "slasher" types available, but thought he needed Albright's big size instead. Against certain teams, the ball is going to be played in the air quite a bit. In those games, Adu wouldn't be too effective in that role.
I don't know. A good coach will adjust his tactics to fit his talent, and Arena is a good coach. Remember Albright's first few MLS years he was considered 'the next big thing'. He therefore got the caps.
Yes. I also think that Arena saw that combinations like Donovan/McBride worked better then Donovan/Mathis. What would we have done if McBride had be injured before the World Cup? That's the interesting question....
I understand it all now!!! Bruce just has a thing for tall guys named Brian. You heard it here first, the Bruce just might play for the pink team.
Does every thread in the USA forum have to turn into an Adu thread? Sheesh. Ching isnt that good, meaning not good enough to take over all the talent in front of him. I see him as a Kreis: good in MLS, not Nats quality. If we have to sink down and draw on Chings talent, I think we're in dire straights. If I'm wrong, I'll eat crow. But not if he shows well in what is essetially a 'B Team' international. Only if he continues in MLS, gets his shot in multiple friendlies and plays in meaningful USMNT matches. Which I doubt will happen until after 2006.
If you're talking about a target forward to replace McBride it has to be Taylor Twellman. I'm surprised BA hasn't called him in of late
Ask Seagroves what he thought of McBride's talent! The thing is, I think McBride looks better as an international then a club player. Maybe Ching will as well? Who knows?
Sorry, but TT is NOT a target forward of the McBride type. He is a great poacher inside the box. I think Taylor might look better playing next to a target forward, as opposed to BEING the target. Didn't Harris play next to Twellman most of last year? A combo of Twellman/Ching would work better then Twellman/Mathis.
I am not sure about Ching but one thing I am sure about: in Bruce we trust! If he likes Ching, I like Ching.