...the most valuable American soccer player in the world? I have now watched three games (two Metrostars, one USMNT) where a previously rock solid defense as completely disintegrated after losing Eddie Pope from the lineup. Think about it, everyone else (O'Brien, Reyna, Donovan, Friedel, McBride), there's at least passable subsitutes for, but no one organizes and solidifies American defenses like Eddie does (even Jeff Agoos who currently posses little skills to do anything but organize). How many weeks do we have left now on his injury? It was pretty dramatic the sharp dropoff from the Pope and Bocanegra combo to this Caliif and Berhalter monster. Califf has even looked useable with Pope back there to get him where he needs to be (so he doesn't have to race back and foul someone in the box).
I really can't judge organizational skills in defenders, but Pope and Bocanegra are head and shoulders our best defenders at man marking and breaking up attacks. Together they give the U.S. a really solid central mid. One with Califf, Berhalter, or Garcia can still be effective, but without either you get games like today.
I always thought Pope was the most underrated player on the US, and after I heard he broke his kneecap my expectations for this tournament went from winning a few games to let's just play well. Hell, I think Pope is one of the best central defenders in the world. A shame he is always hurt.
I have watched the Metros from the first game of the season. He was a very important player. In the beginning I thought paying the league max was too much for any back. I don't feel that way any more. As a matter of fact paying the league max for Pope is a steal.
Yeah that is great. Gibbs and Bocanegra gets Brazil. They can use Sanneh and Pope right now. I think Gibbs can eventually replace Pope but against Brazil everybody can look like crap again.