Does anyone in this forum think Kirovski is good? I think he's horrible with the ball at his feet, but he can put the ball in the net when it comes to him(although it has to be perfect). It seems like we have so many more options that can do what he can and more, yet he's always in the national team mix. This is going to sound bad, but I really wouldn't mind if I never saw him in the red, white and blue again. I hope he's not in Houston, that might ruin my first USMNT experience.
I soured on Kirovski during qualifying for the 2002 Cup, but I think he may be ready to contribute at the National Team level since he's finally found a club where he's getting regular playing time. He's still pretty young at 27. I think he's worth giving a look this year. I doubt that he's going to supplant guys like Landon Donovan and Brian McBride as the U.S.'s top forwards, but he can certainly be a contributor, similar to the role guys like Joe-Max Moore and Ante Razov played in the last time through qualifying - not starters every time out, but certainly part of the discussion of guys that are going to be called into more camps than they're left out of. As a side note, today's goal ended a three-year scoreless drought for Kirovski, dating back to a 3-0 W over Haiti on Feb. 12, 2000 in the Gold Cup. Since then he has played in 15 games before today, without a goal or assist. The U.S. went 4-5-6 over that stretch, including 1-5-4 over his last ten appearances. The U.S. was shut out in seven of those ten matches. So it's going to take quite a bit of work to get me in his camp, but I'm open-minded to letting him prove himself to me now that he's finally found a club that gives him first-team action.
I used to be huge on this guy, because he got his start at Manchester United....... but I gotta tell ya I spent most of todays match yelling obsenities at him on tv. Your thread simply clinched it for me as it made me realize I've spent EVERY match he's played in doing that. Boot him off the team I say... let him and Ante Razov have a pow wow in the bleachers so they can talk about how much better they are at dribbling entire defenses, and shooting from impossible angles while teamates are wide open. Yeah, I like that idea
i like him better than most - i believe if he ever got regular club ball, he would do better with the Nats - that being said, he is definitely someone who might look a bit crap for most of the match, yet sometimes can work 1 or 2 difference making plays (sounds a bit like a certain MetroStar in that context) - personally i prefer having JK around because he is probably the best free kick taker we have (along with eddie lewis) - of course, i was also exasperated by 2 or 3 of his touches in the first half saturday
Throughout history there has been many a talented player who excelled in club ball but simply was unable to duplicate those exploits at the international level... in Argentina, between 1977 & 1980, there may not have been a better all around player than Beto Alonso (River Plate #10)... arguably, there was no Argentine player in the world at that time that was better than Alonso... however, every time he was called on to play for his country, he failed... he was on the roster for the 1978 WC, but saw limited minutes... every country has such a player... i think Kirovski is our version of such a player... This is not intended to mean that Kirovski has excelled at the club level... but if survival in Europe is some measure of success than Kirovski has arguably been one of the most successful American players of the last 8 years at the club level... and this is not intended to mean that Kirovski is our most talented player... but he must demonstrate some level of aptitude to keep finding work in the world's best leagues... I just simply think that he will never fit in with the national team... he worked his ass off today... he ran just as much as Bake... he showed for the ball... but his touch was a mess... his runs (either to create space or to receive a ball) were completely off... he couldn't free himself in the box... he was simply not on the same page as the rest of his teammates... actually, he may not have been in the same library... I think it has gotten a little mental for him as well... he seems to press when he's with the national team... he just doesn't seem comfortable... and his teammates don't seem comfortable with him... he may just be that talented player who cannot find a role with his national team...
He'd be a great guy to have if we had an England-style B-National team, but at the top level I just don't get it. Give me a break on the goal, any decent forward can score against a crap team that gave up on the play. Had a couple of nice moves, but overall the team isn't dangerous when he's out there. Of course something like today will give him about 10 more chances. You hate to cheer against one of your own in a game, but ... he's just not part of our future.
I just wish Jovan would develop a better first touch. He still has time to improve but there are others who are better.
Put it this way: If I had paid good $$ to go to this game,I would have been highly pissed to see this guy start ahead of Donovan. I understand the theory that some games are for player development, but then they should charge less to get in
Donovan joined the team late after playing a CONCACAF Champions Cup match earlier in the week, so I don't think Bruce wanted to ask him to go more than a half in that situation - and it's probably fair to start someone who'd been in camp all week ahead of him.
me, too; mindboggling isn't it? i kept thinking about one of jeff bradley's columns, where bradley wrote something along the lines of, 'every time i watch kirovski play, i am amazed that he has managed to pull of playing in one of the best leagues in the world.' i think he, especially, could use some time in MLS if he wants to really get in the mix for the nats.
no more kirovski. the guy plain sucked today and had me screaming at the tv as well. i hope he doesn't become the next agoos...dump him now bruce before it's too late
I was thinking the same thing. I just plopped down a fortune to attend the USA-Mexico game in Houston. I do NOT want to see Kirovski there at all. I spent the entire first half begging Bruce to take him out and Klein as well.
Jovan needs to get himself a starting spot for the Brummies. His goal was great for the US, but he needs to score more. Donovan has the same number of goals in about 20 less appearances. Donovan always looks dangerous with the ball, whereas Jovan does not.
Every time I see Kirovski I think of players like Ralston, Kreis and now it appears Twellman. Kirovski always gets chances no matter how bad he looks, usually when he plays he is with the A team and he never does anything (unless you count knocking in an open offsides rebound). Others get chances only with the B or even C teams and if they don't produce they are unseen for 2or 3 years. I am not arguing they should be with the team but just commenting on how the chances don't seem the same for differing players. I guess Kirovski is a great practice player. Practice is fine but give me gamers.
You Are not sounding bad ... KIROVSKI SUCK!! You are not sounding bad, Kirovski SUCK BIG TIME i don't really know what kind of relationship kirovski have with BRUCE ARENA, and what make it WORST is the way he talk about MLS. IN MANY INTERVIEWS HE HAVE TRANSPIRE THAT HE IS TO GOOD TO PLAY HERE!!! BULL S@#$T
You got to be kidding......... [QUOTE .... but if survival in Europe is some measure of success than Kirovski has arguably been one of the most successful American players of the last 8 years at the club level..... [/B][/QUOTE] This can prove a point ... The fact that JOVAN have a job in EUROPE just prove wether the level of EUROLEAGUE IS GOING DOWN or MLS IS GOING UP TOO FAST ........THIS IS UNFAIR, THIS IS BULL S#$T there are kids on MLS THAT DESERVE JOVAN SPOT .....JOVAN KIROVSKI SUCK and it never cross my mind the level of unfairnes that BRUCE ARENA CAN DISPLAY......
I think Arena is going to make a point of rotating everyone into the team pool--and that's not a bad idea. After all, someone <i>could</i> surprise. But that someone probably won't be Kirovski. It's hard to see what he brings that warrants extra chances. He basically has zero chance of being a first team choice with a full player pool. I would much rather have seen Buddle getting an extended look than Kirovski
Kirovsky pretty much stank up the joint the entire first half. Poor passing, poor positioning, etc. I was dying to see him off the field. Buddle did not really get himself into the game, though. Every time he is in San Jose, he puts on a great show. Exciting player, and hopefully Arena continues to work with him.
This pretty much sums up Kirovski for me. He shows flashes of skill in friendlies but rarely has anything to show for his work in terms of goals or assists. And he never comes big in games that matter (WCQers). The WC Qualifying run up to 2002 pretty much illustrates this point. When injuries decimated our strikers and we needed our second stringers to step up he literally disappeared in games against Costa Rica (2) and Honduras (although he was fouled for a penalty against Honduras, that was pretty much the extent of his contribution). He was also nowhere to be found when he got a start against El Salvador back in '97 when we were qualifying for WC '98. Ante Razov (love him or hate him) on the other hand seized his opportunities when they were offered in WC Qualifying, assisting on a goal against Costa Rica, scoring against Guatemala, Barbados, TNT and just missing one against Jamaica. The bottom line is Kirovski just doesn't bring it when we absolutely need him to.
Forwards which better be in Houston as opposed to Kirvoscancer 1. Razov - hadn't had an 03 shot yet, I think we know what he brings but with Confed cup upcoming and WCQ shortly thereafter, we should bring him in to see again. 2. Wolff - should be MLS tested by then and ready for a call up 3. Mathis - probably back from surgery and ready to go 4. Buddle - show me more please, I know what McBride brings, I probably know what Mathis brings, lets see what this kid can bring. Players I don't want to see 1. Kirovcancer 2. Twellman - once, twice, three times a goner
Same line up PORTUGAL/USA JAKO2002 Like we said here in TEXAS " IF AIN'T BROKE DO NOT FIX IT..... lets use the same line up against MEXICO in HOUSTON .....Tickets are gone 65000 of those SUPER BOWL MY A#$S