Where are the Klein bashers? Come on, I know you're out there. Every time the guys plays people come from the woodwork to rip on him. But what'd he do? Scored another goal. A nice one might I add. Anyone convinced yet that he just might have what it takes to play the right mid for the US? I think what I said a while ago is true. He needed time with the team and minutes on the field to get more acustomed to the international game. As this has happened I've felt his play has improved. And his results cant be questioned. He's consistantly dangerous and even tracked behind Cherundolo to make some defensive plays yesterday.
Not a basher here. As I have posted on the post-match thread, I think he is a lock at RM for the COnfed Cup unless BA decides to put Convey out there. He may even fit as a R Winger in a 3-5-2 although we may need someone with more pace then. He did seem to slow a bit prior to his substitution, and we need 90 minute players (I know I shouldn't talk, I would be a 3rd minute sub, and be carried off on a stretcher with hypoxia). His goal was terrific, although I thought he would have gotten to the ball quicker and had more options than trying to beat the keeper out wide. He absolutely should have had number two, and he knew it, but at least he was well positioned and had some power and direction to the header, now if he can work on the latter....
I agree BenC. He has looked good in his games for the Nats since the World Cup. He has definately shown he can finish too. The goal yesterday was nice and he had a sweet volley vs. Jamaica earlier this year. Strong in the air, and on D too. I wouldn't have a problem with him starting at right midfield at all.
batter up! I haven't bashed him yet, but allow me... I was not impressed with his first touches of the game. Think he gave some balls away right at the start of the whistle. Still made some poor decisions and lost the ball in the mid-field later. That said, he did redeem himself with the goal and again on a cross that he got his head on but deflected the shot wide. (That was him wasn't it?). So often our crosses are gobbled up by the opponents. I hope he can get better. If he can still be in position to score a goal but improve his passing/handling, he could be pretty good for the Natl team.
Chris Klein I have been a CK fan since he was first drafted by KC. I saw him play in a "friendly" vs. the Crew in Dayton in 99, and he was amazing then. I didn't have the opportunity to watch the game yesterday, but I'm thrilled he scored the first goal and seems to be becoming an integral part of the national team. He deserves it. And, he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet! We need more of him in this sport.
Re: Chris Klein Yes he is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. In fact he still, in his 5th year in KC, goes around the bottom of the stadium after every home game and signs for every single person that asks. It still amazing that after doing it for so many matches, he's got no problem doing it every week. He's also the leading goal scorer for the USMNT this year. Not to shabby for a winger.
Not bashing, but... He lacks technical skill. A lot of that can be covered up by hard work or pure speed (see Olsen, Ben or Jones, Cobi) but as the quality of our team improves, a player like Klein will find it harder to get minutes. Having said that, you can't argue w/ results. He has scored consistently. He can play a role in WC qualifying, but I see him as a sub or perhaps a converted defender, in time. IMHO.
+ physical + nose for goal - willing to shoot + heavy shot + scores + positioning - lost possession - passing neutral - defense If he continues to convert opportunities, Klein may make WC06. He's definitely going to France and leaving Olson in DC.
I think Olsen was left off the roster due to that injury he recieved in the camp prior to the Wales match. Also I think Benny needs to be left alone for the rest of the MLS season, so he can play a full season without putting too much strain on his ankles. What has hurt him is that he didn't really play much soccer at all for 2 years while recovering. The rust from that layoff manifests itself in his lack of desire to take players on (in DC United games) and his lack of that speed burst that made us all love him. If Ben hadn't recieved those injuries, he would A)be playing in either the EPL or the English 1st division (remember he initially got hurt while playing over there and was Nottingham's best player while he was there) and B) he would have been on the WC roster, and would fill that right mid role in whatever formation Bruce put out there. This is no knock on Klien, its just that he has played well while the guy ahead of him was hurt. My only problem with Klien is that when he plays a bad game, he really plays a bad game. Look at the game vs Venezuela, he kept falling down, his crosses made Beasley's look good, and he all around sucked. But vs Mexico he played well in his time in the game and he played really well yesterday. That inconsistency is what pisses people off the most.
CK's goal was excellent, reminiscent of Baggio's goal against Spain at WC '94. Beautiful. He should have finished his second chance, though. He had a couple of good crosses, but needs to improve his technical play on the whole. I would say a decent game, but not great.
I have to agree with all of those opinions! I've never really liked Klein for the reasons above, but he does seem to get the results recently... somehow. I'd much rather see someone like DMB out on the right side though. Eddie Lewis keeps producing over on the left and he should not be taken out until he plays himself out of a spot. He will be a spot player during qualification as we get injuries or maybe against specific teams with size like Jamaica. He even outran a Kiwi to the ball just before getting taken out yesterday. I think it was the first time i'd seen him show much speed off the ball. In the end... I agree that he's been getting results so he should continue to get some playing time.
While I agree you cant play your possession game through Klein, when you catch the other team cheating to the left and center then rotate the ball over to his side of the field, Klein will just punish a team for allowing him space to work. He can finish or he can set people up. Really a good guy to have in there, especially with a guy like Donovan who will draw a crowd only to flip the ball out to space in one touch.
This is exactly what the Wizards do with Klein. Preki draws the attention in the middle, one touches it to a streaking Klein down the right and Klein either carries it in for the shot or feeds it back to the middle. I would agree somewhat with what some have said that Kleins not the possession type, but he has gotten better. I see all his games and his touch only continues to get better. I guess we'll see later this month what kind of real impression he's made in these friendlies.
I haven't changed my mind. Klumsy Klein plays the sterotypical American player of a decade ago. Works hard, big, clumsy but no skill and no vision of the game. You can probably find 100 players in the Latino leagues in LA who could do better. Heck, if you put me out there enough, I'd score some lucky goals too. Once he plays in some serios and meaninful games, he will falter and I bet he doesn't even make the 2006 team.
Re: Re: Klein [R] 1) how many players in the "latino leagues" have size like that. 2) never seen you play -- but kleiny's played too few games to say that he's scored "some lucky goals." i mean c'mon. the law of averages is a poor choice in this argument. i'm not a big klein hard-on or anything but i do believe that he has enough skill to get better. of course his creativity and ball control can use improvement but he definately fulfills a role. and when it comes to the Nats, BA has shown that team chemistry is 10x more important that individual talent. we're lucky the USNT has both.
Re: Re: Re: Klein [R] That's quite a stereotype about the Latin leagues. Size does matter as more and more teams are getting bigger and faster, but they have to have skill too, Otherwise size is meaningless. Why don't we just put Shak out there. Klein has a role out there when we are using our 2nd and 3rd stringers, but once the final 24 players are chosen, Klein will disappear. Shoot, I'd rather have Freddy playing in 3 years than this guy,and he probably will. The best American midfielders are wingers are not just "run down the wing and blindly cross theball hping somebody is there". They are better than that and they are out there. And Arena will find them.
Does anyone esle see Klein as an option at right back? His size and strength would certianly be an asset back there and he has pretty good pace. I agree that he has shown a great work ethic and pretty good finishing/crossing but I too wory about his ball skills and his tendency to disappear for long stretches. He could be this generation's Tony Sannah. Those who watch him with K.C. How is his defense? Do you think he can be converted?
This is a scary thought. Klein is not worthy to shine Sanneh's shoes. Klein would make many complete passes... but 90% would go to the opponents midfielders. Not a good thing.
If Bobby Convey was tried out at left back, Chris Klein can be tried out at right back. Just do it in a game that is rather meaningless, like Paraguay, or any friendlies that are after the Gold Cup.
A good candidate for refining bootcamp I wish some of this kids with a lot of material to be some of the finest could find some guy like STOITKOV and could get firts hand coaching in a ONE ON ONE training to refine this kid really have potential ....
Re: Re: Klein [R] Well.... mexican national team could be help by this information, may be they will be hire in the next world cup, this way at least they will lose by one goal.....from KLEIN.....
I find it very amusing that everyone worships the USA Lilliputians who almost never finish but hate the big horse who scores beautiful goals. Get real- size matters- or shall we have Thorrington guard Klose in a corner kick in WC 2006?
Klein is a hard one to get a grasp on. Does what he does well, but has limited ability. i hate it when he collects a ball about 20 yards out and instead of looking to combine with someone he boots it into the 23rd row. He may well help in qualifying, but I do wonder if he has the ability to play at the big tourney.