Its always interesting to see what everyone thinks, GK:Jimmy RB:Myers Cb:Colin CB:Besler Lb:Sinovic CDM:Nagamura RAM:Zusi LAM:Joseph RW:Kamara ST:Bunbury LW:Convey
Joseph isn't starting. Nor is Nagamura right now. Midfield as it is right now is going to be the same that ended this past season.
GK - Nielsen RB - Myers CB - Besler CB - Collin LB - Sinovic DM - Cesar DM - Espinoza AM - Zusi RW - Kamara CS - Sapong LW - Convey Subs: Winning - Bunbury (Kamara), Harrington (Convey), Nagamura (Zusi) Losing - Bunbury (Convey), Dwyer (Cesar), Joseph (Sinovic) Tied - Harrington (Cesar), Nagamura (Convey), Bunbury (Kamara) Thorough.
GK - Nielsen RB - Myers CB - Besler CB - Collin LB - Sinovic DM - Cesar DM - Espinoza AM - Zusi RW - Kamara CS - Sapong LW - Convey exactly as the person before me. I think that is your best eleven and probably should win a lot of matches if healthy.
[LINEUP-4-3-3]Convey, Sapong, Kamara, Espinosa, Zusi, Cesar, Sinovic, Besler, Collin, Myers, Neilson[/LINEUP-4-3-3] I just wanted to use the formation tags.
I agree I don't see nagamura starting (and esp joseph). i think our mid has their spots to lose right now with zeus, espi and cesar who all played very well end of last year, and nothing will change unless in season performance is a let down (or bigtime DP comes in) Excited to see convey at LW. Don't know much about him, but he seems to be everyone's choice. If he can really fill Bravo's pos, I'll be really happy. And people saying he has the potential for a bigtime year have me even more giddy about the potential. I'm with most in seeing Sapong over Bunbury right now. Teal is a great offensive sub for sure, but CJs game is better right now IMO. Only thing Teal has on him ATM in my mind is pure speed. So basically I'm with Morry and Elias for first 11 (maybe a bit dif on subs)
what's with people calling zusi zeus? sorry formulaic, i'm not aiming this specifically at you. you just happened to be the last one i've seen use it. nor am i criticizing anyone for using it... i just think that a last name of 'zusi' is awesome enough as it is. it even fits the mold that many nicknames go by where they're two syllables and end with the long 'e' sound.
Zeus is the first syllable of his last name, Zeus is a god, Zusi played like a god last year. Simple.
I haven't read any of the other posts in this thread, wanted to post my preference and then go back and see what others think. This is who I go with if the season starts tomorrow: [LINEUP-4-3-3]Convey, CJ/Teal, Kei, Roger, Cesar, Zusi, Seth, Besler, Collin, Chance, Jimmy[/LINEUP-4-3-3] The good thing is with four great players who can play on the forward line, PV will have the option of rotating them in and out and making sure they all stay well-rested and hopefully avoid injuries. EDIT: Rock on, we're all on the same page. I like the comments I've heard from Convey so far and think he will have something to prove this year. This team definitely has the chops to go to the MLS Cup final. Bring on 2012!
I agree with the general consensus so far, although I would characterize Espinoza's role as more of a box-to-box midfielder than a defensive one. Besides overall form, I see Sapong as a better choice than Bunbury right now because he is more likely to score with his head on the crosses that Convey will be routinely sending into the box. I am optimistic that this particular combination will be very productive in the season ahead. Kamara should benefit from more aerial service in the run of play, as well.
I am more than a little surprised that you would throw Joseph into the starting 11 like that. What exactly have you seen that makes you think that is a good idea. That means he would have made a large jump in the depth chart. It just seems odd that you would place him in there when I dont think he has come close to earning a sport starting on this squad.
GK: Jimmy RB: Myers CB: Collin CB: Besler LB: Seth DM: Cesar RM: Zusi LM: Convey RF: Kia CF: Bunbury LF: Sapong
Personally I think that Joeseph would fit great in that midfireld role. Dont ask why but i would like to see him start just one game this year and see what comes out of it. May i be wrong? Maybe, but what if he has a good year like zusi. If someone threw zusi in their starting lineup last year people would ask the same thing you did
Not really, we traded away Jewsbury to give Zusi a chance to start. It was expecting last season that he was going to be starting. We have barely seen Joseph play. When I read your post this morning before I had had any coffee, it took me a minute to remember who the hell Joseph even was. What have you seen that makes you think he should be starting over our other midfielders?
From what ive seen from highlights work rate,speed, and his bomb of a shot. Like i said i may be wrong but whats the harm in starting him a game just to see what he has to bring.
I'm sure I'm wrong but the only game I saw PJ play in was late against San Ho, and mayBE vs. Newcastle. He looked pretty athletic but that's all I can remember.
SKC's 4-3-3 under Vermes does not typically have a RM and LM; all three midfielders play more centrally, with one primarily attacking, one going box-to-box, and one primarily defending. Convey (or a future DP) could certainly see some time at AM, with Zusi shifting to the box-to-box role and Espinoza either replacing Cesar as the DM or going to the bench. However, I expect Convey to play primarily on the left wing, and Vermes has already said as much. Sapong's versatility is a very valuable asset, but CF is definitely his best position, and Bunbury has not shown much inclination or ability to put his head on crosses.
I believe that those were his only two first-team appearances. I distinctly remember him being in the game at San Jose, because I noticed at one point while watching on TV that he got way out of position and, as a result, was frantically trying to chase down one of the Earthquakes. At that moment, I thought to myself, "If they score on this possession, it will be Joseph's fault." The player that he was pursuing then launched the cross that Wondolowski put into the back of the net. D'oh!
So I guess I'm not far off. I cannot recall whether PJ was injured at all last season but he had half a season just be a bench option and I really don't see him as anything but depth. Plus, Vermes tends to reward form in practice, so I'm pretty sure unless Haitian Xavi puts in some real work, he's just going to be depth for Swope Park Rangers this season.
Joseph was either injured or nursing injuries most of last season. He's getting back to fit right now in pre-season and Vermes says he's got one of the best first touches he's seen in the league. I dunno if he's going to be starting material (I recall the out of position gaffe against San Jose as well...) but I think he'll definitely be sub material when he gets back to 100%.
He didn't have a specific injury, although he did have his season cut short by knee surgery, but no specific injury.