Not a single goal amongst our forwards in this world cup. Who gets called in? Who gets better? Who falls off?
Hope that Davies recovers, and that 4 years from now we have better options than Jozy "the **********cat" Outthedoor.
Jozy needs to find a solid club situation. That's the most important thing. Davies making a full recovery would be awesome, but I'm not counting on it.
First off, Altdore needs to beg Villareal to loan or sell him to a team in the Eredevise (Dutch League). His first touch can be atrocious, as well as his decisions on the ball. Being only 20, however, time in a league like the Eredevise may provide him quality. As for other strikers.... Davies should be back...hopefully progresses at Sochaux Gomes will be entering his prime Others to emerge in the next 2-3 years????
Jozy's style (winning balls, drawing fouls) is fine if we can find another striker that we can put up top who has both speed and ball skills. Without that player, Jozy's lack of ball skills really shows. Hopefully CD recovers soon or another play shows up before 2014.
Agreed. I don't think we see Gomez again in an international competition. Maybe the Gold Cup, but I doubt it.
Altidore, Davies, Adu (if he ever gets his head out of his ass), and Findley would be good. I know, "Findley?!!". Let's not forget this guy was most likely the last of the 23 chosen and had never played internationally before. He'll be in his prime (28) for the next go around, and if he gets a gig outside MLS and his finishing improves, he'll be an easy choice for 2014, IMO.
I think we need MLS to stop getting people like Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry, Alvaro Saborio, Cuahuctemoc Blanco, etc. and start developing talent from within the country. Otherwise we will continue with these glorified England-like ventures in the world cup.
Someone in another thread pointed out how we have gone 8 games in the world cup without a goal from a forward. That's pretty indicative of how we develop our forwards. Jozy seems like he's a few tools away from being a beast. I understand people are upset, but the kids only 20, and 4 years is a lot of time. In four years he might be a beast in La Liga or the Premier league (or yes, he might be back in MLS, or toiling for some Greek side). Whatever the answer is, we need something better at forward in 4 years.
Altidore lacks the knowledge of what runs to make, how to make them, and when. That's the biggest flaw I see, and is something that is completely fixable. He needs to get some playing time in Spain or England. That will be key.
Was Clint up top against Ghana in 2006? If not, the last time would be McBride against Mexico in 2002. Kind of scary.
I'm not going to be down on Jozy. He needs fitness, a better touch, and a finisher's instinct, but he is only 20. Four years is a lot of time. Even a year is a lot of time, just ask Michael Bradley. Compare Bradley from the Confederations Cup to this World Cup, complete night and day. I'm not sold on Findley. We really need to hope Davies heals at near %100. But who else do we have? Our forwards seem to be very streaky. One good season followed by a bad season.
The forward pool looks a lot better right now than it did in 2006. There are decent prospects out there, and the 4 forwards we brought to South Africa were a lot better than most people thought they would be if you had asked right after the 2006 WC. That being said, a lot depends on Altidore's development. Overall I think there is reason for cautious optimism.
Still let down I didn't see McBride in the tournament. It was a long shot but oh well. Davies will be there and hungry to get in a World Cup. If Jozy works on finishing and gets some good club time, then he could be able to score? I must say I've liked him as a target though. Otherwise, there's 4 whole years. Davies came onto the scene after playing an outstanding 13 minutes in the 08 olympics. Let's watch the next olympics and see what happens. And will Freddy ever live up to the hype? If so I like our chances in 2014
Hopefully Charlie Davies recovers well. He was our best forward before his injury. Altidore is only 20, so he has time to improve. We have no real good finishers though.
going from bad to worse here...ej, buddle, gomez, ching, casey, cunningham, and davies are done. (yes, davies too) Altidore's failing have been covered. He'll clearly be in the mix if not a starter in four years though...nobody else is even on the radar at this position. Findley is mostly speed, so at 24 now he is unlikely to be any better in four years and probably will be a lot worse. any other names would be almost totally near-blind speculation (but hey it's BS)-- this position is an almost total teardown, this time without anyone in the mix like EJ and Ching; we knew four years ago they weren't good enough to play on a team with any ambitions but we don't even have guys ages 24-28 who we are rolling out there anymore. Between Jozy at 20 and the guys at 28, the only players we have are Findley (24), EJ (26), and Davies if he counts
Historically soccer players hit their peak in their late 20s when they have the perfect combo of physical skills and the added mental/experience factor. What makes you think Findley won't improve? I guess we can also assume Davies won't get any better either.
I'm surprised more Americans don't make the move to the Eredivisie. The Dutch know how to develop young players. A country a little smaller than Ohio and a population of ~16 million producing that many world class players is no coincidence.