If there was a proposed mountain where four soccer players from the US were to get their heads put into it a la Mt. Rushmore, who would you want and why? Should Pele be there? Or how about Tab Ramos? Give me four and tell me why.
Bert Patenude, Joe Gaetjens, Paul Caligiuri, Bruce Arena *Patenude - 6 goals in 4 games in an era when the national team didn't play very often; helped team to semis of 1930 World Cup; scored a boatload of goals in the very old American Soccer League and won a few Open Cups. *Gaetjens scored the goal in the World Cup to beat England in 1950, considered one of the bigger goals in World Cup history and the brightest soccer moment till Caligiuri's goal. *Caligiuri - scored "the goal" against T&T in 1989 to get US to World Cup; scored in World Cup in 1990; started all 4 games in 1994 World Cup; one of the first Americans to play in Europe; over 100 caps; NCAA title; founding MLS player; won Concacaf and US Open Cup; made Pert commercials. *Arena - do I really need to explain why?
Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas, Carlos Valderamma and Pablo Mastoreni. I just want to see what those hairdos look like when they're done in 300 feet of granite.
Its a shame we glorify the victory over England so much. Someone who was able to win a game in a world cup isn't that special. That win over England wasn't near as important as our wins over Portugal and Colombia. The funny thing is that if someone can get nominated for scoring a goal against England in a World Cup where we 1 won game and went home then what do you have to say about McBride who is the only US Player to score in 2 cups and in 02 created the first goal and scored the 3rd against Portugal AND put us ahead against Mexico. Maybe Patenude, McBride, Friedel (for Olympics and 02 World Cup), and Harkes (2 MLS titles, silverwear in England and first American playing in the top flight there, one of the top 2-3 players on the 90 and 94 squads, 95 Copa America MVP)
Patenude sounds good Donovan Adu and Luisa's 2 yr old son with US citizenship the other three are the various saviors of US Soccer according to BigSoccer consensus. Legit list for USMNT would be: 1. Patenude 2. Reyna - 2 World Cups, captained one. Champions League games, Captain of EPL and Bundesliga teams, etc. The proverbial Yank abroad. 3. Frieller - Half the face Keller, half the face Friedel. No one wants to choose. No one should have to choose. 4. Cal I don't think coaches should be on the mountain of players.
Sampson, Burns, Cobi, Regis Oh, wait. I thought you wanted to know which four people I wanted to stone. Dave
If we stone Agoos, Llamosa and Lalas, should they get called into the USMNT as they are now a step or two faster than they were yesterday?
I'm gonna have to say I too would like to see the Women's on Mt. Rushmore only I'd call it Mount-me Rushmore!!
Wynalda should get some mention, he is the all-time goals leader in US history, and scored the first goal in MLS history. No Mount Rushmore of US soccer would be legit without one of the 4 faces being a goalkeeper. We are a nation of goalies, one must be represented. Brad Friedel should get that honor for saving two penalties in the World Cup, he served at home in MLS, and made us proud abroad. Add Patenaude and Caligiuri (for the reasons mentioned before, and there's your four).
Everyone wants Patenaude eh? you sheep I'd go with Harkes (opened the doors to Yanks Abroad), Caligiuri (shot heard round the world), Reyna (best US player ever, IMO), and either Keller or Friedel. Or you could just fill up the whole space with Tony Meola.
We'll have to wait until they start sculpting before Bruce tells us whether they're carving Keller or Friedel, though.