Right back is a worry for US team. Sanneh got old and doesn't have enough skill. Hedjuk fits in same bill. So far we only have Cherundolo but his physical is a concern if we have Bobby Convey in the left back position. (All other left back candidates--Lewis, Vanney and Barret are small too.) That will make our defense line too short. Onyewu has good potential but is injuried and not get enough high level games to improve. So it is a good way if we have a young right side midfielder then we can push him into the back. Considering Convey example. Convey is playing as a left side midfielder. He is fast and has good ball skil and a smart player. He has no way to make the US team as a midfielder because Beasley is in the left and center midfield is very crowded. Then if Guevera starts as center mid in NY, then Clark will have to play at the right side, so if I am Bruce, I may consider trying him on the right back.
I believe your thinking is that with Clark you have to find a way to get him on the team. He is that good. That is why we are seeing Convey at left back. The part I dont agree with is that he cannot replace Beasley at left mid. It comes down to how much each player grows in the next couple of years. If we are lucky they will both improve considerably.
Ricardo Clark is good, and if his development continues, he surely will be among the 23 in Germany, and if he's not, then it's amazing that a player of his caliber could not make our squad, and that bodes well either way....... But with that being said, Clark is a true central midfielder; I have never been impressed with the distribution of Mastroeni (say unlike Richie Williams). Clark has great vision and speed, and I think the ideal for him would be to complement Mastroeni and Reyna/Martino in the middle of the field. Then, with wings like Beasley and Olsen, we have a very fast and agressive midfield, all of whom can take players on with the dribble.
People forget that Frankie Hejduk is still pretty young and showing well for Columbus this season. With his fitness and an added technical acumen he will be a factor for the Nats in the next qualifying cycle. Another player to consider has to be Steve Cherundolo. He is quietly developing into a solid Bundesliga right back. In another couple years he may be the best option. Going forward though, I would put both Hejduk and Cherundolo at the top of the depth chart for right back. Oneywu has injury problems and inexperience, Sanneh has injury problems and old age.
call me crazy, but i would like to have a RB that has played more than 270 minutes as a professional.
The Budesliga has been known to produce some excellent outside backs -- short and tall: Breitner and Vogts on the short side (Breitner moving to mf for the '82 WC), Briegel and Kalz on the very tall side. All were excellent defenders who were also dangerous on the attack.
I've been terribly impressed with Clark so far. And while he could play right back, I think he's got a lot of potential as a central midfielder. It's not inconceivable that he makes the squad in a few years as a central midfielder. Hejduk's skill level is much higher than when he left for Germany. He can still be adequate back there - heck, he's the best right back in MLS.
Ricardo Clark shines just like Kyle Martino they both will be regular starters for nat team in the future and together with Beasley+Donovan will make a great team.
If Ricardo Clark can stay consistent and injury free, he will be seriously contending for a starting spot in 2006.
What kind of effect does BigSoccer have? Sometimes it gives a good laugh. Okay, only those who have seen him play, what skill have you NOT seen Clark display that is required for a good right back?
That's completely missing the point. He has been center mid, he is a center mid and he will be a center mid. There are enough other candidates for right backs and no pressing need for a stop gap measure. But quality two-way mids, playing in the center of the park are hard enough to come by that he will get his shot when it is appropriate.
I tend to agree with that.....a few seasons at Ajax or with Feynoord will do wonders for the kid, even La Liga, he would mature beyond belief.