The MLS 9s: the last unturned stones, do they warrant a look?

Sargent, Pepi, Hoppe, Dike. Whoever gets off to a strong start

 

I think we're better off trying out some formations playing without a 9 than we are trying to give every 9 with a pulse a game. If guys 1-10 can't do the job, the odds that Mr. 11 or 12 can is pretty hopefully at best and likely a waste of time.

 

I think we had more time they'd warrant a look. I don't think they are going to get one with the time we have left.

There's only 2-3 spots for a striker in that September camp and alot of guys who are in contention (Pepi, Ferreira, Sargent, Dike, Pefok, Vasquez, Wright, and Ebobisse)

 

Wegerle

Wynalda

The 2002 team had McBride, Mathis, Wolff, Moore and Donovan.

Dempsey has played the position with some distinction.

Altidore.

And of course Wondolowski.

 

Damn. Prime Josh Wolff would do well for this team.

 

So would McBride. He would be perfect with the creativity these young guys could provide him service with.

 

Absolutely. My point was that Josh was never in Bake‘s class and his aggressive movement up top, along with some decent finishing skills would be great here.
It‘s brutal to think about but perhaps unfair because I am only thinking about these players during their best times. Bake was a pretty mediocre finisher until he was 26/27, while Josh dealt with a lot of injuries I believe. Is what it is.

 

Jozy is done. Injuries and age. Just the way it is. Oh well.

 

This is a really good point. When was the last time our best scorer was a true striker?? You'd probably at least have to go back to Wynalda/McBride. It's been Landon, Clint, and Puli since then.

We played Clint up top at times if we needed to. Or we got what we could out of the position. I don't think we have anyone right now who is the caliber of Jozy, but even Jozy was never the best scorer on the teams he played on imo (hi clint, hi landon). People like Joe-Max Moore and Brian McBride added a lot to the team outside of goals in pressing and hold-up play (though they also could freaking finish, sigh)

 

A non-scoring center forward works best with a strike partner or with a cam. 433 is tough to make work without goal creation from the number 9. Even Klopp had to eventually rotate Firmino.

 

Loved him-a real man crush

 

has Dike played at all lately? (before season ended)

 

Sadly that appears to be the case. There was some hope that get healthy and get hot in New England, but that appears to not be a possibility.

 

Brazil just played their last 2 friendlies with a false 9, with Neymar playing the role. I am not saying that Tim Weah = Neymar, but it seems he, or maybe Pulisic, could fill that role.

 

And Roy Lassiter. He was terrific for a few years when he was really in the scoring groove.

 

Dike suffered a hamstring injury then suffered knee injury. He only played two matches.

Sadio Mane's moving to false 9 for Liverpool would probably be a decent analogue to a Weah at false 9 experiment.

 

The MLS players have the summer to build cases. We'll see what happens with JMo, Jebo, and Vasquez.

 

Never terrific for the USA. But he did kick butt in NLS.