DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey, Jonathon Spector, Zak Whitbread. If we make the Olympics than all 4 of those players would be more than likely on the squad. And if that happens Beaser doesn't get trasnfered to PSV, Convey doesn't get his much needed exit from MLS, Spector wouldn't be starting againt Bayern Munich tommorow, and Whitbread doesn't get named to Liverpool' 23-man squad thats going to America. Actually just befor hopping over, Whitbread got to play the entire 2nd half in a Benetiz's and Cisse's debut in a friendly. And apparenly looked good doing so. So let's all say thank you to neighbors to the south also - this should also serve as a warning to the like of Cory Gibbs, Chad Marshall, and Bobby Convey. We have to defenders, one of which can play any 4 defensive positions (Spector), the other can play either LB or CD, and they'd be doing it for Liverpool and Manchester United. Get better or get your ass on the bench
I saw tommy smyth saying Spector could play holding mid too... arena is in love with versatile players... as to missing an olympics....the initial edge marginally to a few players might NOT be all that great in their respective situations... I don't know if playing in the Olympics AFFECTS them all that much, except very short term... given the exposure on TV I'd rather USA be playing in athens.... the more exposure, the better off...
The point about exposure is interesting. The Olympics does provide a place for young talent to be showcased, but it's not taken that seriously because different countries take it seriously to different degrees. Brazil didn't even qualify, right? So it's true that there's no Olympics exposure for our U-23s, but it seems like they're all getting plenty of playing time anyway, including (as apu pointed out) the two euro transfers, the Champs world tour, etc. -- and that's pretty good exposure as well. There's also the question of playing against good competition and as a national-team unit. The Olympics provide some decent U23 competition and have the benefit of allowing the team to come together as a whole. Even with DMB at PSV, Bobby at Reading, Whitbread the red, etc., these guys aren't getting the advantage of playing together on a team as (we hope) they will in the future. But there's plenty of time for that, and I think our guys are doing just fine. I think the Olympics might have overstretched some of our principal guys (LD, Bease, Convey), so I think it's just as well that we're not there.
exposure is a bit double edged, as in 1992, Reyna's play intrigued barcelona to take a look at him... there'll be a ton of scouts inathens... the other aspect is exposure of soccer on tv during the olympics....there's gonna be a ton of soccer matches on tv... starting ausgust 11 and 12, the soccer tourney begins, and soccer has the sole focus for two days... would have been nice to have nbc televise usa (men) versus another elite team...
Problem is that NBC would keep trying to cut in with ice skating updates, even though this is the summer olympics. Plus right in the middle of the second half, there'd be that tear-jerker human interest story on Jack Warner. Jason
This is all true...the flip-side, IMO, is that youth-level international tournaments prepare players far better for World Cup pressure than playing in friendlies. If I've got a choice between 2 players for the World Cup, who are equal in talent and versatility, one of whom is 27 and has played in 30 friendlies but no important international games, the other who is 21 and only has 5 senior caps but is coming off impressive performances in the Olympics and U-20 World Cup, I'll take the younger guy every time.