The talk of Davis led me to think of this.... "If everyone is healthy, when I make out my Dallas Burn lineup, the following players have to be in there no matter what: ________________.: anyone want to play? I'll go first... I have 5 on my Must Play Players list: Johnson Davis Valakari O'Brien Gibbs
I agree with you Buzz, but what about Kreis? Just his presence on the field inspires the others. As does Pareja's, but he doesn't have quite the ability to be a must play anymore.
I think you hit the nail on the head. These 5 along with Kreis are the core of the team to say the least.
On can certainly make the case for Kreis... He is an immense talent and leader, but for some reason in my mind he is now at the point where I put him a notch behind... But that is just me and for the purpose of this list. Certainly he is a player worthy of starting. But I just don't think he is a no matter what guy. Maybe that is due to a desire to rest him some during the season and keep him healthier and fresher.
My list would include Pareja too. No one else on the team has anything close to Oscar's ball distribution skills or his ability to keep possession in tight quarters and draw a foul.
If I look at that list, the last three names are the ones that stick out. I'd probably put Simo first, followed by Gibbs and Obrien together, but without those three the games would have been different. Eddie might be on the cusp of joining that group but still has a ways to go (why he can't bring everything to the table Arnaud does and more is beyond my simple soccer mind-but probably still something on the maturing end of things). Davis is talented for sure, but not in that group of three, IMHO. I really can't recall games where I thought the Burn would have missed his presence in a way similar to Obrien, Gibbs and especially Simo. As for the KC game when he was on the bench, I don't see that as a contributing factor. He might have helped the team keep the ball a bit, but given the amount of ground he covers in relation to most two-way players I am not sure a little extra possesion would have made up for what was lacking.
This is basically the center of the park, which should feature the best players. OK, so ROB is out wide, but I think we'll see more of him in center out of necessity. I agree with that list on talent/potential. Dallas has got to protect these guys in expansion draft, plus Jolley and Kreis, maybe Cassar, Reyes, and Salyer. If I'm going just 5, based on overall performance this year, not potential: Valakari - my 1st half MVP, the Destroyer is a big surprise, plus beat SJ in their house Johnson - just for attitude adjustment alone Kreis - producing and full 90 fitness not even 9 months after ACL (we tend to forget that devastating injury, boys), plus got the goals record Behnke - solid surprise, we've seen more of him than Gibbs Jolley - forget LA game, we don't miss what we gave up for him Runners up: Cassar - huge surprise, minus the brain farts ROB - assist leader, but we miss the goals
I think my list would only be: Valakari Gibbs O'Brien Johnson I don't put Kreis on the list because I can think of situations where I would want to rest him. For instance this week I wouldn't play him in all three games, thinking it might be too much strain on his knee. Davis isn't in the form to guarantee a spot. Cassar is probably the closest to joining the four.
Sayler-Ezra who? Gibbs/Jolley combo-brillent in having two leaders in the back. T-Bo was decent' but not a true leader. All those other guys who they tried to partner with in the CD spots to be nice, didn't cut it. Kreis and ROB-coming back from injuries. EJ-instead of slacking off from his playing time, he has gone after it to earn and keep it. Simo-See I told you so Theodore. Keepers: They may not be David Seaman, but they earn my two thumbs up especially JC00 after all my bashing him.
Miss what goals? Setting up guys is his game, and he's doing it brilliantly this year. Can't imagine not including him in the Burn's must start list.
i agree with keeping jolley over davis...save the la game jolley has not been talked about much at least on these boards which means that he has been doing his job quite well especially with gibbs not being able to play every game
Exactly. After last night, my list: ROB (team MVP, but on the right) Simo (the anchor) Gibbs (leads the defense) EJ (our lack of speed when he's not there is obvious) Cassar (saves our arse game in and game out)
Good list right here. Cassar has probably recently jumped to the top group. Kreis is real close. Jolley is close as well. I also don't have Davis with the above group, next level. So I sort of have group 1 & group 2.