Unfortunately, I mised the US-Wales game, missed taping it and found out that I don't have Telemonduo. Anyway, I was curious how Greg Vanney played? I always thought he was overlooked a bit, and last years last minute injury just before heading off to Korea sucked bigtime. He is aging a bit but does he have a chance on 2006 as a left back for US. Pleae comment.
Sorry, I didn't like him out there last night. He has always made me feel uncomfortable. I don't think he has very good touch, passing abilities or is a great defender. He is average, and that doesn't get you a spot on the Nats.
Disagree. I thought Vanney played very well. No mistakes on D and was quite effective going forward and took some nice corners on the left. He assisted on the 2nd goal with a nice run a pass to Lewis. A fine overall effort. In a 4 back line formation, I definately see Vanney as an option. Who else? Unless Bruce wants to keep experimenting with midfielders like Lewis, Convey, JOB, or DMB, Vanney may just even be the favorite out there.
He made two glaring gaffes: in the first half he took his eye of a pass and it ran under his foot for a deep throw in for Wales, was under no pressure. He also was one of the progenitor's of Wales' best scoring chance of the evening. If he was 24 and looking to improve, I'd say "sure" but not at 29. Bocanegra is probably our best left back, but he might also be our best centerback too (it's him and Pope by a mile it seems to me), so he probably doesn't count.
True, he did miss that trap, but it wasn't exactly "deep", and it didn't amount to anything. Maybe that was early match jitters, idunno. While the Wales chance did come down the left I don't think Vanney was at fault. Agree about Boca, but it seems Bruce doesn't really like him out wide in a 4 man back-line, I think he's actually said that although it was a while ago. In a 3-5-2 Boca would definately be 1st choice with Pope in the Middle. If we have 4 backs Boca slides to the Middle with Pope and Vanney? is outside.
Last nite he wasn't really a part of the match. He really just blended in on the pitch. Nothing that makes me think he is 'overlooked'.
I thought Greg did fine. The trap, ok he missed. The turnover (the one that led to the Rimando near post save) was not his fault. (off my memory so i am not sure). The decision to pass it back to him there was the mistake. I thought it was made by Suarez. But I am not sure. Greg was very very good with his left footed crosses, and played well with Eddie. Although to be quite frank, I was getting him and short cut Jeff Agoos confused some. That being said, he is the #1 at Left back currently. Boca and Pope are the center tandem of the future. Unless we go with Pope and Califf, Vanney will be #1 at left back.
At halftime the radio commentators on BBC Wales were gushing about Vanney's 1st half "terrific job" on marking Simon Davies out of the game.
I thought he played pretty well. He had the assist on Eddie Lewis' weak goal it was a nice little ball to Lewis. Made good runs all night. Made a mistake by taking his eye off the ball that one time giving Wales a throw in. Other than that it was a solid game for him.
I watched the game on TIVO so i rewinded a lot of the game to watch certain plays, and I thought that we dominated and attacked up the left side. The left side of the field was our strength and Greg Vanney was an important cog on the left side. I believe Vanney played his way onto the starting lineup of the Confederation Cup, at outside left back. I only see two better options at left back and they are JOB and Boca. As it is both of these players are more important at other positions on the field. With Lewis, Convey, Heyduk,and Barrett earning an outside shot at this position. I would throw in Beasley as well, but he is not tough enough to man the back line. Vanney is the number 1 left back.
Vanney did okay. I would rather have seen Barretr back in his old stadium. Left back is really up for grabs. If anyone does well there during the Confed Cup, the position should be theirs. More likely, we will see a few players there with mixed results, and the search will continue. I was really pulling for Barrett to develop into our #1 at left back, but since he's not even starting in Denmark, you have to wonder. If Dunivant can continue to improve at left back for the Quakes, he should get a chance. Dunivant is well ahead of where Barrett was during his first year with the Quakes, and Dunivant's long throws make deep throws as dangerous as corners. For now, I guess we just wait and see who goes out and makes the position theirs.
Vanney was the ONLY defender last night that looked solid at all. Agoos is terribly slow, but I think that we all know this was something of a farewell match for him. CJ Brown was less than spectacular and Suarez looks always like a red card waiting to happen - he loses his cool way too easily to be an effective defender. I'm glad as hell that Vanney was back there and I definitely think he played the kind of game that will bring him back into the mix.
He had a thunderous goal and an assist off a corner in the Quakes/US practice match Friday. Not a bad way to get BA's attention. Vanney looked very comfortable Monday (and Friday). But he did make two bonehead plays. Bruce doesn't like bonehead plays. Ask Regis.