What's with all the number changing for the USMNT on every other game?

Discussion in 'USA Men' started by GalacticoX4, Jun 3, 2004.

  1. GalacticoX4

    GalacticoX4 Member+

    Jun 2, 2004
    Why do the players keep changing numbers seemingly randomly. I mean i understand you want to change numbers but make a decision.

    Ex. Beasley used to wear 17. Against Poland or Maybe Mexico it was he started wearing #7. Then against Hondurous he's back to #17. They even started selling jerseys with him as number 7. I'd like to buy a jersey but they keep changing. Donavan wore 10 one game then i think he was back to 21 or something. Anyone have any info on who is gonna wear what number for the longterm.
     
  2. m vann

    m vann Moderator
    Staff Member

    Colorado Rapids, Celtic FC, & Louisville City
    Sep 10, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Celtic FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Whenever Eddie Lewis is in camp he's #7 and whenever Claudio's in camp he's #10. There no reason to constantly change but those two (Lewis and Reyna) probably have first choice because they have seniority.
     
  3. diablodelsol

    diablodelsol Member+

    Jan 10, 2001
    New Jersey
    Players pick their numbers in the order of caps received.
     
  4. keeper0430

    keeper0430 New Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Upstate NY
    They should go back to the old system of wearing the number according to your field position.
     
  5. Casper

    Casper Member+

    Mar 30, 2001
    New York
    1. Except for goalie, positions are a coaching/strategic tool, and nothing more.

    2. This way is more fun for the players.

    3. This way is completely non-arbitrary, and thus avoids any stupid disputes about numbers.

    4. Who cares what numbers they're wearing. When you show up in your Donovan #10 jersey but he's wearing #21 because Reyna's there and he's wearing #10, are you going to break down?
     
  6. SC Pfullendorf

    SC Pfullendorf New Member

    Jan 22, 2004
    Amsterdam
    It is nice when players have numbers that are strictly theirs, for example Num 23, or Num 20 maybe? I wonder who I could be refering to? No names necessary, the numbers speak for themselves.
     
  7. Toolhead

    Toolhead Member

    Jul 6, 2003
    Williamsport, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Yeah it would be nice, but we're talking about country not club here. Once you have a number at a club it's yours until you leave(or sell it to a new player), doesn't work that way for your national team. Every WC some team makes the news over a couple players wanting the same number don't they?
     
  8. Greddy

    Greddy Member

    Jun 24, 2003
    Chicago
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Why don't they just give Beasley the number 7. I mean, does Lewis have an iced out 7 around his neck?
     
  9. Casper

    Casper Member+

    Mar 30, 2001
    New York
    Since DaMarcus is currently the first-choice starter, he has a good chance of eventually passing Lewis' number of caps. Then he can stuff that ice in Eddie's face and take the number.

    But since he's not a dick, probably not.
     
  10. GalacticoX4

    GalacticoX4 Member+

    Jun 2, 2004
    yeah i must agree. i'd prefer they keep the same number. And I'd be a bit irratated if i bought a jersey the player rarely wore that number especially if its Reyna who may be getting abit long in the tooth. and i along with alot of people care alot about which number players wear. Especially since if Beasley wore 17 I'd just buy a blank jersey. If he wore 7 i may by a one with his name and number. Why? personally 17 looks horrible and i don't like the number. Obviously some people won't care but that is just me. I mean i like knowing that a certain player will have the same number. You know if you pay $90 dollars for a custom jersey you'd like it not to be obselete every other game.

    But If its done by seniority maybe that is more of a reflection of Arenas coaching that some of these older players are getting capped when maybe there are younger players who deserve a shot. especially at goalie. I hope they work it out but I doubt it.
     
  11. skipshady

    skipshady New Member

    Apr 26, 2001
    Orchard St, NYC
    I can go either way on this, but I do like the number-by-position as purely a matter of personal preference
    1. I like smaller numbers as they just look (for the lack of a better word) cleaner.
    2a. For friendlies and qualifiers, a lot of national teams do the # by positions and don't put names on the back - so guys who are usually prima donnas at their clubs become (insert country name)'s #10. It's all about the team.
    2b And there's prestige that comes with becoming your country's representative, and gives more meaning to each number. When you wear #9 for Brazil, for example, you really are Brazil's first choice center forward (at least for that match).

    But like I said, this really is a minor issue. After all, a uniform number is just a.... number.
     
  12. Casper

    Casper Member+

    Mar 30, 2001
    New York
    Younger players who "deserve" a shot at goalie and haven't gotten one:













    I await your list.
     
  13. astabooty

    astabooty Member

    Nov 16, 2002
    China
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    i hope michael jordan and barry sanders, both being the best ever :D
     
  14. GalacticoX4

    GalacticoX4 Member+

    Jun 2, 2004
    I'd like to see Howard and Walker get spots instead of keep bringing back guys like Keller and fricken Tony Meola. Hell i wouldn't even mind seeing Zach Thorton get a call up before Meola.
     
  15. skipshady

    skipshady New Member

    Apr 26, 2001
    Orchard St, NYC
    We're talking about getting "shots", and both Howard and Walker have received extensive looks. They will certainly play in the early qualifiers and they will surely see action in the Hexagonals.

    Plus, it's not like Bruce isn't evaluating them in the national team camps. Whoever gets picked to start is the guy who beat out the competition. As for Thornton, he's behind Keller, Friedel, Howard, Walker, Brown and possibly Hartman in the pecking order. The best he can do is have a good season in Portugal.

    But basically, change for change's sake is stupid, especially since keepers have longer shelf lives than field players. Friedel is still class and Keller is still a top notch keeper (though he may not be by 2006). Others will get their chance - they just have to keep performing for their clubs.
     
  16. UncleSam527

    UncleSam527 Member

    Jan 14, 2002
    Jon Busch- when he has a defence worth more than a nickel in front of him
     
  17. Riotom9

    Riotom9 Member

    Oct 10, 2000
    Texas
    I'm sure it is irritating to have a jersey of a player that rarely wears that number....but um..maybe when you BUY the jersey, you should think about that.

    So, a Beasley #17 is probably a pretty good bet since Eddie Lewis will be around til 2006 most likely. Besides, if he eventually gets his #7, your #17 will be old-school DMB and your friends will think you are cool because you knew about him way back when he wore #17.

    On the other hand, either a #21 or #10 Donovan would be fine - since he will have #21 for a few more years, and #10 from August of 2006 until 2012, give or take a year. If you really wanted to solve the problem, just get your #10 to say Baby Jesus. That way when Donovan retires, that 8 year old that is so good can take LD's nickname. And your jersey, which has holes and is falling apart by now, will still have a matching name and number.

    A final solution is that since they change jersey styles every 2 years, you could also just buy a new one when your player eventually inherits his 'permanent' number. If your player is consistently changing his number, it must mean he is total crap and therefore you shouldn't buy his jersey anyway.

    I hope this helped.



    :rolleyes:
     

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