Quad tear, went back to England for an MRI. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13918-2004Feb4.html
And Burciaga appears to be out as well. That means we've only got Lewis and Winger for backs. It's all up hill from here.
This sucks for Zak - he took a chance leaving Liverpool to represent the US and he goes back injured. I'm sure the folks back there will be none to pleased about this development. That said, after yesterday we all wanted to see more pace on the field and the upside of these injuries is that it forces Mooch to play Ricky Lewis, the fastest back on the team. Ricky has a history of coming up large in international events after starting off on the bench. He missed the first U20 qualifier in T&T in 01 but then played very well the next two games. When they got to Argentina at the World Youth Championships, he didn't start the first game but played the rest and by the end of the tournament was, after Onyewu, the US' best back. Here's hoping he duplicates that pattern here. Back to Zak - Godspeed and here's to a quick recovery.
At this point all we should want is a win and the ability to rest key players until the semis...We might not recover Zak, but perhaps Burciaga will be there, and we do not want to risk losing more players and dissipating further our chances to play a competitive semifinal game...If this is the case, we still play the third game to win, but whatever happens, well, happens.....Judging by the other groups results (check the other thread) it will be a daunting task no matter what
They might have to shift to a 3-5-2 due to the shortage in the backline. Also Carroll can play left back in a pinch, he is listed as M/D on DC's roster, but it wouldn't want to count on him.
Why don't we play Beasley at left back? He's played there before for the Fire and looked pretty good. He has the pace to get forward and still race back to cover. We are LOADED with left side midfielders anyway. Davis, Convey, Donovan, Esky, E. Johnson.....we have plenty of attacking options. Using DeMarcus there won't hurt us.
There is also a player on the roster who has played left back for the US National Team. Bobby belongs in the center of midfield for this team but if Mooch has to he has that option.
Wow. 2 outside defenders out. A player as versatile as Kelly Grey would be pretty useful right now, huh? Guess that's why they say hind-sight is 20/20.
And Convey has shown he really does not do well back there...we need the big three in the attack moving either Bobby or DMB to left back is just a dumb idea.
We were thin in back before, now this.....of course, I remain in good spirits for the boys, but it is hard to call us the favorite now in any match-up vs. Mexico or Costa Rica in the final 4. I think we should beat "stupid quote by coach" Canada... Actually the test against Costa Rica/Mexico may just be a great test to see the maturation of the US squad. Can we start to be like a Germany and win games where we are out-talented or not at our best (injuries). That is the real test of quality side. And in all honesty, Landon and DaMarcus really have to step up here (Bobby too..to an extent). They have had some great World Cup, international experiences that some of their opponents have not had...that they need to draw on here, and get us to a V. good luck boys...
USA must avoid Mexico if its all possible for the semis, USA must outscore its opponent that is the bottom line, so what if it 6-4 or 8-6 as long as we win. Since our defence sux we need strong midfield play and our forwards to put it in the back of the net. If we can't beat a load of crap team from our region then its better if we stay home.