Eddie Johnson is in form right now - but it wasnt that long ago that Ching was scoring like there was no tomorrow. Arena plays in form players so that if EJ continues to do well then fine, but it is premature to ask" who partners EJ". Rather ask how long can EJ keep scoring......
I WANT Clint Mathis to absolutely torch the league and show what he can do. I WANT him to be the leading goal-scorer in MLS this season. I WANT him to get back into the USMNT mix. I WANT him to start in 2006 at the WC. Will I get any of this? Probably not. This guy has something these other players don't have. There's this arrogance about him. He'll try anything on the field. He'll play "outside the box," which I don't think Arena wants.
Seems rather unlikely as a major reason for the formation was trying to keep our players fresh in the pollution and altitude of Azteca -- this will not be a concern in Germany. That said, if we draw Brazil, Holland or Germany in the first match I would not be shocked to see this type of formation, otherwise I would assume we have two forwards. That out of the way, I voted for Buddle and I will concede I was biased by what I saw over the weekend BUT also by what I have seen over the past couple years. It should be noted that it was less than a year ago we were discussing EJ in much the same way we are discussing Edson now. Not prediciting deja vu, but there is that chance. However, the player I am really rooting for is Clint. I would love to seem him regain the form which made him our premiere striker going into the Cup in '02. I think the danger of his shot outside the box and his creativity could open up a lot of action for us.
Clint would be the choice - has the skills, vision and 'take on all comers' attitude I like to see in a striker. But my perception of him is a guy who takes his ability for granted, doesn't work hard enough to get himself in shape to play at a high level for 90 (or even 75) minutes, and is a cause of friction in the team and with his coaches. Aleko is speedy, has the ability to create space for his shot in the box, a good left foot (to compliment EJ's right) and will make the unselfish run to draw the defense, but he's too much like EJ in that he needs service and is not a good passer. At the present, I don't think he's the ideal choice. Ching, for all the cussing I did at him in the Guat game, did manage to get himself in position to miss three sitters - there's something to be said for that. He has impressed me with his workrate, and is big enough to hold the ball and is an all-around capable striker, without being brilliant. For now, I don't see anyone better.
Buddle has been capped: http://columbus.crew.mlsnet.com/MLS/players/bio.jsp?team=coc&player=buddle_e&playerId=bud148317 I can't remember who the opponent was, though...
Buddle earned his only cap (thus far) as an 80th minute substitute (came on for McBride) in a friendly vs. Venezuela in Seattle. March 29, 2003. http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/2003/mar29.htm
If Alecko continues to progress, I would like to see him up top for the Nats. I have not seen Buddle really, so I cannot comment on him.
I'd like to see EJ alongside Sepp Blatter during the trophy presentation. As far as playing alongside I'd have to go with G. Rossi.
Looking down the list, I think we're weak in that spot right now, and it's wide open. Some of those names stand out, but I would rather see them on the wings (Donovan, Beasley, maybe Adu). There's still time for all the players on the list to get even better. Adu shows the potential to be a forward who can make his own goals, and there are very few of those in the world.
Ching or Buddle. I just hope Johnson stays healthy as he has the total package of size speed and skill. Ching has all the tools as well to play as a target forward. He just has been unlucky of late with his finishing.
I voted Donovan. I like his ability in a place where he's positioned to score goals (not like he's the best passer in the universe, so he won't be that missed in midfield). Won't happen though - Bruce seems to really, really, really, really like having a target man. So do I, for that matter - but I think there's a complete lack of an appropriate candidate in the ranks right now. McBride was good in that role - but there's nobody to replace him. Ching has looked completely insufficient.
On paper, maybe Ching... however, given that youth tends to be favored upon it looks like Buddle would be paired alongside GAM... Ching will be 28 by the time of Germany 2006, so who knows how he would progress--Buddle will only be 25 years old when the tournament hits. He's going to need a good deal of caps combined with club play if he will warrant a look. And, in the case of Ching it helps to score in a WCQ but with GAM on a roll... Cheers.
Well, there are different ways of interpretting this question. Who do I really want to see? Well, probably Freddy Adu. I don't think Arena is going to give in to pressure to play Adu, so if we see him along side Johnson that will clearly mean that Adu has made extraordinary progress and is really and truly on his way to living up to all the hype. That's what I really want to see. I don't think it's realistic, however.
Hi from Germany. I like this thread. Now I have "the secret" list of American players who will come to Germany in 2006. I think I´m going to sell it our coach Klinsman and Manager Bierhoff. It is very good thread to have a very good overview about all american player who have potential to come to Germany. I know only the best American players and that player that play in Europa. So I ´m grateful for your great list here. I voted as well. Of course Donovan will be in Germany. I know it. No US national team without Landon. Gruss from bltleo GERMANY
Repeat post from the same question on the other subforum: Nobody would be my choice if it were up to me. For now: --------Johnson------------- Lewis----Donovan----Beasley- -----Mastro-----Reyna/Demp- Boca---Gibbs--Gooch---Dolo- For the WC: ---------Johnson---------- Beas-----Lando-------Gaven -----JOB-------Mastro----- Boca/Spec-------------Dolo -----Gibbs------Gooch----- The advantage of having one guy up top isn't just a loss of the need to find a partner for him, but also a loss of the need to find a suitable backup for that partner. Using an aggressive 4-5-1 not only gives Beasley, Donovan, Lewis, and Gaven the opportunity to attack aggressively (so long as they get back for each other), it works just as fine if you need to take out Johnson with a McBride there, or even a Mathis, if he's mature enough (though a Connor, Wolff, Buddle would be useless by himself, and thus wouldn't go to Germany). Eskandarian, Ching, and even Twellman might also work as a backup. Not sure about Arnaud, but he's getting about as much of a look as Esky and Buddle anyway. And we have more than enough aggressive, attacking midfielders. On the left, an aging Lewis could maintain a backup role, and a variety of players could also compete (Convey, Mapp, Alvarez, John, Adu). In center, Donovan's irreplacable in his natural position, but Reyna, Dempsey, Mathis all could play the role if neccesary. On the right, Beasley can substitute if neccesary, and hopefully Noonan and Phillapokos can compete for minutes too. The fact is, we are far deeper at attacking midfielder than striker. We should play to that comparative strength.
The people who aren't choosing Landon aren't choosing to sit him. At least most of them, I'd bet. Donovan has tended to play attacking midfield for the nats.
Oh, don´t be so mad at German. I did not vote him to sitting during World Cup I want to see him play. I´m his fan and very sad he left Leverkusen. But now I forgot that all and follow Donavan´s performance in MLS. Donovan is great midfielder. He will be dangerous for german national team. bltleo Leverkusen
Having donovan in the attacking mid slot paired with beasley seems the best fit for BOTH players. Right now, josh wolff paired with EJ would be my most preferred option, as the target options of ching, casey, mcbride aren't sufficiently performing. the biggest question between now and june 2006, is the direction to go, 4-5-1 or who emerges to partner EJ... hopefully, it gets settled on the pitch... as to adu, I just don't see him starting, although as an offensive sub, he could have a role on the squad.... eventually, i think we need to see how large ADU becomes before we settle on where to play him... but in 2010....EJ with Adu would make the type forward combo to lust about
Ching does nothing for me. Eskandarian creates his own chances best with back to goal in and around the area. That's really what we need. Would like to see more of Buddle too.
OK.....I cant take it any longer........ What does GAM stand for and who started calling Eddie Johnson by that name? "Goal a Match" is all I can come up with? Sorry for the BS ignorance! Oh yeah, I think Bruce will pair EJ with either McBride, Donovan or Wolff depending on matchups, injuries, etc.......also wish Ching would convert some chances because he sure gets a few......