If the US goes into a shootout, who are our 5 PK takers (could you imagine if this had happened against Germany -- Kahn v. Friedel)? I know this is random, but we haven't had one in a while...our last shootout was v. Mexico in the Gold Cup with Friedel, right? I'm asking because I have no idea who would step up for us. Mathis, then...?
I think if we had done it against Germany, just by judging who was on the field it would have been Mathis, JOB, Donovan, Reyna, and either Lewis or Sanneh. But if I had to pick any five it'd be the same first four but McBride instead of Lewis/Sanneh.
If it looked like we were going to PK we'd take out someone and bring on Joe Max-Moore...my guess would have been Sanneh or Donovan
You're right on that, and I don't know who I'd have chose. Donovan, the guy who couldn't beat Kahn all day and may have been intimidated a bit, or Sanneh, the guy who probably wanted to cry after missing that header. Tony probably lies awake at night thinking about that header.
our last PK shootout was against canada in last year's gold cup semi-final. game was tied 0-0 at the end of regulation and extra periods. we won 4-2 on shots with keller in goal.
no problem, i cannot remember who took the kicks for us but i know that both of canada's that were stopped were saved by keller in nice fashion...
With either Keller or Friedel in goal, I would feel confident about our chances in any shootout. I'm not sure if this is in Our Way or anything (my Dad hasn't shipped it over to me yet), but I'd be interested to see how much time Arena spent on PKs during the World Cup practices. I remember reading some article in an old FourFourTwo that Ireland in '90 had PKs at the end of practice for two weeks. The coach instructed the players to pick a spot, and for two weeks, they only shot to their spot so that it became instinct. Ireland ended up winning their Round of 16 game on PKs, and a player in the article mentioned how vital that practice was. This could be part of becoming a "savvy" soccer nation -- if we were in a position to take a game to PKs, you would have to think we would do so.
FWIW ... Donovan doesn't take PKs for the Quakes, Ronnie Ekelund does. maybe it's not one of this strenghts, maybe it is. who knows?
generally speaking you don't trust something like PKs, where its about pressure and guts, to a 20 year old. I mean, I could probably score a PK in practice against Oliver Kahn, but me out there during the world cup I'd probably miss the ball, slip, and tear an ACL.
I realize it was a couple of years ago, but Donovan didn't exactly exude confidence during our shootout against Japan(?) in the Olympics... He looked terrified as he approached the ball, but then again he nailed it.
PK takers Vagenas was very good in the Olympics. Does he take them for the Galaxy? In any case, in the event of an impending shoot-out, Vagenas could be subbed in towards the end of a tied match. That is, if he gets on the roster!
Donovan has taken at least one PK for the Quakes, back in 2001 against the Revs in Foxboro. He scored. I like Noah's list. If Agoos isn't on the pitch, then O'Brien in. Tony
US shootout I remember back in qualifying when the US played Hondorus in Wash DC, when the US was awarded the PK, Stewart took it. Later, after the game, I remember Arena saying he didn't care who took it as long as it went in.
I like Noah's list as well... unfortunately, I wouldn't want to shoot with only 4 guys. From the guys that were on the field in the World Cup Quarterfinals (man I love saying that) against Germany, I would go Mathis, Stewart, Donovan, O'Brien and Lewis. Right now, picking 5 I would go Mathis, McBride, Donovan, O'Brien, and Klein
It wasn't my list. Those were the guys who were used in the 2000 Gold Cup semfinal. There were only 4 shooters because the USA won in 4 rounds.
Every one of our World Cup players has the ability to nail a PK... at least in practice. The only question is who has the guts and the confidence to do it under pressure. Take the first five who volunteer.
This is a timely post for me. As many of you know, I am writing a book on the U.S. in this past Cup. Anyway, just this past weekend I was going over the Germany game and again fumed when Hugh Dallas did not award us the penalty. After regaining my composure, I began to wonder who would have taken it. The debate over who our five takers would be is interesting, but my question is, who would have taken THAT one. Keep in mind, neither Mathis nor Stewart were on yet. My guess is it would have been Reyna, or at least it would have been Reyna's decision as captain. McBride and Donovan each had 2 goals in Korea and O'Brien one. BTW, the book is nearly complete. It has been a ball to write, but also the hardest thing I have ever done. It should be out sometime around late April.