Who would you say is the MVP? Reyna - Captain, picked to the All World cup team Freidel - Amazing at times, scary at times, 6 goals Donovan - played all but 16 minutes, all over the field. Gave Portugal, Mexico and Germany something to remember JOB - quietly, or not so quietly, the best U.S. player? Sanneh - don't know where he pulled that performance out of, but...
I think it was Donovan. His versatility, speed, defense, endurance. You name it, he was there for the US. Without him, we don't even beat Portugal, and Bruce can't change lineups anywhere near the way he did. The sum of his contributions is what made him the MVP, IMO I love Claudio, but he didn't even play in the first game. The only reason he was all WC, was because he's probably the only player anyone who was voting knew. And Friedel stopped two penalty's but MVP? To me it was LD's ability to play anywhere and everywhere that made him so important.
You actually have other players besides LD??? It is Freidel bar none. How many PK did he save?? And if it wasn't for Agoos incompetancies, he would have an even better WC.
it's funny because i was about to start this thread when I went into this forum, and then i saw it was here! Anyway, I would say JOB. Anyone know his age?
Without Friedel, this team doesn't get out of the first round. Without question, the most valuable player - he more than made up for Agoos' play.
Tough choice, but I went with Sanneh. I know it's not the most popular choice, but the guy was amazing. He was a freakin wall, man. I only hope he's around at that form next go-round, although it seems a bit unlikely.
Sanneh glad to see that more people than just me thought this. quiet, understated, underappreciated, but when you looked out on that field for defensive action, he was the man!
Sanneh is my choice also. His play was magnificent throughout. He should have been chosen as one of the FIFA tournament all-stars.
Without Mathis' goal vs. Korea, we don't get out of the first round. WORLD CUP 2002 ({G+A} per 90) Mathis .882 (World Class) McBride .483 Donovan .415 The only question is who was the second best player. Sanneh?
Re: Sanneh They're all so good but, I'll go with Tony Sanneh. I agree: totally underated and should have been selected to the WC All-Star list. I think in general for a defender to stand out is extremely hard, and that's why I pick him over Brad. Brad is definitely, without a doubt, my second pick. Really close race...........
JOB 1. Icebreaker goal against Portugal. (Right place Right time) 2. Seeing eye "see the mohawk" assist against Korea. 3. Hand of JOB against Blanco when it was only 1-0. 4. Launched the counterattack by leading Lewis on Donovan's counterattack goal against Mexico. Did not have a bad game in the World Cup. Defended well, held the ball well and helped the offense. MVP hands down.
I want to go with Sanneh. However, I think it's too difficult to pick just one. All of the candidates you posted deserve that honor. But if I HAD to pick one, it would be Sanneh.
The hand of JOB must surely count against him. He nearly out Agoosed Agoos for the bone-head play of the WC. Additionally, it added moral justification for Dallas' obscene non-call.
His play was mediocre overall. We shouldn't set out sights that low. Any competent striker should do no worse.
I voted Sanneh, but JOB and Friedel are right there. I can't vote for Donovan just because I feel that he squandered too many chances (game winner against Korea, he should have scored against Germany). The reason I say Sanneh is that he was our best defender while also being an offensive force. His set up of McBride's goal against Portugal was awesome. I really wish Beasley and Mathis would have had more opportunities to make a mark. I really think they were our two players most primed for stardom. An injury and whatever it was from Mathis took that away.
McBride did not play mediocre, that's silly. I have never liked his play, but the guy had a great world cup. It's not his fault Bruce kept trotting him out there until he couldn't play at 100% As far as the other guys, you've convinced me on Sanneh and JOB. Donovan could have done better, but what I think made him our MVP (probably co-MVP now) is that his ability to play anywhere on the field is what enabled Bruce to play the lineups he did, which ultimately led to defeating Portugal and Mexico.