I guess the OBVIOUS first choice would be Donovan. I would love to say Pope, but Eddie's not a VOCAL guy & a team captain SHOULD be vocal. Eddie's too laid back to be the USMNT's captain. If not Donovan, how about Mastroeni?? A team captain MUST lead by example & IMHO Pablo is the perfect choice, based on that criteria. Pablo also looks like he is a VERY vocal player. O'Brien would also be a great choice for captain, based on his composure & abilities. I might question whether of not, JOB is vocal enough to be captain. Donovan, Mastroeni or JOB??? Either one of them would be a solid choice for USMNT captain. My personal choice, though, would be Mastroeni.
If we anticipate Reyna to be the captain for a couple more years, I think Donovan would be the best choice. He can be a vocal, inspirational leader on the field. And he can also keep his head when things could get tense or controversial. He might be a young captain at 23 or 24, but I think he could handle it.
Reyna took the captaincy when he was 25, not too far off from where people are thinking Donovan would take it.
Pope. Only Pope. This is so obvious, I am surprised any other name comes up. US Soccer has to connect to African American youths. Pope's profesionalism, his superb play, his demostrated ability to organize and steady the back, where America is still most vulnerable, is all the reasons I need. Add in his natural appeal to all fans, and especially to African Americans, and Pope is the no brain pick for Captain when Reyna leaves.
I LOVE Pope's ability & steadiness in the backline too, counterattack. And I know he's respected by the rest of the USMNT. I just question his vocal leadership & his comfort level with that type of role. IMHO a team captain MUST be vocal & I haven't seen Pope being comfortable with that responsibility, unfortunately.
Even though he is not the best singer in the world, it has to be JOB. I would love to see a ceremony where Reyna passes the armband to his replacement.
I'm sorry, but I have not seen, or I guess heard, where Pope lacks vocal chords. As you well know, you can not play in the back and not be able to communicate. And you definetly can not play at his level without being able to speak up. Also, JOB has numerous qualities, but Captain is as much a symbolic honor as it is a job. I think it is essential to growing soccer in the US to have our African American players in key roles. We need to make sure that our team is openly balanced with oportunities for everyone. I am hoping that more Asian Americans can find their way into the International pool. Bottom line, though, is our greatest potential lies in the talent that comes from the inner cities, which is heavily weighted with African Americans. Our model must remain the Brazilian team, where soccer is as much a social engine as it is a game. We need a National Team that is a brilliant mix of suburban and inner city kids, from all races and ethnic origins. That is the American team that will dominate and win numerous World Cups.
My Top 2: 1. Pablo Mastroeni - Stalwart defender, knows how to move upfield, can control his temper (ex. The Blanco - Mastroeni exchange in WC Quaterfinal) 2. Eddie Pope - Quality field man, team player
I don't understand why the choice of a captain needs to touch on some kind of social consciousness. You are simply looking for the player that is the best leader for your team. To me, that involves not just on the field, but also things off the field, like dealing with the media. Maybe he would rise to the occasion, but Eddie Pope seems a little bit too reserved to be a vocal off the field leader. JOB looks like he would be comfortable in that role, both on and off the field. But others may emerge over the next couple years to be ready by the time Reyna finally does decide to retire from the Nats, which I doubt will happen until after the 2006 Cup.
Captain is far more than an symbolic honor. Anyway at least it should be. Spare me the affirmative action argument for Pope to be a captain. I would have no problem with Pope as captain, although I think JOB is a far better candidate. But making Pope captain because he is black is preposterous. Check out some of the U-17 pictures posted on other threads. seems to me there are quite a few African Americans in the national pool.
If Kyle Martino cracks the first 11 by 2006 - and I think he very well might - then I suspect he'll be putting up a fight for the captaincy. In fact, I think he might be the Crew's captain next season, if his demonstrated on-field leadership has anything to do with it.
I thought Harkes had the job.... seriously, I'd go with JOB. He's everything Reyna was always supposed to be.
Okay thanks. Can't see that non-soccer related issues (such as Pope's ethnicity) will ever matter much, then (which is good, because the suggestion doesn't make much sense), because a coach would look primarily at how the choice of somebody as captain would affect the current members of the team and their play. World peace, player development and recruitment issues are too much to be loaded onto that decision, too. What are the criteria Arena has (or appears to have) used in selecting his captains? 2 way players? Tend force a game to be played their/his way? Clubhouse guys? ...?
Well considering Reyna was the only captain he chose for the Nats, I think the criteria he used was who is my best and most influential player? Who has the most experience and who is universally respected throughout the soccer world? Most teams and countries usually pick the most recognized player, usually the best player, but not always, see brazil, italy, germany, the one who has the universal respect of his teammates, the fans, the opposition, the refs, etc. To me that player has to be JOB. He has it all, skill, poise, respect of his teammates, fans and opponents.
Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, how about Chris Armas? If healthy, he certainly should get the nod over Mastro or Pope and possibly JOB.
Well its highly debateable that Chris will ever be a central figure for the team again. Not so much because of his injury, but Mastro would be passing him by at this point regardless. Remember he's 30 or about to turn very soon. Other than that, he would be a very good captain. He certainly has the respect of his teammates and when on his game brings a real fighting spirit to the team.
We should pick the captain based on race? Are you serious? In any event, Pope seems too reserved. In fact, so does JOB at this point, though he may emerge over time. I think Mathis could be an interesting choice. He was wearing the armband this weekend for the Stars.
Re: Re: Who will be the US's next captain? I think the last person the team needs is Mathis. Not so sure where his loyalty lies, with himself or with the team.