We've seen Albright's play for several years and it is serviceable at best, and severely deficient at worst. So why don't we evaluate more options at right back for the USMNT? Ironically, it seems that we have a lot of quality left backs right now -- Bornstein, Pearce, Dunivant, Burciaga ... why not shift one of those to the gaping hole on the right side? Even someone like Larentowitz would be a welcome addition IMO. I expect Spector to be the *real* right back during this cycle (sorry, Dolo, your time is running out) ... but we need someone good to compete for this spot. Albright is NOT it. Last year I thought Wynne was going to break out, and although he did have some good play, it was somewhat erratic. It will be interesting to see how he has progressed through the off-season. Either way ... let's leave Chris at home and get someone out there that can actually improve our team...
Dolo is the penciled in starter at right back for the near future. He's probably the most unappreciated Yank abroad. I mean, he's a starter and sometimes captain of a Bundesliga team that's in 7th place right now. Spector is in the second spot, followed by the MLS guys. I like Wynne, too, and hopefully he'll push for the spot. As far as MLS right backs, how many are definitely better than Albright? The list is REAL short. Trust me, he'll play in either the Gold Cup or Copa America this summer. I know, it makes people cringe, but I think it's almost a certainty.
The real reason is b/c Bradley has to try and win now to keep his job. Albright is the best in MLS for winning today. Bradley made horrendous choices for his new RB auditions. Namoff and Gros? Neither one plays RB for DC because DC doesn't have outside backs. Why force it at the NT level for two highly mediocre candidates. But that said, Bradley did try something. It may not have been Wynne like everyone generally agress on but it was something. As to moving LB's to RB, in general they will play less efficiently on their opposite foot. Think about how Beasley plays at RM as opposed to LM. So basically would Heath Pearce at RB really be better than Albright? I'm doubting it. You would need an obviously better guy to even think about it, like when it was Beasley over Ralston or something. And we're comparing RB #3 vs. LB #1, not fair imo.
LOL... I have been saying this for over a year. He has been the worst player on the field for either team against Mexico and Denmark. I am shocked that after years and years of improvement we still field players will such a poor level of skill (both attacking and defending) and understanding of the game. He can barely pass the ball, can't cross the ball, can't defend one versus one, can't start the attack, gets lost defensively, has poor timing on tackles, and oh yeah, can't defend one versus one.... He couldn't play forward and is just as bad at RB. I would rather us play ANYONE but him. U-23, U-20, or U-17 player. I don't care.
Steve Cherundolo is the starter until someone takes it away. Jon Spector will push him for the spot. Marvell Wynne, if he pans out, could claim the spot in the future. Chris Albright is not the worst player in the world. His form with the Galaxy was outstanding at times last year. Contrary to what is said here, he can play in a decent cross occasionally (for an example of someone who can't cross, watch Brian Namoff look completely lost while in a crossing position late in the game against Denmark.) He's actually pretty solid in the air, and picks his times to go forward with intelligence. He'll hold the fort at right back in the all-MLS friendlies until Marvell improves enough to start forcing his way into the team. In the meantime, he's not taking away minutes from anyone. If he starts in March over Cherundolo and Spector when all the Euros are called in, then I would agree. Otherwise, I just don't see the issue.
probably for the same reasons as stated in all the other Christ Albright threads: No F-ing idea. seriously, nobody can explain that one to me.
yes he is. you should see him play sometime. I notice in your list of attributes it doesn't including 'defends well.' and since he's, you know, a defender that should be worth mentioning. and he may go foward 'with intelligence' but then he makes a play while he proceeds to cram his own head up his ass. no he won't. he struggles to keep his head above the water. yes, he is. I mean seriously ... what's his future with the team? is there any role he can play for us in any meaningful game? The answer is no. So why are we bothering with him? Give minutes to a younger player. We know what Chris Albright is. We get it. There are at least 11 other starting right backs in MLS. there are players that could be tried at that position. there are hundreds of players who have that one quality that we need -- I call it the 'Not Chris Albright Quality'. give all of them a shot. If we're gonna trot out a mediocre right back who offers little besides making the fans panic at seeing his name in the lineup, give a young guy a shot. Give the shot to the guy who might develop into something. Chris Albright is what he is at this point. An average MLS player.
Ringo, I get it. You're a Quakes fan and hate the Gals. But leave your silly ranting for the rivalries forum. Chris Albright is the best RB in a 4-4-2 in MLS right now. Wynne may pass him this season, but he hasn't yet. That's why "still Albright." People need to watch games. That's my opinion.
Didn't Josh Gros sub in for Albright? Burciaga's defense in MLS is a joke. Bornstein and Pearce are nice prospects. Dunivant wasn't good enough to merit a game despite being in camp. Sigh. The cycle just started.
no, you don't get it. explain to me why Landon is my favorite Nat? c'mon, smart guy. Why do I always come on here and defend Landon? But wait, it's just because I hate the Galaxy. Yeah, you don't get it all.
in my opinion, Chris Albright would make a good Right Winger (that could cover RB if need be). And that's a spot we're short at. However, at 31 next cup, i see him getting exposed more and more. The main reason why i don't like him at RB is that he lacks the ability to close people down quickly. A quick LM (Guardado) will burn him everytime even though he's actually pretty fast. But Albright is still a good player. He delivers good crosses and he's one of the best on corners we have. Plus, his performance at RM against Chelsea was great. So, i'm not quite ready to pull the plug on him.
iam sure you could but albright is actually right footed and has speed and size and offensive ability which coaches like for some reason
The national team is not a developmental squad. The best available players play. Chris Albright damn well might be the best right back available in world cup qualifier next year, so that's his future with the team right there. Both Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley apparently think there's some value in bringing him in. Place that fact in juxaposition with a bigsoccer poster saying 'he's the worst player i've ever seen' or 'try any player other than him' and it's clear that one of these opinions is completely without merit. Now which one do you think it is?
I am not an Albright hater. But he just isn't USMNT material as evidenced by his display against Denmark and to a lesser extent against Mexico. Let's face it, we have Cherundolo who is the locked in starter at RB. We have a legitimate backup RB in Spector. For all intesive purposes we need only two players at RB...but the goal of these friendlies (and the Copa/Gold) is to build depth for the team. So then who do we go with.....Simek is one person who should get a look as should Wynne. Let's face it nearly everyone on these boards expects Wynne to develop into the RB for the USMNT in the future. Very few people are as fast as that guy, he just needs to start hitting Cherundolo crosses instead of Hejduk crosses. So the question becomes why waste a spot on Albright? It is better to start building up Wynne and Spector (and Simek to a lesser extent). The only explanation is that Spector and Simek are completely unavailable. In that case all starts should go to wynne. Let the guy improve within the USMNT. Start exposing him to the process. We are just wasting precious caps on Chris Albright.
Actually he can cross fairly well and is a threat on set pieces. Don't think I'm endorsing him because his defense is very poor and a massive liability. He could be a stopgap at RM because he likes to get forward. Right now it's Cherundolo, Spector and Albright on the depth chart IMO. I hope Wynne makes his move this year also.
it's all pretty easy Albright can help us against such horrible CONCACAF teams that we face before the hex...but that's it. For the more important games we get Cherundolo and Spector will be developed by the time the hex rolls around, and even Wynne may be up to those standards by late 2008/early 2009. But we use Albright early in CONCACAF qualifying so we don't piss off club teams by calling in Cherundolo and Spector for EVERY qualifying match.
what do you mean? i think they should use the 3-5-2 cb=conrad cb=onyewu cb=boca dm=mastro dm=clark rwm=dempsey/donovan lwm=beasly/convey am=donovan/convey/dempsey st=rolfe/donvon target=ching/copper what do you think?
it can work against some teams, but not most. You'd really have to make sure our outside middies cover on D well, we can't pull this off against great attacking teams.
why? its not like are side defenders really defend too well anyways in a 4 4 2. its the perfect lineup right there
We'd be shredded by teams with fast wing attackers who can cross. Absolutely shredded. Not a real problem in CONCACAF, but that's not our ultimate goal.