It seems that there are a number of threads addressing the pros and cons of sending a "B" team out there against Jamaica for our next WCQ. Some people are of the opinion that it's important to do what we can to knock Jamaica out in order to make our path down the road somewhat easier against a Panama or E.S. Others believe that this is simply a great opportunity to give a meaningful game to some of the youngsters such as Buddle, E.J., etc. My question is this: Are we really still that worried that our "B" team can't get the job done? I like to think that the USMNT has come so far depth-wise that even our "B" team youngsters, playing with vitality and verve, would have an excellent chance at home to put a few past the Reggae Boyz. I think that when you give a bunch of youngsters the chance to prove themselves, they will. They will give 100% in this match, as opposed to probably some of the older guys who will mail it in since the next round is already in the bag. I think this is the perfect match to get in our youngsters and I also am confident that they can get a good result against Jamaica - no world beaters themselves. Our kids can do the job - think about it. Gaven, Dempsey, Buddle, E.J., Marshall, etc. Will they have some growing pains? Of course, but they're now seasoned professionals and not a bunch of college kids. They can do it and I think they'll put a lot more effort into the match than the older guys. Either way, I'll be happy with either team we trot out there, but I just think that there's too much doom and gloom out there about a young team since people don't think that they can knock Jamaica out. I think they can.
The kids could do the job, but they also might royally screw up and hurt their confidence. You also have to be careful when you talk about the "older guys". Are these older European players like Mathis, McBride or Berhalter? Older MLS guys who have been in the fold recently like Zavagnin, Mastroeni, Hejduk, and Pope? Or older MLS guys who are on the outside looking in like Olsen, Ralston, Kirovsky, Suarez, Garcia, Victorine, or Cunningham? By older I mean old relative to a 17-year old EG or 20-year old EJ; I don't consider Victorine to be old. The problem is that Bruce can select a side that is full of "older" MLS guys --who have been in the pool over the last two years but not recently -- that would put in a lot of effort to prove that they belong. I agree that EJ and EG should be called in and play a full 90 minutes. I think the other players -- Buddle, Clark, Marshall, and Dempsey -- are more likely to get called into a January camp where they can be assessed over a longer period and be given time to acclimate, much in the same way that Martino and Noonan were over the last two years. The selfish side of me wants all these guys called in right away; but Bruce's strategy of slowly working them in, letting them learn the ropes from the veterans and earning that first cap does work. That process doesn't work as well if 5 or 6 players with no caps or camps suddenly show up for the first practice. Where Bruce would make a mistake is playing a Cobi Jones over someone like EJ or EG who have already gone through that process.
When something matters you stack the odds as far as you can in your favor. If it's 50-50, you try to make it 60-40. If it's 98-2, you go for 99-1. NEVER give ground until someone takes it from you.
It's all about winning. Don't let up. Don't play anyone that isn't ready or can't help you win. There's no reason to try and season the young guns. How many WCQ did DeMarcus participate in - in 2001? Knock out Jamaica, now. Forget about that our "B" team should be able to do this or that. Bruce's job is to win and let everyone know in the HEX that USA is coming to play every game. All of this being said, I'd consider resting some (not all) of the European players.
I am sure Bruce will play the guys who have been called into camp recently, but not played. People like Gooch, Eddie Gaven, etc. I seriously doubt we'll see players on the field who have never been invited to camp. But, you never know. Perhaps we'll see this: -----------------KK Frankie-----Gooch---Pope---Gibbs -----------Demsepy----Kay-Z -------------LD------Gaven ------------EJ---------Twellman
Exactly. Why would we want to let a known quantity like Jamaica hang around. Who wants to go back to Kingston to play another game. There are other things in Jamaica to do. NO Knock them out now!!!!!
Are we talking about having our "B Team" or a team of youngsters? I personally believe that we have enough talent to win, but the inexpierence of the younger players might hurt us and make it much closer than it should be. Besides, its pretty hard to know who is an A teamer and who is a B teamer at this point since we never seem to have everbody healthy at the same time. I believe that Bruce will call in the best team he can without calling in many Euro-based players or those who just played in MLS Cup. I would like to see Marshall and Gooch called in, along with guys like Gaven, EJ, Sanneh, Buddle, and Dolo...either those who are coming back from time away from the National Team (Sanneh) or are just starting to break into it (EJ, Gaven, etc).
Everyone called the team that played mexico, and dominated, mexico earlier this year our "b" team. i think the right mix of youth and exsperience could easily win a home game against jamaica. leave the exsperience euros in europe, let them rest, and bring in the younger euros we dont know much about yet.
Exactly... -----Mathis-Johnson --Convey--LD---Gaven ----------Pablo Spector-Gibbs-Pope-Russell ---------Howard I don't honestly know if Russell can or does play RB but that would be my starting line-up if he does/can. If the real Cletus shows up this team beats Jamaica 3-1.
Russell does play RB. Treetaliano linked up the Yanks Abroad article that says he's getting called in. (I'm too tired and lazy to link the link right now.)
i think this one is the most likely, also it is a mix of new guys + still very capable of winning without too many hiccups from youth.
The problem with this idea, is that it was the youngsters and less-capped MLS vets that went out and beat the crap out of Panama. It was the older, more experienced, wiser Euros that had trouble getting past El Salvador. It's all about balance. Since this last game matters less than it could under other circumstances, the risk of experimenting with the lineup a little is less. Given that the last experiment could only be described as "wildly successful", I'm not convinced that going with an all-MLS side or blooding some guys we haven't seen consistently for the last six months equates to giving away the farm.
To be honest, I am more worried of spending my vacation to only see the USMNT B Team guys. I think even our B Team can beat Jamaica, but I was really looking forward to seeing Boca, Keller and maybe even O'brien. But I am confident that Arena sees this game as important and will call up a good team... even IF the goalie is a MLS player (just kidding).
For me, gaven and onyewu and johnson are the guys who I want to see against Jamaica. Throw in too many new faces, and lack of team chemistry is a problem. That's why the getting called in to camps repeatedly and becoming familiar with one another is significant. and that's why getting buddle and russell into camp to get that familiarity is a big step towards eventually playing... as to jamaica....they're the TEAM who has something to play for, and playing against a WOUNDED team can be very dangerous... it's do or die...and this cavalier attitude usa can just show up, walk out there and win is delusionary.....that's how losses occur.... and jamaica, while NOT then 1998 version has enough good players to get a victory
You are wrong there, the only less-capped MLS vet out there against Panama was Zavagnin. DMB and Donovan can't be called youngsters, nor can Boca. McBride, Behalter, Pope, Wolff, Lewis, Keller, and Heydude have been around forever. While EJ made a great impression, that game was over before he came in.