He's not going to be our savior in the midfield: He has no experience. He plays too slow. He can be blown over by a stiff wind. He can't finish to save his life. Let's face it, Kyle Martino had a couple of really good games to start the MLS season, but it took the rest of the league all of five minutes to figure him out. He was already beginning to be shut down by other teams (witness the Crew playing him out on the wing vs DC to hide him) before he left for France. His only international experience was in Argentina during the U-20 championships, and he was in over his head. Sure, he'll probably be a decent pro and maybe contribute to the US team, but he's nowhere close now.
Right which is why for experience sake we run out Jovan Kirovski. All people are calling for is some quality time to see what the kid can do. He has vision and is one of the very few players in the USMNT pool who can make a very penetrating pass in the final third of the field with his vision. The problem is clearly that we are deep at A-mid. Very deep. So he just needs to come into camp, get some good practice with the USMNT, and play well in MLS. He is young and has potential though.
I don't think a lot of people really expect him to be any sort of savior on this team. We are deep at A Mid, but he is young and has shown promise. In a tournament that has no significance internationally, or for WC qualification, why not give the kid a shot. Obviously with the team we put out on the field, the goal was not necessarily to win. Arena told us that. He's using this as an opportunity to see what the kid is capable of. My guess is that we'll see him eventually in France, probably surrounded by a little more experience because he's green. But I don't REALLY think people are serious that he's a savior of any sorts. He's a solid youth with potential that has shown well enough at the MLS level that he's attracted they eye of the coach. That's all he has right now. The same can be said for a lot of our youth. But you never know what they're capable of until you try. Look at how Landon and DeMarcus have turned out.
No doubt he needs some to hit the weights. But don't forget that he is also the most fouled player in MLS...because he is extremely dangerous. He needs some time to mature, and in three years he should be there. I've been most intrigued by Arena's quote about finding players that will help you qualify, and players that will help you succeed in the world cup. Martino is a World Cup guy....take that to the bank!
just for the record, we are not deep at AMID. we have players who can point to a roster and say that it's their position, but it's not like we have three or four world-class players there (or even one). kyle martino is in a far better situation than, say, joe cannon or marcus hahneman as far as being a real possibility for the future. He'll get his chance and he should. whether he's the solution ... who the hell knows. but there's only one way to find out. nobody has wrapped up a-mid or even come close to showing that they will. So I say give martino his chance, give anybody who's shown the least bit ability a chance. maybe we'll find the answer. whoever that is.
Our infield looked rather invisible on thursday. I don't see how it could hurt to throw Martino out there and see what he's got. Based on what I've heard/read, it certainly sounds like Martino was brought along to immerse him in the scene rather than actually see a lot of playing time, I don't believe going into the tournament he was expected to see much, if any time on the field. But after the thursday game, I imagine Arena may want to put him out there in the second half against Brazil, particularly if we are getting clobbered. He may play as a second half sub, and I see no problem at all with that, I think expecting him to start either of the next two games is probably a pipe dream.
I don't think he and a few other players should have been brought to this tournament. I don't consider tournament play the same as a friendly. He should at this point in time be playing only in friendlies. He should not start against Brazil. However, if we lose or draw against Brazil we are out of the tournament. In that case he must start in the last game against Cameroon and play 90 minutes. Hopefully, he does something to help us win the last game. Richie
To reiterate what was said above. This is a virtually meaningless tounement. Whether the US does well or not as a team is not the point here. The idea is to see how players react in high pressure, international game situations where they might have to play multiple matches in a short time and maintain a high level of effectiveness. Frankly, I was one of the many Donovan doubters and frowned upon the idea of having him start against Portugal last summer. Look how he turned out. Same for Beas. Martino is a kind of player that the US has only recently started developing and this tournement, not the Gold Cup or true WC qualifying, is the perfect way to try him out. On a different note, I really wish that Bruce had given Jason Kreis another try instead of bringing Kirovski to this tournement.
he's played at youth levels for the united states. and explain to me how you get experience w/o ever getting the chance to play? what the hell is it going to hurt to give him a run out? so slow in fact that he is the most fouled person in mls see above. his first job is not to be a finisher, he is there to set the forwards up to score goals...has he blown chances this season with the crew? sure. but who doesn't. if you only had a clue. first, the game was against the metrostars and the reason he was sent out there was to avoid having to play through the middle of the field with two d-mids in clark and williams lining up there...with williams shadowing him time. putting him outside avoided having to face two players, in fact it was a rare sight of brilliance from andrulis. so you were able to witness all the matches and make those conclusions? man, you must be a better judge of talent that bruce...perhaps you should head over to france and take over?
There are no unimportant tournaments in my mind at the national level. Kreis has proved he is not particularly dangerous at the National level. Too early to tell about Twellman, but he is on his way to the same end. I hope that changes for his sake and the teams.
Where have you gone Kyle Martino? HEY BRUCE, OUR CENTRAL MIDFIELD IS A LITTLE OLD. WHY NOT TRY TO GET SOME NEW BLOOD IN THE MIX? THERE'S A YOUNG GUY ON THE BENCH THAT NEEDS EXPERIENCE AT THIS LEVEL (ESPECIALLY IN MEANINGLESS TOURNAMENTS LIKE THIS). HIS NAME IS M-A-R-T-I-N-O In all seriousness, I like to watch the younger guys develop. It would seem to me that Martino could learn allot. Plus, I'd love to see Convey and Kyle play together in the Central Mid.
I am all for giving Martino a shot, but Cameroon plays a physical brand of soccer that Martino may have trouble coping with. Brazil presented his best opportunity for success because their open style of play leaves a lot of room in the middle for gifted midfielders to exploit. Martino may have to wait awhile for his debt appearance for the Nats.
Hear, hear! I haven't seen much of Martino, but from what everyone's said, it sounds like he's our best young midfield captain. I hope Bruce wakes up and plays Kyle from the start on Monday and Kyle shows up with a vengeance.
After Turkey and Brazil, I don't think Cameroon's "tough" play is going to be a threat to Martino more than it is to anyone else. He might get fouled hard, but if Beas can take it, so can he. Especially after today and Thursday, I want to see someone TRY to marshall our midfield. Don't know if Kyle can, but dammit, I expect him to at least try. And as long as no one else is willing or able to step into that role, we have to take a look at someone who is. Monday is the perfect chance to break in a player like Martino. Let him experience top-notch play. If he's a fish out of water, we'll find out, but if he puts in a good effort, Bruce may discover someone who can be a real leader in the next 2-3 years and beyond. A caveat - if Martino plays poorly on Monday (should he play), I do not want him relegated to the USMNT graveyard like Berhalter has been by BSers.
Martino is still too small to play at this level. Let him develop on the U23's and the MLS. Oh and he needs a haircut
With all due respect a Convey-Martino tandem in center midfield would get torn to shreds they are both fine, fine players. but neither of them have the tenacity or the seasoning to hold their own without some help. We will see martino, probably teamed with armas, and we'll see how he holds up.
Tell us if you still have that same opinion after the game tonight. Martino, in 60 minutes, was our most exciting player of the tourney, along with Dabeas
Um.. he said that a Convey-Martino tandem wouldnt hold its own, not a Martino-Armas or even a Martino-Convey-Armas midfield. Considering that it was the latter that was played tonight, I dont think his point is effected.
ok, you're typing so you probably don't need to type "um". Anyway, you'll see, it was a MARTINO midfield.
I use "um" for effect when spoken, as kind of an excuse me Id like to interject something. Since its part of the actually sentence structure for me and not just a random sound, it works into my written sentences from time to time. Bad grammer, but no need to get snippy about it its not like it made the sentence hard to understand. As for it being a "Martino" midfield, Im sure it was offensively. You dont see anyone including Armas for offensive purposes. Im therefore pretty sure that the objection to the Martino-Convey midfield was that it wouldnt be disruptive enough of the opponents attack. So my point was that he didnt object to Martino, or Convey, but the idea of them playing together in central midfield without someone backing them up and that this game didnt do anything to refute that, as Armas was in there to back them up.
no, it just sounds condescending. I don't want to sound like a smart ass here, but there are always people there to back up the midfield - the defenders. When you watch the game, you will see that Armas was essentially playing on the back line. The midfield was Martino and Convey, with Lewis and Dolo on the wings. Don't take my word for it though, watch the game.