4.15.2010

U.S. national team forward spots remain up for grabs - Jen Chang - SI.com

U.S. national team forward spots remain up for grabs - Jen Chang - SI.com

I bet we discuss this issue a few times in the next month and a half.
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5 comments:

  1. J HunterApril 16, 2010 at 12:14 AM

    First off, I'm not a fan of Conor Casey, Kenny Cooper, Eddie Johnson, or Brian Ching.

    Just looking at the names in this article and checking out the player pool, I would vote for Jozy as the lone striker with a complement of several potential partners that could step in depending on the game.

    For instance, depending on how our midfield looks, I would favor throwing a Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey up top (esp. if the Beas is back and can start as an outside half).

    And even if Davies can only play 15 - 20 min. off the bench- I'd say he's worth bringing along. That kind of energy/speed off the bench can change a dynamic of a game and I'd prefer that to 90 min. of Brian Ching any day.

    Also, I'm obviously partial but I would looove if someone young like Marcus Tracy (Wake alum, had him in class as a TA) who would learn so much from going to a WC would make the trip. Again, I'd prefer a pick like this than having a Brian Ching or Eddie Johnson go and be all mediocre like they always are. We have to build for the future and I'm sorry, these two have had their chance.

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  2. DMH JrApril 16, 2010 at 6:13 AM

    I watched Tracy play in the NCAA tourney that Wake was in, he was an impressive player. I am still not convinced a slot for Davies is worth it, he can't be ready and rushing him is not a good idea. We saw Conor play in Denver over Easter and I would not mind seeing him put on the squad.

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  3. BernardoApril 16, 2010 at 10:25 AM

    I'm with Julie on this and do not like any of our traditional forwards we've tried the past couple of years. And quite frankly I'm slightly disappointed with Bradley for doing such a poor job securing this crucial spot. He needs to give this Gomez kid a try and should have done it long ago. I'm starting to think our coach is not a fan of hispanic players. How can the leading scorer in the Mexican league not get a look up til now? Success in the MLS has never equated to success internationally yet he keeps trying with these strikers.

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  4. DMH JrApril 17, 2010 at 7:10 AM

    I believe Latino players have always faced discrimination in the US elite player training programs. Those programs for younger players are substantially controlled by the US Youth Soccer. White, suburban youth player have access to better training and playing opportunities while growing up. This is not a conscious thing just the way it is. Bradley may be overlooking Gomez because of that but remember the only US coach who was fluent in Spanish as well as English was Sampson.

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  5. PeterApril 17, 2010 at 10:35 AM

    That may be true, but we have to remember that this is the first year that Gomez has done anything of note. He spent a few years in MLS and did very little. So while I would like to see him get a crack, I don't think his exclusion from the camp has to do with him being Latino.

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