The Official US Soccer thread

[Stout]

You've got to be kidding. I'm assuming your "one viable striker" is Jozy. What is wrong with Buddle, who again, is probably currently the best American striker in the world. Not saying he holds that title all the time, just right now--and World Cup time is a good time to be peaking.

You've got to be kidding right back at you. Who? Is this another one of those MLS standouts? That's all fine and dandy, and it may mean he ends up being a world-class player, but now ain't the time to throw fresh meat to the fire. As I typed this, I looked him up. Yep, an MLS standout. I heard the same argument for Cooper, and look how that turned out. He has one cap...in '03. With almost no international experience, I seriously doubt this guy is ready to step onto the world stage in such an event. Then again, we ARE in desperation time, what with our lack of strike options (Dempsey is just too hot and cold and cold and cold).

 

[ASUCHRIS]

What is wrong with Buddle

He's a nobody that plays in the MLS and has never proven anything on the international level? Do you honestly expect him to get many if any minutes at all in the world cup?

Here's what was said about him in an ESPN chat about the WC squad:

"Buddle has been impressive for L.A. so far this season. Does he have a realistic chance to get some good minutes. Also, I know he is 28 or 29, so why is he just now playing at seemingly such a high level?

Leander Schaerlaeckens
(5:14 PM)

I don't think Buddle sees the field a lot if he makes the team. He's just not got the international level. Most of his MLS goals this year were poacher's goals. There aren't many of those at the World Cup.

 

[Chaplin]

He's a nobody that plays in the MLS and has never proven anything on the international level? Do you honestly expect him to get many if any minutes at all in the world cup?

Here's what was said about him in an ESPN chat about the WC squad:

"Buddle has been impressive for L.A. so far this season. Does he have a realistic chance to get some good minutes. Also, I know he is 28 or 29, so why is he just now playing at seemingly such a high level?

Leander Schaerlaeckens
(5:14 PM)

I don't think Buddle sees the field a lot if he makes the team. He's just not got the international level. Most of his MLS goals this year were poacher's goals. There aren't many of those at the World Cup.

And your alternatives are so much better? Just because Bradley stupidly picked Brian Ching a bunch of times doesn't make him an automatic inclusion in the squad.

We have--what--2 guys at most that get regular time at the international level? The others, like Jozy, barely see the field. So no playing time qualifies them to play in the world cup? WAIT--no playing time on an INTERNATIONAL team qualifies them to make the world cup over someone who might be more deserving. Makes sense.

I'm not saying that Buddle needs to be an everyday starter on the national team. I'm saying he's better than a lot of those guys you claim are better.

EDIT: AND he works well with Landon, who is, hmmm, an MLS star as well.

 

[Zeno]

I don't think Buddle sees the field a lot if he makes the team. He's just not got the international level. Most of his MLS goals this year were poacher's goals. There aren't many of those at the World Cup.

Thats just simply not true. He isn't like Brian Ching who can't create his own shot..Buddle can actually play with the ball at his feet. MLS or not I'd rather him getting playing time than Johnson. If you've watched the Galaxy at all this season (and I am assuming with your dismissal of MLS you have not) you'd see he is in very good form right now, his work rate off the ball is second only to Donovan on the Galaxy--part of being a good striker is timing and positioning and he is doing that very well. I'm not a Galaxy fan BTW, DC United is my team but they have nobody on that roster worth mentioning for the national team anymore(maybe Pontius eventually but not right now).

BTW I am not advocating Buddle start but he should be higher on the depth chart than any other forward not named Altidore (I still consider Donovan and Dempsey primarily MF's).

 

[ASUCHRIS]

And your alternatives are so much better?

I never even mentioned an alternative, yet since you mentioned it, my alternative would be to start Dempsey up top. We're far deeper in the mid field and there is no point in starting a scrub up top just for the sake of starting a "striker". Dempsey proved to be pretty effective up top in the Confed Cup.

EDIT: AND he works well with Landon, who is, hmmm, an MLS star as well.

Ha, Lando is a world class player, most of the MLS scrubs ain't. He's a diamond surrounded by coal, and outclasses 99% of the league. Connor Casey lit up the MLS last year, and didn't even make the squad. To take any MLS accomplishments too seriously is ridiculous.

 

[Zeno]

And your alternatives are so much better? Just because Bradley stupidly picked Brian Ching a bunch of times doesn't make him an automatic inclusion in the squad.

Bradley is still the coach and I am not sure he has all of sudden gotten smarter...I am bracing myself for Ching making the roster over Buddle or Gomez even though he hasn't played since he hurt his hamstring on April 1st. If it doesn't happen I will be thrilled.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Thats just simply not true.

Granted, I'm taking the ESPN blogger's word for it. Obviously I haven't seen a ton of Buddle, but considering the circumstances (28 with no national team experience, no international options) it seems as if Bradley is trying to catch lightning in a bottle at a major position of weakness. That's why my preference would be to put a guy like Dempsey up top, and have a Holden or Edu or Feilhalber play instead of giving any minutes to a guy like Buddle, Gomez, or Findley.

 

[Shzm13]

Whats the big hype with Altidore? Ive tried following him at villareal and saw a few hull clips and the guy sucks. Gomez is a much better striker from what ive seen

 

[Chaplin]

I never even mentioned an alternative, yet since you mentioned it, my alternative would be to start Dempsey up top. We're far deeper in the mid field and there is no point in starting a scrub up top just for the sake of starting a "striker". Dempsey proved to be pretty effective up top in the Confed Cup.

Like I said, I'm not advocating having Edson Buddle be a regular starter right away. I like the idea of Dempsey on top--I think he's better there than in his natural midfield role. I'm saying that Jozy Altidore is a pretty weak choice for being the ONLY striker the US should consider on the final 23. That's just ludicrous, considering Altidore isn't that good yet.

Ha, Lando is a world class player, most of the MLS scrubs ain't. He's a diamond surrounded by coal, and outclasses 99% of the league. Connor Casey lit up the MLS last year, and didn't even make the squad. To take any MLS accomplishments too seriously is ridiculous.

Sorry, your sarcasm detector must have been defective. I full get that Donovan is of a different level than other MLS players. But we're talking about the best players that Bradley should bring in to the World Cup squad. And I believe Buddle should be one of those players. Certainly over several of the named 30.

 

[Zeno]

Granted, I'm taking the ESPN blogger's word for it. Obviously I haven't seen a ton of Buddle, but considering the circumstances (28 with no national team experience, no international options) it seems as if Bradley is trying to catch lightning in a bottle at a major position of weakness. That's why my preference would be to put a guy like Dempsey up top, and have a Holden or Edu or Feilhalber play instead of giving any minutes to a guy like Buddle, Gomez, or Findley.

You have to understand a little of Buddle's background, he was a very immature player with a bad attitude, was hit with a ton of injuries and had a drinking problem(he was suspended by MLS for refusing a breathalyzer from a cop). He wasn't considered for years because of those very things. It wasn't exactly fair he didn't get a chance in 2008 when he was playing very well with the Galaxy--Bradley took garbage like Josh Wolff instead.

The guy has matured and grown in to a better player in the past 3 or 4 years--some guys are late bloomers, Buddle has always had the talent but for years lacked the focus & durability to even be considered seriously.

To cite his lack of caps is to ignore the big picture.

 

[Zeno]

Whats the big hype with Altidore? Ive tried following him at villareal and saw a few hull clips and the guy sucks. Gomez is a much better striker from what ive seen

Altidore supposedly just stinks during training, which doesn't endear himself to his coaches. He is reportedly a bit lazy--sort of the rap Adu has. He did play well in spurts with Hull but ended the season with a stupid head butt red card.

He has a lot to prove but he is very young.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5185354/ce/us/charlie-davies-united-states-blames-french-club-team-not-medically-clearing-him?cc=5901&ver=us

"By the first game against England, I feel I would be able to be at 100 percent and really contribute for the national team," Davies said. "So for me not being able to get a chance is very painful."

If true, this is just mind boggling.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

You have to understand a little of Buddle's background, he was a very immature player with a bad attitude, was hit with a ton of injuries and had a drinking problem(he was suspended by MLS for refusing a breathalyzer from a cop). He wasn't considered for years because of those very things. It wasn't exactly fair he didn't get a chance in 2008 when he was playing very well with the Galaxy--Bradley took garbage like Josh Wolff instead.

The guy has matured and grown in to a better player in the past 3 or 4 years--some guys are late bloomers, Buddle has always had the talent but for years lacked the focus & durability to even be considered seriously.

To cite his lack of caps is to ignore the big picture.

Fair enough, but my point is that there are very few players that turn into legitimate contributors when they hit the scene in their late 20's. I'm not saying it's impossible, just highly unlikely. We'll see if Buddle turns into anything, but I think we can both agree it would rate as unlikely.

 

[Chaplin]

Fair enough, but my point is that there are very few players that turn into legitimate contributors when they hit the scene in their late 20's. I'm not saying it's impossible, just highly unlikely. We'll see if Buddle turns into anything, but I think we can both agree it would rate as unlikely.

Where's your better alternatives right now? And please don't say Brian Ching.

 

[Chaplin]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5185354/ce/us/charlie-davies-united-states-blames-french-club-team-not-medically-clearing-him?cc=5901&ver=us

"By the first game against England, I feel I would be able to be at 100 percent and really contribute for the national team," Davies said. "So for me not being able to get a chance is very painful."

If true, this is just mind boggling.

I have to agree. At least put him in the 30-man roster. I wonder who Bradley thinks deserves a shot more.

 

[Shzm13]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27iQdCffxFk&feature=player_embedded

funny commercial.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Where's your better alternatives right now? And please don't say Brian Ching.

Ha, I've always been of the opinion that Ching sucks. He's a homeless man's version of McBride, who strangely would be a more viable option up top. (although his game is too similar to Altidore) Again, my preference is to start Dempsey up top, and get another useful MF in the game, as opposed to starting an inferior forward up top.

 

[Zeno]

Ha, I've always been of the opinion that Ching sucks. He's a homeless man's version of McBride, who strangely would be a more viable option up top. (although his game is too similar to Altidore) Again, my preference is to start Dempsey up top, and get another useful MF in the game, as opposed to starting an inferior forward up top.

McBride's game and Altidore's game are in no way shape or form similar. Altidore is athletic, good with the ball at his feet--while McBride is not athletic and best when the ball is in the air. McBride at his age isn't a more viable option, did you watch how terrible he was in the Olympics? It wasn't for lack of service as both Altidore and Davies were more effective (and dangerous) than McBride in limited time during that tournament. Compare McBrides MLS play to Buddle and it is not even close...McBrides best days as an Int'l were in 2000-2005 since then he hasn't been effective at all.

This argument is all going to be moot anyway when Bradley selects Ching for the final 23.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

McBride's game and Altidore's game are in no way shape or form similar. Altidore is athletic, good with the ball at his feet--while McBride is not athletic and best when the ball is in the air. McBride at his age isn't a more viable option, did you watch how terrible he was in the Olympics? It wasn't for lack of service as both Altidore and Davies were more effective (and dangerous) than McBride in limited time during that tournament. Compare McBrides MLS play to Buddle and it is not even close...McBrides best days as an Int'l were in 2000-2005 since then he hasn't been effective at all.

This argument is all going to be moot anyway when Bradley selects Ching for the final 23.

I was only comparing McBride and Altidore in the sense that they are "post up" big targets, and not pure speedsters like Davies. I still stand by my statement that Ching is a homeless man's McBride, and at his best, couldn't hold McBride's jock.

Not to split hairs, but McBride was named player of the year in 07 and 08 at Fulham, clearly more effective as an international than you give him credit for.

 

[Chaplin]

Too bad none of our strikers can finish worth a damn. Well, we know Buddle can in MLS, but Jozy, while athletic and a good dribbler, can't finish at all. Ching either.

Gotta go Jozy, Buddle and Gomez as the top 3 forwards, with Dempsey and Donovan cheating up there once in a while. IMO, of course.

 

[Milgod]

I was only comparing McBride and Altidore in the sense that they are "post up" big targets, and not pure speedsters like Davies. I still stand by my statement that Ching is a homeless man's McBride, and at his best, couldn't hold McBride's jock.

Not to split hairs, but McBride was named player of the year in 07 and 08 at Fulham, clearly more effective as an international than you give him credit for.

Sorry. I didn't realise Fulham played International football.

 

[Zeno]

Not to split hairs, but McBride was named player of the year in 07 and 08 at Fulham, clearly more effective as an international than you give him credit for.

Fulham is NOT international soccer. Like I said he hasn't been an effective international since 2005...he was worthless in the '06 WC and even worse in the Olympics.

 

[Zeno]

Gotta go Jozy, Buddle and Gomez as the top 3 forwards, with Dempsey and Donovan cheating up there once in a while. IMO, of course.

I think Dempsey & Donovan are both at their best and most dangerous from the MF. Dempsey can play up top when he has to but he isn't as effective there.

 

[Stout]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5185354/ce/us/charlie-davies-united-states-blames-french-club-team-not-medically-clearing-him?cc=5901&ver=us

"By the first game against England, I feel I would be able to be at 100 percent and really contribute for the national team," Davies said. "So for me not being able to get a chance is very painful."

If true, this is just mind boggling.

Yeah, it is definitely worth a shot to put him on the roster right now. I knew it was stupid to hire Bradley. I said it then and I'll say it now.

 

[Stout]

Ha, I've always been of the opinion that Ching sucks. He's a homeless man's version of McBride, who strangely would be a more viable option up top. (although his game is too similar to Altidore) Again, my preference is to start Dempsey up top, and get another useful MF in the game, as opposed to starting an inferior forward up top.

Sadly, I have to agree with you about Dempsey. I absolutely hate how inconsistent he is up top, but when he is on he is on fire. We have to hope he is in form for us to have any shot of doing real damage in this tourney.