Why U No Try?
by Michael_D on Sep 8, 2011 9:25 AM CDT
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Listen, I'm hopeful and optimistic about the regime of Jurgen Klinsmann with the USMNT. Though I was listening to an author this morning talking about how living in hope can be a horrible thing, and to someone who has lived in hope for a long time that something definite is a welcome break. Why all of this rambling? Jurgen has come in to shake up the USMNT establishment, though of course not too much. Baby steps, if you will. But even baby steps represents a tectonic shift of sorts for the USMNT, long a producer of hard-running, mediocre-quality teams. Klinsmann feels there are plenty of hidden gems of creative talent laying about in the US just waiting to be paired with this proven tenacity, and that's true. To that end, he's kept some of the mainstays we've seen from the US team (Howard, Donovan, Dempsey, Bocanegra) and started throwing a few wrinkles in, particularly in the midfield and defense. Some have been inspired choices (Torres, Chandler - though at RB) and some....well, some have fallen flat, in my humble opinion. At 0-1-2 we need results. And so I ask: if we're trying something new, let's be open to some other options.
I realize Klinsmann wants to mine the ethnic groups playing in the US and I applaud that because I play against some of these teams and the kids (by the way, a "kid" qualifies as anyone under 30. Don't ask.) are a beautiful blend of fitness and finesse. They're just as likely to be a flat-track bully but on their next run gently chip it over or under you. So I get that. That being said, there are several players who clearly aren't ready for prime-time (or past their time) that have been exposed:
Edgar Castillo - I like the kid and he's got a good pedigree, particularly his years spend playing at different clubs in the FMF. He has the talent, he just doesn't seem able to put it together, or at least not right now. His defense is facepalm-worthy, and while he sometimes gets forward, its not of a quality that offsets his deficiencies.
Tim Ream/Clarence Goodson/Michael Orozco Fiscal - Collectively known as "the guy who the opposing team is attacking". Also referred to as "not Carlos Bocanegra"
Steve Cherundolo - With Chandler showing pretty good defense and pace on the right, Cherundolo needs to be rested or played sparingly. At 32 he ain't getting any younger and injuries aren't helping either.
So, Michael, why is it that you seem to be focusing on the LB/CB position? Well what do you know, I guess I am, huh. I humbly proffer that perhaps the key to what ails the USMNT defensively comes from the Naranja (see Jurgi, I am thinking of you): Corey Ashe and Geoff Cameron.
Whoa, really? Yes, really.
I know I know, at this point I sound like a convert because I never was big on Ashe. Defensively he was clueless and oftentimes he needed to be reminded that he was playing LB and not midfielder. Happens to me all the time. But now...well now, Ashe is actually a pretty solid defender. Sure, he's smaller and will get out-muscled by larger wings but he's smart enough now to know how to play them. And offensively, he will definitely be in the mix making a blistering run down the wing and putting in a cross, which is what the USMNT sorely lacks on the left. I never thought I'd actually be saying that but I think it holds true: Ashe deserves a call-up for the LB spot. I know it seemed odd that he was chosen as an All-Star for his play there, but we're seeing it being justified more and more. And again, what are the other options: Castillo & Cerundelo. Uh-huh.
As for Cameron, I don't think I need to elaborate as much. He made his name here as an All-Star at CB. I realize he's been part of a social experiment this year, but the last friendly against Monterrey should've reminded everyone of what he can do there. Right now for the US, the other CB spot not held down by Bocanegra is fairly anonymous and typically a bulls-eye for opposing forwards. In pairing Cameron and Bocanegra we'd have two smart, big but agile defenders who can get forward but can still get back quick enough to defend. Pair that with an impressive RB in Chandler and finally a LB who contributes (Ashe) and I think our defense becomes stout without being stodgy.
See Jurgi? Creativity is hidden all over this country.
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Well done!
I was hoping the lull would get you to publishing your own stuff.
Now, onto the meat.
As far as Ashe, he’s playing well enought o get a callup, though his height is definitely a disadvantage and scrappiness can only take you so far, especially at the international level. Yet, he deserves a chance far ahead of another one of Castillo’s meatball appearances.
Cameron @ CB more gives us other options, like quick transitions and outlets. Again, Donovan- despite his depressed play- can utilize open space at full speed masterfully. Playing to Landon’s strengths makes the USMNT more lethal and our recent play shows we desperately need Viagra (we can’t put it in to score).
Limp play….
What is interesting is how Klinsy is getting opportunities that Bradley never got. Guess it’s nice to try stuff without always having to watch your backor being pressured to win win win. I wonder if Bradley might have opened things up some if he knew Gulati had his back… though I was one calling for Bob’s head in the end, perhaps I just wanted Sunil to hire a coach he’d fully support.
Hmmmmm
Jury’s out. Proof will be in the puddin’.
Come on, you can do it boy
Ginge has loads on his plate and I’ve had Dynamo mental diarrhea lately (mental imagery, FTW) so thought I’d take a stab at it. I also put out a FanShot (though its based on a re-cycled FanPost from last year. Interesting read, though).
And believe me, I get that for Ashe’s positives, his size will always be the negative. But I think I’ve seen enough in international football that the obsession with size doesn’t always hold up. We thought Onyewu would be the model CB because he was the physically imposing behemoth but I doubt he’ll ever sniff a start for the team again if Bocanegra holds up and we put in Cameron. Yes, Ashe is a rather diminutive figure but he’s very quick, and that’s something we’ve lacked from the LB position. Plus, he’s had enough experience at this point on how to deal with larger opponents (positioning and forcing mistakes) that while its still a concern, I think he’d be up to the task.
A Cameron-Bocanegra pairing is perfect to defend and transition and you’re right, plays immediately into a quick counter with Torres and Donovan. I think in this instance Cameron’s play at midfield this year would help even more with that transition as he is aware of the importance of distributing the ball effectively out of the back.
And you’re right, Jurgi’s still in the honeymoon period and everyone is still living off of hope (yes, I realize this is also potential analogue to the current political events & climate. Another place, another time, though). But I think if we lose the next couple of matches then we’ll start hearing grumbles about sorting out the rotation and putting up a line-up that works. Gulati is playing it smart at this point to give him lee-way but at a point we do need results, and perhaps that point is approaching quicker than klinsmann realizes (I doubt it but still)
Ives has something about this
Click here: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/09/what-mls-player-should-klinsmann-look-to-next.html#more
And it’s in the form of a poll, so Playtherapy should like it!
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
Of course, take your heart pills before reading the comments, especially the ignorant ones about Davis and Cameron. Wow, hard to know where to begin there.
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
Can't read it here
But read it on my phone and in principle I’m in agreement. Fair play to Jurgi for giving some of these guys a run-out but some clearly aren’t the answer, at least not now. I’ve seen a few other choices that could be interesting but I’m sticking to my guns on Cameron & Ashe. Davis should be included because of what he can bring from the left (and if you put Shea on the right you’d have a brilliant combo), but at this point it looks like Jurgi wants to see more of a pacey attack. His team so I can’t really argue that, but there is something to be said for a steady hand who has good technique, great passing and I don’t think anything needs to be said about his service.
Welllll
7% for Davis seems absurd. Youth movements are fine, but eventually, we’ll need 11 in form players, no matter their age. After all, McBride was 34 in WC 2010 and remember his fiery play against Italia?
1% for Cameron, that I can understand. I mean, what position DOEs he play? His play at attacking mid isn’t going to transform the USMNT, that’s for sure.
But
remember what I said in another post about Cameron’s profile being raised as a midfielder? Look, I like Gonzalez and John but I’d take Cameron over them in a heartbeat: he’s older, yes, but he has all of their skill but more experience. But, they’re the higher-profile guys and so therefore I think it swings the vote. It reminds me of NBA All-Star voting (for those who don’t know, Yao Ming was voted an All-Star last year. The same Yao Ming who was unable to play all of last year and retired this summer because of injuries. Hurray for fan participation! The Roman Senate is turning over in their graves)
Buuuuuuut
Calling up a player to play another position at the internaitional level while he’s not even tearing up his domestic league at his club position….
While it isn’t unheard of, it definitely creates a lot of hard feelings and whispers of favoritism.
The All Star game is about the fans. Sometimes, it’s also a career commemoration for past rather than current achievements. It’s very seldom about reality.
And yet
the alternative is to call someone up who is not in good form from their respective club, regardless of the position? I get what you’re saying, but its not as if this would be a new position Cam would be thrust in to….he’s been an All-Star at the position and in the 2 or 3 times he’s played it again this year he’s picked up right where he left off. To me what are the alternatives?
In a rare instance, I have to disagree with favoritism claims in this case: I don’t think there’s any stretch where his (Cam’s) selection would warrant that call. I could gladly send them a YouTube package of his defensive highlights and I think nothing more would need to be said. The only time I would even discuss nepotism was during the Bradley era. Michael is a quality midfielder, but it was arguable that he needed to be selected and a starter, as we clearly see the dearth of quality midfielders we have in his absence. I can see the case that MB was the right fit for Dad Brad’s style, and that’s a fair point, but in this newer, aggressive system he might be a sub as a defensive mid, and even then that might be pushing it.
I guess the overall point I was getting at is that currently the international team isn’t all that different from the All-Star team: its members are selected to give it the best chance of winning. What was good for the All-Star team then is good for the USMNT team now, namely, that Cameron & Ashe (and Davis should at least be selected) be in it
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