2006 vs 2002

I’m sure that photo of Agoos was just a coincidence.

Anyway, 2006 is definitely better. The US is lucky to have had a great 2002 tournament with the main core of that team still young enough to come back this time around.

Oddly, though, their rep and their draw have changed and it will be tough to match their quarterfinal run of 2002.

Of course we’re improved, not just in quality but in experience.

However, what really struck me was how many of the same players we have.

I think the biggest difference is the defensive players, with major upgrades in Onyewu, Bocanegra, and Gibbs. I’ll take them over Llamosa, Agoos, and Berhalter any day of the week.

Of the rest: in midfield, Convey and Dempsey are great, but I don’t know how much of an improvement they are over Stewart and Jones. Up front, Johnson is preferable to Moore or Mathis, but compare those two to Ching, and it’s maybe a wash…?

Overall we’re better, I’m just not sure how much. Every little bit helps, for sure. One thing is certain: in this group, Arena had better be able to pull it all together before the first game, or our players will be spectators for the knockout rounds.

I agree that the US has made a huge leap in defense. With all of Agoos’ blunders in the Cup, we forget about how crucial he (and Llamosa to a lesser extent) was to qualifying, but that probably says as much about the US team then as it does about Agoos.

Then Cobi was little more than a sparkplug, whereas Convey and Dempsey are both 90 minute players.

But I don’t see a huge improvement in forwards. McBride is more seasoned, but Mathis back then was deadly, even post-ACL. Right now, there isn’t really a comparable strike partner for McBride.

2006 is a little better I guess. I like to see Kasey Keller back in front