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Keep Going Brian

June 21st, 2006 | By: Daryl | 9 Comments »

Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn’t it? On Saturday I was one of many US fans screaming (literally) for Arena to replace Brian McBride with Eddie Johnson.

McBride had sliced that golden chance wide around the 60 minute mark, and it just seemed so obvious that Johnson’s pace would be an asset in such an open game. BMB had worked hard, but it was time for a change.

Given that Arena had already withdrawn Convey and Dempsey due to their relative inexperience, he was never going to withdraw McBride. With four days of perspective it now seems Arena did the right thing.

Johnson’s no fool, but McBride’s experience was a massive help towards the end of the game. He was able to fill defensive positions while still providing an attacking outlet. All the pace in the world couldn’t do that (well maybe all the pace in the world could) but an older titanium plate filled head could, and did.

Hopefully Johnson will get his chance against Ghana, either alongside McBride or replacing him. Johnson definitely has a role to play after his impressive performance against the Czech Republic, but leading the line in a 9 vs 10 situation against Italy wasn’t it.

Tags: Brian McBride, USA

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Comments

By Jono | June 21st, 2006 at 8:02 am

You gotta love McBride. Took a blow to the face, didn’t swing back or cry like a baby. Went off the field to get washed up and went back on fighting!

I’d like to see Johnson come on at some point, but not to replace McBride.

Does anyone know if Beasley was just slacking off, or was he playing 100% defense shortly after he came on?

By US Soccer Fan in HK | June 21st, 2006 at 12:01 pm

Daryl,

Had similar sentiments during the match, however, late in the game, fully appreciated McBride’s defensive positioning, which likely had a lot to do with experience. In particular, his angles were solid and (in as much as he could), his positioning encouraged the Italians to knock the ball back or side to side… knocking important seconds off the clock.

While EJ may have provided some POTENTIAL offensive flash, I’d think that his experience and role in a 9 v. 10 situation may have proved wanting.

Posted from Hong Kong

By Cajun Nick | June 21st, 2006 at 2:45 pm

Well…I still would have subbed him at the 85th minute.

I think that pound for pound, McBride is the true captain of the US squad. Maybe not the most skilled or talented, but what he’s got, he gives it all, unselfishly.

Posted from United States

By ken | June 21st, 2006 at 3:59 pm

totally agree - along with the 200 or so American fans in a Washington DC bar watching the game, I was chanting ‘Put-in Ed-die Johnson’. But upon reflection, when you only have 8 outfield players, you can’t afford to have anyone be out of position. EJ may have offered a little more going forward, but I can easily see him unbalancing the team.

Posted from United States

By John | June 21st, 2006 at 7:26 pm

I say start McBride and let him play until his legs give out. Reyna’s captain, but McBride is the quiet leader of that side. He leads by example. When De Rossi split his face open, he didn’t cry, he didn’t gesticulate to a ref, he just picked himself up, trotted off the pitch, got cleaned up, and came right back on. He’s the workhorse of the US side, for damn sure.

If LD, Reyna, or whoever replaces PM can service him with some good air balls, McBride’s head might just be the difference against a fast but somewhat shorter Ghana side. I’d still rate McBride’s noggin right up there with anyone playing in this Cup.

By Josh | June 21st, 2006 at 8:17 pm

I’m glad people are coming around on this. During the game I kept thinking, “Everybody looks dead out there–why isn’t Arena using his last sub?” And then I’d try to figure out who he should take off. I kept coming back to McBride, but every time, I’d stumble. I just couldn’t see anybody on the bench playing with the same combination of craftiness, effort, and sheer balls that McB was bringing to the game. I finally gave it up and decided that all of that was more important than fresh legs.

Posted from United States

By littleguy | June 22nd, 2006 at 1:55 am

Brian just gives us too much overall player end to end to not be in there. He’s experienced and cool under pressure (despite his easy chance against the Italians). You really have to have him in there as much as possible. He can also win balls in the air and score too. Eddie should get in to games but at the expense of defensive play and Josh is right, Eddie plays out of position, gets lost on the field and is a liability getting back on defense. Brian is the man!

Posted from United States

By Chumbawumba | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:44 am

I disagreech he acquired . I haven’t seen much from McBride - other than heart. That’s good, but we haven’t scored in two games and we need some change. It’s too bad, but I think McBride’s warrior mystique which he added to (rightly so) after the elbow, will keep him in starting line up.

Posted from United States

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Posted from United States

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