Comments on: Picking The 23: Defenders http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html World Cup 2010 - South Africa Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:21:25 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Picking The 23: Forwards - FIFA World Cup 2006 - USA World Cup Team Blog http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-544 Picking The 23: Forwards - FIFA World Cup 2006 - USA World Cup Team Blog Sat, 01 Apr 2006 19:50:21 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-544 [...] We’ve got 3 keepers, 8 defenders and 8 midfielders. Now we need 4 forwards to complete the World Cup Blog 23 man roster. [...] [...] We’ve got 3 keepers, 8 defenders and 8 midfielders. Now we need 4 forwards to complete the World Cup Blog 23 man roster. [...]

]]> By: Picking The 23: Midfielders - FIFA World Cup 2006 - USA World Cup Team Blog http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-504 Picking The 23: Midfielders - FIFA World Cup 2006 - USA World Cup Team Blog Thu, 30 Mar 2006 17:11:18 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-504 [...] We’ve picked 3 keepers and 8 defenders, now it’s time to pick 8 midfielders. [...] [...] We’ve picked 3 keepers and 8 defenders, now it’s time to pick 8 midfielders. [...]

]]> By: D http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-500 D Thu, 30 Mar 2006 04:21:13 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-500 With Gibb's relative success out of position, I'd bet that he'd fill in at left back if Lewis went down. Then Pope or Boca could take over in the middle. With Gibb’s relative success out of position, I’d bet that he’d fill in at left back if Lewis went down. Then Pope or Boca could take over in the middle.

]]> By: bossimo http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-499 bossimo Thu, 30 Mar 2006 01:47:07 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-499 With Spector v. Behrhalter, we've got it down to the right decision anyway. Love the creativity from Scot, though the counter-arguments were stronger. Mainly, too many central backs to argue for playing Mastro out of position, but by the same token, where exactly does that leave Behrhalter? Would that make Bocanegra the left-back-backup? I guess so. As much as I want to see Spector succeed and tune into all the Charlton games in the hope of seeing a flash of brilliance, I have to admit it's just not happening yet. He's not ready and I challenge any supporter of his to cite the match where he's proven it. Behrhalter stunk up the joint against Germany, just aweful stuff, probably worst of his life. But ultimately, he gets the nod over Spector. Just say "Agoos" and remember how much better we have it this time around. Gives you hope for a great mundial... With Spector v. Behrhalter, we’ve got it down to the right decision anyway. Love the creativity from Scot, though the counter-arguments were stronger. Mainly, too many central backs to argue for playing Mastro out of position, but by the same token, where exactly does that leave Behrhalter? Would that make Bocanegra the left-back-backup? I guess so. As much as I want to see Spector succeed and tune into all the Charlton games in the hope of seeing a flash of brilliance, I have to admit it’s just not happening yet. He’s not ready and I challenge any supporter of his to cite the match where he’s proven it. Behrhalter stunk up the joint against Germany, just aweful stuff, probably worst of his life. But ultimately, he gets the nod over Spector.

Just say “Agoos” and remember how much better we have it this time around. Gives you hope for a great mundial…

]]> By: daryl http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-497 daryl Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:31:33 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-497 With regard to the <strong>Berhalter</strong> vs <strong>Spector</strong> debate I feel like <strong>Berhalter</strong> just about has the edge right now, comments wise. We'll leave it open until tomorrow morning (Eastern time) before making a final decision and moving onto selecting a midfield. With regard to the Berhalter vs Spector debate I feel like Berhalter just about has the edge right now, comments wise.

We’ll leave it open until tomorrow morning (Eastern time) before making a final decision and moving onto selecting a midfield.

]]> By: Jason http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-496 Jason Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:31:14 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-496 Here's the problem: You want to get your best 11 on the field but putting someone in a position they don't excel in may make them no longer one of the best 11. I think that's what would happen by trying to squeeze Mastro into the back four. Furthermore, I don't think moving him back there would make the D any stronger. Sure, you take the weakest defender off but at the same time you give Gooch a much tougher assignement of controlling the back middle by himself with Mastro playing in front of him. I'd feel much more secure with Gibbs and Gooch playing side-by-side even if it means one of those guys has to come off. I think Convey is the one who will be left off the starting 11, mostly because his defense not a strength and he'll provide a great offensive spark off the bench. I take that back. Maybe. Reyna, Johnny-O, and Mastro on the field at the same time may make us too slow through the middle which might make Donovan have to play too far back. That being said, he can run forever. Crap. Tough decisions ahead, eh? Here’s the problem: You want to get your best 11 on the field but putting someone in a position they don’t excel in may make them no longer one of the best 11. I think that’s what would happen by trying to squeeze Mastro into the back four. Furthermore, I don’t think moving him back there would make the D any stronger. Sure, you take the weakest defender off but at the same time you give Gooch a much tougher assignement of controlling the back middle by himself with Mastro playing in front of him. I’d feel much more secure with Gibbs and Gooch playing side-by-side even if it means one of those guys has to come off.

I think Convey is the one who will be left off the starting 11, mostly because his defense not a strength and he’ll provide a great offensive spark off the bench.

I take that back. Maybe. Reyna, Johnny-O, and Mastro on the field at the same time may make us too slow through the middle which might make Donovan have to play too far back. That being said, he can run forever.

Crap. Tough decisions ahead, eh?

]]> By: daryl http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-495 daryl Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:27:57 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-495 I'd argue that Mastroeni's strongest position is central mid. With the depth of talent already in central defence (Onyewu, Pope, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Berhalter etc) and the injury worries in midfield (O'Brien just coming back, Reyna injured again) Mastroeni has to be down as a mid. I’d argue that Mastroeni’s strongest position is central mid.

With the depth of talent already in central defence (Onyewu, Pope, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Berhalter etc) and the injury worries in midfield (O’Brien just coming back, Reyna injured again) Mastroeni has to be down as a mid.

]]> By: Scot http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-494 Scot Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:58:29 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-494 call it diamond or whatever you want, we still want a four-defender back line right? Isn't that being implied on this board, that we will have 4 defenders? I agree with you having lewis and cherundolo out wide is attractive for going forward. Just not sure that (namely Lewis) is strong enough defensively. My suggestion was also an attempt to keep beasley, reyna, mastroeni, o'brien, and convey on the field. With your suggestion one of those guys needs to come off, right? call it diamond or whatever you want, we still want a four-defender back line right? Isn’t that being implied on this board, that we will have 4 defenders? I agree with you having lewis and cherundolo out wide is attractive for going forward. Just not sure that (namely Lewis) is strong enough defensively. My suggestion was also an attempt to keep beasley, reyna, mastroeni, o’brien, and convey on the field. With your suggestion one of those guys needs to come off, right?

]]> By: Jason http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-490 Jason Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:36:50 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-490 Scot, there's one key reason why I don't like the diamond-shaped back four that you're suggesting--it will make it a lot more difficult to maintain a good defensive shape when Cherundolo and Lewis join the attack which is probably their biggest strength as outside backs. Scot, there’s one key reason why I don’t like the diamond-shaped back four that you’re suggesting–it will make it a lot more difficult to maintain a good defensive shape when Cherundolo and Lewis join the attack which is probably their biggest strength as outside backs.

]]> By: Scot http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html/comment-page-1#comment-488 Scot Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:13:17 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/picking-the-23-defenders.html#comment-488 What do you guys think of pushing Mastroeni back from midfield to stopper, and pushing Gibbs to left back? that would leave a defense of gibbs, mastroeni, onyewu, and cherundolo. Our midfield could then be Beasley, Reyna, O'Brien, and Convey. Of course McBride and Donovan up front. This puts our most talented players on the field. The question is whether Gibbs at left and Mastro in defense would be as effective as in central def, and withdrawn center mid (respectively). Any thoughts? What do you guys think of pushing Mastroeni back from midfield to stopper, and pushing Gibbs to left back? that would leave a defense of gibbs, mastroeni, onyewu, and cherundolo. Our midfield could then be Beasley, Reyna, O’Brien, and Convey. Of course McBride and Donovan up front. This puts our most talented players on the field. The question is whether Gibbs at left and Mastro in defense would be as effective as in central def, and withdrawn center mid (respectively). Any thoughts?

]]>