The Pressure is on Wolff and Ching

February 18th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

Time is running out for Josh Wolff and Brian Ching to show Bruce Arena that they deserve a trip to Germany as part of the United States World Cup team. Both forwards will have the opportunity to state their case when the US plays Guatemala in a friendly in Texas on Sunday. With the European-based players still in Europe and New England and LA MLS players away preparing for CONCACAF Champions Cup duties, Wolff, Ching and Eddie Johnson should all get plenty of minutes. While The Bruce won’t base his decision purely on this otherwise meaningless friendly, the players know they must take advantage of their moment in the sportlight.

“It’s a big opportunity for me because it’s a chance to show what I’ve got,” said Ching. “It’s definitely important to show what I can do over 90 minutes and try to make an impact.”

“I’m not going to look at this as being the most critical game of my life, but it’s important like the other ones were,” Wolff said. “Coach knows who I am and what I bring. At the end of the day, if I’m someone that he wants around, then that’s what he chooses.”

Talk about pressure. It must be extremely difficult for a forward to be in a position where he knows he needs to score to fulfill a lifelong dream. As Twellman has shown, though, once the first goal goes in the player can relax a bit and play their game.

For my money, I don’t see Brian Ching making the team. He is a nice player but I would rank him behind Johnson, Wolff and Twellman in the search for a partner for Brian McBride.

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http://none David

Yes, the pressure in on Ching and Wolff. I agree, Ching will probably not make it, he doesn\’t seem to know how to stand up to the physical nature at the next level, However neither does Twellman. Both are quite easily knocked off the ball at the international level. I think Chris Rolfe has the best chance of replacing a forward. Wolff hasn\’t shown anything spectacular for a long time.