re: Clint Dempsey >>>> Landon Donovan

You also think JK is losing WCQ matches on purpose, so...

quote:

---

Like it's cool if you don't like the guy, I can see that, but the pure vitriol that a lot had for him (even before the sabbatical) was just odd. Statistically, he is far and away the best player the US has ever produced and you would think, for program with not a lot of history, that he would be at the very least nationally respected by the us fans.

---

I had no problems with LD before the sabbatical. I hate him now.

After that though, and the way he reacted was classless. The shots he's taken at the team since then has also been extremely salty.

And Dempsey will end up being better statistically for the MNT and had an actual career abroad. I personally believe Dempsey is our best player ever, but I'm also not dumb enough to say that he's miles ahead in my mind.

I don't think he is losing them on purpose just giving them uphill battles in games that they can afford to lose and see if they can pull out a win. "See what they are made of"

And I don't hate LD. I think those that do feel that he is over rated and worshipped too much. I don't share this opinion. I like him because he was a great player for US. In my opinion Bradley and Demps at peak where/are better than Landon's peak. But again. My opinion and I can easily see an argument the other way.

quote:

---

what are your thoughts on Tim Howard

---

I think it is hysterical that no one has criticized Tim Howard for his break from the national team.

US games always remind me that about 1/3 of the posters on here fricking suck.

I do know that we all hate Brad Evans equally.

quote:

---

Ok, what are your thoughts on Tim Howard and Timmy Chandler?

---

Never been a huge Tim Howard fan, but he didn't decide to take his break during the middle of World Cup Qualifying. I can understand if it's right after the world's biggest tournament.

If you go to work and bust your arse for months to achieve something, make it there, accomplish your goal and then say, hey I'm going to take a break, I think you'll be much more respected by your co-workers than if you dip out half-way through the hard working part and then show up the week before the big presentation and expect to get your spot back.

Ever since the end of the 2014 WC, I've personally wanted it to be Howard's last go at it and I think a good amount of people were on board, but Guzan hasn't done shite recently for his club, so that's why we're where we are there.

quote:

---

These perceived "shots" he has taken at the team, where do they fall in line with general consensus among the fanbase?

---

To me, when Jurgen told Landon he didn't make the team and responded with, "you're making a big mistake," I lost all respect for him. This isn't someone who is looking to make a World Cup roster for the only time in their career. It's a guy who is so wrapped up in himself, that he thinks he belongs based on his name alone. And yeah, he had an outstanding career and thrust the sport farther than it had ever been at the time, but everyone's career ends at some point. You don't bitch and fricking moan while 23 of your other teammates are going into what is the biggest tournament of their lives and cause some scene thousands of miles away.

I also know, that many people wish he would have been there. Do I think he would have been a better pick than Brad Davis? Obviously, but guess what, we got out of the group of death and almost won the motherfricker. Something I, and many others, thought we had no chance of advancing. It's hard to criticize anything about the selection of the World Cup roster, because there is no chance having LD gets us past Belgium.

quote:

---

Literally no chance that happens. Donovan's assist tally for the MNT is more than the next three guys behind him combined.

---

You're right here. To me though, Dempsey will be the best USMNT player of all time when it's all said and done. If you disagree, then that's fine. I don't really think there's a right/wrong answer here, it's personal preference in this case.

Regardless, neither amount to where they are now, if not for the other one.

quote:

---

Broski

---

Sorry for the wall of text in my response lol.

Oh I know. I think he admitted he was like clinically depressed or something like that. But, it isn't the fact that he left that irks me. That's fine.

It was how he reacted when he didn't get his way. I've seen high school athletes act better at the news of being cut. Granted, it isn't for a World Cup roster spot, but for a veteran who had been there multiple times already, to make it a 'me' thing over the whole 'USMNT' was a real turn off for me. It casted a huge cloud over the team going in.

And yes, I acknowledged that I recognized what he did for the sport in the epic I wrote above.

When did he make this a "me" thing after he returned?

He did everything he was asked to do by Jurgen, including playing for the B team and dominating the Gold Cup and then being arguably the best player on the pitch in the ensuing qualifiers.

He didn't say a negative word about Jurgen until he was left out of the World Cup, for reasons unknown.

No shite he was pissed at Jurgen and had a right to be. But even with that fallout over, he has still been involved with US soccer and has been completely fair in his viewpoints regarding the senior team.

Hell, go look at what he tweeted after the win today. He was damn near praising Jurgen.