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re: USMNT WCQ Squad Selection Discussion (UPDATE: DONOVAN/SHEA OUT FOR BOTH MATCHES)
Posted on 10/8/12 at 4:26 pm to Stewie Griffin
Posted on 10/8/12 at 4:26 pm to Stewie Griffin
Matthew Doyle tries to defend Gordon's selection:
But can't Jozy and/or Boyd do this at a higher level?
quote:
The US roster was released, and the Twittersphere exploded — as per usual. To quote a noted philospher, "It is what it is."
And what "it is" is the inclusion of Alan Gordon over a host of other, "more deserving" candidates.
Please read those as air quotes, because that's what they are.
On a per-minute basis over the past two years, Gordon has actually been the most productive scorer in MLS. Better than teammate Chris Wondolowski (who was controversially left off), better than Eddie Johnson, better than almost anyone over any two-year stretch in league history. The only thing that's impeded him are the injuries he's had to deal with.
But even if he was less productive than he has been, he'd still be a good invite.
Gordon, you see, is a specialist. With so many players today we talk about versatility and flexibility, but that's often code for "he's a tweener." There's none of that with Gordon.
He's a No. 9. He's a forward who's going to get into the final third, put his back into a defender — or defenders — and hold the ball. Then, when he holds the ball, he'll make either an attacking, or possession-positive play with it.
It's not sexy, but it's effective, and it's crucial for Jugen Klinsmann's scheme. It's about holding the ball in the final third and building chances, not about forcing turnovers and hitting on the break. Gordon gives him a better chance to implement his plan than pretty much anyone in the pool — not only because he can make plays, but because he makes it significantly easier for the guys around him to make plays. When he occupies a defender, that defender stays occupied.
Consider: For years, the US played better with Brian Ching or Conor Casey on the field than they did without, in spite of what can be accurately described as "shoddy finishing." Those two guys largely have the same skillsets as Gordon, who is both bigger and a better finisher.
Here's how Klinsmann put it in his conference call:
"That's more tactical related," he told reporters on Monday. "...That's the reason we brought in Eddie [Johnson] and Alan, two guys that are good in the air, they can lay balls off."
Translation: They can take a beating, hold the ball, and bring our attacking midfielders — guys like Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Graham Zusi, maybe even Herculez Gomez — into the play. They give the US a better chance at combining and building a goal (I still don't think Johnson does, but whatever — I can live with it).
The invite for Gordon makes perfect sense. As for the Twittersphere explosion ... well, it is what it is.
But can't Jozy and/or Boyd do this at a higher level?
This post was edited on 10/8/12 at 4:27 pm
Posted on 10/8/12 at 4:34 pm to WarSlamEagle
quote:
But can't Jozy and/or Boyd do this at a higher level?
They have a higher ceiling but are not there as of right now, at least in some people's estimation. We'll see. Didn't Conor Casey play a role in qualifying us for the last World Cup?
If the piece quoted is an accurate summary of Gordon's abilities and the role he plays, then I think it's worth bringing him and leaving out one of Jozy or Boyd. I just don't see the wisdom in picking both Johnson and Gordon.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 4:35 pm to WarSlamEagle
Having watched more Earthquakes games than anyone else on this board, I can say this about Gordon: he will not lose possession, and he can pick out a pass with the best of them.
Add in his physicality and aerial ability, and I get the selection. He's not better than Jozy, but he's a better target than Jozy.
Add in his physicality and aerial ability, and I get the selection. He's not better than Jozy, but he's a better target than Jozy.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 4:39 pm to WarSlamEagle
quote:
Klinsmann: "The Dutch league is very open -- he gets three or four chances a game. In international games, there's less space. It's hard to get chances; you have to create them yourself. Yes, you always want people to feed your strikers who are good at finishing, but on the other hand, when teams are locked in, you have to work, work, work and force your luck, and sooner or later you'll get rewarded for that.
This quote pretty much sums up Klinsmann's spin bullshite. He waxes on and on about wanting to instill aesthetically pleasing football to the national team and to the US Soccer setup. Yet, in this brief quote, he totally goes against that M.O. by stating that his forwards need to work harder to create their own chances. David Villa and Mario Gomez score tons of goals because their national teammates put them in excellent positions to finish. Criticize a striker when he doesn't finish chances he's supposed to finish, not when he doesn't score because he never received the ball in dangerous positions.
Did Klinsmann criticize the vaunted midfield triumvirate of Beckerman, Edu and Jones for combining for a total of roughly twelve completed passes in the loss to Jamaica. Nope.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 4:52 pm to WarSlamEagle
quote:
Consider: For years, the US played better with Brian Ching or Conor Casey on the field than they did without, in spite of what can be accurately described as "shoddy finishing." Those two guys largely have the same skillsets as Gordon, who is both bigger and a better finisher.
Tha frick?
Then in bring in Casey or Ching.
I would have more faith in them TODAY if we needed a goal from a big man, than ALAN frickING GORDON.
I would be less up in arms if it was Steven Lenhart.
And none of those previous two sentences are said with sarcasm or humor in mind. I'm dead fricking serious. And that, in and of itself is pathetic.
I've said it before, this is equivalent to Bradley calling in John Wolyniec for a WC Qualifier.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 8:22 pm to WarSlamEagle
quote:
The US roster was released, and the Twittersphere exploded — as per usual. To quote a noted philospher, "It is what it is."
And what "it is" is the inclusion of Alan Gordon over a host of other, "more deserving" candidates.
Circular logic.
Let's say Taylor Twellman gets a callup over Bradley. It is what it is, motherfrickers!!! Don't question it...
This post was edited on 10/8/12 at 8:23 pm
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