28 czerwca 2006
Some More Recriminations About Our National Team
After we got bounced from the World Cup, ESPN soccer analyst Allen Hopkins criticized MLS for not properly preparing the players. Of course, Hopkins only a few weeks before confidently predicted that the US would top the group. I'm assuming that at the time, Hopkins knew that MLS players formed the bulk of the team.
Eric Wynalda retorted that some of the better performing players (Eddie Johnson, Clint Dempsey) haven't spent five minutes on a European roster. Hopkins argument was that MLS players don't "train enough." Well, given how many of them seem to sit on the bench, I don't know how much good that "training" is doing if they aren't getting playing time.
So, what happens to former MLS players when they go to Europe? DaMarcus Beasley, for example, was impressive at the last World Cup, but slept through this one. He has the assist on our only actual goal, but other than that, I didn't see the DaMarcus that used to play for Chicago. What exactly does European soccer do to our players?
The players in the English league seem to do better, since they get playing time. But, I can also think of players, like Tim Howard and Joe-Max Moore, that impress early but are given permanent places on the bench for mistakes that no domestic player would get punished for.
Anyway, I'm putting this out as an argument for all three soccer fans that read this.
Prairie Clayton, one of the people who wanted me to post this, has her complete World Cup trip report published on a bulletin board I've never heard of.
Read it, it's fun!
By the way, tonight New England plays Dallas. It's the Deuce's Return!
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Eric Wynalda retorted that some of the better performing players (Eddie Johnson, Clint Dempsey) haven't spent five minutes on a European roster. Hopkins argument was that MLS players don't "train enough." Well, given how many of them seem to sit on the bench, I don't know how much good that "training" is doing if they aren't getting playing time.
So, what happens to former MLS players when they go to Europe? DaMarcus Beasley, for example, was impressive at the last World Cup, but slept through this one. He has the assist on our only actual goal, but other than that, I didn't see the DaMarcus that used to play for Chicago. What exactly does European soccer do to our players?
The players in the English league seem to do better, since they get playing time. But, I can also think of players, like Tim Howard and Joe-Max Moore, that impress early but are given permanent places on the bench for mistakes that no domestic player would get punished for.
Anyway, I'm putting this out as an argument for all three soccer fans that read this.
Prairie Clayton, one of the people who wanted me to post this, has her complete World Cup trip report published on a bulletin board I've never heard of.Read it, it's fun!
By the way, tonight New England plays Dallas. It's the Deuce's Return!Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
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ether someone is giving blood in that photo or that is how they have started doing drug testing.
And do not ask me about the playing time of players...I only started liking soccer but this post does answer the question about your attendence at the Sahuaro/Virginia Beach Mariners game tonight.
And do not ask me about the playing time of players...I only started liking soccer but this post does answer the question about your attendence at the Sahuaro/Virginia Beach Mariners game tonight.
ether someone is giving blood in that photo or that is how they have started doing drug testing.
That's exactly what Clint is doing in the photo; there are a few others on US Soccer from the same set of players having blood drawn as part of pre-WC medical exams.
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That's exactly what Clint is doing in the photo; there are a few others on US Soccer from the same set of players having blood drawn as part of pre-WC medical exams.
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: czwartek, czerwca 29, 2006 1:51:00 PM
: czwartek, czerwca 29, 2006 1:51:00 PM << Home
