MLS Cup & USA Soccer

[El Kabong]

I think you forget that EJ CAN score 39 caps 12 goals, not impressive for a striker but compare it to Beasley's 89 caps and 17 goals it's a deluge of goals. Granted they play different positions but with the way things stand right now NEED a striker and like it or not EJ is in the running as is Freddy Adu. We don't NEED a midfielder but if Beasley can correct himself that would be a nice extra to have if someone gets injured, is suspended for red cards, or to use as a sub. If Beasley can play this well for the National side then I'm all for having him...but again the NEED is at striker and not midfield unless #1 Dempsey is permenantly moved to striker (possible) or #2 Jermaine Jones & Maurice Edu aren't in shape to play.

We need to keep open minds about strikers, I just don't want Ching or Casey on the team, they don't add anything to the team. I would rather use someone brand damned new than Ching or Casey! Freddy Adu is a good player to have because he can play midfield or striker (he's more of a forward) and it saves a coach the decision to put an extra midfielder or striker on the bench.

Whatever way this ends up working out hattonthehammer is correct, the US should still advance.

[OumaFan]

A lot of those 12 goals came early in his career with us in a relatively short period of time versus not that great teams. He's been abysmal ever since. I'd rather have Ching or Casey and they are both enormously uninspiring.

[El Kabong]

A lot of those 12 goals came early in his career with us in a relatively short period of time versus not that great teams. He's been abysmal ever since. I'd rather have Ching or Casey and they are both enormously uninspiring.

Then who do you suggest as a STRIKER? I mean Beasley can't help us there.

[OumaFan]

Its awful really. I'm not even as high on Jozy as a lot of people but with this group he's a penciled in starter. Then you have Ching or Casey (I'm fine with bringing one of them, not both), Findley Cooper EJ, Cunningham, after that I have no idea.

I guess I'd take Jozy, Ching, Findley and Cooper. But it seems more and more clear that Dempsey is going to have to play up top as if he does we can replace him with Holden, Benny, Beasley, etc., quality replacements whereas they just aren't there up top.

Fuck it, see what McBride is doing Or pray that Davies makes a miraculous recovery.

I just don't see Adu as a viable option unless its maybe coming off the bench playing as an attacking mid/withdrawn striker. Part of the difference in opinion here is you think he's a striker and I really don't. The best performance I've ever seen out of Adu for the national team was as the attacking mid/playmaker when he played against Spain in a friendly before they won the Euros, with Eddie up top. Eddie was pretty poor if I remember correctly but Adu played well, very well really. But he wasn't playing as a true striker.

[El Kabong]

Altidore is the man! He's just 20 years old and he's the first big time striker the US has ever had!

McBride #1 is 38 and #2 is retired

You can only take so many strikers and Freddy Adu (unlike everyone but Dempsey) can play a decent midfield if needed. The guys we need to use are: Altidore[21 caps, 8 goals], Dempsey[59 caps, 17 goals], Adu[15 caps,2 goals], Cooper[10 caps, 4 goals], and Findley[1 cap, 0 goals]. Ching [43 caps, 10 goals] and Casey[16 caps, 2 goals] just don't add anything to offense as their numbers prove.

If Beasley can keep up his play (which I warn you hasn't been on the US National Team which was the point of contention before) then maybe we won't need Adu and could add another pure striker, but I need to see Beasley play like that for the National side before I accept him on the national team.

Our best players deserve the first opportunity to make the squad...Ching and Casey are horrible but I bet one or both make the team in place of Cooper and someone else and this will come back to haunt us.