Maurice Edu played a key role in helping Glasgow Rangers catch Celtic and win its first Scottish League title in four years, but the race to that title might keep him from playing in some very important upcoming matches.
Edu is questionable for Rangers' Scottish Cup final vs. Falkirk on Saturday with a thigh injury suffered in the team's season-ending and league-clinching victory vs. Dundee United on Sunday. The injury also puts in doubt Edu's availability for Wednesday's U.S. National Team Word Cup Qualifier vs. Costa Rica.
Edu's status for the Costa Rica match won't be known until he joins the team in Costa Rica on Sunday, but as of right now he looks set to travel to Central America for the match.
What do you think of those development? Disappointed that Edu might miss the Scottish Cup final? Hoping he's healthy for Costa Rica? Think he should be starting alongside Michael Bradley in central midfield?
Share your thoughts below.
@Sean Monaghan
I would agree 100% that it’s difficult to go and win on the road, but I have to say, too much is made of CONCACAF road qualifiers. I did some research a while back. In the 2006 WC cycle, CONCACAF teams had the second EASIEST time getting road points of any region. I compared it to 2008 MLS road results–it was slightly harder (by a couple of percentage points) to get a road result in MLS than it was in CONCACAF qualifying. I’m not going to go as far as to say qualifiers aren’t hostile or difficult, but home field advantage is a very real factor in any sport and any competition. And I don’t think it’s reason enough to bench more talented players in favor of less talented players who have “been there.” I’m all for experience–it’s a great help. But at a certain point, I think the pros of the younger, more talented player outweigh the pros of the experienced, but less talented player. And, by playing your more talented, younger player, you’re helping him gain valuable experience that will make him even more valuable down the line. That’s just my opinion, though…
Starting Pablo = Epic Fail.
I hope that Edu is available for both games. Let’s hope that he is healthy.
true,I think people dont really know how tough it is to go into these places and escape with all 3 points
@Sean Mo, shoot. I still prefer Pablo for the Costa Rica match (just because of the experience). I agree that we have to make the most out of our set pieces; as long as we don’t buy the game, I’ll take 3 points out of the Monster’s Cave anyway we can get them.
Jaime true,Edu started the last old firm and was one of Rangers best players. but here is the thing,but that was in Ibrox….so that means there was about 8-10,000 away fans there…can you do it with an entire crowd going nuts for Costa Rica?only time will tell. we will have no creativity….to be honest the only way I saw us getting 3 points in costa rica is off a set peice
Haha, not a problem…”Hay Carumba” got the point across just fine.
My differing point of view is probably the product of growing up in the Earnie Stewart era 😉
Thanks for the response
Sean Monaghan – You should know as well as anyone the Old Firm derby is a pretty intense atmosphere. Edu held his own against Celtic, and I think he’s probably ready for CONCACAF Qualifiers on the road.
I’m not dismissing Mastroeni is a viable option, but I think Edu has shown a lot over the past six months, including the ability to play the big games.
Mike, thanks for your explanation and I completely agree with the comment about a half hearted fall back guy versus the passionate one who will give 100%. I am all about winning a World Cup. I can’t wait for the world to swallow that.
It is still my contention that with our population and the way we can throw money at just about anything, that we can take our boys who have come up through whatever system is there for them and play on a world stage. The US has had the best athletes in almost every sport ever played for over a hundred years. It is about time that we exert our force on footie…
My Mexican born wife disagrees but that is why it’s so much fun for her and I to go to as many USMNT games vs Mexico as possible. She is a real trooper as she winces at another US victory! 🙂
Oh, and sorry about miss spelling your name in that other thread… Ay Caramba! 🙂
I think if Rangers had both Edu and Mastroeni in their roster for the Scottish Cup final (assuming both were healthy), they would start Mo over Pablo. That’s just a guess. Experience is always a plus, but I think Edu has surpassed Mastroeni in skill to the point where he should be ahead in the central mid depth chart, all things considered.
@Mike I understand that he is young and perspectives change but I agree that Ned would have been better off to not have ever made the “stabbing the team and fans” comments.
I don’t care for Rossi but at least that guy was straightforward.
I respect that. If a guy like Jason Hernandez says or Luis Robles decline to play for Puerto Rico because they want to represent the US someday then I don’t blame them. I can respect that. personale decision. I don’t get angry about that. Lot higher profile, better career opportunities. Just be straighforward about it (Hernandez and Robles both have been). In the case of those guys I wouldn’t mind if they fell back to play for Puerto Rico.
Just don’t give the impression that you’re really open to the possibility of something if you are not. Nobody like to get yanked around. Sometimes it is better to say as little as possible.
I don’t hate Rongen but I do hold him very responsible in the Subotic decision. Still, Ned is one player.
Ives, check your email. I just sent you some news
If Edu is out, I’m certain that Pablo can play well in his place.
I’m probably in the minority here, but I like and appreciate what Pablo (and Ching, for that matter) bring to the table.
My biggest concern with Pablo is being on the road in CONCACAF, with CONCACAF officiating.
It doesn’t take much for a nick on the foot or a shoulder charge to turn into straight red.
@ Yanki…agree about Rongen–I really hate that guy. But it was still painful to hear Subotic say something along the lines of, if I change teams after putting on the USA’s shirt, that would be stabbing the team and the fans in the back…and then he went ahead and did just that. That was a little low.
Do we really want someone so young to be stepping in starting in one of the biggest games in WCQ???We need people who arent going to be intimidated by a VERY hostile crowd
—————–Howard—————
-Hejduk(spector)–gooch-boca—-Spector
————-Bradley—Pablo—–
–Dempsey———Donovan—–Beasley
————–Ching(subbed for jozy)—-
I really wish we played a straight up 4-4-2 though rather than a 4-5-1
@Mike, I appreciate your multiple definitons and explanations.
I don’t want Rossi. If you don’t want to wear the jersey then good luck to you.
Subotic I blame on Rongen. He mishandled him with the U-20’s. Still Subotic should have gotten over it.
@dantheblue
Sorry to drag this over from the other thread, but I wanted to clarify my position about “foreign” players. You’re right about Altidore–I mistyped when I said “their”…shouldn’t have said that. My guess is that Jozy, because both of his parents are from Haiti, would be eligible to play for their national team if he had chosen that. There are a lot of different ways to define American–someone whose family has been here for generations, someone who was the first of their family to be born here (Altidore), someone who was born elsewhere but has lived here since a young age (Adu), or someone who took the time to become a citizen later in life. To me, it’s all the same. I’d prefer not to have players who choose the US as a fall-back (for instance, I’m not that interested in J. Johnson who would choose England over the U.S. in a heartbeat). But I’d take a passionate naturalized citizen over a half-hearted Subotic or Rossi any day of the week. Maybe that’s just me…
For my part, I’m just happy that there are so many options for the position right now. While there is a HUGE drop off at some positions, its really great to have a variety of veterans and young guys who can step in and play well – at least against CONCACAF competition. Here’s hoping all the first string starters are healthy for the Confed. Cup.
We always play the guys that we got but having said that, I would really like to have the Edu option. He had worked his way into being an asset for Rangers and is on a role with his club team.
But we have Maestroeni. He is still a better option then some of the guys called up and not called up…
Def. should be starting next to Bradley
I think – and I know I’ll get killed here – that Pablo should be starting against Costa and Edu should start against Honduras. This scenario looks more likely now.
Edu has come far and has been in pressure situations as of late but we need the experience of a Pablo on field in a place like Saprissa – especially since Hejduk is going to be out.
I think Edu should rest up while he can because it’s going to be a long summer. If he shows for the Nat’s like he’s shown for Rangers, he will play a major role over the next couple months. No worries.
I’d like to see Edu/Bradley in the midfield, but with Edu having more of a “destroyer” role and Bradley having more of an offensive role.
When they are both tasked with being “2-way midfielders” is when I believe they both end up playing the infamous “empty bucket” in the midfield.
Let Bradley push up, where his underrated passing ability and vision and his nose for goal can be a greater asset in the game.
Sounds very much like Rangers have Edu playing in his intended role, as the central holder.
He became too offensively oriented in Toronto and was suffering there as a result; play was very poor before he went out, but according to Rangers fan boards he’s an absolute destroyer in central midfield now.
If he doesn’t play this weekend for his club, he certainly won’t be playing next week vs. Costa Rica and Honduras (HOLY CRAP, ITS NEXT WEEK).
It won’t be the biggest loss if he doesn’t play. Boss Bradley will more than likely play Bradley with Pablo behind him. I like Pablo, he gets HIS job done, which is to plug openings and rough up the opposition.
I’d love to see him and Bradley together, I always thought Bradley should play a more Lampard/Gerrard role, closer to the goal, with Edu in the holding spot. Bradley’s shot is THE hardest and best on the MNT. I’ve seen it twice first hand, directly behind the goal in warm-ups and when he hits it right, it sizzles.
I would have been surprised if Bob started him anyway. Bob always starts Pablo
————————-
Eh, not completely true. When he was with Toronto and healthy, he started, if I remember correctly.
Thank you Ives.
I hope he is healthy enough to play and I would like to see him team with Micheal Bradley for the start in Costa Rica. If he can’t go I would like to see Torres infront of Bradley.
I would have been surprised if Bob started him anyway. Bob always starts Pablo.
He should be the starter with Pablo and Torres ready to sub in off the bench. Hopefully it’s not a serious injury.
Dan, if Edu has missed training all week I doubt it’s for something minor. We’ll see if he plays. If he doesn’t play then you have to wonder if he can really play vs. Costa Rica.
i highly doubt he’d miss a game with Rangers, or the Nats, because it’s merely a charley horse.
Think they are creating excuses to get Fergie back in the line-up without controversy?
I’d love to see Edu/Bradley in the midfield; two of our players that are determined, skilled, and young.
I hope he’s ok, he has shown alot grit and I for one would like to see him in the starting XI.
Ives, is the “thigh injury” merely a charley horse or something more serious? Having played competitive basketball into college and had many charley horses, play through it Edu… it will improve… If it is more dubious then rest it…