Oguchi Onyewu's official AC Milan debut finally came on Wednesday, but the result of the match itself overshadowed any good feelings that might have come from Onyewu's first official appearance for the Italian club.
The U.S. national team defender played the final 30 minutes in AC Milan's 1-0 loss to FC Zurich, a loss that came just days after Milan's surprising draw vs. Bari. The recent results have Milan head coach Leonardo facing rumors that he could soon be fired.
How did Onyewu do? He held his own, drawing a handful of fouls and forcing a corner kick as he pushed forward and played what amounted to a target forward role in the match's final minutes. There were a few nervy moments in the back as Onyewu and central defense partner Kakha Khaladze struggled to communicate early on, but Onyewu eventually settled in and faced down every challenge Zurich threw his way. It was a solid debut, especially considering he was partnered with the shaky Khaladze rather than the steady Alessandro Nesta.
What next for Onyewu? AC Milan faces winless Atalanta on Sunday. Atalanta is second from bottom in Serie A and has managed just two goals in six matches this season. It would be the ideal match for Onyewu to earn his first start in, especially with regular starter Thiago Silva still recovering from a leg injury. It is the final match before Onyewu reports for national team duty, and thus his last chance to get some playing time as he prepares to face Honduras and Costa Rica.
In a best-case scenario, Onyewu would be partnered with Nesta against Atalanta, rather than Khaladze, who really is a defensive liability. Either way, the Atalanta match could be Onyewu's best chance for a while to show he deserves more playing time at Milan because Silva is expected to be fully recovered after the international fixture break. At this point it is up to Leonardo, who is feeling the heat to produce some results, to give Onyewu the opportunity.
What did you think of Onyewu's performance? Feeling confident that he will see more playing time? Are you hoping Leonardo gets the boot so Onyewu can have a shot at more playing time, or are you hoping he keeps his job and starts playing Onyewu more?
Share your thoughts below.
I do hope that if Gooch continues to prove he can hold his own on the pitch, he would earn more regular minutes- though starts are prob unrealistic w/o injuries.
If Gooch had the qualities of a forward (as Daniel wrote), he would be a bigger Drogba- an unguardable monster. US fans can only dream… Let’s just hope Jozy keeps developing, since he has shown flashes of that ability to overpower int’l defenders.
It sounded as if Nesta was taken out because of a minor back injury or simply soreness….
To me it seems that they want Gooch as a foward and not a defense. If he had the qualities of a forward he would be a beast.
Gooch needs to start. AC Milan is old and needs new blood.
what d said: WHY WAS NESTA TAKEN OUT? Ives?
@Skinn.
Great point! Glad you’re inside these coaches heads to let us know what’s going on. Shame on me for considering a possibility.
does anyone know what Nesta was subbed out in the first place? was he injured?
JeffM. No.
@David – “why sign a player if you don’t intend on playing him.” I don’t know, but we see it all the time.
@babecia – good point.
@ryan – Babel has been good for the last two years when he’s been on the field, which has been rarely. I haven’t seen him this year, which isn’t surprising considering that he surfaces about as often as the Loch Ness monster.
Also, Babel is not the only reason I wonder about Beitez; there’s also this: how many black players on Chelsea, Arsenal, and Man U, not just this year, but in recent years? How many on Liverpool (correct answer in 2009: seven out of 38 roster players, and Campbell is the only one who plays)? Circumstantial evidence, to be sure, and it could just be a coincidence, but it does make me wonder.
Tony that was ill, thanks for posting. But my favorite has to be Brooklyn FC. Wait, what?? Please keep hitting that bong before posting.
For everyone saying that Italians won’t use him cause he’s American, you sound a little insecure. I can’t help but wonder if your opinions are based on facts or speculation.
This Italian seemed impressed.
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/serieaaaaargh/archive/2009/10/01/headbands-and-headbanging-for-morose-milan.aspx
Geez, a defender DRAWING fouls? EARNING corner kicks??
That sounds fantastic.
I read that he earned fouls by shielding the ball. Something he would never get with stinky Concacaf refs, or in a WC.
He has to earn a spot for sure, but I’ve always felt that Gooch IS a good player.
The worst thing for Gooch is for Leonardo to lose his job. Leonardo brought him in. The last thing Gooch needs is to have another coach come in with a different mindset and see Gooch as dead weight.
I’m excited Gooch saw his first time. But what is wrong with Milan? they are shutout in the San Siro? I just don’t get it. They need a spark. With players like Flamini, Ronaldinho, Pato, Seedorf, Gattuso, Inzaghi, Pirlo, I can’t imagine not managing a goal. They did hit the woodwork, but something is amiss in that locker room.
Tony in Quakeland: Snark on! That was a lot was a lot more fun to read than the usual “BB plays his son too much/should start Freddy Adu” tripe. (Or my own earnest ramblings!)
Take the paycheck, Onyewu. Learn a little bit of craft while you’re there, build up your savings account, and then get out of that sinking ship as fast as possible next year.
@JeffM Re: Racism
Leonardo isn’t a European coach. He’s a Brazilian who coaches in Europe. I won’t pretend there’s no racism among Brazilians, but it doesn’t seem to rear its head on a soccer pitch.
Funny that the Italians cringe when gooch touches a ball yet I cringe at every international game I have to endure when the Azzuri senior team plays. Milan needs some fresh ideas in the tactical sense and training methods. And by the way, great site Ive’s and “prism of operatic fatalism!” is a classic….put it on a shirt!
SoccerJohn: i never expected to win! I was just being snarky to amuse myself! Thank you thank you thank you!
Euroman, he hasn’t provided *any* minutes until yesterday.
Few reasons:
1. This is Milan, not Arsenal. They stick with their old guns as long as they can. Thiago Silva didn’t even play last year (and yes, I know he was surplus to EU requirements, but so was Ronaldinho). But, I think Milan may be reaching a boiling point, and Leonardo is realizing that playing Gattuso, Zambrotta, etc. is futile.
2. Language. Gooch *must* learn Italian, or at least “fuori” and “gamba” and “testa” and “portiere”. Yes, he probably knows the basics. But Italian soccer, *especially* defense, is uber-tactical, and he must be able to communicate.
3. Quasi-hazing, as in Gooch has to earn his stripes to play for a club like Milan. He’ll get a few spot starts (hence this weekend against Atalanta being perfect) in Serie A, and depending on the situation games 5 and 6 in the Champions League, and all the Coppa Italia matches. They’ll re-evaluate over the winter break. Gooch just has to play hard and learn hard over these next 3 months . . .
He had some butterflys in the beggining of the game, but then settled nicely! He had a good game overall. Considering he hadn’t been getting playing time.
And the award for intellectualism in a comments section (sporting category) goes to…TONY IN QUAKELAND, for “prism of operatic fatalism!” Nicely done, sir.
> He just hasn’t provided any good minutes since he arrived in Italy so why would he get played.
Translation: He hasn’t had any playing time, so why should he get any playing time?
eurothought
good that the zurich goal was scored well before gooch entered the game …
Gooch still the 4th CB….a few garbage minutes may come his way from time to time. He just hasn’t provided any good minutes since he arrived in Italy so why would he get played. Poor BB & USA will play him anyway and that will be a huge problem.
(SBI- “He just hasn’t provided any good minutes since he arrived in Italy.” And what would you call his 30 minutes in a home Champions League match the team was down a goal in? Bad minutes? It’s not the same as starting but this wasn’t mop-up duty in a blowout.)
Truly ridiculous comment regarding Rafa and Babel. Babel has not played because, other than in pre-season matches, he’s been terrible. He started week 1 and was awful, since then Benayoun has very deservedly taken his place.
If the Milan fans were Italian – they won’t like the fact that Gooch is American. Yes, his first touch or two looked shaky, and that miscommunication with both Kaladze (where he was fouled) and Storari (where he booted it out for a corner) were cringing moments. But, after a few minutes, he looked fine. In fact, he looks more sure of himself and commanding than Kaladze does, ever. But, since he’s American and American players are an unknown quality in Italy, he needs to be *very* commanding. I would like to see him with Nesta this weekend, and, *when* Nesta gets injured (c’mon, it’s not a question of “if”!), I would love to see him with Tiago Silva. I think they would complement each other very well.
Heck, we could use Onyewu on Roma – our defense has looked *atrocious*, and Burdisso has been one of the best players by far. Hopefully, they can sweep aside Sophia tonight. Forza La Magica!
I’m sure the opinions of the Milan fans were clouded by the overwhelming performances of the team’s offensive players.
Last seven games –> three goals.
Every comment from any Italian soccer fan regarding any player or coach needs to be understood through the prism of operatic fatalism shared by all of them.
Does anyone know if Gooch has learned any Italian? Could be a slight factor. (no sarcasm)
To echo Ben’s comments, the Milan fans that I spoke with think Gooch will be limited to Italian cup appearances.
I am however heartened to see him take the field, and hope that he proves them wrong.
I was watching the game in Italy with several local AC Milan fans, they don’t seem to have a very high opinion of Onyewu. They closed their eyes every time he touched the ball, and said he didn’t look very good at all.
Personally, I thought he settled in fine and played well at the end. Unfortunately, the first impression wasn’t very good, and I think those are what AC fans in Italy will remember.
JeffM,
I was under the impression Xerez took Jozy on so that their competitors won’t get him and then they put him on the bench since they really didn’t need im. as for Leonardo and Rafa, didn’t they sign Gooch and Babel? Why sign someone if you don’t plan on playing them?
Seems Babel just never produced and Gooch has had to earn his time. Hopefully this 30 minutes is just the beginning.
I am sure their is racism in the game but I can’t imagine that Rafa and Leonardo could be and have it not be known. They are just to high profile.
Personally, I would like to see Leonardo stay. Through the pre-season he seemed to be a supporter of Gooch…without the coach’s interset, I doubt he would have ever been brought in. I fear that if a new coach were to come in, Gooch might no longer be in the plans…
Ives’ last question is a good one, and I’d like to hear from Milan fans (which I am not): which is more likely to get Gooch more playing time? Leonardo staying or Leonardo getting the boot. Seems like you’d need to know something about Leonardo’s past handling of players to be able to give a good answer.
One thing in particular that I’d like to know: has there ever been any indication that Leonardo is reluctant to play black players? I know that Seedorf has had a long career at Milan, so probably not. But it’d be naive to think that’s never a factor among European coaches; Jozy’s time at Xerez, for example, seemed extremely fishy to me, and I’ve always wondered just a little bit about Rafa Benitez (see: Ryan Babel).
Oneywu is going to be just fine. the coach has been stubborn in not playing him. Because…. “Im the cream of the crop/ I rise to the top/ I never eat a pig cause a pig is a cop/” House OF Pain. The best always shine through