By FRANCO PANIZO
MIAMI- When the U.S. national team started practice on Wednesday, there was a familiar face back in practice. The face was that of Frankie Hejduk.
Hejduk made his return to a U.S. national team camp after a five month hiatus due to various injuries. The last time Hejduk was in camp was prior to the U.S. team's qualifiers at El Salvador and vs. Trinidad and Tobago back in the spring.
"It's great [to be back]," said Hejduk."Now I'm here and I'm feeling good again and hopefully I can keep this level up, and contribute wherever I can to the team, whether it be on the field, off the bench, in the stands, wherever, just to help the guys out. I'm just elated to be back in camp."
While Hejduk is unlikely to start against Honduras, his return should help bring a much-needed morale boost to a U.S. team that has looked sluggish at times in qualifying. Through the Hexagonal, the U.S. team has surrendered the first goal on four different occasions, including in the 2-1 win against Honduras back on June 6 at Soldier Field.
"Honduras is a good team. We definitely felt that when we played at home in the first qualifier," said defender Oguchi Onyewu. "We are not going to take them for granted. We are trying to get as prepared as possible for Saturday so we can come out there and get three points."
A win in Honduras is all the Americans need to qualify for the World Cup, but a draw can also secure a berth to South Africa if Trinidad and Tobago manages to tie Costa Rica. However, the U.S. team is focused solely on beating los catrachos.
"We are just trying to focus on what we can do to win the game, and I think we're obviously a really good team, and we beat them at home in Chicago a couple months ago, so if we can put the same performance in then we'll be fine," said goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The U.S. has just one more day of training in South Florida before traveling to Honduras for Saturday's World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sula.
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Happy to see Hejduk back with the U.S. team? Think the U.S. can win, or are you hoping for a pair of draws on Saturday? Will the U.S. avoid giving up an early goal again?
Share your thoughts below.
Heydude was brought in for his leadership, energy and attitude but he was an after thought and won’t actually play. He’s a great presence and could be an possibility in the second match if cards fly in Honduras. Those calling for Conrad must have forgotten he wasn’t even called in last time and wouldn’t be here now if Demerit and/or Marshall were available. He too was brought in to make up numbers for training.
I agree with the others who wouldn’t be bothered with Frankie starting. Love his energy, and I can attest he is still as fast as ever after watching him play with the Crew against the Galaxy recently. Gonna need some speed to deal with their strikers. Honestly, we dont have a defender that can match their skill 1v1, so give me the guy who can at least keep pace.
are there any former players (at ANY level)who can watch Frankie play and not want to get out there and knock the rock around again? He never stops.
Go Yankees
thanks tsingleton.
heres to hoping we bring the a squad!
Hejduk is the best surfer on the national team…
He can take the biggest bong rips on the team…
He uses the words bodacious, tubular, and “all riiiiight” more than anyone…
He’s been arrested 1,345 times at various Rallies supporting anti-war (whichever war is in fashion); Legalization; Close Area 51; To open a RonJon Surf Shop in Columbus; Legalization; Free Tibet; and Legalization (Shrooms this time)
@Sheldon, I have no idea what Bob Bradley will do against Costa Rica if the US has already qualified, but I hope he plays an A team. This will be his last chance to play a competitive match before the world cup. Put your A team out against a Costa Rica squad motivated to clinch its qualification and avoid a playoff. None of the games before the World Cup will see opponents as motivated as the Costa Rica players will be.
If you don’t play the A team, then why not call in the squad that lost the Gold Cup final and give them a chance at redemption? Just kidding.
Historically, we have not played the A team after clinching and I have considered it a mistake. Why did Arena send a B team down to Costa Rica last time to get hammered 3-0? That was a wasted competitive road game. Not like our starters get all that many competitve road games.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
SuperFrank is irreplaceable. Heart and desire are needed in the locker room for these meaningful games. The team didn’t feel the same without him. I’m glad he’s back and consider him a large piece of the whole of the squad.
The morale of the team is as important as the health and skill.
Amen @Chuck.
Hey guys, quick question.
I bought tickets for the qualifier at RFK vs. Costa Rica. Say the US wins on sunday night; with qualification assured, would the US still field a full strength line up on wednesday? in other words, would it be important to win both games, or would the US be set with just the one win.
Frankier rocks. I was in South Korea for the World Cup driving to a game when by coincidence we were next the the US Team Bus at a toll plaza. My buddy jumps out of the car, drops his shorts and shows the team his US Flag Boxers. Frankie loved it, laughed and gave us the hang loose sign. Very cool indeed.
I’m with you Chuck.
Hejuk > Bornstein
Frankie is the solution to our Left Back problem.
Why isn’t this obvious to everyone?
Frankie is pure class. I see it every night at Crew Stadium. He is just as pumped when there are 20,000 there for the Fire as when there are a few hundred for Saprissa. He still runs around and gets the fans pumped for the game. Frankie loves the game and brings passion to the locker room. I’d put him on the WC roster and I would dress him for these qualifiers. He is not Dolo and he is not Specs. He never was and he never will be. But he is an asset to our player pool and a valuable guy to have in camp and with the team.
Early results in:
MX beats ES (Mexico home game, little doubt)
CR beats TNT (Easy one to predict)
HN beats US (US is hopeful, but how much hope is warranted?)
That will give us the following going into the last match:
18 Mexico
16 USA
16 Honduras
15 Costa Rica
8 El Salvador
5 Trinidad and Tobago
Boys and girls, hang on for a bumpy ride.
Go USA!
Win it, win it now.
Frankie can play more than left or right back. If we need a little something extra, Bob can always reach in the bag and pull out the Frankie Card. Was it down in Guatamala where he energized the US to victory?
If i’m picking the WC squad. He’s my 23rd player and i select him first. If he’s injured, i still pay his way. The other 22 can sweat it out as to whether they get selected.
FRANKIE story. Before the US/Ghana match in Nuremburg, we were getting beers at the beer stand and up walks Frankie with US gear on acting as fan and loving life. So, when he says “IN THE STANDS’ he means it.
Honestly, i think we have nothing to lose….Costa Rica will most likely beat TnT at home therefore, a tie does us no good….. why not play this game aggresive with some creative and attacking players and take it to them. Honduras will not be expecting it.
I’m with MG3. It wouldn’t bother me if Frankie started, either.
I’m actually not convinced his skill level is that much worse than Dolo or Spector, and he brings a passion to work and run that no one else on the team exhibits — at least not for as long.
It’s too bad Dempsey isn’t playing. I’d love to see him try to take a couple minutes off with Frankie running up and down near him all the time.
Frankie is there to instill some of the passion and intensity that I feel has been lacking in the last few games. I wouldn’t be upset if Frankie started.
what are the chances Frankie goes to the World Cup, i don’t think he’d see the pitch, but could help the team, even as a coach or soemthign. I think he could be a potentially good USMNT coach someday
its funny ives…..i seem to agree with you on like 95% of things football(leaving the last 5% left b/c we have to disagree about something football)
i guess great football minds think alike.
Posted by: Austin | October 07, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Brown Noser….:)
Great post, Ives. Frankie needs to be on the sideline forevermore, in any capacity. He gets the guys pumped and helps get them focused. Jugador es muy importante.
It’s great [to be back],” said Hejduk.”Now I’m here and I’m feeling good again and hopefully I can keep this level up, and contribute wherever I can to the team, whether it be on the field, off the bench, in the stands, wherever, just to help the guys out. I’m just elated to be back in camp.”
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Whatever his considerable shortcomings as a player, you have to love Frankie. Who else would list “in the stands”?
its funny ives…..i seem to agree with you on like 95% of things football(leaving the last 5% left b/c we have to disagree about something football)
i guess great football minds think alike.
no real point in playing for a tie, if CR beats Trinidad and Honduras takes care of their last game only a win will be of any use to us. They are definitely not playing for a tie on Saturday
I rewatched the Honduras-USA Qualifier from June last night. After a shaky start the USA calmed down and looked as good as they did vs Egypt and Spain in the Confeds Cup and that is with Mastro playing instead of Baby Bradley and Casey playing instead of Davies. If they play like they did that day with the same passion, purpose and good team play there is no way the USA will lose!
Hey Dude is a great guy. I’m glad he is at camp am I sure his contributions will be felt and appreciated even if he doesn’t make it on to a game day pitch.
Oguchi Onyewu: “We are not going to take them for granted.
GOOCH! why would any player or coach for the nats even imagine for one millionth of a second that you could. Wrong attitude!!!!!!
He should have said: “We know we are in deep trouble and will be facing an enormous challenge..I hope we aren’t humilliated”
Maybe J. Spector or Dolo start at right mid in a purely defensive posture allowing only LD to venture forward to join the 2 forsards.
Hejduk is our Talisman, I very much like the ‘energy’ he brings to the party.
COME ON BOYS!!!!
I really don’t want to be watching the Costa Rica game nervous as hell.
Now all we need is a Honduran coach to slap Frankie in the tunnel before the game and we can book our flights to SA.
My question is still why did BB bring in another RB when he has two in camp? Can’t see all three making the game day roster. Two he brought in from Europe. Can’t believe he’ll send one home.
Frankie better not play right half. So what’s the reason?
Posted by: zongzap | October 07, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Every think they might play LB as well….we don’t have many of those Borenstien being the only one in the group this time
I don’t think we’ll be playing for a tie. A tie doesn’t help us much more than a loss would. So there’s no reason not to go for it.
And personally, I think we can do it. I’m predicting a 2-1 win for the U.S.
My question is still why did BB bring in another RB when he has two in camp? Can’t see all three making the game day roster. Two he brought in from Europe. Can’t believe he’ll send one home.
Frankie better not play right half. So what’s the reason?
(SBI-He needed a 22nd for training purposes and decided to bring a player who could actually bring some experience and personality and leadership. It’s as much about the intangibles Hejduk can provide by simply being around, then if Bradley had called in some young player with no chance to play and little to offer the camp.)
How do I have the feeling that the US will be playing for a tie in a hostile foreign country? No player/coach will ever publicly state that they want anything by 3 points but I’m sure Robo Bob will have them playing as conservative as ever. Should be interesting watching our box jammed in the 87th minute as Honduras bombs Howard for the late game goal
we need a fired up leader… Donovan leads with his actions on the field. Hejduk leads with his heart, which is irreplacable. Put him on the bench, and let him give the boys that lil extra to pull out this game.
Frankie brings a great attitude to the team. That never hurts.
Hejduk= the American Cafu!!