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Your Questions Answered (Part 3)

RSLCelebrates (ISIphotos.com) 

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I know I've taken a while to answer a Q&A when I don't get around to it until the next decade.

Okay, so the November Q&A has taken a while to get through, but the end is near and this latest batch of Q&As should help provide some insight despite the fact that six weeks have gone by since these questions were asked.

Something I am considering for future Q&A is doing live Q&As using the CoverItLive software. I may do both actually, the occasional live Q&A along with a monthly traditional Q&A. You can definitely expect an MLS Combine Q&A as well as pre-draft and post-draft Q&As in the coming weeks (and yes, the turnaround on those will be immediate).

Now, onto some more of your questions answered:

MICHAEL F– I never fully understood the demise of the MLS reserves. Was it all about money? Do you think it will come back? Where did all those players end up?

IVES– The sense I got was that the investment to make the reserve league a well-run and effective league was considerable and I don’t think the league or owners saw the value in the investment. I think it’s short-sighted because the experience reserve league games can give players, particularly young players, is invaluable. I can’t help but look at the Generation adidas class about to be signed and wonder what a player like Jack McInerney or Zachary Herold is going to do, or a player like Brian Perk, who will likely need to secure a loan in order to find playing time.

This is why I would bet money on the reserve league returning. It just has to. Either that or MLS needs to establish a real relationship with whatever second division league is playing in 2010. Young players need games to improve so it’s vital that MLS either brings back the reserve league or provide some sort of alternative.

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RSL FOR THE CUP– Does RSL have the potential to be a dynasty?

IVES– Settle down. They barely got in the playoffs. Okay, that's a tad harsh, but let's take it a little slow. They have a talented roster, and have done a good job of signing up key players to long-term deals, but you should probably wait for them to actually post a winning regular-season record before talking dynasty. What I will say is that if the confidence from winning a title helps RSL play to its potential on a more consistent basis, RSL can be one of the league's best teams for a few years because most of its top players have been locked up to new deals.

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BHO– How do you like RSL's chances of repeating? Better than 1 in 16?

IVES– I'd say they're 7-1 to repeat. It's not easy repeating and let's face it, RSL didn't exactly dominate the league last year. They've got talent, and can play great soccer, but they need to find some consistency before I can really see them repeating.

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JASON– How legit is the RB's play for Rafa Marquez? I know they're moving to the stadium next year, but that doesnt seem realistic, although it would be a great get.

Also, supposedly Feilhaber is getting looks from some bigger leagues in Germany, Spain, and Holland. What would you advise him to do come January?

IVES– Never bought that one for a second. It’s funny how often we’ll get a random rumor like that when a player is negotiating a new contract. Marquez is a respected player by Barcelona so I never really pictured him leaving Barca for MLS. Nevermind the fact that he wouldn’t exactly be an ideal Designated Player candidate anyway. He’s a talented player who would make any MLS team better, but not exactly a player who will pack a new stadium. As it stands. The Red Bulls look poised to add Thierry Henry after the World Cup. Henry and Juan Pablo Angel would be the team’s designated players.

As for Feilhaber, he's still young so he should probably go where the best offer comes. I know some people will wonder if he's risking his World Cup place by moving to bigger league, but as a young player he needs to think about his long-term future and an offer from one of those leagues might not come around again. Hopefully his time languishing at Derby was a learning experience.

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DAVE N– Ives, simple question –
Does Gooch make the roster for WC2010?

IVES– Yes

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PMAC- Any chance one of the teams in the World Cup final is not from Europe or South America? Granted there's only been 2 teams outside of these regions to make the semi-final round.

IVES- There are some African teams with strong squads, particularly Ivory Coast, and I think Mexico is going to have a strong World Cup, but I find it hard to pick a team outside of Europe and South America to win in 2010.

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FREDDIE FOOTBALLER– Assuming everyone is healthy (other than Davies)including Onyewu and Jones, what is your starting 11 and formation for South Africa? Thanks.

IVES– It’s way too early, but here’s a shot:

——————-Altidore———-Dempsey—————

Donovan———————————————–Beasley

———————Bradley——–Jones———————–

Spector——-Bocanegra——Onyewu——–Cherundolo

—————————-Howard——————————–

Obviously Jermaine Jones is a serious doubt, so I’d be more inclined to project someone like Maurice Edu getting the nod.

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BOTSWANA BRAD– Will Bekcham be back with LA after the World Cup, and will LA be able to build off a strong season to go just as far next year?

IVES– I’d say it’s a safe bet that he comes back and then stays for the remainder of his career. The 2010 World Cup has driven a lot of his desire to still be playing in Europe, but once that’s out of the way it wouldn’t surprise me if he settled in and finished out his contract with the Galaxy.

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SEA OTTER– Do you ever see MLS growing beyond FIFA's preferable 20 teams? Could you ever see the U.S. supporting a setup similar to the NFL to allow for more teams and greater coverage.

It just seems to me that 20 teams does not begin to accomodate the growing fanbase in this country. That fact, and the assumed resistance to promotion/relegation leaves large sections of the country and fan base out in the cold, so to speak.

For me the regionalism that I've grown up with supporting basketball, football, and baseball leaves me inclined to support no team that isn't at least near enough for me to attend games ( I live in Atlanta ).

I've honestly tried picking teams out of the current crop to support, but I just can't find any affinity. I wind up watching whichever games are on T.V. and supporting whoever is the underdog. It's not a very enjoyable MLS fan experience and limits my personal investment in the league. I don't believe I'm alone in that sentiment either.

IVES– It’s pretty clear that 20 teams can’t cover a country this big (and certainly not an area including Canada). That said, I’m not sure MLS can even think about what lies ahead after 20 teams. What I think can happen is that once we have a solid and healthy 20-team league, the second division can start to become a target for owners looking to field teams. I know that isn’t as appealing, but I just don’t see MLS expanding much beyond 20.

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MIKE G– Is there a player in the current US Nat'l team pool, that you think could one day consistently start for a top 4 team, in a top 4 league? I'm starting to lose the faith.

IVES– Tim Howard is the easy answer to that one in my opinion. As for field players, I could have seen Charlie Davies heading on that path before the accident, but right now it’s tough to say any current players are heading that route. Jermaine Jones will qualify once he recovers since he would be projected to start for Schalke (assuming he doesn’t make a winter transfer move). I have heard Michael Bradley’s name mentioned as someone on the radar of some of the bigger clubs in Europe as a long-term prospect so it wouldn’t surprise me if he wound up at a top club one day. His career has moved pretty far pretty fast already.

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LANDIS– With Donovan not winning the Cup, do you think that will serve as motivation to stay in MLS next season, or is he gone in January?

IVES– He’ll be back for the 2010 season and should finish out the full year unless he just has an amazing loan spell with Everton AND a great World Cup. Then you might see some great offers come in.

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LESTER– Does Landon Donovan's missed pk hurt him for the rest of his career in terms of taking them?

IVES– I’d doubt that one. He’s taken enough big ones in his career, and taken and made some big ones since that SuperLiga Final one he missed a few years back. He’s a veteran now so I think he’ll be fine.

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OMAR VIZQUEL– What kind of goalkeeper would LeBron James be, if he took up the game RIGHT NOW? I seriously think you could give him 2 off-seasons' worth of intense coaching and scrimmages, and he'd already be MLS caliber. You can't teach 6'8'', ungodly athleticism, and reflexes unlike I've ever seen; you can teach someone how to control a penalty area.

IVES– Omar, you don’t give the position of goalkeeping enough credit. Lebron is a freak of nature to be sure, a once-in-a-generation athlete, BUT goalkeeper is a very difficult position to master. A goalkeeper doesn’t just make reaction saves. They need to be able to read a game as it heads his way. They need to be able to cut off shooting angles, set up defenses on set pieces and get their footwork right when dealing with shots and crosses. Your comment about teaching someone how to control a penalty area, I’d point to the fact that goalkeepers don’t reach their peaks until they have been pros for a decade or more.

Could LeBron have been an amazing goalkeeper if he took up soccer as a kid? Sure, I have little doubt about that, but to say he’d be a pro-worthy goalkeeper right now with just two years of training is insane.

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MADISON– A couple months ago Greg Lalas wrote a column suggesting Landon Donovan transfer to Club America.
I've got two questions related to this. 1) Why isn't Mexico more of an option for players seeking a move out of MLS? and 2) What's the average salary in the FMF?

IVES– 1. I think I addressed this in the last Q&A but I’ll address it here. I think it’s a combination of limited slots for foreign players, a limited number of American players who are suited for the style of play in Mexico AND willing to go play there, and I’m sure there’s at least some stigma there about American players. It’s not completely uncharted territory. From Tab Ramos to Mike Sorber to Marcelo Balboa to the young Latino Americans such as Jose Francisco Torres, Edgar Castillo and Michael Orozco. What does surprise me is that Mexico doesn’t have American goalkeepers.

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GEOFF– Are you hiring? I need a job!

IVES– I’ve got no paid jobs to offer just yet but I am looking to build a staff of writers and other contributors in 2010 to help take SBI to a new level. I will be reaching out to the various writers who have expressed interest in writing for SBI in the past (so if you’ve reached out to me but hadn’t heard back yet, you may be hearing from me soon.).

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MARCO– If Beckham is back next year, do you think he'd play any Concacaf Champions league games or would it be too tempting for some Panamanian unknown to try to take him out?

IVES– Not sure that’s something to realistically worry about. I would think that playing against a player like Beckham would be an honor and they’d be doing their best to try and impress anybody who might be watching, rather than hacking Beckham down for no good reason.

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DMAN– After the World Cup, which (if any) international fading stars could you see "retiring/moving" to the MLS?

IVES– Here are some names I’ve heard about and read about:

Clarence Seedorf

Fernando Morientes

Robert Pires

Luis Figo (again)

The real question is which, if any, older European stars will do what Youri Djorkaeff did with New York and come play in MLS for small-time money. The teams that can pull of those kinds of deals have a great chance of making themselves contenders pretty quickly.

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TIM– Who do you think will be DCU coach in 2010, and if the announcement has already happened. How do you think he will fare?

IVES– I think Curt Onalfo will do well. I've always gotten the sense that what Onalfo wanted to do as a head coach in KC was hampered by the lack of attacking weapons at his disposal. In D.C., he will have much more firepower. Of course, he still needs to do something about the defense.

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THA DEUCE- What is your favorite Christmas season song?

IVES– Christmas in Hollis by Run-DMC. Just takes me back to my youth.

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JIMMY GREAVES– I'm assuming Bradley isn't coming back after the World Cup.

If he does well then I think he'll get interesting offers. If he does badly, he'll be re-assigned.

1.) If I'm right then can you give me three realistic possibilities for replacements? Kreis? Arena?

2.) Best Peruvian restaurant in the Washington DC area? Papas a la huancaína,anticuchos and ceviche are the preferred dishes.

IVES– 1. I agree with you on a change being likely after the 2010 World Cup and have written so before. Three potential replacements? Guus Hiddink, Dom Kinnear and Juergen Klinsmann.

2. As for Peruvian restaurants in D.C., it's funny you should ask because I've never eaten Peruvian food there. We've got the best Peruvian restaurants on the East Coast in New Jersey so I don't really go looking for it elsewhere. Any readers with suggestions can feel free to offer them.

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Comments

  1. I agree on Bradley. However, Bundesliga is, at worst, 2nd tier and Bayern is definately a 1st tier team in any league.

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  2. I’ve been calling for Dempsey up top for a few years now. He’s a goal jackal, I think it’d suit him/us well.

    On the other hand I hope Beasley and Cherundolo are no where near the starting XI this summer.

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  3. I saw that ESPN article. No way is Ching making the World cup squad, sorry I just don’t see it. Cunningham and Findley are better. Also, I hope it is right about Charlie and Jones making it hopefully they can overcome the injury bug.

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  4. I like Guus H. I would also love to see Roy Hodgson put on a short list. He’s been rumored as a post WC replacement if Capello steps aside early, but if not I think he would be perfect for the US. He has Fulham playing a really efficient and attractive style of soccer and he has clearly gotten the best out of his players including Dempsey.

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  5. It may be only the 4th best league in Europe and not do as as in the Champions League but virtually all the German national teamers play in the Bundesliga and Germany does quite well on the international level. It’s a mistake to judge the quality of a league by its top 2-4 representatives.

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  6. Not from England but I know how to appreciate one of the best my two eyes have ever seen.

    We can agree to disagree. To be fair, this isn’t really a forum to have a discussion. No harm done from either side I hope.

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  7. Never said he didn’t have issues. He wanted to hurt the guy, never said he wanted to break his leg. And almost every player who played under his captaincy from Neville to Beckham to Fletcher has said he was the best.

    He did screw over Ireland but I have never met and Irish fan who doesn’t think him a legend for them and who still holds a grudge. Keane thought at the time he was playing for a high cause due to the terrible treatment the Federation had to its players and national team. Don’t particularly agree with how he did it but he at least had the b*lls to make a stand for what he believed in.

    This is a captain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_np_PF54jw

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  8. I wouldn’t go as far as to say DaMarcus hasn’t done anything for YEARS. He’s struggled with injuries, but I feel he was a regular fixture in the Rangers lineup until last season. (If I remember correctly, he was hurt, then failed to win back his starting spot after recovery.) Let’s not neglect the US’ dearth of quality, natural wing options. Projecting DaMarcus as a starter at the World Cup is risky, but if his 2 goals and 4 assists in his recent return to form are any indication–and given the likelihood of Dempsey starting up top–it’s not really that ridiculous.

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  9. I am not saying he would be a legend. I am not really even willing to argue over something as vague as someone’s potential. All I am saying is that his attitude and style seem to match what Fergie likes out of his midfielders.

    My recommendation is that you kick back with a nice prawn sandwich and watch some Cantona highlights.

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  10. Poor Baggio . . . only remembered for missing that penalty.

    On a slightly more serious note, wonder why no one is willing to slide $10 or 12 million to Zidane.

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  11. German teams just don’t seem to make any progress in the Champions League.

    I am not saying it isn’t entertaining. Spain comes first for me, but I also enjoy watching the speed of Ligue 1.

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  12. Keane, Zidane, Cantona and others are players whose greatest asset (competitive drive) was also one of their greatest weaknesses. Some guys only have one gear (although Zidane found “neutral” in his last year and a half at Real Madrid).

    And let me save some of you a calorie and iterate that I NOT saying Keane was as good as Zidane.

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  13. Mmm…pollo rico…you can find these type of places in MD. and in VA too where there is a significant Peruvian population. Yes they may look like a hole in the wall but the chicken and the green sauce…my stomach is going grr for hunger right now haha.

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  14. agree he might want to re-think it though i was surprised he needed a trial. what stopped him from doing a loan scenario? i know he was out of contract as opposed to donovan who is under contract but i would think a loan move still works. also the feilhaber question i thought was interesting. he has a break in his season so a break might be in order but i want to know what teams are interested in him and if he’s considering moving from aarhus

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  15. Ives how can Beasley be in your starting lineup…he didn’t do anything for YEARS and then he had two good games against two teams most MLS sides would easily handle. How does that make him a WC starter? He is not even in my 23.

    (SBI-He had a run of four matches where he looked good. And again, it’s a projected lineup for SIX MONTHS FROM NOW. Who cares? It’s all speculation, isn’t it? If he is healthy and on form he’s in the starting lineup. I happen to be of the opinion that his recent form is that of a player who A) has finally recovered fully from his knee surgery and B) a player who is playing with confidence.

    Some of you need to relax. It’s a projected lineup for SIX MONTHS FROM NOW. Lord knows what can and will happen in the next six months.)

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  16. @ Jimmy Greaves

    It’s not exactly a “restaurant” but the best Peruvian food in the DC area is “Pollo Rico” in White Oak, MD. It’s a hole-in-the-wall dive, but it’s the best pollo a la brasa I’ve ever had. It’s my favorite place to eat in DC.

    Of course, I haven’t been back to Dc in a couple years so you might want to check it out to see if it’s still around.

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  17. If he can only get a trial at a Burnley he probably should rethink any jump to England. Seems he’d be over his head unfortunately.

    But that’s a very interesting question though.

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  18. Why have reserves when you have a very large reserve pool called the NCAA. And MLS does not have to invest a penny. European teams would love to have what the NCAA provide as evidenced by the number of players signed out of college.

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  19. As I said in a previous repy, I was mostly kidding. My comment was based on a chronically pessimistic view of RBNY’s public-relations skills, not on any personal sense of indignation.

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  20. Yeah. That’s what they said about S. Korea, Australia, and Russia. Oh.

    We do have talent, anybody denying this has not been watching US soccer year in and year out.

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  21. Ives what are the ramifications of Owen Coyle jumping to Bolton (if ESPN reports are true)? Does Holden cancel his trial with Burnley, does he move his trial over to Bolton?

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  22. Ives,

    I wince at the notion that you think Donovan plays another full year in MLS next season. It just seems such a waste. He’s 27, at the peak of his career, and one of the best American players ever. It just seems he should strive for something bigger and better. I know all the Bundesliga history, but that is a league that is not suited to his style of play anyway. I just wish Donovan had been able to get in with a French or English club before the Galaxy got him all tied down with heavy contractural obligations.

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  23. RE: the (second) question from Jason in the post: I’d like to hear more about that one if possible. I’d be interested to see how he’d fair in a better league outside the EPL and with the perspective he should have after his struggles.

    Also, and I don’t mean this to be a jackass question whatsoever, but I’ve noticed multiple times in these Q&A’s two-part questions where one part goes unanswered. Is this a hint for posters to post one ? at a time?

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  24. “2. i want to see a US coach who wears a fly armani suit at games, is good with the media, and gets some hype among fans before big games against mexico, etc. no greater way to raise the profile of a sport than a charismatic coach. not to knock bob, ive heard he’s a great dude, but not a media man…of course the number 1 requirement would be a knowledge of soccer.”

    Beckham? 😉

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  25. I’m totally with you, I’m just a bit concerned that Bradley hasn’t actually tried it yet. I actually like him better up top for the reasons you mentioned, as well as that Holden is a guy that I think we need to get on the pitch. Hopefully we’ll see it in March.

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  26. Being Korean by blood, I would love to see Hiddink in charge of the USMNT. The guy is a genius. He took S.Korea and Australia to new heights when he was in charge of them during the WC, and they continue to be successful. I’d love to see him impart some coaching wisdom on the current and future generation of US Soccer players and staff.

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  27. You’re talking about the same Roy Keane that admitted to intentionally breaking another players leg, right? The same “leader” that walked out on his National team the week of the World Cup? That Roy Keane? I’ll pass.

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  28. YOU ARE KIDDING ME IVES- I think Mexico is going to have a strong World Cup, but I find it hard to pick a team outside of Europe and South America to win in 2010. MEXICO HAVE A STRONG CUP…reALLY??? Even after Aquirre took over, won two games at home by one point and one was PK! Drew with Trinidad on the road? look at players in Europe, hardly playing on regular basis. If they get out of group, Mexico may face Argentina or Nigeria. Strong Cup? NOT! Define strong cup? At least quarterfinals they would have to make. I do not see any CONCACAF teams getting out of group play! WAY OFF IVES!

    (SBI-You’re entitled to your opinion. I happen to think Mexico could do well (and for them, well would be the quarters). I also think Honduras could do well, as in be a surprise second-round team. The key word here is could. Since you apparently don’t think the USA will reach the second round it appears we disagree on a lot of things.)

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  29. That’s true for DC proper. However, in the suburbs it’s a very different picture. A couple of good Ethiopian places in the ‘burbs, but lots of Peruvian food…especially if you’re just looking for a roasted chicken place. Crisp ‘n Juicy, El Pollo Rico, and a new entry getting very high marks, Super Chicken.

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  30. I rate Bradley pretty highly and never bashed him when others were all over him but lets be realistic here, he has no shot at Manchester United.

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  31. Roy Keane was the greatest leader United has ever had. When has Bradley led any team (not talking about the armband, I mean leading)? Keano was able to pull the team, single handily, through games – see 1999, at Juve. When has Bradley done this? Keano was able to destroy attacks at will. Bradley gets lost and as I said before, would rather intercept passes, rarely gets dug in – Keano did it all. Keane led by skill, determination and the willingness to be the best and lead the best. I’m all for Bradley succeeding, but please don’t compare him to Keano.

    His basic skills aren’t there at his age to be compared to the best. They are getting better but I highly doubt they will develop into the scope they need to be. He will be a very good player, no doubt, but you can’t just say “he needs to be better then he is now.” We can say anyone can be the best if “they play better.”

    If anything, I think he has gotten a bit worse since leaving Holland.

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  32. It’s the only logical position for Duece aside from an attacking central mid/withdrawn forward position. He doesn’t have the speed or crossing ability to play on the wing. I can’t say that enough, has a knack for being in the right place at the right time around the box, a decent shot and heading ability. If I were Bradley he’d be starting up top next to Jozy March 3rd in Amsterdam.

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  33. Do they still have fake teams and names? My favorite player is Ronooldoo. The gameplay pummels FIFA, although I’ve heard FIFA ’10 is good. No more shoulder to shoulder for 50 yards then the player kicks the ball out of bounds.

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  34. 1. on bradley – good, solid player, but hasn’t shown the offensive instinct or knack that will ever see him to the top level as a box-to-box midfielder. as a pure DM, not sure he’s shown the discipline or sheer athletic ability to play there for a top team. dont see him having the same athletic ability of guys like mikel, mascherano, yaya toure, or the discipline of guys like makelele, keane, and viera. NOT TO SAY HE WON’T BE A GREAT US PLAYER and that he could flourish with a mid level team in a top league, but dont see him as a star.

    2. i want to see a US coach who wears a fly armani suit at games, is good with the media, and gets some hype among fans before big games against mexico, etc. no greater way to raise the profile of a sport than a charismatic coach. not to knock bob, ive heard he’s a great dude, but not a media man…of course the number 1 requirement would be a knowledge of soccer.

    3. ives’ line up to me shows an ability to control the game out of the midfield. without charlie davies, we lose a lot in terms of counter attacking,and that midfield doesn’t have much in terms of passing ability. also keep in mind that we likely will have to take the game to algeria and slovenia to get results. players like benny and torres should be out there for sure, or at least one of them. US team is big and strong, and we can sacrifice by having one undersized player in there for his possession/passing ability (modric anyone?)

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  35. They will buy Lee Cattermole before Bradley, he’s younger (I think) and more promising, the next Paul Scholes or Roy Keane, AND English.

    Reply

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