From the "So much for that plan" department comes word that the North Korean World Cup team will essentially lose the services of one of its forwards after having been told by FIFA that Kim Myong-won can only play goalkeeper since he was listed as goalkeeper on the official roster.
In an attempt to give the team more attacking options, North Korea head coach Kim Jong-hun named just two goalkeepers on his World Cup team, with forward Kim filling in the third goalkeeper slot. FIFA put that idea to bed when it released a statement making it clear that Kim could only play goalkeeper. The North Koreans can only fix this situation if one of their players gets hurt between now and the start of the tournament.
You have to wonder how U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley feels about North Korea's attempt at goalkeeper trickery. He does know a little about bending rules with the use of goalkeepers.
It was Bradley who, in July of 2003 as New York/New Jersey MetroStars head coach, took advantage of the MLS substitution rules by bringing in midfielder Eddie Gaven as a goalkeeper in overtime of a match he had already used all three regular substitutions (at the time, MLS allowed a fourth substitution for goalkeepers). U.S. World Cup goalkeeper Tim Howard was the MetroStars goalkeeper that day and handed his gloves to Gaven, who stood in net briefly before swapping spots with Howard. Gaven went on to score the match-winning goal that day, prompting MLS to eventually eliminate the fourth substitution for goalkeepers rule.
For those of you who weren't following MLS back then, or for those of you who want to see it again, here are the highlights from that crazy sequence almost seven years ago:
Okay, so Bradley's clever use of the sub rule at that time isn't quite the same as North Korea's clumsy attempt to circumvent the World Cup roster rule, but it gave me an excuse to show a clip from one of the craziest matches I ever covered. It's also crazy to consider that this 2003 MetroStars team had Bradley as coach, Tim Howard in goal and U.S. World Cup teammate Ricardo Clark in midfield (and yes, that's Red Bulls assistant Richie Williams also playing for New York, with a young Nick Rimando in goal for D.C.). Can't believe that was seven years ago. Time does fly.
What do you think of North Korea's attempted roster trickery? Betting that some North Korean player will fall down some steps between now and the start of the tournament? Do you remember the Gaven-Howard goalkeeper switch?
Share your thoughts below.
They should have named Kim Jung Il to the team. If he’s half as much of a natural on a soccer field as he is on the golf course, he’d put it in the net three or four times every game.
http://www.oobgolf.com/content/fore+play/1-211-Kim_Jongil_Best_Golfer_in_the_World.html
And to all you younguns…I had to travel on a bus, a train and then a bus out to Jersey to go to Metro games! It would take me at least 2 hours to get to Jersey!!
I remember that game…way back when. 😉
And I remember the fury from DC when it happened and I had to laugh because while it was a rule-bend, it was one of MLS’ rules and Bob Bradley used it to a T.
You get a gold star.
What’s wrong with Cangelosi and Shep?
Is this true? I get the logic of making teams bring 3 goalkeepers, but why can’t the GK depth chart be flexible? Why make teams bring 3 then not allow the 3rd to play?
The four teams that used their 3rd keeper in the past all voluntarily yanked their 2nd keeper for sucking.
I miss the original Chicago Fire team. Bob Bradley was head coach, and we’d often see Zach Thornton sub on for a field player while Jorge Campos would go play forward. The best team in MLS history in my opinion.
Could NK designate the forward as their 2nd keeper and risk the #1 guy staying healthy throughout the tournament? If they are willing to take that risk, I don’t see why it is any of FIFA’s business to stop them.
Come on, Matt. Everybody knows mindlessly screaming “GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!” no matter the situation or quality of the strike is teh awsum!
I remember that match, I flew down from Buffalo for it in my annual go to DC trip and catch United play. My wife was dying from the crazy heat that 4th of July weekend.
I still am like, I can’t believe that happened it was crazy. My wife is like, what was so crazy about it. haha. Oh she doesn’t know soccer at all.
Well, North Korea can still play that forward/GK at forward. He’ll just technically be the GK and have to wear the different shirt. I don’t even think it’s a rule that you have to wear gloves. Of course, the problem would be that they wouldn’t have a GK. The best they could do is put a defender in the goal, but they wouldn’t be able to use their hands.
Almost as good as the win was hearing the high pitched squeals from butthurt DC fans.
Funny thing is, Bob Bradley wasn’t the first MLS coach to pull that move, yet MLS didn’t see fit to change the rule earlier.
Only classless DC fans would call someone who outsmarted them a “cheater.”
okay, you want me to spell it out? better than harkes and lalas…
totally agree
plus 2
That was ESPN commentary, not the regular Metrostars local team (which at the time, I think, was J.P. Dellacamera and Tommy Smith).
So it’s a bit of an apples to oranges comparison.
and from that day forward he became Cheating Bob to the DCU faithful.
That’s right, and the player sent off was Kenny Arena, Bruce Arena’s son.
..and laughing about the truth of this statement (while at work…like me)
I’ve seen John Terry play in goal after all of Chelsea’s keepers were injured, made perfect sense.
its funny that you say that because as I was watching the vid I was thinking how much better the commentary is than the current announcers for the metro bulls.
ESPN just reported that Jozy has sprained his ankle in training … Listed as day-to-day.
Yes time to panic.
ESPN news reporting that Altidore hospitalized with ankle injury. So, apparently something to worry about.
Bingo.
They added the roster spot specifically for a 3rd keeper.