Help Wanted
A natural left back. Must be quick, naturally left-footed, a good crosser, solid defender and not prone to blunders. If interested, please contact Bob Bradley at 555-NEED-A-LB
This ad isn't a real one, but it may as well be given the U.S. national team's continued lack of a natural left back option.
Carlos Bocanegra can do a solid job defensively, and his work as a left back in Ligue 1 in recent years has been steady, but you can argue he's a better centerback and not the attacking fullback option you think of when considering the ideal left back.
Jonathan Bornstein has tried to fill the role many times, but more often than not he has underwhelmed, and at times he has been downright awful. he was steadier in the World Cup, which gave us some hope that perhaps he would finally become the player Bob Bradley has been hoping to develop into the position, but shaky showings against Brazil and Paraguay have left far more doubts.
Here is are question for you. If it isn't Carlos Bocanegra, who seems like the most logical choice to play left back until a more natural alternative develops, then who would you like to see play left back?
Here are some candidates to consider (as well as a chance for you to tell us who YOU would like to see there):
Heath Pearce. Back in 2008 he was thought as very good candidate to take the job, but he has slipped by the wayside in the past year despite showing well in MLS last year (though at right back). He's fast, can cross well and is a steady defender.
Bobby Convey. Had a stellar 2010 for the San Jose Earthquakes, though more of it was spent on the left wing than at left back. He's gone on record as saying he doesn't think Bob Bradley will ever call him in, and there's an old rumor of a rift between the two. If Convey keeps playing well in MLS the clamor for a Convey call-up may grow, but count me among those not convinced he would be the answer as a left back.
Zach Loyd. Athletic, fast and versatile, Loyd impressed in his national team debut playing at left back, and while he isn't a natural left-footer, he's certainly an intriguing prospect. If he can get more playing time at the position for FC Dallas he just might play himself into the national team mix.
Eric Lichaj. A very intriguing option, having played left back on the reserve level before. He's fast and has good size, but isn't naturally left-footed so it would remain to be seen what he could offer going forward.
Jonathan Spector. Spent a few very rough months playing left back for West Ham, but never looked comfortable there. Probably isn't a realistic option there, but his past experience at the position gets him on the list.
Steve Cherundolo.Think it's crazy to put him on this list when he's the best right back in the pool? Consider this. If Timmy Chandler really is as dynamic a right back option as he showed in the recent friendlies then maybe Cherundolo could make the move to the left, where his experience and defensive qualities would make him a solid option.
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Time for you to vote. Aside from Carlos Bocanegra, who would you like to see at left back for the U.S. national team? Cast your vote here:
Who did you vote for? Who isn't on our list that you think should be on it? Who would you like to see at left back for the United States?
Share your thoughts below.
cafu is the pretty good, but roberto carlos is better, bradley should give him a go
My vote of who I’d like to see in this order:
Ponce
Jermaine Jones
Lichaj
Convey
Parkhurst
It’s simple Miguel Angel Ponce, he’s young great passer,very skillfull player on the ball.
Miguel Angel Ponce
crazy, although him at center back looks good he can be super smooth out of the back which is a plus, but to be an outside back you gotta be able on your toes when you defend, sometime he’s a step to slow which makes him a liability for fouls.
Lloyd’s a righty, too! But he looks pretty two-footed.
Good points. Cherundolo is often one of our best passers. Word is (though I’ve never seen it) that he also has a wicked shot on him.
I’d bet big money that he can play left back decently.
That way Chandler is able to get forward and cross, it would be a disservice to him to put him on the opposite side. But maybe he can play on the left, too.
Otherwise maybe Lichaj deserves a chance, or even Zach Lloyd.
Phillip Lahm makes it looks so easy.
Mo edu on the left which can free up another spot in the mid field…crazy?….
What about Tim Ream at left back, put him there so he can get playing time on the Nat team and learn how to play with others, then eventually slide him in to center back. his coolness on the outside will be valuable because he will not give up balls to more skillful wingers or collapse under pressure. develop him there until anthony wallace can finally realize he’s good enough to play back there.
+2 id like to know if that is just a thought or if the team/Dolo is thinking about doing that..?
iv never seen him defend or attempt to defend.. but if he was serious about getting back into the fold he would do it!
Zach Loyd…no doubt about it. C-Run is past his prime.
i like the 3-5-2 talk.. at least vs. lower continental rivals during the Gold Cup and Qualifying.. not sure if I would want to go to the World Cup with that tho..
how about Ponce from Chivas. I don’t know much about him or his play other than he is a natural left footed LB born in the USA and prying a prospect from Chivas and Mexico is going to be very difficult.. but it wouldn’t be the first time USSF did it!
Chandler and Agudelo on the bench!? Are you taking crazy pills?
Goodson is almost 29… certainly not among the young bloods.
I’m starting to wonder if the US sent any non-black servicemen to Germany, haha.
(In all seriousness, I think these kids are a great representation of America’s melting-pot makeup and it can only be good for the national team to create more competition for places).
you know what he has been solid for a couple years maybe we should give him a try.
why people think Bornstein had a good WC…is it because he didn’t make a mistake? I don’t believe he was tried much, specially in the last game where Ghana’s offense was strickly right sided.
I think you go 3-5-2 with this lineup
JA(Pick one)
Deuce
LD MB Tim C.
Edu JJ
Boca Gooch Ream
LD and Timmy can cover flanks (in Stu’s absence over the next 6 mos.)
amen
but he needs to do it for the OPPOSITE side.
Loyd had an awesome game IMO, he showed special qualities that you can’t teach…speed and tenacity. his defensive skills were simple but he made up for it with excellent athleticism. Why he didn’t get another look in these friendlies? that is a good question. Sometime BB just does thing with a different agenda we don’t know.
I say we just wait until another soldier’s kid in Germany rises through the ranks at his club.
Out with Bornstein! Try out Convey! Im not saying he is the answer, but give the guy a shot BB. He’s got speed, crossing ability and though his 1v1 defending could use work he aint too bad. Wayyyy better than Bornstein thats for sure
Convey deserves a shot too! Whatever their past it needs to be put aside.
ream played it in college, he’s left footed, why not try him there?
The problem with Bocanegra is he is too slow!
Doubt he’d choose the U.S. over Mexico.
You mention Convey but dont include him in the vote? Really, Ives? I know you dont think he is the answer but i thought the poll was for your reader’s opinions.
As a quakes fan (which i guess makes me bias), i have seen Convey play LB multiple times for the often injured Corrales. Sure he had some okay games but most of them were great showings. When the playoffs were looming, Yallop had a choice between Convey’s great form at LB or the incumbant Corrales returning from injury. Yallop is a great coach and he sees him as a good option for LB. As for the national team, if ppl like Bornstein and Pearce get a look, i really dont see why Ives cant see Convey as a possible candidate to challenge. Get him in that poll!
+1 on Daniel Williams! Otherwise try Lichaj, and Zach Loyd, or even Cherundolo and see how they do. But the Bornstein, and Pearce expirements should now be over as we have seen what they can offer and it is not enough!
LOL Why does SBI even make a poll on this and then not even allow Convey as an option to vote on. Half the guys in that poll aren’t even left-footed and so they can’t cross worth a damn from the LB position.
Isn’t Ives based in NY? Didn’t you SBI guys watch Convey tear NYRB apart by himself in the playoffs last season? How could you not want that kind of dynamic player suit up at LB for the USMNT?
(SBI-It was an oversight. I obviously had him in the write-up, but forgot to include him in the poll. I could re-do the poll, but it’ll change the results, start them from scratch.)
couldn’t agree with you any more.
How I wished BB would do just that “put your best players on the field”
I think we’ll end up seeing Chandler and Lichaj on the flanks this next WC cycle, but probably after gold cup. In fact, it will be surprising to me if Altidore maintains his starting role if CD9 regains form. We have the potential to have a lot of speed on the pitch very soon…lets evaluate
Agudelo, Davies
Dempsey, Bradley, Holden, Donovan
Lichaj, Onyewu, Ream, Chandler
I see Gouch getting it together for WC2014. DeMerit, Cherundolo, and Bocangra will prob retire by then
Gold Cup
Agudelo, Altidore
Dempsey, Bradley, Edu/Jones, Donovan
Lichaj, Ream, DeMerit, Cherundolo
What was the name of the kid who was played in the Mexican league and chose to play for the US? He was a natural left back. Did he switch back to Mexico?
If Lichaj can play it, great. We should try it.
But Bob’s stubborn approach to player selection is the only reason Convey isn’t proving Bornstein is a coddled failure.
One of Paulo Maldini’s kids? Send Hannah Montana over there and marry one of the lads?
does any one know why Zach Lloyd wasn’t called in for the last pair of games? he looked really good last time he played for the nats.
normally you shouldnt judge a player off of 1 usmnt game, but since we’re desperate, i’d throw him out there vs. spain and have him as backup behind bornstein and boca (yea yea bornstein… but if no TRUE left back steps up, bornstein will occupy that 2nd lb spot behind boca).
Man, if there ever were an argument for increasing our military presence in Brazil…we need ourselves a Timmy dos Santos 🙂
Lichaj. I think he has the grit and talent to sustain it. But he would need to be integrated NOW, and that might be our problem.
Either way I think it’s a necessity to have Lichaj and Chandler dart up the sides. If we can get Jozy or Juan to run into the dang box instead of prancing around it, plus bringing Donovan and Deuce forward, with even Edu, Jones or Bradley (whoever plays high if we keep the triangle) hitting the box as well I’d like to say our I believe our goal scoring will go up.
LOL!
Cherundolo, Lichaj, maybe Convey. I don’t know anything about Llyod, but maybe down the road. Spector in a pinch. Is there anyone in the u-20 set up? Bornstein suprised in the WC, which should count for something, but then we saw him play again. He ignored an easy pass to Donovan in goal scoring position, for a terrible cross, sent one ball into the upper deck. I don’t want to be a hater, but any and all of the above before Bornstein.
It was a joke 🙂
I’m just saying the option is open since the child’s mom is American, but yeah I figure he’d pick Portugal if he ever was good enough.
In reality, I voted for Lichaj
Bocanegra can’t hit a cross from the left. I’d try Convey again.
He’s growing up with Cristiano’s mom though, so I think he’ll want to play for Portugal
lol
I kind of like this idea for after the Gold Cup.. but its tough to keep Cherundolo on the bench
Findley does do a great job of stopping attacks
C. Ronaldo’s (American) love child.
I’d like to see the Catennacio variation where we don’t even use a left back. 3 center backs (boca and demerit, with ream as the sweaper). a right back playing high up the pitch in chandler. donnovan even higher up on the left wing. Jones and Bradley as center mids. Dempsey as the playmaker #10, and altidore paired with agudelo up top.
If we don’t have a left back, we shouldn’t play a formation that needs one.
The only other thing I can think of, laugh if you must, but if we really want to play 4 at the back, move Donovan back to left back. His natural skill and grit will adapt well, and it frees up a spot in the attacking midfield.