Comments on: US National Team 2008 Summer Preview

By: Brian W

Brian W — Mon, 19 May 2008 05:08:40 +0000

Landon Donovan is the most overrated American to ever wear the national team shirt, and one of the most overrated inernational players in the history of the game. There are multiple reasons that players liek Bocanegra, Bradley and Dempsey cut it overseas and Donovan crwled abck to MLS after riding Leverkusen’s bench, and most involve “he isn’t that great” in their reasoning.

I wish DOnvoan didn’t even play; there are other, better players that are more deserving.

By: MZ

MZ — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:56:20 +0000

I do honestly think that the US wil tie but maybe they can squeak out a winner. It would be great to do it to England. It would make the press go crazy, and maybe some of our boys would get contracts over in England, I’m sure there will be lots of scouts at the game.

By: Liviu Bird

Liviu Bird — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:23:14 +0000

On a somewhat related note, it should be noted that our defense is always our strongest point. Looking at the type of players to come out of the US, it’s always the big, strong, athletic types rather than the quick and skilled type (with the possible exceptions of Eddie Johnson, Jozy Altidore, and DaMarcus Beasley). But even some of our normal goal-scorers, Brian McBride in the past and Clint Dempsey now, are more of the big and strong build. Our goalkeepers are always world class, and with players built like Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, and even Jay DeMerit in the back line, I do not envy any country’s attack against our defense. That said, the one match-up I am really looking forward to is Onyewu v John Terry on corners, on both ends of the pitch. Both big, strong in the air, and can score goals from headers. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Beasley (if he plays on the left) will fare against Beckham (if he plays on the right).

By: MZ

MZ — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:55:36 +0000

I wasn’t attacking you Liviu, I was merely saying that Donovan on his game is a very good and skilled player. When he gets up on the right wing he can deliver good crosses and has also scored eight goals already this season. I know how he seems llike a poster boy but he actually can go. If you really do hate him and don’t want to use him in your lineup then Johnson is not the man who you want on the right wing. What should happen in that case is Dempsey goes to the right wing and you put Johnson up top with Altidore. On another note, this player pool is not the strongest because of some of the MLS players who are less well known. Robbie Rogers is in fantastic form as well as Kenny Cooper. Landon Donovan is an extremely capable player and he has said that he wants to go back to Europe this winter. I also think that there are some very strong players in the squad, Howard, Bradley, Beasley, Onyewu, Cherundolo are all players who have done very well. If you remember Beasley in the Champions league against Lyon, he absolutely torched them. I wouldn’t be surprised if he get in the game to see him cause problems for Wes Brown who isn’t the fastest player. I think this will be a good game that will probably end in a 1-1 draw

By: Liviu Bird

Liviu Bird — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:49:56 +0000

I hate Landon Donovan. He’s an over-rated poster boy who can’t finish anything. He’s missed nearly every breakaway this year. He is the US National Team’s all-time leading goal-scorer, but he can only consistently score on penalties. The only good performance he’s had was against Poland, when he assisted two set piece goals with good service. Oh, and he managed to miss a breakaway.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:11:57 +0000

Author’s note:

Based on the player pool, here is my starting eleven against England. Yes, it is an unusual formation, but I believe this lineup will bring the most success based on the player selections Bradley has made.

It’s what he would do, not what he thinks Bradley will do.

I appreciate your comment but you need to improve your comprehension skills

Having said that, I’m surprised Liviu didn’t add Donovan in the starting lineup. Why not mate?

By: MZ

MZ — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:22:25 +0000

You obviously don’t watch any US soccer. Bradley will play cherundolo at right back, pearce at left back. Clark will likely replace Edu and dempsey will play up top with presumably Johnson because altidore might not even travel to England. Donovan will be on the right side as well. If you write about US soccer you need to know what you are talking about because your lineup has people playing out of position and in a formation that Bob Bradley will not use. I apreciate the article but you are mistaken