FanNation

I dunno he went down pretty hard against Stuttgart. I don't care, though. I've despised him since his move to Rangers.

Stauff... I has a hat | 03/27/08, 11:35 AM

Beasley, please don't rush this man. This kind of injury changes players' career path. If you are not 110%, I mean feeling almost better than before you got hurt, don't come out. Really, you're too young and too promising to become injury prone, which is what will happen if you rush this.

With that said, after how we looked yesterday against the Poles (absolutely FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC), you put Beasley where Deuce was and let Deuce roam free in the attack and we got a darn good side on our hands.

I'm so glad that Gooch and Boca are gellin (are you gellin?), they are my two favorite players (what? I'ma defender) they are great players.

Anyone know why no American players ever go to the French sides? Are we not creative enough for that league, similar to how we are viewed in Spain? I think Deuce would be a good fit for a team like Valencia or something. He makes good choicing holding the ball.

2008 is going to be the best year of American soccer since 2002 (not hard to do considering how dismal the stretch between was).

Okay, I'm done rambling.

Wait, no i'm not. I was at the US v. Honduras match in Tampa and heard a US supporter shout "come on Eagles!" Got me wondering, do we have a team nickname or mascott? Like how England is the Three Lions and Italy is the Azzuri? We need to get some input from US Soccer about this, it's disconcerning we don't have a nickname. Maybe a great nickname would inspire some better chants and fight songs (I mean, how many times can we go U-S-A. It's not the only one, but it gets beaten to death in the stadiums).

Okay, I think I am done now.

Orlando FC | 03/27/08, 11:38 AM

I hope he doesnt rush it back, his whole game is based on speed and hopefully he hasnt lost that all. I still think Landon on the right, Benny and Bradley in the middle with the beas on the left and Dempsey sitting between them and altidore will be our best in the future.

MSFC3221 | 03/27/08, 11:50 AM

Whatever works, just get rid of Eddie Johnson. His ship sailed a long time ago.

Aurinegro | 03/27/08, 12:46 PM

Beasely's 25 and can still get a bit better if he works hard. Rangers and the US of A need him

jeevs BS | 03/27/08, 01:09 PM

If it's close at the end and Rangers need him, I see DaMarcus coming back. He's that kind of player that would come off of injury quickly and help his team. He could be the key to Ranger holding off Celtic.

Keeper | 03/27/08, 01:09 PM

EJ is struggling. He just doesn't seem to have a killer instinct and is always giving away possesion around the box. Hasn't quite lived up to the promise of his early national team carrer, eh? Of course, he was scoring all of those goals in WC qualifying against inferior competition. But how about Adu's performance with the U-23's ? Pretty nice!

Bligg | 03/27/08, 01:15 PM

Orlando- I believe the USA is dubbed " the Screaming Eagles" but I could be wrong. And Gooch Spent time in France I believe. But I fully agree, Bease should sit out and make sure he's 100%.

Lazymike97 | 03/27/08, 02:45 PM

EJ? He's terrible. I can't figure out why even an intelligent coach like Bradley keeps calling him up to the Nats. On the National team, Johnson has what seems like 1 good game in every 10 or so games played, and the rest of time he's simply borderline awful. I groan every time he gets the ball with some space to go down the field, because if he tries to dribble, it's essentially a given that he's gonna get dispossessed. At best, he'll just pass back -- and that's more or less the most you can hope for from passing to Eddie Johnson anywhere on the field farther than 9 yards from the goal-line.

And this isn't a couple of years ago, when the US lacked any depth at the forward line. Granted, said depth still isn't THAT great, but it's better than it was before, simply because of options like Dempsey and Altidore (btw, Dempsey in the Poland game looked like he's pretty rusty playing as a winger... which is fine, I like him just fine as a forward), and even Adu or Donovan in a pinch (if any position on the field for the US Nats has depth to spare, it's the midfield).

I guess ultimately the reason why coaches like Hodgson at Fulham and Bradley keep being fooled by Johnson, is because of his speed. But good god, I'm sick of that justification. You know what I really want to see? Attractive, entertaining football. And EJ isn't that. EJ to me represents the old kind of American soccer, the kind that is hopefully being gradually phased out (if looking at our youth's teams is any indication) -- cheap and ugly... but it might allow us to win a few games every now and then. But you know what? The truly great footballing nations impose higher standards on themselves than that, and if America ever wants to join that company, we need to start doing so too.


BUT ANYWAY (wow that was a huge tangent, sorry)... stauff, what's your problem with Beasley? I was getting pretty proud of him before his injury. He joined Rangers, immediately got a place on the starting eleven, and immediately made a significant impact for the team, both in domestic and European play.

serotonin | 03/27/08, 02:53 PM

honestly, im a bit disapointed that gooch and bocanegra are doing so well together. I think spector and parkhurst are a much more promising combination at center back and i would prefer to see them learn to play side.

D'A | 03/27/08, 04:04 PM

I'd like to see him get back this year. Maybe help a Scottish team with a European tournament for the first time since Aberdeen in the Cup-Winners Cup in 1983. Since that time, only two Scottish teams have been in Euro finals. Rangers hasn't been in a Euro final since 1972. They're playing really well right now; Walter Smith has them back on track.

Good Newz Kennels | 03/27/08, 05:18 PM

He could be the key to Ranger holding off Celtic.
Keeper | 03/27/08, 01:09 PM

Nah they've got enough midfield threats with Barry Ferguson and whatnot, and even with DB, we'll still beat em MON THE HOOPS

Stauff... I has a hat | 03/27/08, 07:12 PM

I hope DB down't rush back to quickly. He was starting to make a difference for us. The other Glasgow team will get a drubbing at Ibrox on Sat (3-1 to the Gers). FOLLOW FOLLOW

Dave K | 03/27/08, 07:31 PM

Dido, he should take his time

Big Chaco | 03/27/08, 08:28 PM

So I thought the defense looked really solid, something that has been lacking for a LONG time. Keep in mind though that it was against Poland. I can't wait to see how the group performs against the likes of England, Spain and Argentina. Those are some potent offenses. If we can hold our own against the likes of Gerrard, Torres and Riquelme then I like our chances at WC 2010. EJ, sorry buddy, but you gotta go. Someone has to get dropped to make room for Altidore, and you haven't done anything besides go AWAY from goal with the ball, pass it off or turn it over. I liked seeing Demerit back in the lineup. I wish we could've seen Gibbs.

A lineup I think that would show good success is this:
FW: Altidore, Dempsey
MF: Adu (Beasley when healthy), Bradley, Clark, Donovan
DF: Pearce, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Cherundolo
GK: Howard

Bench: Guzan, Demerit, Parkhurst, Spector, Feilhaber, Lewis, Twellman, Ching

JMG84 | 03/27/08, 10:33 PM

EJ needs a serious psychologist. I have never seen a forward stop on a dime and try to pass instead of shooting. Strangest thing ever, so for me it has to be a mental thing, because he lights it up in spurts. I wouldn't count him out... a season in the championship could do wonders for his toughness.

Beasley needs to start drinking Ensure and bulk up. The guy is made of glass and made a poor decision on playing in a rough Scottish league. He has loads of skill, but it means nothing when he can't walk.

David James Brown | 03/27/08, 10:55 PM

JMG84, I like your lineup alot.
I, however, would have Clark come off the bench (Beaz could cover his defensive role and still create more offense), move Dempsey to the midfield and start Twellman at forward alongside Altidore.
Now that is a speedy lineup that would demand respect from many a national side.

Are you watching, Mexico?

L-dUBbz | 03/27/08, 10:57 PM

I think those comments about EJ are on target. It's amazing how quickly this went from talking about Beasley to hatin' on EJ to talking about the best US line-up available and what we call our national team. But now I'm digressing.
I like the idea of Beasley coming back this year, but he has more to worry about than just Rangers. He has the national team and the rest of his career. So everyone's comments on that is right on. About EJ, I honestly believe that he is constantly being compared to the players before him. Clint Mathis had a huge WC in Japan/South Korea and really helped the US on the grand stage. But I honestly felt that EJ wasn't going to help nearly enough for the US to do anything in Germany. I'm not a fan of EJ but I think we should give him his time in England before we all make a definate decision.

TM Chill | 03/28/08, 12:03 AM

L-dUBbz, you're crazy throwing Twellman into the mix... I think he's a fantastic finisher in MLS, but I don't think he meshes well with the Nat team. Plus he wears too small a shirt, pisses me off.

Hoosteady | 03/28/08, 09:15 AM

I hope DB down't rush back to quickly. He was starting to make a difference for us. The other Glasgow team will get a drubbing at Ibrox on Sat (3-1 to the Gers). FOLLOW FOLLOW
Dave K | 03/27/08, 07:31 PM

Aye mate...We Are The People!

Coisty1966 | 03/28/08, 11:10 AM