USSoccer

I had asked a few months back which two players apart from Cristiano/Kaka/Messi/Ronaldinho/Henry that you'd most like to see as USMNT players (IIRC, I said Rooney and Fabregas). I'm going to pose a similar yet very different question: Which three USMNT regulars (ie, not camp fodder like Califf and the like) would you like to see launched from the player pool, their kits burned, and their names to be wiped clean and never to be seen or heard from again? I'm picking three because I think I know one guy everyone is going to pick. Here are mine: Eddie Johnson Bobby Convey Jimmy Conrad Ej is obvious. I've made my loathing for him quite clear. Convey just plain kind of sucks. He always was more of a backup anyway, and quite honestly I can think of about 6 players I'd rather have out there than him backing up DMB and Clint. I think Conrad is a nice backup as well, but he's going to be past his expiration date by 2010, and thus, a 2002 Jeff Agoos candidate waiting to happen. I'd rather us develop new defenders than trot out limited guys based on experience. FYI, players that missed the cut were Twellman (I think he's done anyway), Eddie Lewis (useful in the right role) and Brian Ching (someone has to get Jozy water and women).

Suck it, Mexico (Orozco), Adu and Feilhaber in the shop window and please someone sign our aging, crap forwards (Wolff, Jaqua)! Selfishly would've liked to see Altidore, but with hints of fatigue and his minutes piling up this past season, why not save him for Spain or Argentina (considering he lives 3 blocks away from Meadowlands, he's a lock for that one). Would have also liked to see Edu, but I have a sneaking suspicion Clark is trying to make a move and they are putting him in the window too. Obviously Bradley is in the window, but he is at the point where he doesn't need any further advertising. By the way, I was thinking about this the other day. Karim Benzema, a 20 year old striker, scored 26 goals in Ligue Uhh last year. He is probably going to transfer somewhere (Man United) for around 30 million dollars. Michael Bradley, a 20 year old holding midfielder, scored 21 goals in the Eredivisie, a comprable league and will probably draw a transfer fee of around 12 million dollars this summer. No respect at all. Unfotunately for Josh Wolff, no one wants a forward that can't score. I like the roster other than the fact that Danny Califf should never, ever set foot upon Wembley. I'd also love to see a central defender other than Boca/Gooch log some time. The game is next Wednesday on FSC, right?

This is awesome.

Unless it turns out his wrist really is the source, no. He had a similar start in 2006, and I think last year, if memory serves me. He's not a 35-40 HR guy. He's a 30 HR guy who will drive in runs. He's fine.

The problem is that there's not enough sample size for Gallagher as a starter to properly evaluate, which was kind of my point. There's been several people saying that Gallagher's outing(s) haven't been great because he got lucky with giving up hard shots, he was even compared to Ryan F. O'Malley. That obviously hasn't been the case, and when those people claim "irrational exuberance" from those excited about a player of Gallagher's potential replacing the dead ends of Marquis/Lieber, it's easy to understand why they'd be aggravated. I don't think he's O'Malley, and I didn't say his starts were bad. I said they weren't great, and weren't bad, and basically let's wait and see before getting too worked up. I seriously can't believe my point is being missed. You're the one who quoted me, I was responding to the thread in general in the first place. Gotcha. I wasn't thinking you were missing my point. I do understand what you are saying.

The problem is that there's not enough sample size for Gallagher as a starter to properly evaluate, which was kind of my point. There's been several people saying that Gallagher's outing(s) haven't been great because he got lucky with giving up hard shots, he was even compared to Ryan F. O'Malley. That obviously hasn't been the case, and when those people claim "irrational exuberance" from those excited about a player of Gallagher's potential replacing the dead ends of Marquis/Lieber, it's easy to understand why they'd be aggravated. I don't think he's O'Malley, and I didn't say his starts were bad. I said they weren't great, and weren't bad, and basically let's wait and see before getting too worked up. I seriously can't believe my point is being missed.

Call me out for it, I'll take it. I stand by what I said. And I stand by statement. I knew his dad posted here. I didn't know who he was. I didn't know his screen name. I was unaware when I quoted him. I said I'd apologize to him. I said I meant no disrespect to his family. I stand by my opinion of his ceiling, my opinion that it's early to get overly excited, and I stand by my stance that if this was meant as a kudos thread only, I'd have stayed out of it. You want to stay pissed off over a simple misunderstanding and a difference of opinion over a player in the analytical sense, that's certainly your right. You probably know better than I do about the latter.

This was not a very clearly intended thread if it was simply meant to congratulate. The first post was: And there are numerous postings on page one discussing the baseball aspect of his performances so far. It it had been so clearly a "Great Job" thread (which is certainly appropriate and understandable), I wouldn't have said anything related to his ceiling/performance/whatever, because it wouldn't have been the appropriate forum.

The problem is that there's not enough sample size for Gallagher as a starter to properly evaluate, which was kind of my point.

You told him to get his head out of the sand about his son? Yeah, there's no disrespect there. He's a 22yo. rookie, he doesn't have to be dominant! I don't know what you expect from kids making their 2nd career start, obviously if you have the audacity to tell someone's father that, it goes well beyond any reasonable expectation. Ping, what part of "I have no idea who his father is" didn't you get? I'm not a complete arse. I'm not going to purposefully insult someone's family over my detatched opinion of his son's ceiling. I definetly owe the man an apology, and he'll get it. You can focus on this part of it all you want, but it doesn't address the main point. We disagree on the manner of how productive it was. Did he put the team in a position to win? Yes. Was he giving up really hard hit balls in both starts that found the fielders? Also, yes. I'll repeat: Gallagher is a nick back-end option to have. I'd certainly take him over Marquis given their respective salaries. He's an good bet to outproduce Marquis, but I'm not going to trip over myself getting psyched over like 11 innings of work. He could struggle mightily has more of a "book" is made on him. He could stay consistently decent. What exactly is wrong with having a tempered expectation of someone who's certainly not a high ceiling guy?

I think people are overreacting to his 2 starts. They haven't been as good as some of the things I've read on here. Not to say he's been bad, but I think a more tempered reaction would be in order. Maybe he makes a few more starts, his arm gets accustomed to the workload and he stays consistent. I'd be ecstatic and the first to admit my skepticism was incorrect. Anyone who pays attention around here knows I'm not overly stubborn. There is also a chance he gets knocked around and some of the line drives he's given up fall in. I think wariness is prudent.

Keep on sticking your head in the sand, there. wow that was kind of uncalled for probably should stick to soccer talk Thanks for the advice. Maybe you should stick to "not making any rational or thoughtful points". That seems to be your forte. First of all, I have no idea who his dad is or what his posting name is. I mean no disrespect to a family member. However, to completely write off the peripherals surrounding his performance and dismiss any skeptic as "being a hater" is just as shortsighted as whatever it is you think I was implying. Gallagher is a nice back end rotation option to have, but he wasn't dominant. He hasn't been dominant yet, and I'm not going to change my opinion of his ceiling based on him getting lucky with hard hit balls in play over the course of 2 starts.

Not quite that bad, but yeah he had some BABIP mojo going for him today, especially on line drives. yes that bad. Lots of warning track flies as well. Amazing that folks still have to find crap to talk about. What was really good is that the "wind was blowing out" and they stayed in the park!!!!!! Sean has always had his "haters" as we have found out from articles from BA and other pubs but to be honest what really matters is what happens when given the chance.........

+1 for Mr. Glass Hamstring.

You know what else would make him a friend in alot of people books.......if he is actually productive on the field. Otheriwse, we're looking at a possible white Jacques Jones situation..... Well that's what I'm hoping for. If he helps us, then I'm a fan. All I care about is wining. If all you care about is winning, then you should re evaluate your opinion on this move, which is at least in the team photo of dumbest, most short sighted moves ever by this organization.

Way too much optimism in this thread.

For all the crap he got in England, that's a very, very good move for the FMF. And consequently bad for us.

Wow. Fulham's worst regular, Danny Murphy, scores and Fulham win 4 of their last 5 to stay up. Good news for Dempsey, Boca and EJ (I guess). Bad news for our cbackup LM Convey and backup GK Hannemahn, though. Reading go down despite pummeling Derby 4-0. Benny Feilhaber got in the game, though, which I don't think has happened since like October. And congrats to Man U.

Dammit, Bullard, pass the ball.

Crappity crap. Reading and B'ham both lead 1-0

http://bitcast-d.bitgravity.com/justintv/static/widgets/jtv_live.r6324.swf?channel=pabsports Fulham-Pompey stream, about 20 seconds behind live.

Agreed on this and the fact that FSC sucks for not showing a single match of interest.

Sigh.

He should go back to being a utility player.

I like the fact that MB has an edge to him, but he needs to keep it in check a little better. Not sure how I feel about Deuce signing a two year extension prior to securing safety in the Prem, or signing it at all. Kind of just wanted to see him on a bigger club. The extension actually gives Fulham more leverage in any transfer deal.