USA Keeper Tim Howard signing and playing goalkeeper for United

He's singing with United?

I didn't know it was time for the Man U players to go around and sing christmas carols to put smiles on faces.

Just kidding, but you might want to edit the title.

 

fixt

 

Good for him.He did a rather good confederation cup.
I guess Barthez can be seriously worried about his starting role now.


ALA

 

How many U.S. players have played for a team like this? A lot. None. Several?

 

Very, very few, though in the last five years Americans have started to break through more and more in Europe. Most notably, American goalkeepers are having success abroad.

 

Landon Donovan plays for San Jose, Leverkusen holds his rights.

O'Brien is a complete and total stud, no two ways about it.

Keller is decent for Tottenham, and Friedel is the best goalie in the EPL, plying his trade for Blackburn.

Reyna to Sunderland was a disaster, he probably won't be with that team come next season.

Howard's a beast in goal, and will be the best goalie ManU has the second he signs with them.

 

Sunderland fans consider Reyna one of their best players in years. He was very, very good for them, but unfortunately he tore his ACL in December. After his injury, Sunderland went from decent to worst team in Premiership history.

Reyna is a class player and probably the best the US has to offer in terms of field players. He is just coming back from the injury now and put in an effective 60 mintues today against El Slavador.

O'brien is a total stud, but, like Reyna, he has a tendancy to pick up injuries. In form, he is a key piece of a very good Ajax team and a vital piece to the US.

Donovan and Beasley will both move to Europe in at least two years (Beasley probably next year, Donovan the year after). Recently, Beasley has been linked to Ajax and Everton.

Friedel might have been voted the best keeper in the Premier league, but Keller plays better in the Red White and Blue. I still think he is the US' #1 keeper.

Howard's move to Manchester is historic. If you have ever seen him play, you know the guy will have Barthez whining for a transfer by year's end.

 

I only mention it as a disaster because of the serious injury, not an indictment on Reyna's play. I would be surprised if Reyna was still with them next year in Division 1.


As far as best field player, that is an interesting discussion because I think O'Brien is a better player overall - however, Reyna's creativity in midfield fills a hole in the United State's attack that was readily apparent in his absence.

Also, McBride had a pretty succesful stint in Everton, no? I always liked him, maybe not as much talent as Mathis, but he works almost non-stop.

 

Please tell me that this guy was not the same one that Feyenoord had on trial about a year ago. We rejected him then... I'm not sure if it's the same guy though.

O' Brien is amazing, his Dutch is great too. I think he went through the Ajax youth system. He's played really well for them the past two years, and put in some good performances in Europe.

 

i agree, not only is it a big step down for reyna to be playing div. 1, but now it will be very hard for sunderland to afford to keep him because of the loss of tv revenue from falling out of the premiership. he will almost certainly be sold before next season.

 

Reyna will more likely be sold during the winter signing window, after he has had a half a season to prove his injury has not slown him down.

Actually, Ace, I believe it is the same guy. I can't understand why Feyenoord rejected him. The guy has incredible physical ability and a great work ethic. Did you see him in the Confederations Cup? He showed why Man U has such high hopes for him.

Puedlfor, O'Brien is more versatile and probably overall more skilled, but he does not control a game like Reyna does, not yet at least. However, he is five years Reyna's junior so he has time to develop the same kind of presence in midfield.

McBride is making his claim as best American soccer player as we speak (field player). He claimed MVP of last year's Gold cup, he played extremely well in the World Cup, and he had a very successful stint at Everton (They offered MLS 1 million pounds to keep him, MLS rejected the offer) tallying four goals in only eight games. And he has now he has scored three goals in two games in this year's Gold Cupl, including a beautiful header to open the US account against Martinique. Right now, he is the only American foward who can hold the ball with his back to the goal and consistently win balls in the air. Edson Buddle has the same type of physical ablities, but he can't stay healthy and Conor Casey is still a few years away playing in the 2 Bundesliga. Mathis and Donovan are both more attacking mids/ withdrawn fowards. Bruce tried Jovan Kirovski as a target foward in the Confed. Cup, but that failed miserably.