Steve Davis is grumbling about the U.S. left back conundrum, but I think Heath Pearce has stepped up to the role quite well. He's fast enough to limit attacks, he's scrappy on tackles, and he gets forward well. Plus, his crosses are some of the best I've seen from any U.S. player rotating into that position. Witness his assist in the last match to EJ. By the way, here's what Heath had to say after the Barbados match.
Soccer yields different perspectives, though. Who do our readers prefer in the left back slot, and why? Make the case.
8 comments:
i wasn't sold on Heath but his play in the big three friendlies was one of our brightest spots.
He's come a long way and I think the position is his to lose.
Heath is the guy.
The defender that worries me is Bocanegra.
Whatever happened to Jonathan Bornstein? He was great a year ago; now, nothing.
Jonny B. had an injury to start this year off, and he and his team have struggled a bit this year.
DaMarcus Beasley-an underrated defender with the speed to get forward.
He's ok. LB is still one of our weaker positions though. Not a lot of quality competition at that spot.
Heath Pearce was our best defender on the field over the course of the three tough friendlies. At Wembley he was our best field player by far. Getting relegated with Rostock was unfortunate, but Heath may be able to move to greener pastures in January if he plays well in Bundesliga 2 before the window.
Pearce has won the position for the foreseeable future barring injury.
Bornstein is more of a wingback based on his talent set, but he's not a terrible backup option for the future. Excluding one good half against Lionel Messi in the Copa America, he has generally struggled defensively at the international level.
Eddie Lewis will probably be available against CONCACAF level opponents, but he is better suited to playing in the midfield at this point in his career.
Bocanegra is better suited to play center half, his lack of pace is exposed in that position.
Still holding out on the perpetually unhealthy Cory Gibbs as well. (Fingers crossed)
I found the article a bit weird. Pearce has played pretty darn well recently, and if Bornstein can finish recovering from his injury in good form, he'll be a decent option also. And if Orozco decides to play for the the US...
This article would have made more sense a couple years ago. And there are some other positions on the pitch where we're just as shaky for depth.
I also think the article moves the goalposts a bit. Even if the US were particularly weak at left back (which I don't really buy), it's not like we haven't improved there as elsewhere. Sure Corrales was bad against Mexico, but in his younger days he would have given Regis a run for his money back in the day. As would a lot of guys currently in the pool, even some playing out of position.
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