Albright replaces Hejduk on USMNT

Viva REAL! · 05-03-2006, 04:00 PM

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_280938.html\

fuegote · 05-03-2006, 04:03 PM

i'm sorry, but this has to be said...

Yes for team USA!

EVEN BETTER FOR OUR MATCH THIS AND NEXT WEEK!!!! Sorry H20daoiwoerjuk. hope your acl gets better.

BetterThanChivas · 05-03-2006, 05:05 PM

That is most definately a good thing.

edaw33 · 05-03-2006, 08:32 PM

from everything i have heard from donovan frankie is a huge team motivator. don't be so excited because nothing replaces that.

Aerick · 05-03-2006, 09:23 PM

I love Hejduk! That's too bad, even though I also like Albright.

Rover · 05-03-2006, 10:10 PM

It's truly amazing that Albright is headed to the World Cup to anyone who saw him play when he first got in the league.

With DC United he played forward, and when we played United we used to say we never felt safer than when Albright had the ball and an empty net to shoot at. He was AWFUL as a forward--at least in finishing. He literally could not hit the broad side of a barn, and each game seemed to find new ways to miss.

He always ran hard and played tough. No one was more fit. But it wasn't enough and when he was traded to the Galaxy most of thought he was done.

And then Sigi (with Bruce's input) switched him to defense, and the rest is clear. Find the right job for a guy and he'll do well.

Too bad about Frankie, but he's played in two World Cups already. We'll see what Albright can do now that he may actually get in a game at a World Cup.

prk166 · 05-03-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterThanChivas

That is most definately a good thing.

So Arena's first choice goes out already and this is good? Albright is talented enough to make it as one of the better full backs in the MLS. But, as his selection as just an alternate shows, he is a marginal USMNT player.

Rover · 05-03-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prk166

So Arena's first choice goes out already and this is good? Albright is talented enough to make it as one of the better full backs in the MLS. But, as his selection as just an alternate shows, he is a marginal USMNT player.

I would agree, but I'd also say that Frankie's skills are OK for CONCACAF but aren't what we need against the more sophisticated teams from Europe--like the Czechs and Italians.

Is Albright any better? No. But his game is different because he's an actual offensive threat on corners and can win the air battles in the defensive third (although maybe not if Kohler plays!).

In any case, I don't think either of them were starters, although Arena was very comfortable with Frankie's wildman style and knew how to use it to our advantage.

I just feel bad for Frankie. He earned his way on this team, it was likely his last, and it's a tough way to get bumped.

SoccerPrime · 05-04-2006, 06:01 AM

Hejduk is a great player and we could have used him in the WC, but its not the case now and Albright is a good alternative.

Jose Luis Luviano · 05-04-2006, 08:39 AM

I don't think that any Ghanian, Italian or Czech defenders were going to fall for the Stepover Move anyway.

Grenadian and Panamanian defenders didn't fall for Frankie's Stepover.

When we're down a couple of goals late in the game, Albright will be useful on corners.