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So the soon-to-be MLS season is, believe it or not, fast approaching. Seems like just yesterday we
were watching Landon and Becks engage in an epic bro-embrace. Wistful days, those. But upon is the
longest MLS season ever undertaken, a startling five weeks hence. As somebody who still considers
soccer a cold-weather sport, there's not a lot about 100+ degree mid-July games that entices me,
but
Eddie Pope was kind enough to contribute mightily to the long-promised Top 5 List of transfers that
weren't for Americans, so I'm going to air his full comments on the relevant matter contained
within unedited. If you haven't seen it yet, you may wish to read that before the following
text.--"At a couple points throughout my career, I had a lot of interest from many European teams.
Okay, I have been lazing about long enough. I have stuff for you backed up on the old notepad and
it's time to clear the rolls. Since an ill-fated bike sojourn to buy new kicks ended with a sudden
drenching on my way back and I'm feeling kinda out of it, let's start with something easy that's
been ready for eons.
As promised, MLSS Armchair Analyst Matthew Doyle is along to (incorrectly) tell you unopposed all
the things I got wrong in my USMNT Clipboard depth charts - which are all available for obsessive
review through this post. And wouldn't you know it? I ask dude for a Top 5, but he apparently would
have had too much great trouble paring it down so much.
In early September I ran my top 5 picks for MLS Cup dark horses. Some look promising now (RSL),
some not so much (Chicago). Now, with most of MLS taking a break this weekend, we level our gaze on
the top five frontrunners. It's all about the big dogs today. With the wild card round almost two
weeks away and the picture rapidly crystallizing, here are the top five teams most likely to take
home
Like Lionel Ritchie once sang, we've come to the end of our rainbow. Once, twice, three times
thanks to you all for riding along these last two weeks, stirring up some debate/discussion of the
new system and indulging my keen ability to speak mind without caring the slightest that some will
find me whacko.
No, we won't be discussing fire trucks, school buses or South African aliens today. It's literally
the pinnacle of our 4-3-3, the striker. It's also the easiest top choice this side of Tim Howard in
our little exercise.This is the most straightforward job description on the field, really.
Naturally, our #9 wants to stay in the middle of the field, make the center backs work, drop back
to be
Aided by a merciful Cardinals start time, there will be no dozing off too early tonight. It about
to get really Dutch up in here, up in here - so let's just dive in.The #8 is a very important
player in this formation. He's the time-keeper, controlling match tempo when necessary. He's
usually also the traffic director, deciding which direction we go up the field.
First off, apologies on the tardiness. I just got too tired and happily dozed off before I getting
to the post.Secondly, as is often the case, discussion of my prattle out there on the interwebs has
been brought to attention. It seems we suddenly have a lot of new NSC visitors, including many who
joined in the fun after we'd started.
Yep, the Stuart Holden bad news changed things in both this defensive midfield ranking and the
two-way man list to drop on Tuesday. As I said on day one, those injured past January can take
drops, as our view here is to the first qualifier.Originally, I had Holden (out until April-ish) as
the topper at the #8 position and Michael Bradley atop this depth chart.
I'm a little behind and it's a busy day for me. I will drop the left back list now and try to get
the defensive midfield up late tonight to stay on project schedule.Anyway... so left back is a
tricky spot for the USMNT, huh? Yeah, I had some trouble selecting here and experience weighs heavy
with a time frame focusing on qualifier #1.
We've reached the left center back portion of our program... which means I don't need to cover job
description. Yay.What I will do is add in a couple extra hypothetical details to think about with
the construction of a 4-3-3 back line. When it comes to casting this production, it can be the
details that give the field balance needed for it to work right.
It's Tuesday night, which means it's time to drop my own personal right center back depth chart -
which means it may start to get contentious.The center backs in a 4-3-3 are charged with all the
usual duties, but are specifically drilled for counter attack defense and air traffic controlling.
Of course, the biggest added responsibility is playing the ball out.
It's right back day on my USMNT clipboard, and this is where I start provoking. Exactly what it is
I provoke, we shall see. As promised, today's ranking takes us deeper into discussions of things
like tactical checkpoints, changes from the old ways and player expectations.Now into a wingback
chart, we come to one of the (two) most complex positions in the 4-3-3.
Yes, starting my personal USMNT depth chart reveal in goal is not flashy - but it's Friday, I'm
sure you'll all persevere somehow. Naturally, the explanations will expand once we hit the field
positions, as will your opportunities to question my sanity.Looking forward in the proper uniform
number/4-3-3 role order, I will drop my right back list tomorrow and then hold off with the right
center
It will be a couple of weeks before some of my more detailed 4-3-3 explanations begin with the
purpose of knocking down misconceptions and basically getting all Dutch abstract on ya.For now, I
am going to start out as standard as possible. I'll go through each position on the formation to
offer up my current top five.
Did this irrevocably alter RSL's season? We'll see soon enough. With MLS taking a break this
weekend (good on 'ya, RSL) and the playoffs breathing down our necks, this is an appropriate time
to take a look at some teams with a chance to break into the picture with an impressive, albeit
unexpected playoff run a la Colorado last postseason.
Finally, it's time to take that OG Top 5 and make it into a Top 10'er. This is one of two lists on
the way by request, and you all know I need no arm twist to talk about food. Like last time, we'll
run through a small variety of tastes and make sure you can actually find the place. Eet
smakelijk!#5 - VapianoLocated in the city's main public library branch right next to Centraal
Station, the place
So I'm back. That's your cue to rejoice zealously (or brazenly gnash your teeth, whichever response
seems most apropos). New Orleans nearly took my life twice and I shot a Romanian AK-47 at empty
beer cans on a ranch in south Texas. 'Merica. With all-star week upon us, figured we'd get a
midseason update on this list, and then we'll go back after the MLS Cup and dissect where we ended
up.
I am an unabashed Woody Allen apologist, so you won't find a "Top 5 Worst" list from me. Only the
good stuff. He's missed on a few, though none badly, and despite his age he continues to churn out
brilliant dialogue, thought-provoking themes and lush backdrops in his movies, which he still
dutifully produces at a clip of one a year.
There are plenty of MLS rivalries with deep-seated fan ties lingering out there in the ether.
Chicago and New England have met in the playoffs more than any two clubs in league history and
their fans have developed a healthy sheen of animosity. RSL-Dallas and NY-LA have turned into nice
clashes of late as well, although I can make a better case for those just being good games rather
than
Okay, this time I didn't forget it or lose it on my Notepad or even get lazy... I just kept getting
called away to wee hours USMNT ratings duty and transfer chases the last few days. Stuff is
happening, folks. But for now, a little Distracter decree non-soccer fun.It was difficult just to
lay parameters for this exercise - for instance, some could argue this or that person is already
becoming a
Here's your first top 5 MLS spines of the year. As always, subject to change and the whims of
injury. #5 - Seattle (Keller, Hurtado, Ianni, Alonso, Friberg, Montero, Jaqua) Sounders FC gets a
real shot in the arm from Casey Keller, Fredy Montero and Osvaldo Alonso here, all of whom are
among the league's elite at their positions at their best.
For reasons I have yet to pinpoint, while in college I discovered an unabashed love for really,
really bad movies. So bad they split your sides in half. One night during finals, instead of
studying, I opted to watch a movie, which remains unnamed in my mental monologue, on TBN of a white
Jesus with a stick-on beard in a tie-dyed robe walking around what the directors no doubt hoped
would look
We don't need no stinkin' ceremony.#5 - One thing that may or may not make you go "Hmm."I wondered
when was the last time a USMNT captain started on the bench and then ended up working much of the
game with another player still wearing his armband. Sadly, I imagine this answer is too hard to
find. But next time it happens, we will all be at the trivia-ready.
It's time for riffing.#5 - The 'Nats are beginning to become a real nuisance to the big boys.Since
the last Argentina meetings in 2008, the USMNT has played a total of nine matches against a group
or world powers listing the Albiceleste, Brazil, England, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain - the
two CONMEBOL monsters and four Euro-beasts.
I now am formulating the next great and powerful entertainment Top 5'er, probably to drop this
weekend. I won't divulge the precise topic, but will tip off that the impressive young lady at
right has easily made the honor roll...#1 - The Chad Ochocinco experiment has begun. His Bengals
coach is displeased, but the player says "pfft".
This is pretty self-explanatory and entirely me goofing around. There were a few moments I hated to
leave out, - but that's why they call it a Top 5 and not a Top 8. If you don't watch Community,
start.#5 - "All in yo caebza"Talk about elaborate lengths to kick off a semester...#4 - The
Valentine's Day BetPoor Troy.
