In a huge blow to the USMNT, it looks like Dempsey is out
by denz on Jan 18, 2010 3:13 PM MST
8 comments
The early reports are that the injury is a cruciate knee ligament injury which could keep him out for months, while the results of tests are still being waited on. The BBC website is reporting that he could be out for a long while, and that is being echoed on The Lead.
If Clint is on the shelf for an extended period of time and unable to compete for the US in South Africa it poses a real problem for the USMNT, as Clint is one of the few creative players in the midfield for the USMNT and the options aren't real appealing. If you don't believe me check out this post from Steve Davis.
To me this points out a huge issue about the lack of midfielders who can be the offensive playmakers coming from the US. Even in looking at MLS, you see that most of the creative mids are not US players. Sure there are some: Stuart Holden, Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers, but they are all young and fairly not really team leaders. A guy like Steve Ralston comes to mind but at 35 he probably totally off the radar. You really are stuck looking at the names on the USMNT roster for the upcoming matches and it isn't a list that inspires great confidence, but I think that it creates a real chance for someone to step up.
Could it be a Brad Evans? I liked how he played this year for Seattle and think he might be one of the more solid options. How about Eddie Gaven, who provided 6 goals this year for the Crew? Maybe a guy like Kyle Beckerman who is known more for his holding work, gets to try being a much more creative player, it worked in the Gold Cup. If the injury news is right and it is 8-12 months without Deuce, someone or someones will need to step up in a major way. Clint provided 4 goals and two assists in 14 matches in 2009 and has a total of 60 caps and 17 national team goals.
All I know is that it will put a lot more pressure on Landon if there is no Clint in the lineup and this could require a lot of attention before the team heads down to South Africa in just over 140 days.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
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I was so bummed to hear this news. Without Davies and Dempsey, we’re really going to be in trouble, I think. Your last line is most relevant, Denz: EVERYTHING is going to be riding on Landy-cakes. His work rate in internationals is already sky-high, but we’re going to have to rely on him even more, and he could easily burn himself out early.
I’d love to see Beckerman get a shot, especially after his performance at the Gold Cup. If not him then I agree that Brad Evans would be a solid choice; he played very well for Seattle and knows the American players well with 30 international caps.
Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?
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It is going to be tough
While I think this injury could be a significant blow to the USMNT in South Africa, it does beg the question why can the US produce decent forwards, good defensive midfielders, quality defenders, and top notch keepers but we struggle to be able to get really good attacking midfielders?
My fear is that this injury forces the US to possibly have to change their formation heading into the World Cup, as we are really going to be challenged in creation coming out of the midfield. Do we move Landon up top with Jozy, and another outside attacking player (Robbie Findley). I was very impressed with how Landon and Jozy were able to play together during the summer, and an extended US camp leading up to the World Cup could provide them a great chance to build more chemistry. Then you have guys like Brad Evans, Bradley and Holden, who can play both ways well working with a real defensive minded midfielder. I think the one thing the US has always been able to count on is being one of the most fit teams, and I believe this injury will put even more pressure on the US to really play an attacking style from start to finish. No more holding onto draws, we should be going for blood from the first whistle until the final one.
No more holding onto draws, we should be going for blood from the first whistle until the final one.
Me likes the sound of that. :)
Uh, do you think you could draw me like a ninja?
SLCDunk.com: Bringing you ninjas, The KOOFs and anti-jinxes since 2008.
Reality Check
When is the last time a EPL coach after talking with his trainers underestimated the impact of an injury? Teams always try to look on the bright side, so when he mentions a PCL injury, I do tend to assume the worst.
Yes we will know more shortly, as the results are released but without a 100% Clint Dempsey the USMNT takes a very different look, now when you add in the injury to Charlie, you have taken away two very offensive minded players from the roster that qualified for the World Cup. The main point of my post is simply wondering why there are so few quality offensive midfielders in the US, and the reality that we might have more strength at forward than we do in creative midfielder.
I hope that Clint’s injury is nothing major and he is only out a month or so, but when a EPL manager says that a player is likely to be gone for a long time, that usually isn’t a good thing.
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