Proof that Sampson shouldn't coach US Nat'l Team

Proof that Sampson shouldn't coach US Nat'l Team

Post by arava » Thu, 23 Oct 1997 04:00:00


        I have seen all the recent postings dealing with this topic...so here is
my opinion.

Point #1:       If Sampson doesn't start Brian McBride with Wynalda then he
should be replaced.  During the Columbus Crew's four            playoff games,
McBride won just about every 50/50 ball he contested.  You will NEVER see
Wegerle or Lassiter do          this.  With Wynalda/McBride The US could probably
get a point in Mexico.

Point #2:       If Sampson choses Jeff Agoos, Mike Burns,  or Alexi Lalas over
Mike Lapper.  Then he REALLY sucks.  Lapper played              in the England with
Southend last season.  Sampson always wants players with experience
abroad...well here you go.              Lapper has all the "skills" of Agoos, Burns,
AND Lalas plus decent pace and ball skill and the ability to score some        
goals, which the US always needs.  

Does anybody agree???

 
 
 

Proof that Sampson shouldn't coach US Nat'l Team

Post by MHillSL » Fri, 24 Oct 1997 04:00:00

Quote:
>Point #1:   If Sampson doesn't start Brian McBride with Wynalda then he
>should be replaced.  During the Columbus Crew's four        >playoff games,
>McBride won just about every 50/50 ball he contested.  You will NEVER see
>Wegerle or Lassiter do this.  With Wynalda/McBride The US could probably get a

 point in Mexico.

I agree that McBride is superb in the air.  He is not as clever with his feet,
 though.  Sampson would like to have someone who can play the ball with his
 back to the net.  Unfortunately, Brian has not shown this. In addition,
 Sampson puts a premium on match fitness and Mc Bride just came from a long
 injury layoff.  Also, he didn't play well in China (I think) or in US Cup97.
 Heck, I like him.  I almost had a heart attack when he nearly scored on his
 first international touch (against Scotland US Cup 96) but he's got some work
 to do before he's a "can't miss."
Lassiter is not the answer.  He only plays through balls, misses good chances,
 he's impatient and always offside when it counts.
It's clear the US is very short on quality strikers.

Quote:
>If Sampson choses Jeff Agoos, Mike Burns,  or Alexi Lalas over
>Mike Lapper.  Then he REALLY sucks.  Lapper played in the England with

 Southend last season.  Sampson always wants players with experience
 abroad...well here you go.             Lapper has all the "skills" of Agoos,
 Burns,AND Lalas plus decent pace and ball skill and the ability to score some

Quote:
>goals, which the US always needs.  

Sampson's biggest critique of Lapper's play in England was that it didn't suit
 the US style because he didn't come forward enough. He has surely shown
 quality defense with the Crew and an ability to come forward.  He's certainly
 more mobile than Lalas (which is to say he's more mobile than a gas pump) and
 more skilled than Burns.  Agoos, despite his stupid blunder, is a quality
 defender.  

Sampson has his back against a wall and won't gamble with wild cards.  Lapper
 and McBride have a bright future and, as a Crew fan, I love em.  Let's hope
 that the US side's heads have shrunken enough to extract them from their
 arses.  They are an average side that have the ability to play above
 themselves when motivated.

Cheers

Mark Hill

 
 
 

Proof that Sampson shouldn't coach US Nat'l Team

Post by arava » Fri, 24 Oct 1997 04:00:00



Quote:

> : Point #1:        If Sampson doesn't start Brian McBride with Wynalda then he
> : should be replaced.  

> : Point #2:        If Sampson choses Jeff Agoos, Mike Burns,  or Alexi Lalas
over
> : Mike Lapper.  Then he REALLY sucks.  

> translation: "if sampson doesn't start my favorite players from my
> favorite team, then he sucks and out to be sacked."

> come on.  i'm a crew fan like you, but this is loony.

> chuck
> --
> ...and it won't break my heart to say goodbye.
>                                  [thanx to rich mullins.  for
everything.]


Actually, My favorite player is Brad Friedel, and he rarely starts.  My
point is this:  First, Wegerle doesn't have it anymore, never did really,
and Lassiter doesn't even know what offsides is much less score on a
regular basis.  Second, Lapper is a much better defender than either of the
three stooges listed above.  Period.  It just happens that both McBride and
Lapper play for the Crew.  I was pissed when Sampson wasn't playing Dooley
very often.  He is on Columbus also (as you well know).  If McBride/Lapper
where on Colorado (a team I really don't like), I would still say they
should play.  

 
 
 

Proof that Sampson shouldn't coach US Nat'l Team

Post by Dustin Christma » Sat, 25 Oct 1997 04:00:00


Quote:

>    I have seen all the recent postings dealing with this topic...so here is
>my opinion.

["Brian McBride and Mike Lapper should start" nonsense deleted.]

My opinion is that you're a shameless Crue homer.

--
Thanx,            = "I can definitely say I'm the only guy in MLS who's
Dustin Christmann =  taken 'Beef and Sheep Production.'" -- Alexi Lalas
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