MLS Team of Week One 2006

Tempting Lineup[s]
This will be a new [and I hope, regular] feature here on hartley's. ESPNsoccernet does such a great job on its EPL Team of the Week, but they don't do an MLS version. Well, now I do one.

I was tempted to go with a 4-3-3 like Bob Gansler, but I will start in a 4-4-2.

GK - Matt Reis [NE]
Ds - Matt Groenwald [KC], Nick Garcia [KC], Claudio Suarez [C-USA], Jose Burciaga [KC]
Ms - Clint Dempsey [NE], Sharlie Joseph [NE], Dwayne DeRosario [HOU], Arturo Alvarez [DAL]
Fs - Brian Ching [HOU], Ante Razov [C-USA]
Manager - Bob Bradley

Revenge -- Is it Sweet Enough?
Reis, Dempsey and Joseph visit the HDC and exact a little revenge for their team's poor form in MLS Cup. It's a good way to start a season, but let's see if NE can finally finish one.

Three Fourths
KC dominated CLB in more ways than one. The missing link here is Shavar Thomas, who played sleepy and looked unprepared for speed. If Jimmy Conrad was healthy, I daresay it would have been the four musketeers shutting out the Crew. Claudio Suarez steps right in for the Goats and with some help from Tim Regan, sends Salt Lake REaling.

Strike Force
Razov and Ching both sent out notice that though neither are going to Germany for Summer Vacation, they will be working hard to lead their teams to wins will plenty of scoring. Add in on the left side, Alavarez, who played so well Ruiz had no choice but to pass him the ball.

Rep to Bob Bradley. The pressure is on. Yeah, it was only Salt Lake. But the Goats must perform no matter the opponent. Bob will make sheer there are no sheeps straying this season.

A New Way to Spell Inconsistency

Four — Charlton Athletic
As Curbs said later, the team looked lethargic in the first half. Are the Addicks only going to "get up" for the BIG clubs like Liverpool? Or will they continue to rise to the occasion in the FA Cup -- though against non-EPL clubs? To even finish in the top half of the Prem, these Red Robins have to start bob-bob bobbing along the road again, beating the teams they should. Getting Dennis Rommedahl healthy is very important at this point. The Addicks need every offensive threat they can get. Look to the summer for more defensive signings.

Three — Tottenham Hotspur
The Spurs go into the Stadium of Light looking to bolster their European hopes. After the dismantling of Charlton last time out, Martin Jol could have fully expected a walk over the bottom line Black Cats. Jol could see the headlines now, D. Murphy comes off the bench to score. Well, the wrong Murphy -- Daryl for Sunderland -- scored and gained a point for his Championship bound club. Danny Boy only gets a card for his trouble. Get used to than Mr. Murphy, cards and the bench.

Two — Middlesbrough [or is that Chelsea]
I wonder how bad it will be at the Riverside? Many were thinking just that as Boro took on Jose and the Blues. Well, it wasn't too bad at all -- unless you are a Chelsea fan. Turns out 3-0 is the worst defeat of JM since he became the rich man's manager. Will it be Chelsea with a Spring Swoon this season? Can Boro start gaining some points?

One — A Couple of Votes for Consistency
Bolton at Highbury. The Wanderers continue to surprise only because they continue to play ugly and get results everywhere. Though I didn't see it, I'm sure Sam's Students were the usual bruisers, as evidenced by the two-footed tackle on Reyes by Faye. In fact, Sam said afterward that he was proud of his team. It's no wonder the FA have cut Sam from the short list.

Wenger said, "That was not football what you see there." And he wasn't just talking about Bolton. Arsenal continue to snatch draws from the jaws of the loss ness monster season they are having. Instead of stoppage time goals winning matches, the Gunners are left to wonder what would happen if they could actually score first -- even at home. What a tragic way to say goodbye to Highbury. But maybe this is a true return to Arsenal's history. A story to be left at the old grounds. On to Ashburton Grove, ah, I mean Emirates Stadium! Whatever.

USA 3 - 2 Japan

Well, here are my four points to take away from this match.

4.
Rob Stone doesn't do enough research. Or someone is not filling him in completely. How many times did he say this match was the "first soccer match in SBC Park"? A little history lesson for Rob. I believe the first match in SBC Park was between Chivas and Club America in 2003. Now, if Mr. Stone was actually saying that this was the first USA match at SBC Park, then he was correct. He really needs to be clear.

3.
Chris Klein is not, I repeat, NOT a defender. Now, I love Kleiny, but he is not a right back. Granted, he probably had a bad game period. The field was slippery, the ball was wierd, and he was playing a position he is still learning. He doesn't quite have the crossing angles down from that depth and his man marking was, well, goal-allowing.

2.
What does Kerry Zavagnin got to do to get the job? He was excellent last night. He was the constant pest a dmid is supposed to be. He broke up many attacks in the middle of the field. If he is on the bubble because of players like O'Brien, Pablo, and Armas, then Kerry really should be the one going to Germany. He may not have some of the attacking skills of those three, but he will do the dmid job consistently and he won't be injured.

1.
Not only should Twellman go to Germany, so should Wolff. Yeah, Twellman was Man of the Match with his assist and goal. But most of those things could have fallen to Wolff. Josh was in all the right places and constantly dragging a defender with him. He was again a catalyst and creator of space and passes. Taylor and Josh would be a great combination to bring on when the other team's defense is winded. And one more for Germany should be Todd Dunivant. His ability to cross the ball from depth, make the overlapping runs, and all around defending was a major spotlight.