Who is the best american soccer player right now?

[Deb]

Who is the best american soccer player right now?

[SOS4Prez]

Lee Nguyen.

[Robert]

Michael Bradley. And, in my opinion, it's not even close to being a discussion. The other two guys who normally would be in this discussion can't seem to get out of their own way (Donovan not sure if he even wants to play again and Dempsey's incredibly erratic club form). I'd even say that Tim Howard is second on my list at the moment.

[scoobay]

Originally Posted by Robert

Michael Bradley. And, in my opinion, it's not even close to being a discussion. The other two guys who normally would be in this discussion can't seem to get out of their own way (Donovan not sure if he even wants to play again and Dempsey's incredibly erratic club form). I'd even say that Tim Howard is second on my list at the moment.

can't disagree... but man thinking about that, US soccer just so much worse than the rest of the world.

i remember years ago when Adu was just getting started and he was the next big thing... anyone coming up on the horizon for Team USA soccer?

[Robert]

Originally Posted by scoobay

can't disagree... but man thinking about that, US soccer just so much worse than the rest of the world.

i remember years ago when Adu was just getting started and he was the next big thing... anyone coming up on the horizon for Team USA soccer?

There are tons of players that I could name for you... Josh Gatt (at the top of my list), Joe Corona, Mix Diskerud, Joe Gyau, Amobi Okugo, Will Packwood and John Anthony Brooks.

And I wouldn't say that the US is worse than a whole bunch of countries, it is just a transition time. A lot of the guys who have been around for the past few World Cups will be gone by the time the trip to Brazil happens in the summer of 2014. Donovan is likely done. Carlos Bocanegra will probably retire from international duty soon so he continue his club career. As much as I love him, Cherundolo's career is going to come to a close soon. And a host of other guys from the last World Cup are already falling by the wayside for other reasons (yep, I'm talking about you, Ricardo Clark). But with players like Danny Williams, Fabian Johnson and, hopefully, Tim Chandler coming into their own and taking over... I'm very optimistic about the near future. Of course, I'm also a member of the American Outlaws, so I'm naturally excited about the US squad.

[scoobay]

Originally Posted by Robert

There are tons of players that I could name for you... Josh Gatt (at the top of my list), Joe Corona, Mix Diskerud, Joe Gyau, Amobi Okugo, Will Packwood and John Anthony Brooks.

And I wouldn't say that the US is worse than a whole bunch of countries, it is just a transition time. A lot of the guys who have been around for the past few World Cups will be gone by the time the trip to Brazil happens in the summer of 2014. Donovan is likely done. Carlos Bocanegra will probably retire from international duty soon so he continue his club career. As much as I love him, Cherundolo's career is going to come to a close soon. And a host of other guys from the last World Cup are already falling by the wayside for other reasons (yep, I'm talking about you, Ricardo Clark). But with players like Danny Williams, Fabian Johnson and, hopefully, Tim Chandler coming into their own and taking over... I'm very optimistic about the near future. Of course, I'm also a member of the American Outlaws, so I'm naturally excited about the US squad.

thanks! i'm not as big into soccer so just not familiar with many guys - i'll keep a look out for those names you mentioned though.

i wonder if you (or anyone else) could comment on a couple players i read about in ESPN magazine

Brek Shea - about a year ago he was listed as one of the players who was "next"
Aron Johannsson - US born but plays in Denmark - there was some speculation maybe he'd play for the US?

thanks

[Robert]

Originally Posted by scoobay

thanks! i'm not as big into soccer so just not familiar with many guys - i'll keep a look out for those names you mentioned though.

i wonder if you (or anyone else) could comment on a couple players i read about in ESPN magazine

Brek Shea - about a year ago he was listed as one of the players who was "next"
Aron Johannsson - US born but plays in Denmark - there was some speculation maybe he'd play for the US?

thanks

Sure thing! I love it when anyone wants to talk about the sport. I've become a bigger fan of soccer year by year since I started watching Arsenal play back in 2001.

Brek Shea has a bright future in front of him, he just needs to mature a bit mentally. He had a rough season (both on a form and injury front) and probably should have moved on from the MLS instead of resigning with FC Dallas this past year. But he's only 22, he has a big frame, is great with the ball at his feet, very good at crossing into the box and can absolutely fly. So, while he isn't in the discussion for a spot on the roster at the moment, he will be and he will be there for a long while.

I can't see any way that Johannsson plays for the US. Without even going into the debate on whether or not he would actually be better than any of the other young forwards that the US has in its program, both Johannsson and his agent haven't even considered filing the paperwork with FIFA that would be required for him to play for the US (he played for the Iceland youth squads).