I think I've changed my mind on Brian Ching. Before I was one to put Kenny Cooper ahead of Brian Ching in terms of the national team. I felt that Cooper could be far more effective than Ching if given the chance.
Now, I'm not saying that Cooper has exactly been given that chance - two games isn't enough to judge any player on. Nor am I saying that I've soured on Cooper completely, though I didn't think he looked good at all against Sweden.
But I do think that Ching is a key player for the national team and should start at forward, far ahead of Cooper. Cooper may have a chance to make up some ground on Ching by year's end, maybe by the summmer, who knows?, but for now it should be Ching's show.
That means Ching should be a starter for the Mexico game as well as the March 28 game in El Salvador. The April 1 match against Trinidad will be soon after a trip to Central America and health may be a factor in that game with regards to all players. I wouldn't be surprised if that game we saw a US team that featured some players who hadn't started or played much during the first two qualifiers. Maybe that will be Cooper's chance.
Anyway, here's a column I wrote on Ching for The Press-Enterprise.
Showing posts with label Ching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ching. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Overconfidence?
Mexico's players are dropping like flies as Andres Guardado joined a suspended trio who won't be in Columbus for the US-Mexico game. Rafa Marquez may also miss the game.
Missing such star power has led some to speculate if the US will be overconfident, given that the US is in relatively good shape and playing at home where they've not lost to Mexico in nearly a decade.
I asked Brian Ching whether or not he thinks the US team, and more specifically a Bob Bradley team, will be overconfident. This is what he told me.
"There’s no chance that we’ll ever be overconfident. They could have 11 other starters injured and we still wouldn’t be overconfident just because of the gravity of the game. It’s the first World Cup qualifier from this round, it’s in America and we want to start on right. Regardless of who we play we’re going to come out with the same attitude and I think Bob’s done a good job of drilling that into us ever since he got here.
"He wants us to be ready for every game regardless of our opponent and not take games lightly. A good example would probably be the Barbados game. I think he got a little frustrated with us that we didn’t keep our shape towards the end of the game. He kind of harped on us.
"They have a few injured players but they have a deep roster just like we do."
Missing such star power has led some to speculate if the US will be overconfident, given that the US is in relatively good shape and playing at home where they've not lost to Mexico in nearly a decade.
I asked Brian Ching whether or not he thinks the US team, and more specifically a Bob Bradley team, will be overconfident. This is what he told me.
"There’s no chance that we’ll ever be overconfident. They could have 11 other starters injured and we still wouldn’t be overconfident just because of the gravity of the game. It’s the first World Cup qualifier from this round, it’s in America and we want to start on right. Regardless of who we play we’re going to come out with the same attitude and I think Bob’s done a good job of drilling that into us ever since he got here.
"He wants us to be ready for every game regardless of our opponent and not take games lightly. A good example would probably be the Barbados game. I think he got a little frustrated with us that we didn’t keep our shape towards the end of the game. He kind of harped on us.
"They have a few injured players but they have a deep roster just like we do."
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