The Royal Heffernans


Quite possibly the best family ever

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

This is Why We Don't Get Nice Things


Soccer scribes in the US are still up in arms over Landon Donovan getting cut from the World Cup. Here's why you need to take all that hyperbole with a grain of salt:
That could mean left back stays with Beasley, whose experience will be important to have somewhere on the field in pressure situations, especially without Landon Donovan in the squad. With wing players Alejandro Bedoya, Brad Davis, Julian Green and Graham Zusi all on the roster, Beasley would have a tough time cracking the midfield anyway.
Are you kidding me!? The USA needs Beasley's experience on the field like it needs a hole in the head. Wait, I take that back. If the USA needs the experience of a sub-par winger getting burned all day long at left back and forcing others to cover for him, Beasley is definitely the guy. So he's not good enough to crack the midfield against the likes of Bedoya, Brad Davis, and Zusi, but, sure, line him up against Ronaldo and Goetze. That should end well. The only worse possible choice at left back would be Jonathan Bornstein, and, thankfully, Klinsmann ended that nightmare immediately after taking the job.

I mean, really, experience is overrated to a large degree. The reason for Donovan and Beasley's breakout performances in South Korea was that they had little experience and, as a consequence, very low expectations. Those expectations would later derail Donovan's career and they drove Beasley into obscurity. There are a few must-have's in the US lineup:
  • You need Clint and his attitude.
  • You need Bradley and his vision, motor, and distribution.
There. That's it. Howard is maybe the next most valuable, but I watched enough EPL to be comfortable with Guzan. Anyone trying to sell you on experience - and using Beasley of all people as the example! - doesn't know what they're talking about.

Friday, May 23, 2014

So Long, And Thanks for All the Fish


I'll miss Landon, but you've got to move on and I understand the decision. His head just wasn't in the game anymore, and, apparently, his body wasn't either. Still probably the greatest sports-watching moment of my life...