ASN: Jon Arnold Opines on the Prime 100 U.S. Soccer Gamers

The always-affable Jon Arnold does greater than host cheeky podcasts for American Soccer Now—he is additionally one of many panelists who helps choose and prioritize the quarterly ASN 100. Here is extra from Jon.

BY

John Godfrey

Posted
December 19, 2015
1:55 PM

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JON ARNOLD: I do not hate the job we did.  

Godfrey: Good. As a result of it is a huge time-sink do put this rattling factor collectively. Once you have a look at the Prime Ten, what do you are feeling?

Arnold: Uncertain. Like, I believe the supporters most likely aren’t fully positive what to make of this pool. The U.S. is in a really transitional time, possibly much less so as a result of 2016 brings significant matches with the Centenario. Nonetheless, I believe you see a gaggle that is not attaining a lot in Europe, but additionally consists of some gamers you are feeling assured about. 

Godfrey: You’ve Fabian Johnson as your No. 1-ranked  participant. Why?

Arnold: I like native soccer. I actually do, and my readers will know that. That mentioned, you rating towards Bayern Munich, and it will get my consideration. Johnson is probably the most versatile participant the U.S. has at its disposal and he is the participant in the very best kind proper now. That is why he must be atop the ASN 100. 

Godfrey: Who’s probably the most overrated participant on this listing?
Arnold: Look, there’s a lot for U.S. followers to be enthusiastic about on the subject of Darlington Nagbe, however No. 6 is fairly rarefied air for a man who has performed for the nationwide staff twice. I believe he may very well be an excellent piece of the puzzle, however till I see the place he suits into the staff (and see him maintain the kind of success he had within the latter half of the season with Portland), I am not prepared for that. Full disclosure: I did not have him that a lot farther down, placing him at 11, however esteemed panelists are clearly extra satisfied than I’m.

I used to be tempted to say Tim Howard. He is additionally too excessive for me, however is doing very effectively at Everton.
Godfrey: Wait, Tim Howard is just too excessive at No. 4?
Arnold: Yeah, I imply, look. Goalkeepers are powerful to charge as a result of it is already one of many hardest positions to judge and there are so jiffy to go round. I believe Guzan is simply pretty much as good or higher than Howard, so it is a powerful promote for me that he is actually the fourth-most-important participant for the U.S. proper now. Even when one thing occurs to Guzan, there are ‘keepers round.

Godfrey: Technically, the listing is about pure expertise reasonably than significance. I do not assume U.S. depth on the goalkeeper place ought to be held towards Howard or Guzan—or Luis Robles for that matter.

Arnold: Whereas we’re right here, I really feel such as you, John Godfrey, have to be rating Eric Lichaj in your prime 10, as a result of I do know you like him and he’s additionally too excessive on this listing. 

Godfrey: Good name. I’ve “The Rash” at No. 10. What can I say—I like his recreation and he ought to be in Klinsi’s combine. Steve Cherundolo is gone. Timothy Chandler is an enigma. Proper again wants assist. And simply have a look at the picture above—so rash-y!

So who right here must be ranked greater?

Arnold: There’s some type of “tough-to-classify Defenders Row” there between 70-80 the place Cameron Carter-Vickers, Nat Borchers, Matt Polster, Chad Marshall, and Tony Beltran are hanging out. I’ve acquired most of these guys greater simply because I believe they’re excellent gamers who may not be within the image proper now (not less than not for the total staff within the case of CCV and Polster) however actually may contribute. Jurgen Klinsmann’s philosophy on plenty of issues confuses me, however maybe nothing greater than his ideas on heart backs.

Let’s get the Beard into the January camp to impart some old-man knowledge onto these younger guys like CCV, Polster (who can play in every single place) and even others like Matts Miazga and Hedges, who’ve surpassed him however certainly can take a factor or two from a savvy veteran.

Godfrey: Title one participant who did not make the listing and argue on his behalf. 

Arnold: Possibly I am trending dangerously into Brian Sciaretta, “Listen, there’s this guy in Laos,” territory, however John Requejo of the U.S. U-20s is totally among the finest 100 People we have now on the market proper now. I get to see him in Tijuana fairly commonly. He is Mr. Consistency for Xolos U-20 staff, the one youth participant to play each minute of this season for them (one which noticed them end runner-up of Liga MX’s U-20 division). He is fast, good, and likewise far more defensively strong with a participant operating at him than plenty of children his age.

Godfrey: Click on on the “Age” filter and choose “Youngest.” This re-sorts the ASN 100 listing from youngest to oldest. Do you want what you see?

Arnold: No. This jogs my memory of the merciless development of time and the truth that I believe I am now older than half the ASN 100.

Godfrey: I am greater than a decade older than all of them—you may get used to it. Now click on “Oldest” and inform us your ideas.

Arnold: Ah, significantly better.
There are some guys there the staff will depend on, but additionally others who’re being (or have been) phased out. I do assume this summer time would be the excellent departure level for among the guys on the mistaken finish of the listing, and I am to see who does bid goodbye. A pair retirements are wanted. These younger, unproven guys must both show themselves or show they can not lower it, and ideally you do this earlier than the Hex, which goes to be fairly unforgiving. Maintain trotting the 2014 World Cup squad on the market, and also you may not stay to see 2018.

Observe Jon Arnold on Twitter—he is a top quality soccer particular person.