YankatOxford

Bedoya is a hard working player, who can play in the hole behind a top striker or out wide. Alejandro had a decent if unspectacular tournament at the Gold Cup this summer, and this represents a moderate step up in his career moving from Sweden to Scotland. His club play has been very solid over the last few years, and if he continues to improve he stands an outside chance of playing in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, should the U.S. qualify. Bocanegra, on the other hand, is a veteran CB who can play Left back as well (where he's been playing in France). He's excellent in the air, and has better mobility than Weir (although that's not saying much). Carlos is not a particularly technical or swift player at this point in his career, but he has good character and excellent leadership qualities. He is a significant threat on set pieces, and has played in the last two World Cup tournaments for the United States, most recently as skipper for most of the last 4 years during WC qualifying. This move likely represents his last opportunity to sign a relatively high wage, multi-year contract in Europe, prior to heading back to MLS. I wouldn't be surprised if after visa's are sorted out, Bocanegra is a regular in the team, while it may take Bedoya longer to settle, given his age and the higher competition for places at his position. Both players are certainly SPL quality, and Bedoya's potential upside is obviously higher. Given the injuries Rangers have suffered, McCoist will be glad to have more bodies for sure.

Probably his best personal performance since the World Cup in my view. Absolute beast in the 2nd half.

That list in that link is a little strange with some guys like Jermaine Jones- who I don't think will be involved in the national team. If Beasley can get back playing he'll make the squad, and Edu should make it as I think he's better than Ricardo Clark, and miles better than Kljestan Is that the Jermain Jones that plays in Germany for Leverkusen(i think), thought he had declared himself for Germany. Yeah he plays for Schalke, and he's able to switch because he's only appeared in friendlies for Germany- but he's been injured and there have been various hiccups with his paperwork. Added to that I can't see Bradley taking him to SA after only being involved in the US set up for a very short period of time Fortunately for Edu, a number of other players have been injured - the list of quality USMNT players who could play a game right now is very short. If he can get in a few games over the next few weeks, he has a good chance to be in camp for the squad against Holland in Eindhoven for a friendly on March 3rd, the last FIFA date prior to the WC. We could field a decent XI that couldn't even play right now... Charlie Davies (Sochaux/France) Clint Dempsey (Fulham/EPL) DaMarcus Beasley (Gers/SPL) Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/Bundesliga) Ricardo Clark (Frankfurt/Bundesliga) Stuart Holden (Bolton/EPL) Jose Fransisco Torres (Pachuca/ Mexico FMF) Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan/ Serie A) Jay DeMerit (Watford/ Championship)* Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96 / Bundesliga) Troy Perkins (DC United/MLS) * Recently returned from injury... All of these players have won multiple caps in the last calendar year during WCQ and the Confederations Cup run to the final... Jermaine Jones is better than both Mo Edu and Ricardo Clark, but he's had a long running leg fracture problem that is still giving him trouble. He is going to try returning to training for Schalke later this month. If Jones plays for Schalke, he will make the 23 for SA. He'd be one of the best players on the roster. In my view Beasley still has a better chance of making the team than Edu- he also has a better chance of stepping on the field in South Africa should they both make the 23 man roster. The U.S. is extremely deep in central midfield, with a variety players who can offer different things. Based on performances with the USMNT, you have to give Clark the upper hand over Edu- Edu may be the better player in the long run, but he has been average/good, and then was injured before getting to showcase his good form in the spring of 2009. On the other hand we have very few international quality wide players- so DMB with his experience and pace when healthy remains an option. Edu is hurt by the fact that he was injured over the summer and missed the big games against Costa Rica, Italy, Brazil, Egpyt, Spain, Brazil (again), Mexico, and Honduras. Because Michael Bradley is our best 2 way midfielder, there's really only one starting slot to be had... and so he will have to battle Jones and Clark, while also hoping our manager Bob Bradley doesn't go with a more offensive minded option like Feilhaber or Torres to pair w/ Michael. DMB doesn't face the same kind of competition outwide, and he has already played in two world cup tournaments... Currently, the injury to Clint Dempsey (Wing Forward) and Charlie Davies (Striker) mean that Landon Donovan will need someone on the opposite flank. Could be Stuart Holden (Bolton/injured). Could be DMB. Sacha Kljestan is terrible right now, and unless he picks it up in MLS, he's not going to make the 23. I'd rather have Jose Fransisco Torres anyway. Kenny Cooper is unlikely to go to SA. Johnson and Adu are in a better position now that they are actually playing for Aris in Greece.

It is on the front page of SI and ESPN's web sights right now. They are running different length versions of the AP story http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/socc....html?eref=sihp

Kris Boyd is a fantastic finisher, and a tremendous player for Rangers- no one takes anything away from that. I think he will ultimately get a chance to perform for Scotland in international play that on merit, his record deserves. But if this is a serious question.. Henrik Larsson is a player respected around the world, had a better all around game and his class both on and off the pitch was tremendous. The man has scored in three world cups and two European championships; he rejected extending a loan deal at the one of the biggest clubs in the world so he could return to his small hometown team... and he pretty much turned the 2006 Champions League Final on his own.. I'd want Henrik Larsson on my team... and I damn sure wish he had played for my country.

Haha, sorry this made me laugh, although its very early in the morning. Clearly you missed the 2006 World Cup.

If he were to sign for Rangers, where would he play - on the right? Holden - Davis - Edu/Mendes/Thomson - Beasley/Novo Not too sure a central partnership of Davis and Holden would work, so you need someone who is willing to put the foot in, and snap away when required. Means someone like Mendes, Thomson, Edu....has to be left out, and that's why I don't see us going for him, unless someone is getting sold in January I'd actually expect him to be in direct competition with Novo/Beasley/Davis/Mendes. He'd be a cut above anything Gers have had on the bench over the last 4 matches for a wide option or attacking midfielder at this point, however he's not going to be sitting on the bench in the spring of WC finals tournament. He's also not going to be bought by a club for his defensive ability so the Edu/Thomson/McCulloch conundrum is a little different. Perhaps it allows Novo to return to the bench as in impact striking substitute, where he seems to be best suited... From the club's perspective if Mendes is sold, Holden would be a younger, pacier, option to Mendes as a back up Davis, in this midfield system. Holden-Davis- DMF-DMB He could also be played in the hole off of Miller or Boyd, if Smith wanted more possession. Honestly, while he is great value, Holden doesn't fit Rangers personnel very well at the moment as a starter, unless Mendes is sold or Mendes/Davis/Novo/DMB goes down with an injury. However, he is significantly better the in midfield compared to McCulloch, Naismith, Lafferty, or Whittaker.

I suspect most posters have a good understanding of Holden's game- but just to reinforce it a bit. ABILITY: He's a technical player, with decent pace, takes dead balls, has above average, but not spectacular dribbling ability, and excellent crossing skills. Stu has a dig on him as well- scored a screamer in the Gold Cup this summer. I wouldn't describe his defensive ability as anything special, but he has a great work rate. POSITION: He has played in central midfield, on both wings, particularly the right, and in the hole for his club, the Dynamo. He is usually paired with Ricardo Clark (a player similar to Edu) who is more of a ball winner when we plays at CMF/CAM. For the U.S. he has mainly played at right wing in qualifying, and he has an excellent chance of making the World Cup team in South Africa, although he's not an absolute lock. Ironically, and despite what DMB said in the earlier interview, Beasley's re-emergence does affect his chances- but DMB's form probably has more impact on U.S. winger Robbie Rogers making the team than Holden. EXPIERENCE: Holden came on against Mexico at Azteca and played extremely well- and has won league trophies with Houston (MLS CUP) but he does not have the experience of playing in a pressure cooker giant club like Rangers week in and week out. MLS simply doesn't have that kind of environment yet. He has primarily played a super sub role in WCQ for the US MNT, but with the accident/injury to his close friend Charlie Davies, he may crack the XI depending the opponent. Personal: As for adapting to life in Scotland, he's spent time in the UK before, has Scottish ancestry, and a British passport I believe. He also hosts a radio show with Dynamo and U.S. international striker Brian Ching. I should add that I wouldn't be surprised if Holden stayed in MLS, and came to Europe on a short loan deal similar to the one Landon Donovan has just signed with Everton.

he was pretty good today, no?

I don't think DMB can get a game ahead of Dempsey, Duff, Gera, or even Simon Davies. All players better than what Rangers have as wingers/wing forwards currently.

Beasley's just very lucky in that his nation basically have a by to every world cup. Lov to see Scotland go to Estadio Cuzcatlan Estadio Azteca or Estadio Monumental. Pinches gringos I've watched a bit of the SPL since Edu went there and the way Scottish players shits themselves when they get the ball is laughable no flow at all they wouldn't know what to do with bags of piss and batteries being thrown at them. scottish players can't even put the ball in the net from two feet away *see norway. beasleys style doesn't translate well there and for people who said hes never been rangers class look at his psv videos. His nation is lucky? Get off of it. No one in Europe has any clue how difficult it is to play in Central America for a WCQ. Scotland would get eaten alive playing in the Monsta Cave at Saprissa in Costa Rica. Imagine playing on artificial turf at 34 degrees Celsius and with 90% humidity.. on a field surrounded by a chain link fence and a small moat while fans throw batteries and bags of urine at players who take throws and corners. I can see James McFadden and Co handling that really well. Scotland can't even get a result in Macedonia, Norway, or Georgia... so lets not talk about a bye into the WC.

I agree that Mo can help Rangers significantly in the second half of the season, but I wouldn't get your hopes up for him playing against Lamps and Stevie G. Edu's chances of making the 23 for the U.S. MNT in South Africa are okay, should he return to form, but his chance of starting against England is actually very, very low. The U.S. team is pretty deep at DM/CM. Michael Bradley is guaranteed to start, and he's a bit more of a classic box to box player. Against England I'd expect him to be paired with a DM- one of Ricardo Clark or Jermaine Jones of Schalke. Clark has shown reasonably well for the U.S. in qualifying and in the Confed Cup, while Jones is one of the best midfielders in Germany and has transferred his eligibility to the U.S. after only being capped by Germany in friendlies. He is a beast, but still returning from injury. Clark isn't as good as Jones or even Edu, but Bob Bradley trusts him and Clark's in good form. Clark may be headed to Livorno in Italy in the January window to stay in top form.. Assuming Jermaine Jones fits into the U.S. setup, I doubt two DMs will be on the bench for that first game. Additionally, Edu will face competition from elegant passing and attacking MFs Benny Feilhaber and Jose Fransisco Torres for playing time in the center of the park. So Edu will have chances to get into the team as suspensions etc pile up, because U.S. DMF players are inevitably booked if they step on the field in a WC, but I doubt he sees time against England unless two CMF players suffer injuries between now and June. Its kind of bizarre but DaMarcus Beasley actually has a better chance of making the team than Edu does at this point in time, because experienced international Left footed attacking players are completely absent from the U.S. setup. Landon Donovan has been playing LW to great effect, but he may be forced to play striker at some point.. Had Edu not suffered his injury, things might be different, but he missed the Confederation's Cup (a watershed moment for the U.S. team) this summer and all the critical WCQs before and after. So Edu has to hope that he can beat out either Jones or Clark just to make the bench in the first game.

DMB has shown poorly for Rangers, often been inconsistent, and suffered a career threatening injury just as he was hitting his stride with the club. Since then he has never had a consistent run in the team, and only had a few bright appearances in the last 12 months. He practically won the Scottish cup final on his own in 2008, and then hasn't much action since then at all due to injury and loss of form. Recently he looked great against Falkirk- and should probably start against Sevilla. The best thing for Beasley is to head to a league where proper football is actually played. He is not built for a league officiated like the SPL happens to be in this day and age. Spain and Holland would be the best fit for him. As he pointed out, he's not unhappy at the club generally, he just wants an opportunity to play more often. And star American players will often put the national team as a higher priority then players from other countries. Competing in international tournaments for the U.S. MNT is where U.S. players are more likely to gain recognition in America, not club teams as in Europe. So be prepared for that with Edu as well. Beasley has a chance to finish with over a century of caps for his country, and to have played in three World Cups. Is there any other player in Rangers squad now who has even played in a World Cup finals tournament? A Beasley with confidence is much different proposition than what Rangers fans have observed, but its probably best for both parties to part ways in January. But consistently seeing Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty playing at LW should be enough to discourage any Gers fan...

If he gets some time, it will have to come in Champions League or the Cup competitions. He just hasn't shown the ability to make a prolonged impact in an extremely physical SPL environment. Against proper football sides, with different refereeing standards in Europe, he has a chance to use his intelligent link up play and off the ball runs to Gers advantage. No one has yet lit the heather on fire at LW in the new 4-3-3, although I think Lafferty, Naismith, and even Fleck are far more suited for the SPL than DaMarcus.

It was an absolute disgrace. Should be suspended for the remainder of the season.