Top 10 Soccer Personalities to Watch in 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
At the dawn of a new year, once again it's time to ask questions of 10 personalities (and even an inanimate object) to watch in 2010.
So, here they are, locally and nationally:
1. Landon Donovan
Can he continue his quality of play and duplicate his superior performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup at this summer's World Cup? If he does, then the U.S. has a chance of reaching the second round. After that? Who knows?
2. Erik Soler
Can he put together the right formula for success -- on and off the field for the Red Bulls -- and find the right people to run things in the organization? If he does, he will perform something that hasn't been done in at least five years, when the team was called the MetroStars.
3. Red Bulls coach
Can the right coach be found to resurrect a team that finished at a pitiful 5-19-6 last season? If the right man is discovered, this could be a fun season in Harrison, N.J.
4. Bob Bradley
Can Bradley make sure the U.S. team did not peak at the Confederations Cup and play well for several weeks in South Africa and reach the second round or even quarterfinals? If he does, sign him up for a second term.
5. Oguchi Onyweu
Can this U.S. international central defender return from his knee injury and get match fit in time for South Africa? Forward Charlie Davies, who suffered multiple injuries from a car accident in which he was a passenger, is a long shot to return. For the U.S. one out of two will do.
6. Juan Pablo Angel
Can Angel, who turns 35 this season, continue his goal-scoring prowess (45 goals in 72 games in his first three MLS seasons) and help the Red Bulls out of their hole? If he can, it will be a fun season in Harrison, N.J.
7. Tim Howard
Can the former MetroStars goalkeeper, voted the top keeper at the Confederations Cup, play near perfect soccer to help the U.S. out of the opening round of the World Cup? If he can, the U.S. could make the second round. After that? Who knows?
8. Mystery Red Bulls midfielder
Can the Red Bulls find a midfielder who can run the show and get the ball to Angel and the forwards on a regular basis? If he can, sign him up to a multi-year contract.
9. Christie Rampone
Can the former interim coach who guided Sky Blue FC to the Women's Professional Soccer title, help the team play more consistently as a defender after she returns from maternity leave in June? If she can, Sky Blue could go far in the playoffs again.
10. Red Bull Arena
OK, not a true personality, but it will be the centerpiece of the Red Bulls' revival attempt this season? Can the new, 25,000-seat stadium help revive the Red Bulls' fortunes and be sold out from March 27 throughout the MLS playoffs? If that happens, it should be a fun season in Harrison, N.J.
Labels: FIFA
posted @ 9:56 AM,
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