An Angelic Call Up for Colombia? MLS may have others . . . .
By: Dave Martinez | October 7th, 2007I am a few days late on this, but we have been so caught up in the playoffs and TFC that I didnt want to interrupt the flow . . . .
Our very own JUAN PABLO ANGEL looks to be catching the eye of Colombias manager Jorge Luis Pinto
Click Angel for more!
Is this the only Colombian choice in the league that deserves a look? Here is what I think . . . .
BRAVISIMO!
First off, from an Argie American who would want nothing more than for every South American team to just flounder so that my biceleste can make it into the World Cup, play the US in a final, and give this writer a cream dream match up for South Africa . . . . my following advice to the Colombian MNT may seem strange.
But I have to give major props to Coach Pinto for opening his eyes to the possibility of an MLS player deserving a call up.
Lets face it -
Aston Villa was done with the JPA experiment. Even in a league as high and mighty as EPL, getting sat on the bench is looked heavily down upon. So that, along with good, but not great, play on the MNT level ( 33 games, 9 goals ), has sent our Angel into obscurity.
In a way, its not just Coach Pinto, but Coach McLaren of England that has made MLS a viable option. Angels move has paid off - he is now in play to represent his country, which is an honor at any age, at any level.
But is Colombias coach done scouting the MLS? If he is, then this Argie is gonna give a freebee of advice. Dont. There is one more guy that may be the diamond in the rough you have been searching for . . . .
JUAN CARLOS TOJA
Sure, he looks like Nigel from Spinal Tap . . . . but lets look past the cool hair, which alone should net him a starting spot!
- He is 22 years of age, 6′1″ and has an excellent nose for the ball.
- Excellent possesion skills, which Colombia desperately needs.
- Through 04-05, he represented his country on the U-21 level, made 12 appearances, 3 goals.
- Has played for Independiente and River Plate in the Argentine Clausura.
- In 18 games in a rough and tumble league like MLS, Toja has stood tall, averaging one goal every three games (16 games, 6 goals), and assisting on a goal (before his injury).
Toja has the ability to make an impact
THE MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY
To wrap this up a little bit, what would be the benefit of having both men on your team?
Look ta what Angel has done with Altidore. Under his wing and guidance, Altidore has matured to a level never before seen.
Angels track record, generalmanship on the field (how he coaches Dane Richards on the field is unbelievable), and his “intangibles” bring in not only an excellent player, but a good influence on the young Colombian kids looking to make an impact world wide.
Imagine Toja under Angels guidance? Come on now.
SO . . . .
That is my advice to the COLOMNT. And this is a rarity, which will probably never happen again. Hopefully (for Colombias sake), some one in their front office reads TOSRB. If not, LETS GO USA, LETS GO ARGENTINA!
Category: CURRENT ROSTER
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