Second, I personally like “Adu vs. whoever, Dempsey vs. Spanish LB, Torres v. Gibbs” . . . . I am all for optimism. But that is such a stretch.

Soccer people HAVE to watch La Liga, which does not get the credibility it deserves, at least not the great spotlight of an EPL (though maybe the language is a big part of that too).

Spain is going to be incredibily tough. Argentina? Well, I will be there about 6 rows up, I am an Argie (well documented already), so I know what a tandem of Messi and Tevez can do (potentially) to the USMNT. But Spain – Spain, AT HOME, will be incredibely difficult.

Fact is? The fast paced Spanish and Argentine game will surprise our guys quickly. They are beautiful teams to watch. But I think we can give England at LEAST a run for its money. Not a win, since I dont want to jinx ANYTHING, but England may be one that can help us suprise the world. Wins against Argentina and Spain would be huge – but England would be Galactic. Not due just to the talent – but the notoriety.

I cant wait till June. Argentina is going to be insane.

So if not Villarreal, then I’m guessing the Premier League or Eredivisie?

BTW, do you have predictions / insight on the England, Spain, and Argentina friendlies coming up? If you’re in the mood for a laugh, check out this post from BigSoccer (I assume you know what it is… if you’ve never heard of it, consider yourself lucky) about our squad versus the Spanish squad:

“I say bring on Spain the only player I’m worried about is Iniesta and Villa and Torres, but Gibbs can handle Torres, Bradley rocks Xavi and the new Dutch influenced Donovan manhandles Sergio Ramos.

Imagine the matchups. Torres vs. Gibbs, Donovan vs. Ramos, Altidore vs. Puyol/whoever, Adu vs. whoever, Dempsey vs. Spanish LB, Xavi-Iniesta-Xabi Alonso vs Adu-Bradley-Edu, Villa or Raul vs. Parkhurst, Joaquin vs Spector, Capdevilla vs. Dolo”

I’d have to say the funniest part was about how a featherweight like Landon Donovan is going to MANHANDLE Sergio Ramos, one of the most brutal tacklers I have ever seen in action. Funny, but painful at the same time.

And I am all for the forging brother ! Rossi should wear our kit!

btw – I withdraw incredible touch. I should have added some qualifiers like “For his age” or ” Incredible touch compared to other young american forward prospects like EJ and Demps” – something like that.

I only meant that Villarreal is not a superclub in that it cannot sign a dozen youngsters for 20 million euros each (or even 9 million euros each), put them on the field, and see which ones are still standing in the end. It simply cannot afford to take chances like that. What Villarreal does do, incredibly well I might say, is pool its meager resources to make 1 or 2 big signings (i.e. reasonably established players) and then wring every bit of talent out of those signings… anyone remember Diego Forlan? Thus, Villarreal can be thought of mainly as a feeder club.

If you want youth development, you just don’t go to Spain. Most of the young starters for Liga sides are already established stars when signed (Sergio Aguero, Rossi) or had come up through the club’s youth academy (Messi for Barca, Dani Aquino for Real Murcia). Jozy, unfortunately, is neither.

When I look at Villarreal, I see Nihat, Rossi, Guille Franco, Robert Pires, and Jon Dahl Tomasson. While Jozy won’t be in direct competition with a few of those guys, Pelligrini would most likely field different combinations of the above over bringing in a young, inexperienced target forward with no real record to bolster his chances of playing time. Villarreal just has too much at stake right now to be experimenting. The state that the club is in right now, I’d say that they’d go for a Xavi over some kid named Cesc Fabregas. Both end up being great players, but the former was already one to begin with.

Besides, what they need are better defenders, not attackers! So perhaps the point is moot anyways…

I just don’t think Jozy is ready for Villarreal yet. I don’t believe I ever said that La Liga was a horrible option (or else I’m having a massive brain fart), as some of the smaller sides could prove excellent fits. But going after Villarreal at this point in time is barking up the wrong tree.

Have there been any consequent articles on the matter? One mention hardly merits the hell you’re raising here. Kidding

You know what, Dave? I heard something very disturbing today. Someone very reputable told me that with luck, Jozy could achieve the status of… wait for it… Brian McBride?! Say it ain’t so?

Can we forge Rossi’s signature on a petition to FIFA to allow him to change federations? Or forcibly naturalize Fernando Torres?

I’m game if you are

Skepz, SO WELL PUT!

As far as transfer fees and so forth, I wouldnt believe any until I SEE an offer.

But I would have to say that I am not as pessimistic as you on Jozys chances in La Liga.

By your own account, Villa is NOT a superclub. We agree. So when they are getting talent this offseason, would it be talent that Jozy WOULDNT be able to defeat?

Jozy is a big guy, with speed, and an incredible touch – which makes a move to La Liga that much more appealing in my opinion. EPL would be too rough and tumble. Ditto Bundes. La Liga would allow Jozy to grow, learn more creativity in his ball handling and touch (which seems to be more his game anyway). As he learns, and becomes an offensive threat, Villa will take notice, and he will earn time.

I think Villa is a great fit. Respected, mid table club, with a good track record of taking care of its young.

PS: Skepz – never worry about my feelings. Your comments are insightful, and I am all for a discussion.

I don’t know about this whole Villarreal move, to be honest. Jozy going abroad will certainly strengthen the team’s attack, but not if going abroad = NO PLAYING TIME. He has little chance (read: ZERO) of seeing playing time with Villarreal because there are so many players ahead of him in the depth chart right now.

Also, Villarreal isn’t exactly a superclub in terms of resources (nowhere near the financial might of a Madrid or Barcelona) and considering that they’re going to be in the Champions League next season, I would imagine that they would try to make 1 or 2 reasonably big signings in order to make an impact in Europe rather than waste money on a prospect (BTW am I the only person who thinks that Jozy’s transfer fee is ridiculous considering he has only recently hit a patch of good form in a poor(er) league than La Liga?).

So I honestly can’t see him at a top club in Spain or Italy at this point, but I CAN envision him in the Premier League (good chance of getting sent out on loan) or the Eredivisie, which is famous for youth development.

Conclusion: I wouldn’t bet a cent on this rumor. It would be a bad move for Jozy and an unwise move for Villarreal.

to me, its National team > Club team, and all I want is a better USMNT. Thats what kills me about Rossi – he could have been the missing link. Jozy and Rossi up top, Adu at CAM, Dempsey and Donovan on the wings, Bradley and Feilhaber/Clark down the middle . . . come on now, CREAM DREAM my friend!

Good points. Just hate to know how good we WOULD be with Rossi is all.