04/23/24
July 07, 2009
AC Milan Signs Oguchi Onyewu: AC Milan have signed Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu to a three-year contract, making the 27-year-old the first American to appear in Serie A since Alexi Lalas in 1996. "How much will he play?" Graht Wahl wonders. "It will be vitally important for U.S. players to be on the field for their club teams during a World Cup year."
America's Titus Bramble, then?
posted by owlhouse at 09:57 PM on July 07, 2009
Mr Bismarck and owlhouse:
You can't blame Gooch for the failure of Newcastle's defense. Of course he looked bad. Newcastle as a whole were stinking up the pitch. How do you single one loan player out?
Also, did you not see any of the Confederations Cup games. Sure, it's a competition that doesn't mean much if at all, but he looked quite at home clearing ball after ball from the likes of Italy, Spain, and Brazil. And don't even bring up the "b" teams theory--check out those rosters.
posted by trox at 11:42 PM on July 07, 2009
Oh! Forgot to say "good on ya Gooch!"
posted by trox at 11:44 PM on July 07, 2009
I'm worried about playing time.
posted by igottheblues at 01:09 AM on July 08, 2009
The same Gooch who couldn't hold down a spot in Newcastle's defence?
The same Gooch who turned down the Boro on contract details. There's no reserve league in Italy, so if he's not getting a regular run out, then it's not as if he can keep match-fit in the stiffs. Though if Milan are tightening the belt, as the departures suggest, getting him on a free is a good deal.
posted by etagloh at 01:18 AM on July 08, 2009
"You can't blame Gooch for the failure of Newcastle's defense"
I don't recall saying that. Hang on, I'll check again... Nope, still don't see it.
He was at Newcastle for half a season and got seven starts in that time, hence what I actually said, which was that he couldn't get into Newcastle's defence. This despite Newcastle "stinking up the pitch."
Putting the Confed Cup forward as some example of his play is odd too, considering the US went home with a -3 goal difference from five games and allowed three goals in three of those games.
I actually wasn't trying to have a pop at the guy, I'm just confused about how someone who couldn't get into the Magpies is going to crack the Rossoneri first eleven and if he's going to be watching a lot of games, is that the best move in a World Cup year?
I hope it works out and Leonardo has big plans for the guy. But, again, for me this move is odd.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 08:01 AM on July 08, 2009
My Titus Bramble comment relates to not being able to get into Newcastle's defence either, but also because both players have been rated highly by many commentators. Bramble was a player of huge promise at Ipswich, with international honours tipped. A few bad moves and...
posted by owlhouse at 08:14 AM on July 08, 2009
...suddenly Titus Bramble is a bit player in a novel Charles Dickens never wrote.
posted by Hugh Janus at 09:03 AM on July 08, 2009
More of a Thomas Hardy name, I would have thought.
posted by owlhouse at 09:06 AM on July 08, 2009
Titus was part of a shady one-two-three we pulled on Newcastle, along with Keiron Dyer, who fell apart as soon as he had to play four games in a row and Darren Ambrose, who fell over in a strong breeze and couldn't play in any evening games because his mam wanted him in for his tea.
A bargain 12,000,000 for the three.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 09:22 AM on July 08, 2009
Well, bully for you.
posted by Hugh Janus at 09:29 AM on July 08, 2009
Damn, didn't preview. Stupid live preview, filling me with a false sense of completion.
posted by Hugh Janus at 09:31 AM on July 08, 2009
More of a Thomas Hardy name, I would have thought.
Now that one made me laugh out loud.
posted by trox at 12:43 PM on July 08, 2009
I think Gooch learned from the misadventure on the Tyne and used his time at Standard Liege to put it into practice. I think he will get substantial playing time for the new team and do well.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:09 PM on July 08, 2009
The same Gooch who couldn't hold down a spot in Newcastle's defence?
This move is... odd.