Michael Orozco: A Left Back Solution?
Michael Orozco’s performance last night against Pachuca, culminating in a well taken goal has me wondering, why we haven’t seen the San Luis defender in a while for the US team. Obviously, Orozco is best remembered for the silly red card he drew in the final group match of the 2008 Olympic Football Tournament against Nigeria, but previously seemed to be working well as a left back for the U-23s. Orozco, ideally would play inside but does have the ability to play left back as he did for the U-23s and as he did last for San Luis.
With the United States continuing its perennial left back woes that stretch back to the days of Jeff Agoos and David Regis, should Orozco get another look with the senior team?
What do our readers think?
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Completely agree Kartik. Orozco at least deserves a look as much as Castillo and Bocanegra. Is he ready to start the important matches for the national team? That remains to be seen but he is certainly worth experimenting with.
I agree Orozco needs to be given a shot at left back. Bradley needs to start giving the Mexican league based players a serious look.
who’s better, Castillo or Orozco?
(Notice how I leave out Bocanegra. He’s a liability defensively, and adds next to nothing offensively from the run of play)
Our left back talent pool is very thin. If Boca receives playing time at LB, Orozco should at least receive a call up.
I would say Castillo is more a speedy and attacking, and Orozco is a better defender with less pace.
I was at the Chicago Fire San Luis game a few weeks ago (SuperLiga group game). The lone goal came from Blanco out running Orozco to the touch line from just inside the halfway line. Blanco then out-muscled Orozco and fed the ball to McBride for a goal. When the ball was first sent in, my thought was that Blanco could not out run a San Luis defender if he had been 10 yds off-side, so why is he even trying. Then he beat Orozco to the ball and had enough energy/control to push past. While this is only one play, how can a young defender get out run by Blanco?
The reason is simple why we haven’t seem Orozco in the USNMT, Is the stupid coach that we have. Mr. Bob Bradley even tho he call Orozco will never use him a he did with Torres.
Not Only Orozco can play the left side but he can play in the middle like Bocanegra, Spector & Marshall. He can be versitale.
He’s too Mexican for the national team. Who can forget all the venom from US fans when he got red carded in China?
Seriously, he should do the “Gringo” Padilla thing sign up for Chivas USA. Play in fron of his OC friends and family and get outmuscled by the likes of Donovan, Schelotto, and Holden.
It is obvious Bocanegra is not the solution.
Can’t hurt, and assuming we can qualify in the near future (bit of a leap), we should have some time to test him before the WC. Chances are he’s a next cycle guy, if at all.
I would say that they should try him at left back.