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Goal.commentary: CONCACAF Top 11 in 2008
As the region continues to develop and produce stars, Goal.com's Noah Davis breaks down the top eleven CONCACAF players of 2008.
Jan 4, 2009 5:03:07 PM
By Noah Davis
Cuauthemoc Blanco -- Blanco, who won the Golden Shoe award during the 1999 Confederations Cup, is aging well, plying his trade for Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire. He doesn't have the same quickness of his early years, but he remains brilliant on the ball and possesses a vicious shot. Although he officially retired from the Mexican National Team this past September, his transcendent skills in the MLS provide him a spot on this list.
Landon Donovan -- As the best field player on arguably the region's best team, Donovan drives the American offense. His legacy, however, still hangs very much in the balance. If he finds success in Europe after a recent loan to Bayern Munchen and helps the United States succeed in South Africa, he'll go down as one of the country's best ever. If he fails, Donovan will be just another footnote in history.
Ricardo Fuller -- The Jamaican striker bounced around the English leagues before finding a place on Stoke City in 2006. He netted 15 goals for the team during its 2007-2008 campaign, which vaulted the Potters into the Premiership. Fuller might be popular, however, his discipline has always been a problem. Regardless, his talent cannot be denied.
Ricardo Gardner -- Jamaica's solid left side defender/midfielder stands only five feet nine inches but this hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the country's best exports. He's spent his entire club career with the Bolton Wanderers and remains a presence on his country's national team, scoring its first ever World Cup goal in 1998. Serious injuries limited his playing time in the early 2000s, but Bibi's form has returned.
Andres Guardado -- During the past two years, the youngster has shot into the world spotlight with remarkable speed. Probably the best player among the new generation of Mexican players, Guardado should patrol El Tri's left side of the field for years to come. He was also the player of the year for his club side Deportivo La Coruña during its 2007-2008 campaign.
Tim Howard -- Although the U.S. backstop might actually only be the second-best goalie in the country, he gets the nod over fellow American Brad Friedel because of his national team service. The stalwart for both club (Everton) and country, the 29-year-old roams between the pipes with considerable aplomb. With each passing year, his skills continue to improve and he will be a force in net for at least another World Cup cycle.
Kenwyne Jones -- Trinidad and Tobago's young star striker will cause problems for CONCACAF defenses for year's to come. A veteran of the 2006 World Cup, he's tallied three goals in 33 appearances for The Soca Warriors, along with 11 for the Sunderland club he joined during the 2007-2008 season. If T and T hopes to advance to South Africa, Jones will have to step up his considerable offensive talents.
Rafael Marquez -- Possibly the region's best player, Marquez recently signed a huge contract that will keep him at Barcelona until 2014. Rafa anchored El Tri's defense during the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and will continue to do so in the immediate future. Whether he's playing at Camp Nou or Azteca, Marquez is frequently the best player on the pitch.
Wilson Palacios -- Wigan's Honduran import patrols the midfield for the English club. He's tallied two goals during qualifying for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup and along with David Suazo is considered his country's best young talent. The 24-year-old will play a key role in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying and will be called upon early and often.
Guillermo Ramirez -- The hard-nosed Guatemalan midfielder had his World Cup dreams end early after the team didn't advance to the Hexagonal, but he's shined for his club squad, CSD Municipal. At 30 years old, Pando might not get another opportunity to shine on soccer's biggest stage -- a sad end to a stellar international career.
David Suazo -- A Honduran National Team fixture since 1999, Suazo has been the subject of transfer rumors, but it looks as though he will remain at Benfica for the remainder of the season. On the country side, Suazo is the Catrachos' primary offensive threat and needs to perform if his team hopes to advance to South Africa.
Honorable mentions: Amado Guevara, Julian de Guzman, Oguchi Onyewu,
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
Cuauthemoc Blanco -- Blanco, who won the Golden Shoe award during the 1999 Confederations Cup, is aging well, plying his trade for Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire. He doesn't have the same quickness of his early years, but he remains brilliant on the ball and possesses a vicious shot. Although he officially retired from the Mexican National Team this past September, his transcendent skills in the MLS provide him a spot on this list.
Landon Donovan -- As the best field player on arguably the region's best team, Donovan drives the American offense. His legacy, however, still hangs very much in the balance. If he finds success in Europe after a recent loan to Bayern Munchen and helps the United States succeed in South Africa, he'll go down as one of the country's best ever. If he fails, Donovan will be just another footnote in history.
Ricardo Fuller -- The Jamaican striker bounced around the English leagues before finding a place on Stoke City in 2006. He netted 15 goals for the team during its 2007-2008 campaign, which vaulted the Potters into the Premiership. Fuller might be popular, however, his discipline has always been a problem. Regardless, his talent cannot be denied.
Ricardo Gardner -- Jamaica's solid left side defender/midfielder stands only five feet nine inches but this hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the country's best exports. He's spent his entire club career with the Bolton Wanderers and remains a presence on his country's national team, scoring its first ever World Cup goal in 1998. Serious injuries limited his playing time in the early 2000s, but Bibi's form has returned.
Andres Guardado -- During the past two years, the youngster has shot into the world spotlight with remarkable speed. Probably the best player among the new generation of Mexican players, Guardado should patrol El Tri's left side of the field for years to come. He was also the player of the year for his club side Deportivo La Coruña during its 2007-2008 campaign.
Tim Howard -- Although the U.S. backstop might actually only be the second-best goalie in the country, he gets the nod over fellow American Brad Friedel because of his national team service. The stalwart for both club (Everton) and country, the 29-year-old roams between the pipes with considerable aplomb. With each passing year, his skills continue to improve and he will be a force in net for at least another World Cup cycle.
Kenwyne Jones -- Trinidad and Tobago's young star striker will cause problems for CONCACAF defenses for year's to come. A veteran of the 2006 World Cup, he's tallied three goals in 33 appearances for The Soca Warriors, along with 11 for the Sunderland club he joined during the 2007-2008 season. If T and T hopes to advance to South Africa, Jones will have to step up his considerable offensive talents.
Rafael Marquez -- Possibly the region's best player, Marquez recently signed a huge contract that will keep him at Barcelona until 2014. Rafa anchored El Tri's defense during the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and will continue to do so in the immediate future. Whether he's playing at Camp Nou or Azteca, Marquez is frequently the best player on the pitch.
Wilson Palacios -- Wigan's Honduran import patrols the midfield for the English club. He's tallied two goals during qualifying for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup and along with David Suazo is considered his country's best young talent. The 24-year-old will play a key role in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying and will be called upon early and often.
Guillermo Ramirez -- The hard-nosed Guatemalan midfielder had his World Cup dreams end early after the team didn't advance to the Hexagonal, but he's shined for his club squad, CSD Municipal. At 30 years old, Pando might not get another opportunity to shine on soccer's biggest stage -- a sad end to a stellar international career.
David Suazo -- A Honduran National Team fixture since 1999, Suazo has been the subject of transfer rumors, but it looks as though he will remain at Benfica for the remainder of the season. On the country side, Suazo is the Catrachos' primary offensive threat and needs to perform if his team hopes to advance to South Africa.
Honorable mentions: Amado Guevara, Julian de Guzman, Oguchi Onyewu,
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
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