USA: They Need Flair - The Quest For A True #10

George Best - Manchester United Legend

 
   All the remembered national team sides have had one major thing in common: the appearance of a true number 10.  Diego Maradona is often used as the best example of what a #10 can do for his team.  He provides creativity, flair and a desire to not just play football but entertain.  George Best is my favorite footballer of all time.  His able to electrify any crowd will be remembered until the end of time.  He, like Maradona, had the attributes that embody a #10. With the additional of a player whose form contains the able to skin defenders on the dribble at will while infusing some new ideas, the USA would revolutionize there level of play.  I am not saying that this will be an easy find or one that will be found in the short term but development of more players along the lines of encouraging "flair" and "flash" can spearhead the problem.

   When looking at the US teamsheet, it is filled with solid midfielder.  Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Kyle Beckerman are all possession building, holding minded players.  Bradley has been known to pack a punch in the attacking third as well but all are geared towards controlling the tiempo of the game and then dictating it as they please.  Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey have tried to fill the empty #10 void, however, they are better suited elsewhere.  Donovan is the work horse, whose ability to score and distribute is constantly questioned and under valued.  Dempsey on the other hand appears to be the new found goal scoring the US hasn't had since Brian McBride in the early 90's.  My point being is the pieces are all here.   Jose Francisco Torres is the type of player who they can model into the creative, confident attacking geared player Uncle Sam's Army needs.  He is fast, has great balance and control while playing with the confidence of an established footballer.  The importance of his player could be a large part of the USA's future success.  Look for him to impress in the World Cup Qualifiers this summer.

Jose Francisco Torres