Name Your Starting Eleven
 

Some of the talk about US athletes that play sports other than soccer in the World Cup thread it got me thinking. Of the US athletes that play professionally in sports other than soccer what would your starting eleven look like?

(off the top of my head and subject to change)

G - Ryan Miller (if he can stop a puck...)
D - Chase Utley (he plays with tenacity)
D - Charles Woodson (good reactions and instinct)
D - Rajon Rondo (though I would be tempted to say midfield)
D - Brian Rafalski
M - Andre Johnson
M - Larry Fitzgerald
M - Michael Bourne
M - Dwayne Wade
F - Lebron James
F - Carmelo Anthony (not sure if I spelled his first name right)

dola: I only went with the 4 major sports, didn't go with track and field and others.

G- Eli Manning
D-Eli Manning
D- Eli Manning
D- Eli Manning
D- Eli Manning
M-Eli Manning
M-Eli Manning
M-Eli Manning
M-Eli Manning
F- Eli Manning
F- David Tyree

No Jacobs or Wright?

didn't fit into the theme

Geez, what does Pelphrey have to do to make a team?

The all-suck theme?

:D

Gotta go speed baby. (Left out our track stars in Dix and Gay who have less team sport experience.)

Forwards: Jeff Demps, Trindon Holliday
MF: Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, Desean Jackson, CJ Spiller
D: Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, Lebron James, Darrelle Revis
G: Tim Howard, might as well keep him back there. But if I can't, I like the Miller idea.

Awesome.

well played

All I need to do is coat the ball in cocaine and then clone Bam Morris ten time.

I don't think hockey goalie would necessarily translate very well to soccer.

NFL Wide Receiver on the other hand... agility, leaping, judging the flight of the ball and good hands. Match made in heaven. I'm willing to bet Howard was a damn good receiver growing up.

I think you are on the right track, but I feel that most NFL receivers are too skinny and easily moved about. I'd prefer a good catching tight end, with a stronger presence, but still with things you mentions - agility, hands, etc.

Then T.O. should be a perfect Goalie...he can get to about any ball and if it bounces off his hands that is ok

Pretty much NBA and NFL guys

G - Todd Heaps
FB - Derrick Rose
FB - Kobe Bryant
DC - Lebron James
DC - Terrell Owens
M - Chris Johnson
M - Deron Williams
M - Peyton Manning
M - Rajon Rondo
F - Devin Hester
F - Darren McFadden

:D

Except he would pout if his defense didn't give up 10-12 shots on goal each game.

I'm a bit surprised to see Peyton make the list as I don't think he has the footspeed to even be a mostly stationary midfielder.. however, I really like the rest of this team.

I'd put Nash on the team.

Edit: oops lol hes from Canada. doh. I was just thinking athletes that play in America.

disregard.

I actually think Lebron could make one hell of a goalie.

Quit trying to suck up...he doesnt read FOFC.

Only concern about a really tall guy (6'5+) at goalie is that he wouldn't be able to get down to make the save on low shots. I'd rather have LeBron's athleticism on the field.

I like BYU's list except I'd like to see a bigger, taller guy up top. I'd probably put LeBron there and have Antonio Gates at CB

:D

I was definitely going for the stationary, cerebral midfielder with Peyton :)

How about Troy Polamalu in Peyton's spot? A tenacious ball winning midfielder who is tough and athletic.

Now you are talking... Polamalu or Ed Reed would be a natural center mid

Agreed. I'd take either one of those in Peyton's spot.

Other than this concern, wouldn't Dwight Howard make a hell of a goalie?

I was going to do this, but then realized that I really didn't pay enough attention to most American sports these days to know who was who.

Most of the people mentioned in this thread, especially Hockey/Baseball/Basketball I have no clue who they are.

Kind of sad.


Also I support Peyton Manning as the deep-lying playmaker sort of MC. After all, he's no less mobile than Tom Huddlestone and quite a bit more fit.

andrew mccutchen is 5'10" with blazing speed and a pretty solid build. I'd think he should be in the mix for striker or midfielder.

Possibly, I would probably try Howard as a striker. How the hell do you defend a guy with that size, strength, athleticism and leaping ability? Teach him how to head a ball, you've got a gameplan right there.

G - Chuck Norris
D -
D -
D -
D -
M -
M -
M -
M -
F -
F -

Coached by Mike Ditka

Good call on Norris, but Ditka is a fucking Juice Box boy!

these guys disagree

I liked BYU's team, but wanted to tweak it just a bit. Here would be my grouping:

G - Ed Reed
DR - Darrelle Revis
DL - Nnamdi Asomugha
DC - Jason Kidd
DC - Russell Westbrook
MR - Lebron James
ML - Dwayne Wade
MC - Chris Paul (offensive)
MC - Troy Polumalu (defensive)
F - Larry Fitzgerald (target man for those Wade/Bron crosses)
F - Chris Johnson (small, speed striker)

This guy doesn't

I really can visualize Polamalu as a midfield destroyer.

surprised no one is picking Dwight Howard. Seems like as a defensive center he would cover a lot of ground.

I am not sure that you want to go for a team full of "athletes".

Some of the greatest players in the world have been smaller than 5'8.

Wayne Chrebet would have been a great player in his prime. Gritty, determined, chip on his shoulder, etc.

Steve Tasker fits this mold too

Peyton Manning would have to be the coach.
Calling out plays(tactics) is his strong point.