When Fulham FC take the field on Saturday, most U.S. soccer fans will immediately recognize two members of their starting lineup. There has been a lot of talk about the return of Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra to the league that propelled them to international acclaim, but the two Yanks are not the only ones in white that could cause problems for Colin Clarke's MLS All-Stars.
Manager Chris Coleman has compiled a talented assortment of athletes from around the world that make Fulham an entertaining side to watch and a difficult team to beat. With the English Premier League season set to kickoff in just more than two weeks (Aug. 13), Coleman and his staff have worked diligently to get the club ready for action in one of the world's most competitive and grueling leagues.
A batch of EPL veterans returns to Craven Cottage this season, and they will of course be joined by several summer signings that could use strong preseason performances to help secure a place in the starting side for their season opener against Birmingham City. One such newcomer is Czech goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny, whom the club picked up last month to serve as a replacement for the now-departed Dutch standout 'keeper Edwin van der Sar.
Drobny makes the move to London by way of Greece, where he has been one of the most highly touted 'keepers over the past few seasons for Panionios. The 6-foot-3 shot stopper played the full match for the Cottagers on Wednesday night in the club's scrimmage against the Columbus Crew, and though he was twice beaten on the way to a defeat, neither of the goals allowed could be blamed on him. A former under-21 international, Drobny should retain his starting position under Coleman with a solid outing on Saturday.
To score on Drobny, Carlos Ruiz and company will need to get past a massive presence in the center of the Fulham defense in Zat Knight. At 6-foot-6, Knight is the tallest player in the Premiership and he uses his size domination to its fullest, winning nearly every high ball that finds its way into the defensive third. He has flourished for Fulham since Coleman made him a regular in the lineup and he is sure to be an imposing figure at Crew Stadium on Saturday.
The most dangerous attacking options for Fulham from the midfield come on the wings. Luis Boa Morte lined up on the left side Wednesday against the Crew, though he pushed very far forward in support of striker Heider Helguson. On the opposite side was Collins John, a speedy Liberian-born Dutch citizen who is still only 19 years old. Though he has played much of his career as a striker, Coleman may be looking for John to push further wide in support of other central attackers, including McBride.
Boa Morte, a Portuguese international, always brings passion and flair to a match, not to mention goal-scoring ability. He struck 21 goals for Fulham in the season in which they won the First Division and made the jump to the Premiership, but he has taken up a position on the left flank in the top flight. Boa Morte has been in the papers in England recently as transfer talks have swirled. Newcastle United reportedly made a bid on him last week, which Fulham turned down.
"I told Luis the same day that it came that there was no way that we would let him go, certainly not for that kind of money," Coleman told Sky Sports News. "So it's as simple as this, if anyone says they are interested in him, let's see some serious bids put on the table. I don't consider the bid that we had for him a serious one."
Defensively, the MLS All-Stars will have to contend with the powerful and dangerous McBride, as well as Coleman's other options up front. Those include Canadian international Tomasz Radzinski and Iceland's Helguson. 'The Ice Man,' as Helguson is known, was gobbled up by Coleman last month from another London club, Watford. Though he didn't have many opportunities to find the back of the net in Wednesday's encounter, Helguson is a proven goal scorer, having struck for 64 in 148 games at Watford.
If Coleman decides to keep his frontline made up of North Americans, Radzinski should make a good complement. At 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, he doesn't have the size of McBride, but instead possesses quickness, good foot skills and a familiarity with McBride, both men having played for Everton in the past.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
