They are the two players who will more than likely prove the difference makers in the Cascadia Cup match-up at CenturyLink Field on Sunday (10 pm ET, ESPN2).
Designated Players Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers) and Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) will be marked men as the attacking centerpieces of their respective teams and both will be expected to produce on the big national TV stage.
But if you could have one of the two players to build your team around, who would it be? Two MLSsoccer.com editors have very different preferences, prompting the latest Big Debate.
Who do you agree with? Give us your comments below.
<strong>The Debater</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter" style="">Simon Borg</p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"> |
<p class="rtecenter" style="">Greg Lalas</p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"> |
<strong>The Argument</strong> |
Valeri every day of the week |
Dempsey's intangibles give him the edge |
<strong>The Defense</strong> |
<p>I'll always take the No. 10 who can playmake and create goals over the fox-in-the-box finisher, which is what Dempsey is. Valeri (11 assists) can make passes that few players even see and he also delivers killer set-piece service. Not to mention showing off his own smooth finishing skills from time to time (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/03/08/diego-valeris-magical-finish-portland-timbers-runs-away-goal-week-award" target="_blank">see goal vs. RBNY</a>). Guys like Dempsey can't exist without the Valeris of the soccer world.</p> |
<p>Clint brings not only the nose of a goalscorer -- something anyone would want -- but also a particular mindset that, frankly, I have come to appreciate. This isn't the chip-on-his-shoulder fury of Clint's youth, though. It's a matured sensibility that the game should be played with style, with leadership, and with attitude.</p> |
Who do you agree with? Let us know in the comments below.
