Ream, Gonzalez and Hall seem to have great for next cycle of defenders. I like De Garza but we to needs to be starter.
and Dilly Duka, Ike Opara, Tony Tchani, Danny Mwanga, Teal Bunbury, and for me Corben Bone (he's got Aaron Rodgers chip on his shoulders written all over him). Also keep an eye on Morrow out of San Jose, hes been putting on shows at left back in preseason matches. I normally dont pay much attention to the MLS draft but this year was incredibly deep and its really going to help the quality of MLS this year, theres alot of key contributors on all of these teams. Alot to be excited about.
DVR the Santos vs Red Bulls game and just saw it yesterday, and this kid Tim Ream played with a lot of confidence, showed great control of the ball.
FCD insiders are really amped about Zack Lloyd's performances this pre-season. He's another to keep an eye on. And quite frankly, 20-year old Kyle Davies is going to get significant playing time this season at centerback........and I was impressed with him last season (when he was healthy). And if you're an FCD fan..............this HAS to be the break-out year for Brek Shea. He's been getting great reviews in pre-season, and they've clearly opened up a spot for him by dumping Dave van den Bergh. Actually FCD has a bunch of young guys to keep an eye on as usual. FCD hasn't signed an international forward as expected this off-season. Does this mean a lot more opportunities for Peri Marosevic of the recent US U20 WC team? Of last year's GenAd class, he's the only one who really didn't get any playing time at all. Actually...........we normally have a thread in the USA Men's forum tracking MLS players. We should start that one up.
I know reviews on Brek are mixed, but the one time I got to see him live he was one of the best players on the pitch. Too bad no one on FCD could get him the ball...
I have heard a lot about Brek Shea. What position will he be playing?? I have heard everything from striker to left back?????
that pretty much covers it. FC Dallas deploys him at left mid or forward, many of us in here believe he would translate to an outstanding left back
The one game I saw him live he was deployed as a left mid. If memory serves this is how he was deployed for the U-23's. His offensive game seemed very dangerous, but needed some polishing. He was very good tracking back, and tenacious in 1 v 1 defending, but made a mental gaf on defense which I'm pretty sure got him pulled.
You could have shed a tear tonight in the stadium knowing how good he was and what this might mean for the Future at CB for the US. The Best player in RB Arena tonight. Looks way beyond MLS already with his compusure on the ball offensively and his overall defense.
I was only able to keep one eye on the game but he seemed very composed. More performances like this could only mean amazing things to come.
I havent been able to see him play but I'll definitely be catching a game of his, this sounds excellent. Does anyone have highlights of his by chance? Just so that i can get an idea.
His positioning is immense, that's what really impressed me. He held of McBride, Collins John couldn't get a shot through him and he snuffed out the most dangerous Fire of the night Nyauko. He definitely has a Parkhurst type game, but seems way better with his head and never seems to panic. We have to throw him against better competition to really see what he looks like, if the Red Bulls play an international friendly over the summer and he holds his own... CAP HIM. Joel Lindpere was the best player last night.
Here is Ream's bio, per the SLU website: http://www.slubillikens.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/ream_tim00.html Named NSCAA All-Region for the second year in a row ... also claimed second-team All-Conference honors ... started all 22 games for the Billikens and led all players with 2,049 minutes played ... filled in the middle for an injured Calum Angus, and slid back to his traditional left back role once he returned ... helped anchor a defense that led the league in goals against average (0.76) and shutouts (11) ... played every minute of SLU's three double-overtime scoreless draws against nationally ranked UConn, Northwestern and Creighton ... drew A-10 Player of the Week honors and was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's Men's College Team of the Week for his defensive efforts in shutouts against Northwestern and Creighton ... his clearance late in the NCAA Tournament match against Drake was chased down by Charles Bryce and ultimately led to the game-winning restart ... assisted on Kyle Patterson's second goal in the Xavier match ... registered his first point of the year when he earned an assist on Brandon Barklage's goal against Missouri State.
Definitely good size and good skills. I don't see him as being a better pure defender than other prospects like Gonzalez or Opara, but Ream's ability on the ball will put him ahead of all equals.
opara is overrated, I feel. I'm wondering why Ream wasn't high on the scouts lists at the combine and is thought of so highly now. Maybe the rain in Florida didn't allow him to pass as good as he could.
I agree with this. Everyone in my section was amazed at how calm he was under pressure. However, to be fair he did have a few terrible giveaways. Those should diminish in time as he gets more experience. I agree with these points also: Lindpere was great. He's going to cause headaches for a ton of MLS teams this year. Holy crap at left back??? Cap him now!!!
Proving once again that the combine is a horrible way to evaluate players. You can't just put together make-shift teams with wide-ranging talent abilities and expect to get a good basis for player evaluation
How is MLS going to appeal to the American sports fan without an NFL style combine? /s And the All Star game is a must have also.
