MLS flavors of the week: 2012 Edition [MLS R's]

For some reason I thought it was the other Eddie Johnson.

Will Bruin scored a brace last night against DC it puts him at 4 goals for the dynamo, might be one to keep an eye on this season

He was good against LA (not MotM, but very god), but got caught ball-watching on Bonfigli's goal midweek and was generally pretty bad against RSL:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/04/25/goal-bonfigli-ties-it-his-first

Terrible play from him. Hopefully he gets back to his level from early last year, but he's definitely still in the midst of a Guzan or Kljestan-like slump after the failed transfer.

Agreed about Cameron, though. He's probably been the most disappointing player in the league this season.

And Beasley and Convey and Dempsey...

I'm sure other clubs in the league are noticing that Seitz has been playing very well. And he's still only 25 years old.

It wouldn't surprise me if Seitz is dealt after this season.

I predict that in 2013 FCD will still have Hartman in goal with Richard Sanchez on the bench. (If Sanchez isn't sold. He was just training with Chelsea.)

I doubt Seitz goes anywhere. Hartman has slipped in the past 12 months, and Sanchez - as you rightly point out - has attracted plenty of overseas interest.

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but George John was an absolute monster last night and had his best game since leaving for Blackburn last August. Something about LA brings out the best in him.

It's mentioned 4 posts up.

The thing, though, is that his good game against LA came just a couple days after being caught ball-watching against RSL on the equalizer. He's still nowhere near as consistent as he was in 2010/first half of 2011.

Is anyone watching Tony Cascio of the Rapids? He's my runner up for ROY so far.

MLS.com and steve Davies would disagree about Johns performance vs LA..just sayin

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/04/29/recap-late-noonan-goal-gives-la-1-1-draw-vs-fcd

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/29/drilling-down-on-at-los-angeles-1-dallas-1/

Now about that RSL Goal Wednesday...

There was nothing for him TO do but watch it. John was guarding two players after a rare lackadaisical step up from Ugo combined with Benitez failing to track his mark (the goal scorer). But regardless of what caused the scenario a perfect through ball was played the only place it could have been to send him in on goal.

I must now highlight the irony of you pointing out one play in a 1-1 draw to speak down on a players consistency...especially after the announcer IN THE HIGHLIGHT talks about how well John and Ugo had had the RSL attack sewn up and that it was Benitez who F-d the play up.

cmon man

Well, they did beat western conference leading San Jose 1-0 in San Francisco back in March, so he's not playing horrible.

Wow. That is the strangest defense of a screw-up I've ever heard.

Yeah, he was good for the first few games, but he's been awful since the Seattle loss. His first half was as bad as I've ever seen him play.

Also, it really is time for everyone to start noticing Justin Morrow. He has been absolutely phenomenal.

What screw up? Maybe you should read all of my post before you quote.
More importantly please attempt to be more accurate in the future.
I'd hate to think you'd hate just for hates sake.

-------------------------edit----------------------

Matrim55:
"(John) was generally pretty bad vs RSL"

Schellas Hyndman:
“I think the defense has really been our strength this year .... For example, look what you saw yesterday [Wednesday (vs RSL)] from George John, this has been his best since he’s been back and it’s going to continue to grow,”

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/socc...-defense-continues-to-be-our-biggest-strength


interesting........

First let me say you're probably right about his performance vs LA. Seeing the game reports and other's talk about his performance however.... you have a reputation for overrating George John's performances and attacking others who dare criticize any aspect of his game.

He did not end last season well. I've only seen one game of him this year, the DC United game I think it was, and the whole defense was pretty poor at RFK. Concerns over his fitness, ankle problems I believe.

West Ham didn't sign him, not sure why tbh. Blackburn didn't happen because of the failed medical.

Yeah ill concede that the 4-1 thumping FCD took at RFK was not a flattering peek into Johns game..... (he didn't play that game )

Also this is not the forum for whatever else you are talking about but I sense your sincerity and as such i sincerely hope you understand that attacking someone and taking them to task are two different things.

Wo wo wo slow down. Meara is just lucky to be in the pros right now. He's got no business being in a USMNT conversation. He put up good college numbers against weak opposition - the A-10 is not a strong conference for soccer (Cinderella run by Charlotte notwithstanding). Meara is lucky he is even playing in MLS, much less got a contract. The keeper drafted 2 picks behind him, Chris Blais, was cut and still hasn't signed a contract anywhere.

Interesting idea. Let's judge all players by their draft position and college resume. I mean, Tim Ream is just luck to even be in MLS right now.

But seriously, Meara does not belong in any sort of USMNT talk since he's only played a handful of pro games, but he's one to keep an eye on for the future. I think he has some good skills.

Let's let Meara run thru the course of an MLS season before worrying about him for the national team. If he deserves a camp cupcake spot, that's when we'll take a look at him.

I will say that with Hamid now riding the pine in DC, and Sean Johnson being off-and-on at Chicago............I'm more concerned about our keeping depth than earlier in the year.

Nothing wrong with investigating all options.

Hell, Sandon mentioned that Chris Seitz has been looking awfully good for FCD in Hartman's abscence. And he's right. We may have written off Seitz too soon.................

Does anybody have any thoughts on Kamani Hill's play and two goals? Thanks.

Three goals in 141 minutes of playing time so far (averaging one every 47 minutes). Not bad. In fact, it's more than he scored in over 5 years in Europe!

Just watched the video clips of his goals. Hard to say about his overall play, but he was definitely in the right place at the right time.

Well, he didn't spend much time on the field in Europe. His first-team European playing time consisted of 146 minutes spread out over 9 sub appearances at Wolfsburg and 79 minutes spread out over five appearances for Desportivo Aves.


In a pro career that has spanned from Jan 2007 to present, he has played the equivalent of four full club games.

He's shown up, finished the chances he's received. hasn't created much for himself or others, and kept the opposition honest.

Cascio's been more noticeable.

Really? He was the PDL Goalkeeper of the Year. He was a three-time All Region player. He was invited to the Combine and he was one of the highest-rated GKs in college by the various draft gurus.

It wasn't a fluke he got drafted. He got drafted because he was the best player in the draft at his position and went to a team that had a glaring need for that position.

No one is saying he should start qualifying. What they are saying is he's shown a lot for a rookie, suggesting that in time he could develop into a player who could play for the US.

The A10 isn't the ACC but it's produced two Final Four teams the past 5 years - UMass in 07. That's more than the Pac-10 had in the same time and as many as the Big East and Big Ten sent to the Final Four. National team/Best XI players like Tim Ream (Saint Louis) and Geoff Cameron (Rhode Island) and played in the A10.

So, it's not without precedent that players from the same conference as Meara played in have gone on to both MLS and and the USNT.

He's very fortunate to have been drafted by a team that needed a GK and that they didn't come to terms with a more experienced one (despite trying) as that has provided him the opportunity to be a regular starter as a rookie.

But he earned his contract by being good enough to play in MLS.

Not germane so I'm just not gonna respond to it.