Nutmeg
01 Apr 2004, 06:56 AM
I am pretty sure this is my favorite time of year. Besides getting to OD on the NCAA tourney, I love the anticipation of the upcoming MLS season. Last year at this time (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26851) I wrote down some players I thought we should watch over the course of 2003. This year I will focus on MLS Players exclusively, and try to come up with a player or two from each team that I think might have US National Team potential:
Chicago: Justin Mapp - For all the talent and National Team experience Chicago has on their roster, I am most intrigued by Mapp's play, particularly at right midfielder. Last year Mapp had 3 goals and 3 assists in MLS, but after the U20 World Cup where he played very well, I think he could stand out more for the FIRE.
Colorado: Kyle Beckerman - I watched Beckerman very closely last year, and I think by the end of the year he was one of the best DMids in MLS. Really. His passing was excellent, and his defense improved steadily as the season wore on. He's got a long list of capable players in front of him, so getting time on the MNT is a long shot, but I think more people should pay attention to this kid's progress. Think of it this way - he was good enough to move Pablo Mastroeni to the back line. He's fun to watch.
Colorado: Pablo Mastroeni - I think Pablo's play in Colorado will be significant because he will return to the back line this year. Teamed with Nat Borchers, who was excellent for the Rapids last season, I think Pablo could solidify a spot on the 2006 roster as Eddie Pope's backup if he performs well in his new Rapds role.
Columbus: Kyle Martino - Obviously Kyle will sneak up on nobody, but I think the important thing with Martino this season will be whether or not he plays more quickly with the ball at his feet. If he's getting hacked as often as he did last year, there is little chance he'll see significant time with the MNT. If he is more decisive and quicker with his play, I think 2004 is the break-through year for Martino.
DC United: Bryan Namoff - Forget all the big names on DC's roster. Namoff is a guy I am interested in because he's an American playing right back, and he's shown flashes of being a good player in that position. Will he break through to the US Team in 2004? I really doubt it. He could be, however, a guy we're thinking more about next year, so I think he's worth watching.
Dallas: Ed Johnson - Why watch Eddie Johnson? Because for Dallas, he plays the right midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 lineup. His athleticism is among the league's very best. What to watch with Eddie Johnson? Three things - is he playing good defense, is he finding and combining with his teammates, and is he finishing better than he has in the past? If the answer to all three of those questions is yes, then he may see time with the MNT, but probably not until early next year.
Dallas: Ramon Nunez - Can the kid live up to the hype, and will he get his citizenship? I've seen the kid play in person a couple of times, and he's capable of some really jaw-dropping play. But he's a professional question mark that's worth keeping an eye on.
Kansas City: Jose Burciaga - In my opinion, Burciaga played suprisingly well in the Olympic qualifying tourney after such a long, long layoff. He could be a legitimate option in a weak position for the MNT, but it all comes down to his health.
Los Angeles: Chris Albright - It looks like Albright will get a full season at Right Back this year, a first for him at the club level. He's got all the physical tools to be very good in this position, it's just a matter of experience. I think Albright will surpass Hejduk by the end of the year on the MNT right back depth chart.
New England: Taylor Twellman - The interesting thing about Twellman, IMO, is that this is the first full season he'll have a true creative midfielder behind him in Cancela. It'll be interesting to see how Twellman blends with a creative presence like Cancela. Up front, I'll be curious to see how the Noonan partnership works. I've been down on Twellman in the past, but I think if he works well with Cancela this year, we'll see a lot of him on the MNT roster.
Metrostars: Ricardo Clark - Last year Clark had Richie Williams as a security blanket. This year the DMid spot is his alone. We all know the kid has serious talent and is a physical stud, but will his decision making and read of the game warrant a look on the MNT? I think it's a longshot, for the same reason Beckerman is a longshot. Still, keep an eye on Rico.
San Jose: Brian Mullan - I have posted a lot on this guy, but I wanted to include him on this list as one to watch, too. When MLS kicks off on Saturday, most of you will get a chance to watch Mullan against DC United. I'm curious to see if he maintains last year's form. If he does, I think he makes his MNT debut this year.
Chicago: Justin Mapp - For all the talent and National Team experience Chicago has on their roster, I am most intrigued by Mapp's play, particularly at right midfielder. Last year Mapp had 3 goals and 3 assists in MLS, but after the U20 World Cup where he played very well, I think he could stand out more for the FIRE.
Colorado: Kyle Beckerman - I watched Beckerman very closely last year, and I think by the end of the year he was one of the best DMids in MLS. Really. His passing was excellent, and his defense improved steadily as the season wore on. He's got a long list of capable players in front of him, so getting time on the MNT is a long shot, but I think more people should pay attention to this kid's progress. Think of it this way - he was good enough to move Pablo Mastroeni to the back line. He's fun to watch.
Colorado: Pablo Mastroeni - I think Pablo's play in Colorado will be significant because he will return to the back line this year. Teamed with Nat Borchers, who was excellent for the Rapids last season, I think Pablo could solidify a spot on the 2006 roster as Eddie Pope's backup if he performs well in his new Rapds role.
Columbus: Kyle Martino - Obviously Kyle will sneak up on nobody, but I think the important thing with Martino this season will be whether or not he plays more quickly with the ball at his feet. If he's getting hacked as often as he did last year, there is little chance he'll see significant time with the MNT. If he is more decisive and quicker with his play, I think 2004 is the break-through year for Martino.
DC United: Bryan Namoff - Forget all the big names on DC's roster. Namoff is a guy I am interested in because he's an American playing right back, and he's shown flashes of being a good player in that position. Will he break through to the US Team in 2004? I really doubt it. He could be, however, a guy we're thinking more about next year, so I think he's worth watching.
Dallas: Ed Johnson - Why watch Eddie Johnson? Because for Dallas, he plays the right midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 lineup. His athleticism is among the league's very best. What to watch with Eddie Johnson? Three things - is he playing good defense, is he finding and combining with his teammates, and is he finishing better than he has in the past? If the answer to all three of those questions is yes, then he may see time with the MNT, but probably not until early next year.
Dallas: Ramon Nunez - Can the kid live up to the hype, and will he get his citizenship? I've seen the kid play in person a couple of times, and he's capable of some really jaw-dropping play. But he's a professional question mark that's worth keeping an eye on.
Kansas City: Jose Burciaga - In my opinion, Burciaga played suprisingly well in the Olympic qualifying tourney after such a long, long layoff. He could be a legitimate option in a weak position for the MNT, but it all comes down to his health.
Los Angeles: Chris Albright - It looks like Albright will get a full season at Right Back this year, a first for him at the club level. He's got all the physical tools to be very good in this position, it's just a matter of experience. I think Albright will surpass Hejduk by the end of the year on the MNT right back depth chart.
New England: Taylor Twellman - The interesting thing about Twellman, IMO, is that this is the first full season he'll have a true creative midfielder behind him in Cancela. It'll be interesting to see how Twellman blends with a creative presence like Cancela. Up front, I'll be curious to see how the Noonan partnership works. I've been down on Twellman in the past, but I think if he works well with Cancela this year, we'll see a lot of him on the MNT roster.
Metrostars: Ricardo Clark - Last year Clark had Richie Williams as a security blanket. This year the DMid spot is his alone. We all know the kid has serious talent and is a physical stud, but will his decision making and read of the game warrant a look on the MNT? I think it's a longshot, for the same reason Beckerman is a longshot. Still, keep an eye on Rico.
San Jose: Brian Mullan - I have posted a lot on this guy, but I wanted to include him on this list as one to watch, too. When MLS kicks off on Saturday, most of you will get a chance to watch Mullan against DC United. I'm curious to see if he maintains last year's form. If he does, I think he makes his MNT debut this year.