Eddie Gaven - Donovan's backup?

[appoo]

As of right now USA has no backup for our most talented player. Neither Convey, nor DMB play the type of game that Donovan does. That effortless, make every touch look like you're not even trying, through ball machine, I'll take you on when I feel like it type of game. I'd like to see Bruce bring up Eddie in maybe the Poland camp and see how he does with the rest of the starters filling in directly for Landon. With that kind of support system I think he'd fill in spectacularily

[Ringo]

in time I'd love to see Gaven and Donovan on the field at the same time.

[Tmagic77]

in time I'd love to see Gaven and Donovan on the field at the same time.

Unless Gaven or Donovan have serious injuries in the future, this will happen.

[appoo]

in time I'd love to see Gaven and Donovan on the field at the same time.
but this would mean that either DMB or Convey sits. Which is why I thought Eddie would make a great backi up for LD. Right now Convey is probably the direct back up to DMB. Wonder what Bruce thinks of LD goes down. Back to the Diamond and Chris Klein?

[Tmagic77]

but this would mean that either DMB or Convey sits. Which is why I thought Eddie would make a great backi up for LD. Right now Convey is probably the direct back up to DMB. Wonder what Bruce thinks of LD goes down. Back to the Diamond and Chris Klein?

Eh, I think you can play them all. Not in the midfield which is what you probably were going for, but still. We could do something like.

----gk
-dolo-pope-boca-convey
--Mastro(JOB!?)--Reyna
-Gaven--Donovan--DMB
------McBride

[prk166]

As of right now USA has no backup for our most talented player. Neither Convey, nor DMB play the type of game that Donovan does. That effortless, make every touch look like you're not even trying, through ball machine, I'll take you on when I feel like it type of game. I'd like to see Bruce bring up Eddie in maybe the Poland camp and see how he does with the rest of the starters filling in directly for Landon. With that kind of support system I think he'd fill in spectacularily

The US doesn't need a backup to Landon. There's enough talent in the squad for it to just fine without having some kid who barely knows how to shave run around the pitch.

[ninety_minutes]

I like Gaven's game, but I think it's way too early to be talking about bringing him into a camp. Unless you're doing it to cap-tie him as a late sub...

[Ringo]

but this would mean that either DMB or Convey sits.

Well, unless Gaven is going to be moved to backup left back we don't have to worry about him cutting into Convey's playing time. :D


and I wouldn't bring Gaven in for a qualifier .... but there will be friendlies over the next couple years that would be good, i'm sure.

[chuckinca]

El Pibe's clone would about do it

[Tmagic77]

I like Gaven's game, but I think it's way too early to be talking about bringing him into a camp. Unless you're doing it to cap-tie him as a late sub...

I agree. My lineup was an "in a year or two maybe" lineup. Gaven, maybe moe than anyone not already capped, looks like he's going to be a lock for the nats in the future.

[Deuteriumoxide]

Well, call me crazy, but if you get right to it, Beasley has only a few things on Eddie Gaven. Beasley is really really fast and he is more experienced.

Eddie Gaven isn't exactly slow and, well, you only get experience through playing.

DaMarcus really is going to have to come up with something better than tap-the-ball-past-the-guy-and-then-push- it-to-warpdrive-and-go-towards-goal because in the big leagues all that is going to get him is a Gatusso clothesline and a bad back.

Eddie Gaven is allready more physically imposing than DaMarcus will ever be. Eddie Gaven can do more than two different things with the ball at his feet. Eddie Gaven can consistantly deliver crosses into the penalty area.

I like DaMarcus Beasley because he is good at what he does. But I don't think that he is so good that right now other guys, be it bobby convey or eddie lewis or eddie gaven, shouldn't get a lot of looks next to landon donovan.

Now as the backup to Landon Donovan, sure, why not?

But in the end isn't this a nice problem to have?

I guess what I am saying is that at this point nobody except for maybe Landon Donovan himself should feel secure that they will be in Germany in 06.

it's really exciting.

[WishHoustonHAdATeam]

:) i think gaven should start for ARmas...i know he is a natural winger but hell armas sucks

[Adam Zebrowski]

i'd bring gaven to camp for the friendly against poland...

and if I had my say, give him 30 minutes against them

[strider026]

:) i think gaven should start for ARmas...i know he is a natural winger but hell armas sucks

He is not a natural winger. He spent most of his youth team action at forward and some in central midfield. More of an attacking player.

[ninety_minutes]

I agree. My lineup was an "in a year or two maybe" lineup. Gaven, maybe moe than anyone not already capped, looks like he's going to be a lock for the nats in the future.

Right, he and Danny S. would be good to cap tie at the earliest possible opportunity (in a friendly situation).

I am drooling at the talent pool we could have to draw upon in '06 if their development continues...

[lmorin]

Well, call me crazy, but if you get right to it, Beasley has only a few things on Eddie Gaven. Beasley is really really fast and he is more experienced. ....
You are forgetting one essential point about DMB--his style creates havoc for certain defenses, even moreso that Donovan. With Donovan, things happen in an instant (he slices like a knife) and seldom involve full disorder in the defense. With DMB, attacks tend to be more prolonged and, as he gets by one and then another defender, the whole defense becomes involved in containing him. DMB will be essential for certain Nats games, but not all.

I am a Gaven fan and think his time will come soon, but there is no rush. He will be a great backup for Donovan at midfield, or he can start at midfield with Donovan up front with McBride. I would like to see Gaven work for a few more shots, however.

[appoo]

take a look-see at Gaven's game today. He's just as talented as Donovan minues the blazing speed

[Karl K]

take a look-see at Gaven's game today. He's just as talented as Donovan minues the blazing speed

Eddie had a pretty good game today, and he is obviously very skilled and good on the ball, but having seen him over 180 minutes in MLS now, there is no way he is ready to play at the national team level right now.

There are a few reasons for this:

1. He is simply not internationally fit. While we are all dazzled by the moves Eddie has -- his step on and shield in the first half had my jaw dropping -- the fact is that he seem incapable of sustaining a high effort level over 90 minutes. The bursts are great, but they are not enough.

2. He doesn't take up consistently optimal supporting positions. He is around the ball a lot, but that is not enough. You have to be around the ball in the right spot. When Wynalda remarked how he "disappeared," this is the reason why, along with the inability to sustain a high work rate.

3. His defending needs work. In the international game, everybody -- and that includes the forwards -- have to defend FIRST....at 100 mph, and win balls. For those who think somehow that Beasley and Gaven are "just this" close as players, or that he is "just as talented" as Donovan -- well in fact he is "THAT far" from them in this regard, particularly.

Depsite these shortcomings -- easily overcomeable with experience and seasonsing -- the upside for Gaven remains huge.

[voros]

That 360 spin of his is just loads of fun. That's about the fourth time this year he's busted that one out.

The question from here is his ability to tap his immense potential and convert it into a devastating attacking midfielder. He's as far along to getting there as any 17 year old American I've ever seen.

I liked him much better today up more forward in the attack. His defense isn't the best, so the less he has to play the more effective he is.

[appoo]

Eddie had a pretty good game today, and he is obviously very skilled and good on the ball, but having seen him over 180 minutes in MLS now, there is no way he is ready to play at the national team level right now.

There are a few reasons for this:

1. He is simply not internationally fit. While we are all dazzled by the moves Eddie has -- his step on and shield in the first half had my jaw dropping -- the fact is that he seem incapable of sustaining a high effort level over 90 minutes. The bursts are great, but they are not enough.

2. He doesn't take up consistently optimal supporting positions. He is around the ball a lot, but that is not enough. You have to be around the ball in the right spot. When Wynalda remarked how he "disappeared," this is the reason why, along with the inability to sustain a high work rate.

3. His defending needs work. In the international game, everybody -- and that includes the forwards -- have to defend FIRST....at 100 mph, and win balls. For those who think somehow that Beasley and Gaven are "just this" close as players, or that he is "just as talented" as Donovan -- well in fact he is "THAT far" from them in this regard, particularly.

Depsite these shortcomings -- easily overcomeable with experience and seasonsing -- the upside for Gaven remains huge.
I actually agree with everything except one quibble. Don't mistake ability with talent. DMB and Donovan have a lot more abiliti than the young padawan. But talent wise they ain't got nothing over him.

I don't want him to start. I want him to be Landon's short-term back up. What happens if LD sprains an ankle? I want that type of transcedent talent onthe field for us. The only player I can see that has that is Eddie