Gaven/Eskandarian

[DaMa]

I noticed quite a few shots of the Bruce in attendance at this weekend's Metros/DC match. It was a nice sight for those of us pulling to have Eddie Gaven make a lasting impression on him (both his goal and a later play in the box where he took on and beat 3 defenders were world class). However, as I was watching 2 thoughts occurred to me.

1) Mr. Wynalda referred to Eddie as a natural forward. I've gotten so used to thinking of him in the attacking midfield role (it appears that even the Metros are using him there in a sort of unbalanced midfield with only 1 flanker and rico playing d mid) or perhaps as a solution at right midfield for the nats that I forgot that he originally started out with the Metros as a forward. He's only 17 but he is already over 6 feet and presumably will fill out some. He seems comfortable in the box and seems like a relatively cool finisher. What's more, he is even more comfortable facing goal and running at defenders. One has to wonder if all the talk of him at midfield is misguided and we should be pushing to see him up front.

2) It's becoming hard to not notice that Esky who I at least had written off a la quaranta has had a pretty nice streak going for himself. What's more, he had quite a nice short side one time finish in front of the Bruce. I think more and more it is becoming obvious that we need a finishing presence *other* than McBride who we can count on regularly to not only score but to play a full match (i.e. until clint shows otherwise...) Now I am not saying *I* am sold on eskandarian yet, but one thing I will say for this guy is, following a disappointing rookie season and a fading out of the national scene, this guy *wants* it. You can almost see him staring down freddy daring him to take away his playing time (which is another point all together... is nowak helping or hurting freddy?). One has to assume the Bruce has taken notice. Perhaps it is time to try different solutions at forward rather than the same old hoping that *this* is the one in four games that Wolff will play well in.

[kurgen99]

1) Mr. Wynalda referred to Eddie as a natural forward. I've gotten so used to thinking of him in the attacking midfield role (it appears that even the Metros are using him there in a sort of unbalanced midfield with only 1 flanker and rico playing d mid) or perhaps as a solution at right midfield for the nats that I forgot that he originally started out with the Metros as a forward. He's only 17 but he is already over 6 feet and presumably will fill out some. He seems comfortable in the box and seems like a relatively cool finisher. What's more, he is even more comfortable facing goal and running at defenders. One has to wonder if all the talk of him at midfield is misguided and we should be pushing to see him up front.

2) It's becoming hard to not notice that Esky who I at least had written off a la quaranta has had a pretty nice streak going for himself. What's more, he had quite a nice short side one time finish in front of the Bruce. I think more and more it is becoming obvious that we need a finishing presence *other* than McBride who we can count on regularly to not only score but to play a full match (i.e. until clint shows otherwise...) Now I am not saying *I* am sold on eskandarian yet, but one thing I will say for this guy is, following a disappointing rookie season and a fading out of the national scene, this guy *wants* it. You can almost see him staring down freddy daring him to take away his playing time (which is another point all together... is nowak helping or hurting freddy?). One has to assume the Bruce has taken notice. Perhaps it is time to try different solutions at forward rather than the same old hoping that *this* is the one in four games that Wolff will play well in.


I'm pulling for Eddie too. I think he is a smart player. I also see him as an attacking midfielder. I think he could possibly be a good replacement for Reyna in a few years.

I also agree about Esky. I had written him off, but he seems to be coming back into form.

[lmorin]

I noticed quite a few shots of the Bruce in attendance at this weekend's Metros/DC match. It was a nice sight for those of us pulling to have Eddie Gaven make a lasting impression on him (both his goal and a later play in the box where he took on and beat 3 defenders were world class). However, as I was watching 2 thoughts occurred to me.

1) Mr. Wynalda referred to Eddie as a natural forward. I've gotten so used to thinking of him in the attacking midfield role (it appears that even the Metros are using him there in a sort of unbalanced midfield with only 1 flanker and rico playing d mid) or perhaps as a solution at right midfield for the nats that I forgot that he originally started out with the Metros as a forward. He's only 17 but he is already over 6 feet and presumably will fill out some. He seems comfortable in the box and seems like a relatively cool finisher. What's more, he is even more comfortable facing goal and running at defenders. One has to wonder if all the talk of him at midfield is misguided and we should be pushing to see him up front.

2) It's becoming hard to not notice that Esky who I at least had written off a la quaranta has had a pretty nice streak going for himself. What's more, he had quite a nice short side one time finish in front of the Bruce. I think more and more it is becoming obvious that we need a finishing presence *other* than McBride who we can count on regularly to not only score but to play a full match (i.e. until clint shows otherwise...) Now I am not saying *I* am sold on eskandarian yet, but one thing I will say for this guy is, following a disappointing rookie season and a fading out of the national scene, this guy *wants* it. You can almost see him staring down freddy daring him to take away his playing time (which is another point all together... is nowak helping or hurting freddy?). One has to assume the Bruce has taken notice. Perhaps it is time to try different solutions at forward rather than the same old hoping that *this* is the one in four games that Wolff will play well in.

These are good points and worth discussing. EG clearly has several major characteristics to his upside. Once Wynalda made that remark, I immediately had visions of BA taking EG on the Nats and playing him at forward as well as any of the midfield positions as the need arises. Frankly, it seems to me that he is not a worse forward than anyone presently on the Nats when it comes to collecting the ball, holding off defenders and taking defenders on with the dribble. Moreover, from what I have seen, he is the only player who consistently turns and beats defenders while he is being marked very tightly. This is van Nistlerooy stuff. BA is not encumbered by history and will play him where he will help best.

With respect to Eskendarian, I am glad he is doing well, but he doesn't have extra dimensions as a player that make me want to see him on the USMNT. He seems to read the play well and be in the right place for crosses, but that doesn't separate him from Wolff, Twellman, Casey, etc. The Nats need players with special qualities, those who can bring a little bit extra and novel to the table. Regardless, I suspect BA has a season ticket to the DC games and is quite interested in whoever scores goals consistently while carrying an American passport.

[Adam Zebrowski]

eskandarian has the great knack of being able to finish, when he gets into position, he's clinical...I do doubt his athletic ability against world elite level defenders, which might be the ONLY thing keeping from being an international.

gaven has a lot of what mathis has, and gaven might be viewed a a back-up for mathis, AND he could be viewed as a back-up for Donovan too....

arena will give both guys a shot, but I think it's far more like gaven emerges as the primetime guy, while eskanadarian becomes a useful call-up when the in injury bug hits at forward...

[ignatz]

As a DCU fan, I'm obviously delighted with Esky's recent performance, but I think he needs to show a lot more before he can be seriously considered for the Nats.

Gaven, on the other hand, clearly is something special. His poise on the first goal was something Bobby Convey can only dream about, and he deserves all the credit on the 2d -- beating Carroll and Kovolenko and then turning Hendrickson into a pretezel.

In comparing the two, keep in mind also that Esky is 22, five years older than Gaven. I suspect that, when Gaven is 22, the high point of his career will be something more than scoring a couple of goals in an MLS game.

[grandinquisitor28]

I have to agree with the latest poster. At least in this place and time, Esky strikes me as a great MLS forward in the making, but probably not an International Caliber forward, he doesn't have either the speed or the size, or outstanding on the ball skills to make it at the next level as far as I can tell and if you have none of those qualities it's almost impossible to make it at the next level.

In some ways it brings me back to Chris Klein, a guy who clearly can get the job done against Concacaf to a degree, but a guy who should be nowhere near the starting lineup in major international tournaments.

All this being said, just a few weeks ago I was considering Esky to be yet another busted DC United draftpick, and his recent run is suggesting that while not the same player, he may become a Twellman/Kreis styled finisher for DC, an ultra reliable player who finds it easy to put the ball in the net against MLS competition. I love his desire, his fighting for balls, and his finishing and vision, but the lack of speed/a second gear, and the lack of height to me limit his upward mobility beyond MLS and I'm not convinced of his footwork either though I could be wrong on that.

As for Gaven, I'm quite excited.

[DCFAN96]

eskandarian has the great knack of being able to finish, when he gets into position, he's clinical...I do doubt his athletic ability against world elite level defenders, which might be the ONLY thing keeping from being an international.

gaven has a lot of what mathis has, and gaven might be viewed a a back-up for mathis, AND he could be viewed as a back-up for Donovan too....

arena will give both guys a shot, but I think it's far more like gaven emerges as the primetime guy, while eskanadarian becomes a useful call-up when the in injury bug hits at forward...

His finishing is far from clinical he missed a lot of free shots on goal in the beginning of the season, and most of his goals recently have just been tap-ins. Esky right now is far to one dimensional, he won't be getting his chance with the Nats any time soon if ever.

[Lanky134]

I have to agree with the latest poster. At least in this place and time, Esky strikes me as a great MLS forward in the making, but probably not an International Caliber forward, he doesn't have either the speed or the size, or outstanding on the ball skills to make it at the next level as far as I can tell and if you have none of those qualities it's almost impossible to make it at the next level.

I don't think he lacks speed. Maybe he's not as fast in a breakaway sprint as, say, Beasley, but he's not a lumberer by any stretch. And, while he may be too small to be a target forward, he has an excellent vertical leap and his positioning is pretty good - very much like the good Central American forwards. He does need to work on his placement of headers, though.

Most importantly, he does strike the ball very well. The free kick against Columbus was unstoppable, into the side netting of the near post. With many of our best free kick takers in the 90s (Stewart, Agoos, Waldo) either retired or near-retirement, we need to look at other players who can put one on frame directly from set pieces.

As for Gaven, I'm quite excited.

Me, too. He's very good.

[Adam Zebrowski]

I don't get the chance to see DC every match, so the early season perfromances weren't on my radar.

I primary point is eskandarian gets into position to finish, he has the knack of being a goal poacher.

We can't say mls is filled with americans who do this.

I think we agree, he's NOT an international level talent, but has potential to get called into a camp.

He's a hustler type, one of those guys who'll make training camp stimulating.

[Lanky134]

His finishing is far from clinical he missed a lot of free shots on goal in the beginning of the season, and most of his goals recently have just been tap-ins. Esky right now is far to one dimensional, he won't be getting his chance with the Nats any time soon if ever.

Um...no. They aren't simply tap-ins because they've required too much smart running to simply claim them as poaches. On his first goal on Saturday, he cut in towards the near post to strike it before Walker could grab it. The goal against SJ was an excellent diagonal run into space and a one-time past onstead from 15 yards out.

And you're forgetting/ignoring that, earlier this year, he was having hamstring problems, which was clearly affecting his abilities.

I don't know if he's going to get too much of a chance with the Nats in qualifying, with the depth that there is now. But I certainly think that he's worth a look in a friendly or two.

[kurgen99]

Frankly, it seems to me that he is not a worse forward than anyone presently on the Nats when it comes to collecting the ball, holding off defenders and taking defenders on with the dribble. Moreover, from what I have seen, he is the only player who consistently turns and beats defenders while he is being marked very tightly. This is van Nistlerooy stuff. BA is not encumbered by history and will play him where he will help best.


That's a nice little summary of Gaven's skills. He controls the ball well, and makes great passes. Needs a little more meat on those bones though!

[Casper]

1) McBride
2) Wolff
3) Casey
4) Mathis
5) Twellman
6) Kirovski
7) Noonan
8) Razov
9) Ching
10) Cunningham
11) Eddie Johnson
12) Buddle
13) Eskandarian
14) Wolyniec
15) Arnaud
16) Cooper

YMMV.

Based on number of callups in the last couple of years, and counting Donovan as a mid, this is my approximation of the depth chart. Means that if Bruce is willing to look at Ching and was willing to look at EJ in the Poland game (callup fell through because of injury), Eskandarian's not too far down the list for a look. The guys in Europe won't come for many friendlies, and guys like Razov and Kirovski don't really need to play too many friendlies either, because Bruce knows what he can get from those guys. Meaning that in my view, Buddle and Eskandarian are basically next on the list for the "experimental callup," even though each already has a cap.

[sregis]

one has to wonder if esky would have stepped up as he has w/out freddymania.

[Lanky134]

one has to wonder if esky would have stepped up as he has w/out freddymania.

I think he would have. I think a lot more has to do with the change in coaching staff than having Freddy there, although it probably doesn't hurt. Last year he was in a system that didn't allow for creative play, and favored veterans over rookies. Now the coach has said that everybody's job is up for grabs, and has stressed more cohesive midfield play. Esky has also credited being partnered with Jaime for his recent success.

[seahawkdad]

one has to wonder if esky would have stepped up as he has w/out freddymania.And if that is the cause, then is it a plus or a minus?

The minus side would say that without the challenge he doesn't do his best. Given what I've seen in the past without Freddy, I don't think he can be accused of this. Rookie year mistakes, yes. Lack of effort, no.

The plus side is that he rises to a challenge. That's not bad at all. It's the sign of a winner.

[Nutmeg]

Esky was a real surprise callup against Wales last year, but so were a lot of players at the time. His finishing this year has been outstanding - going back to week 1 where his one-time finish against the Quakes was just beautiful. It may have been considered a fluke at the time, but he pulled almost an identical finish a week or two later.

I've tracked Gaven closely all season. He's a special talent in the Donovan mode. His first touch is generally flawless. His vision is exceptional. His read of the game is ahead of almost every other player on the field. He's the type of player who eventually lead the US to become the unquestionable king of our region, and favored to reach the 2nd round of the World Cup.

I didn't get to see either play this weekend, but it is great to hear their play has continued.

[juventino3]

Esky was a real surprise callup against Wales last year, but so were a lot of players at the time. His finishing this year has been outstanding - going back to week 1 where his one-time finish against the Quakes was just beautiful. It may have been considered a fluke at the time, but he pulled almost an identical finish a week or two later.

I've tracked Gaven closely all season. He's a special talent in the Donovan mode. His first touch is generally flawless. His vision is exceptional. His read of the game is ahead of almost every other player on the field. He's the type of player who eventually lead the US to become the unquestionable king of our region, and favored to reach the 2nd round of the World Cup.

I didn't get to see either play this weekend, but it is great to hear their play has continued.

Actually Eskandarian was called up for the Wales match because Bruce only called up players from DC and SJ. Suarez was the exception.

I'm starting to believe that Gaven has more potential then Donovan. I've seen Donovan do some class things on the pitch, but Gaven has the potential to take it to another level. Gaven's ball skills are better then Donovan's already. Landon is a better passer and has better field vision. The thing that makes Gaven such a unique prospect is his size and the fact that he will fill out more with age. His balance and ball control in tight traffic are already sublime.

[lmorin]

Esky was a real surprise callup against Wales last year, but so were a lot of players at the time. His finishing this year has been outstanding - going back to week 1 where his one-time finish against the Quakes was just beautiful. It may have been considered a fluke at the time, but he pulled almost an identical finish a week or two later.

I've tracked Gaven closely all season. He's a special talent in the Donovan mode. His first touch is generally flawless. His vision is exceptional. His read of the game is ahead of almost every other player on the field. He's the type of player who eventually lead the US to become the unquestionable king of our region, and favored to reach the 2nd round of the World Cup.

I didn't get to see either play this weekend, but it is great to hear their play has continued.
Gaven and the Metros did mysterious things. Gaven scored one and made an outstanding dribble run through thick resistance to assist on another. He was playing largely as an attacking midfielder to the point of being almost another forward. Magee actually was often further back than Gaven and Guevara deferred to Gaven's attacking role. That said, without Gaven winning all his usual number of balls in the midfield, the Metros gave up 6. Pretty poor trade, on balance.

[lmorin]

...I'm starting to believe that Gaven has more potential then Donovan. I've seen Donovan do some class things on the pitch, but Gaven has the potential to take it to another level. Gaven's ball skills are better then Donovan's already. Landon is a better passer and has better field vision. The thing that makes Gaven such a unique prospect is his size and the fact that he will fill out more with age. His balance and ball control in tight traffic are already sublime.
I agree with most of your analysis, but not the conclusion that Gaven has more potential than Donovan. Perhaps, but they are quite different players and it is too difficult to make useful comparisons. Also, I'd say that Donovan has great field awareness over distance while Gaven may be better in the turmoil of the heavily occupied top of the area. Can't wait to see them looking for each other, however; they complement each other. That will be a joy to watch!

[myshap]

Esky seems to me to be a player that isn't exeptional or unexeptional at anything except making great runs that puts him in position to score and putting the ball in the back of the net. Kind of reminds me of Dante Washington in a way when he played in Columbus.

I don't know if that will ever translate into a USNT career, but I do know and I've thought this a long time since his USYNT career, there isn't a US player I'd rather have on the receiveing end of a breakaway when the the game is tied or down a goal. He'll get into scoring position and put it away just about every single time.