Connolly (ESPN): Gaven having a Ball in 2004

[jmeissen0]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=304722&cc=5901

nice read... gotta love the kid

[Wahoo]

And just another reason I like Brian McBride :)
Doesn't suprise me at all he was the first to go up to Gaven and try to make him feel welcome.

On Gaven, I really like his attitude... I think he has a long run with the national team ahead of him.

Also liked the comments that he knew these guys from the U17, U20 and U23
teams... makes him sound like hes 24-25 years old and a long time veteran of the youth program.

[peledre]

Gaven is a great guy and a great talent, but he definitely has the monopoly on scary looking in-game pictures.

[Wahoo]

Gaven is a great guy and a great talent, but he definitely has the monopoly on scary looking in-game pictures.

Have you seen Spector and his mullet?

[arkadygelman]

Yeah for real.
But to be on-topic for a second, I've interviewed Eddie a bunch of times and everyone here would be amazed at how soft-spoken and respectful he is. He knows his place and the veterans love him for it. I know it's been probably said a bunch of times, but Eddie has the right head on his shoulders to become a great player.

[Tmagic77]

Have you seen Spector and his mullet?

Are you making fun of the Mullet? The Mullet is where Spector draws his power, if he were to cut it he'd be beat for 3 goals in his next reserves game.

[peledre]

but Eddie has the right head on his shoulders to become a great player.
Well good cuz if he had the wrong head that would be fcuking gross.

[peledre]

Inspiration for my new avatar.

[Deuteriumoxide]

I think that my avatar would beat your avatar 1v1. :D

[peledre]

Gaven reminds me of Calvin in that pic.

http://www.jordan.palo-alto.ca.us/staff/lgoldman/public/mmart3/class/14/calvin-hobbes.gif

[Nutmeg]

I have heard from a few different sources that Gaven has become, hands down, the single most difficult player to mark in US Soccer.

One message sent to me from a player who has gone against him a few times said something to the effect, some guys beat you with the dribble, some with their vision and passing, some with a knack for scoring. Gaven just beats you, anyway he feels like it.

I think that sums things up pretty nicely.

[appoo]

I have heard from a few different sources that Gaven has become, hands down, the single most difficult player to mark in US Soccer.

One message sent to me from a player who has gone against him a few times said something to the effect, some guys beat you with the dribble, some with their vision and passing, some with a knack for scoring. Gaven just beats you, anyway he feels like it.

I think that sums things up pretty nicely.
indeed. You have any idea what kind of time he'll get this weekend? I'm hoping he starts.

[bennyf118]

The thing that struck me most about that article was how mature Gaven is! Everyone gives Freddy credit for sounding mature for his age (which he does, minus the Dallas incident), but Gaven sounds like he is already in his mid 20s!

I'm glad Gaven is enjoying his time, doesn't feel outclassed, and seems just as excited about learning from the vets as playing in the game. His attitude and skill set is amazing, and I'm starting to think more and more that he plays an integral role in Germany, assuming we get there.

Think of it this way: Donovan is good because he is fast, has good vision, tracks back on defense, and plays up to the big games. I would argue that Gaven is also (relatively) fast, has decent vision (which will only improve), has started to contribute more to the defense (which will also improve), and has ice running through his veins in scoring situations. Gaven also already dribbles 1v1 as well as Donovan, and when he fills out, he'll be even better. It's too premature to say that he'll be better than Donovan, but I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that way.

[peledre]

indeed. You have any idea what kind of time he'll get this weekend? I'm hoping he starts.
He played the last 30 mins of the Fire Scrimmage the other day, so that may be an indication of how much he gets against Poland. Then again, it may not.

[Nutmeg]

He played the last 30 mins of the Fire Scrimmage the other day, so that may be an indication of how much he gets against Poland. Then again, it may not.They played 30 minute halves, and Gaven played the 2nd. If Gaven does play, I'd be surprised if it were as a starter. Keep in mind Arena's history on bleeding in young players. Very often, they don't get PT in their first camp. If they do, it usually comes in the form of a 20 minute run-out as a 2nd half sub.

Cherundolo is a notable exception to that pattern. I believe he was the only player in Bruce Arena's tenure who got a callup and then an away WCQ start in his very first camp. I can't think of any others who were called in, then started, in their first camp.

[Ringo]

what formation would be best for gaven? the box midfield? diamond? a 3-5-2?
how would he and landon complement each other? Outside of a 3-5-2 could gaven, beasley and donovan be effective at the same time?
nutmeg's comment how gaven can beat players whenever he wants to was interesting. but one thing I love about Landon is he makes those around him better. what's gaven's impact in this area?
damn, that's a lot of questions. :)

[haven]

what formation would be best for gaven? the box midfield? diamond? a 3-5-2?
how would he and landon complement each other? Outside of a 3-5-2 could gaven, beasley and donovan be effective at the same time?
nutmeg's comment how gaven can beat players whenever he wants to was interesting. but one thing I love about Landon is he makes those around him better. what's gaven's impact in this area?
damn, that's a lot of questions. :)

Wouldn't they all work together well in a 4-5-1? Donovan or Gaven plays slightly behind the striker. Beasley and Donovan/Gaven plays on the other wing.

[dirtskier]

And just another reason I like Brian McBride :)
Doesn't suprise me at all he was the first to go up to Gaven and try to make him feel welcome.

On Gaven, I really like his attitude... I think he has a long run with the national team ahead of him.

Also liked the comments that he knew these guys from the U17, U20 and U23
teams... makes him sound like hes 24-25 years old and a long time veteran of the youth program.


ditto on the attitude and maturity thing. I just kept thinking, "wow, this kid is like the opposite of Bobby Convey!"

[appoo]

Wouldn't they all work together well in a 4-5-1? Donovan or Gaven plays slightly behind the striker. Beasley and Donovan/Gaven plays on the other wing.
has any Arena team ever played with a 451? Outside of that disaster @ the Saprissa? But yea I think I actually suggested this earlier in anoother thread.

---------------Howard----------------------
--------------------------------------------
--Cherundolo----Gibbs---Pope---Boca--------
--------------------------------------------
----------------Armas----------------------
-------------------------------------------
--Mullan-------------------------DMB-------
----------Donovan-----Gaven---------------
--------------------------------------------
----------------McBride---------------------
---------------------------------------------

Maybe play Convey on the right. I didn't play him @ LB because in this lineup the Fullbacks need to stay home. I'd like to see how Mullan does. I promised Nutmeg and others before to track Mullan (I didn't believe them in how good he was), well Mullan won me over and I think he has all the tools to be a great Right Winger. Not a world class winger or anything but....extremely effective and extremely dangerous

[appoo]

ditto on the attitude and maturity thing. I just kept thinking, "wow, this kid is like the opposite of Bobby Convey!"
you know, Convey is actually American and he really does play for USA.