4 goals & the future prospects of 4 Nats…Rapids v. San Jose [R]

[Karl K]

Yesterday’s destruction of the Rapids by San Jose (3-1 Quakes) didn’t have a whole lot of drama as a soccer game. Over on the Rapids boards, one poster wagged that it was like JV against the Varsity.

Yet each of the 4 goals, including Colorado’s, was emblematic, I would argue, of the strengths/weaknesses and – by inference – the future prospects of 4 national team pool players on the San Jose Earthquakes roster: Landon Donovan, Brian Ching, Brian Mullan, Richard Mulrooney.

We all know LD is a lock for ’06, and this game shows why. Directly involved in all three San Jose goals, LD displayed the speed, tenacity, versatility, and soccer brains from a player at the highest level. Whether posting up with back to goal, or with the ball at his feet, or making disruptive runs, he brings a total game. A technically perfect one-touch post up assist on the build up of goal #1, and a great crisp near post run on goal #3. With the second goal, even though LD’s inability to finish – twice – on the breakaway recalled the Germany game, what struck me was that the whole sequence was started by LD’s ball winning and turnover creation. Defense. Work rate. Again, the complete game.

Brian Ching continues to open eyes and perhaps stake a claim (or at least one of them) as the heir apparent to Brian McBride. His size and strength caused problems for the Rapids all afternoon. His cross-field run on the first goal was superb– at JUST the right pace to get into JUST the right position (smack in the center of goal) at JUST the right time for the textbook one touch pick-out-the corner finish. And though the second goal was a gimme, it was again more off-the-ball hard work that put him in the position for the tap in.

Brian Mullan was also involved in all three goals. However his two pieces of excellent work – the deft slightly flighted ball to LD for the third San Jose goal, and the near post run and dummy on the second – was marred somewhat by a work rate lapse on the first. In the first goal sequence, Mullan delivers a pass to a back-to-goal LD, who starts the one-touch sequence. Yet Mullan, inexplicably, pulls up, indeed seems to stop, rather than continuing on with a run wide or to the near post…or to at least to the 18. Instead, he observes the play. Other examples of inconsistency in his play were noted – some dribbling into pressure, a turnover then no recovery run. His talent and speed are indisputable, yet?

Finally, the low point for this quartet of national team players occurred during the 4th and final goal – this time the Rapids goal. Richard Mulrooney was in the perfect position to make the tackle on the dribbling Seth Trembly, but instead, does the ole! as Seth just scoots by him. Mulrooney then turns, and with back to camera, observes Trembly launching his shot into the back of goal. Yes, of course, it is late, and the game is in hand, and you don’t want a needless foul or an unnecessary yellow. But this particular sequence is perhaps emblematic – as indeed the others I described are – of the national team prospects of this player.

[Santos Dude]

I watched the San Jose vs. Colorado game as well and was very impressed with the quartet of Donovan, Ching, Mullan, and Mulrooney

Donovan- He made several good runs and passes and could pretty much do whatever he wanted to do when he wanted to do.(this is why he needs to go back to Bayer Leverkusen so he can play against better competition)

Ching- He held up the ball well, he laid the ball off well and he finished well. He continues to impress me and will push McBride and Casey for the target striker position on the NATs

Mullan- I didn't know too much about him prior to his call up for the Poland match. However I was very impressed with his performance against Colorado. He beat his defender most of the time on a 1v1 situation and gave some great crosses. A couple times he held on to the ball a little too long ,but I really like this guys flare.

Mulrooney- He played solid defensively and kept the ball moving in the midfield. Although he has quite a bit of competition in front of him.\

Mike

[lurking]

Ill agree that it would have been nice to see Mullan make a run on that play, but Im not exactly sure what you would expect him to do. He was pretty far out of that play on the pass to LD. Im not sure any runs he could have made there would have been productive, and by not making a run, he was in position to defend if the ball was turned over. I dont think it was a big deal.

And he turns into pressure, but gets out of it suprisingly frequently. He seems to like splitting double teams.

[smith07]

donavon is a lock
ching has a tough road to hoe considering A) McBride could still be hanging around in 2 years (I hope not, but it is possible) B) Twellman is starting to heat up and C) Conor Casey seems to be getting some positive results

I don't think Mullan has any chance as anything other than a back-up and forget Mulrooney

[Nutmeg]

I commented yesterday on each of these performances HERE (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2841628#post2841628).

To follow up, though, let me highlight some things from yesterday's performances. First of all, IIRC San Jose's first goal's sequence started with a tackle by Mulrooney in the midfield, then his outlet to Mullan. Then again, San Jose's third goal was also a direct result of Mulrooney stepping in, getting a great tackle, and deftly getting the ball to Mullan before he was fouled (good thing the ref properly played the advantage, too). Mulrooney was a monster for most of the game - the best in the middle for either team. He was a huge reason Colorado had only one fluke scoring chance the entire first half - a Chung ball over the top to Spencer that left Agoos exposed. How much you want to criticize a guy - or the defense behind him - for laying off the pedal after the game was clearly in hand is your call. Me? I've seen Mulrooney twice this week - once in person at the San Jose vs. Portland Open Cup game and again on Saturday. He was one of the best performers on the field in both games.

Next, the subject of Mullan's workrate was brought up. I side with both Rob Stone and Eric Wynalda when they said that perhaps the only person who can match Mullan's non-stop effort in MLS is Chris Henderson. Obviously Bruce Arena thinks Brian Mullan works hard enough, having said this about Mullan previously:

"Arena had plenty of time to look at Mullan during the Earthquakes run to the MLS Cup. Arena attended every San Jose playoff game, and was reportedly impressed with the three-year veteran’s toughness, endurance and all around game. Mullan’s post-season performance was nothing new for Quakes fans, who quickly became accustomed to him tearing up and down the wing making tackles and whipping crosses into the penalty area."

Or you could listen to somebody who knows something about soccer, Landon Donovan:

- Landon Donovan: "From the beginning of the year, he's improved so much. He's confident on the ball. He can come inside and shoot; he can come inside and cross; he can beat a guy wide and cross it. He serves the ball really well, and he's even played right back for us."

- "He's easily the best defensive right wing in the league," says Donovan.

I doubt you become the best defensive right wing in the league without a little work ethic.

Of course, if the opinions of a US Hall of Famer (Wynalda), the US coach (Arena), or the best player in the US pool (Donovan) don't convince you of Mullan's workrate, then take a look at another play from yesterday's game. On San Jose's second goal, Landon Donovan got behind Colorado's defense at the midfield stripe and went 1v1 with Joe Cannon. A lot of players would have taken their foot off the gas - but not Mullan.

After Cannon kicked away the ball - who did it go to? Mullan. Why? Because Mullan had just run 3/4 of the field to be in the right spot. And then, after running the full length of the field, Mullan makes the perfect pass to Donovan to leave Landon with an open net. Again, a lot of players would assume the play is over at that point - but not Mullan. After Donovan shanks the shot off the post, and Corrales comes in with the cross across the face of the goal - who is in their obstructing Cannon and Colorado's defense, clearing the way for a Ching tap-in?

Mullan. Too bad he has a 2nd-class workrate. :rolleyes:

I think some people go into a game from a biased point of view, have a predisposition to see certain things they desperately want to see, and then isolate one event for each player that arguably supports their predispositions. The full story - the complete domination of Colorado in every aspect of the game by San Jose (and Mullan and Mulrooney) paints a much more accurate picture. There's my $.02 - I think it's a good time for me to exit this thread.

[Bajoro]

I'm a huge fan of Mullan. But he's got some holes in his game that can't be papered over, even by Landon trying to pump up his teammate. (He's not an especially good crosser of the ball, although he may be improving. He's inconsistant. He made a very good cross/assist yesterday.)

As Nutmeg says, one of Mullan's greatest attributes is his workrate. So what was Karl Keller's point about on the first goal?

Well, Karl, it's definitely not a workrate problem. Rather, Mullan simply isn't as sophisticated tactically as LD, Ching and Ekelund. But these are three guys who really have exceptional vision. Mullan's continued growth as a player is a result of stepping on the field with guys who know how to use his speed, tireless running, and confidence on the dribble.

Mullan had a spell recently in which he was probably not all that happy with his performance. I think that was directly attributable to Ekelund's absence after a neck injury. But as long as Mullan's got someone to orchestrate for him, like Ekelund — or in the case of the USMNT, Reyna, OBrien, Mathis, et al — Mullan will continue to improve and has a chance to be at the height of his career by the time 2006 rolls around.

[Karl K]

As Nutmeg says, one of Mullan's greatest attributes is his workrate. So what was Karl Keller's point about on the first goal?

My point was about THAT goal...and on THAT goal, the failure to follow up with a run was an issue. There were other instances where there were work rate problems. But on the Ching goal his work rate, with the near post run and dummy, was good.


But as long as Mullan's got someone to orchestrate for him, like Ekelund — or in the case of the USMNT, Reyna, OBrien, Mathis, et al — Mullan will continue to improve and has a chance to be at the height of his career by the time 2006 rolls around.

This might happen. But if doesn't, you and I shouldn't be shocked.

[lurking]

Actually Bajoro, I think Mullan is quite good at starting attacks and getting the ball into dangerous positions. At times the Quakes have really struggled to get him enough touches though.

If I had to point to some weaknesses in his game Id highlight:
- Ball striking
- Tackling
- Reading the game

But in all those areas its not a total lack, its inconsistency. Sometimes his tackling fails him, sometimes he ball striking fails him, sometimes he doesnt read the game well. Other times he does all those things very well.

What I do know is that when you put him on the right, give him touches, good things are just going to happen for you. Even if he doesnt make the play directly, he really puts a lot of strain on the right sided defenders and midfielders with the sheer variety of things he can do attacking with the ball.

[Karl K]

Actually Bajoro, I think Mullan is quite good at starting attacks and getting the ball into dangerous positions. At times the Quakes have really struggled to get him enough touches though.

If I had to point to some weaknesses in his game Id highlight:
- Ball striking
- Tackling
- Reading the game

But in all those areas its not a total lack, its inconsistency. Sometimes his tackling fails him, sometimes he ball striking fails him, sometimes he doesnt read the game well. Other times he does all those things very well.

What I do know is that when you put him on the right, give him touches, good things are just going to happen for you. Even if he doesnt make the play directly, he really puts a lot of strain on the right sided defenders and midfielders with the sheer variety of things he can do attacking with the ball.

Well said.

I think folks mistake aggressiveness -- which Mullan has a lot of -- with work rate. As you point out, he puts a lot of "strain" on opponents, but that doesn't necessarily translate into working to get into the right positions or, in one instance in this game that struck me, getting on his horse to make a recovery run after he had been disposessed.

Unlike LD, who in my view is a fully formed player and doesn't really have weaknesses but rather "off" games, Mullan is a work in progress still.

[Karl K]

Let's see...

Everybody, watch some posters clap their hands really really fast in front of their face and yell, "Look at me!!! Look at me!!!!"

It's no wonder they can't figure out how to use the rewind and replay button...they are too busy expending energy patting themselves on the back.

Back to the issue at hand, Richard Mulrooney will have a very difficult time getting call ups in the next 6 months.

Gee, I wonder why. Why aren't the USSF braintrust paying attention to some posters around here? I am shocked they aren't!!

Eric Wynalda and Landon Donovan are (1) an announcer and (2) a soccer player. Let's see...are they making the call ups?? Making the lineups?? Filling out the subsitution passes??

They're not!!! Shocking!!

[FlashMan]

I thought this was going to be a thread about how Seth Trembly should be the Nats' next holding midfielder!!! ;)

[lurking]

Well sure, if you compare Mullan's "total game" to Donovan's, yeah you may find him lacking in a few areas. But if you use the completleness of Donovan's game as a standard I think we might have 3 guys instead of 11 on the field next time.

I also think you may be overstating the signifigance and importance of the weaknesses I pointed out. The net effect of having Mullan on the field I believe is very positive.

[AndyMead]

Yesterday’s destruction of the Rapids by San Jose (3-1 Quakes) didn’t have a whole lot of drama as a soccer game. Over on the Rapids boards, one poster wagged that it was like JV against the Varsity.

Yet each of the 4 goals, including Colorado’s, was emblematic, I would argue, of the strengths/weaknesses and – by inference – the future prospects of 4 national team pool players on the San Jose Earthquakes roster: Landon Donovan, Brian Ching, Brian Mullan, Richard Mulrooney.

We all know LD is a lock for ’06, and this game shows why. Directly involved in all three San Jose goals, LD displayed the speed, tenacity, versatility, and soccer brains from a player at the highest level. Whether posting up with back to goal, or with the ball at his feet, or making disruptive runs, he brings a total game. A technically perfect one-touch post up assist on the build up of goal #1, and a great crisp near post run on goal #3. With the second goal, even though LD’s inability to finish – twice – on the breakaway recalled the Germany game, what struck me was that the whole sequence was started by LD’s ball winning and turnover creation. Defense. Work rate. Again, the complete game.

Brian Ching continues to open eyes and perhaps stake a claim (or at least one of them) as the heir apparent to Brian McBride. His size and strength caused problems for the Rapids all afternoon. His cross-field run on the first goal was superb– at JUST the right pace to get into JUST the right position (smack in the center of goal) at JUST the right time for the textbook one touch pick-out-the corner finish. And though the second goal was a gimme, it was again more off-the-ball hard work that put him in the position for the tap in.

Brian Mullan was also involved in all three goals. However his two pieces of excellent work – the deft slightly flighted ball to LD for the third San Jose goal, and the near post run and dummy on the second – was marred somewhat by a work rate lapse on the first. In the first goal sequence, Mullan delivers a pass to a back-to-goal LD, who starts the one-touch sequence. Yet Mullan, inexplicably, pulls up, indeed seems to stop, rather than continuing on with a run wide or to the near post…or to at least to the 18. Instead, he observes the play. Other examples of inconsistency in his play were noted – some dribbling into pressure, a turnover then no recovery run. His talent and speed are indisputable, yet?

Finally, the low point for this quartet of national team players occurred during the 4th and final goal – this time the Rapids goal. Richard Mulrooney was in the perfect position to make the tackle on the dribbling Seth Trembly, but instead, does the ole! as Seth just scoots by him. Mulrooney then turns, and with back to camera, observes Trembly launching his shot into the back of goal. Yes, of course, it is late, and the game is in hand, and you don’t want a needless foul or an unnecessary yellow. But this particular sequence is perhaps emblematic – as indeed the others I described are – of the national team prospects of this player.

Summary: Everyone rocks, except Mulrooney.

I guess that means Chris Armas's position is safe. :D

[Bajoro]

My point was about THAT goal...and on THAT goal, the failure to follow up with a run was an issue.
Karl, my point is simply that when Mullan fails to run, it's usually a tactical lapse, not a work-rate lapse. (May be splitting hairs here.)

This might happen. But if doesn't, you and I shouldn't be shocked.
I'm not predicting that Mullan will make the 2006 roster. But unlike some other candidates, he may have the advantage of being at the height of his career in a World Cup year -- he should still have all of his speed and endurance, and he'll be more tactically astute than he is today. Maybe his skills such as striking the ball will have improved a bit in two years' time as well.

[numerista]

After yesterday's Quakes-Revs game, this subject seems to be worth revisiting. Since the [R] is for Quakes-Rapids, I won't state the result explicitly, but it's tough to give nothing away.

The reason this game is interesting is because it got out of hand, and emotions were raging. In Concacaf, we see a lot of situations like that, and it's vital for players to control the mental aspect of their game.

Donovan

In the face of conflict, he elevated his play, but his performance was plagued by repeated use of abusive language, followed by a caution for repeatedly making an obscene gesture towards one of the officials. That kind of behavior could seriously damage our team.

Mulrooney

Kept his composure very well ... even as the game deteriorated, the Quakes' central midfield exerted a lot of control. He and Shalrie Joseph both got a yellow card during a deadball where Joseph knocked him to the ground. I don't see any problem with him baiting an opposing star. In that situation, few referees would have punished Mulrooney. (A bigger concern was his failure to track Cancela at one point.)

Mullan

Of the four players in consideration, his game was most affected by the conflict, IMO ... he committed a few rough fouls while not playing the ball, and at one point, he gestured in the ref's face -- in international play, those are the kind of things that get us in trouble.

Ching

Struggled quite a bit with poor touches, but his workrate and composure were remarkable. In spite of all the extracurricular stuff, he played strong soccer for the entire game.

[StillKickin]

After yesterday's Quakes-Revs game, this subject seems to be worth revisiting. Since the [R] is for Quakes-Rapids, I won't state the result explicitly, but it's tough to give nothing away.

The reason this game is interesting is because it got out of hand, and emotions were raging. In Concacaf, we see a lot of situations like that, and it's vital for players to control the mental aspect of their game.

Donovan

In the face of conflict, he elevated his play, but his performance was plagued by repeated use of abusive language, followed by a caution for repeatedly making an obscene gesture towards one of the officials. That kind of behavior could seriously damage our team.


Yeah, gosh, that kind of behavior also scored a goal. That fact is totally lost in all the belly-aching about Donovan's language. He does not act like that in Nats games and you know it, so you really don't have to worry about it.

I'll tell you this. If we're playing in Azteca stadium, needing a goal late in the game to advance to Germany - give me Donovan with his passion and fire.

I repeat - Donovan is not stupid. He doesn't "lose it" and get red cards at the International level. Oh, and news flash - he's not the first player to utter the f-word. And he's not the first player to get mad at a referee.

So no need for the sack cloth and ashes.

[Bajoro]

...
Donovan
In the face of conflict, he elevated his play...

Ching
...In spite of all the extracurricular stuff, he played strong soccer for the entire game.

Your comment above reflects my ongoing frustration with Donovan. I love his game, but why does he need conflict to elevate it? The Quakes might be sitting in first place today if he could find a way to elevate his game whenever he steps on the field. With the Quakes I think LD needs to be more of a leader, with the ball, and from the opening whistle. Maybe this is too critical, or perhaps he occasionally raises the bar so high I just wonder about it when he falls a bit short.

Regarding Ching, he had a mediocre game by his standards; not horrible, but not as dangerous as he can be. He was robbed of a goal on a header at the end of the first half and his hustle and positioning IQ really paid off late in the game. For anyone who thinks he's not a capable header of the ball, see how well he placed the shot that didn't go in -- a great turn with Reis crashing in on him. It's on the streaming video at MLSnet.com.

[dark knight]

Yeah, gosh, that kind of behavior also scored a goal. That fact is totally lost in all the belly-aching about Donovan's language. He does not act like that in Nats games and you know it, so you really don't have to worry about it.

I'll tell you this. If we're playing in Azteca stadium, needing a goal late in the game to advance to Germany - give me Donovan with his passion and fire.

I repeat - Donovan is not stupid. He doesn't "lose it" and get red cards at the International level. Oh, and news flash - he's not the first player to utter the f-word. And he's not the first player to get mad at a referee.

So no need for the sack cloth and ashes.

So you're defending that lame display? I don't think we should look the other way just because he's our best player.

[SamsArmySam]

I think some people go into a game from a biased point of view, have a predisposition to see certain things they desperately want to see, and then isolate one event for each player that arguably supports their predispositions.

...or maybe it's more like this...

"I think some people go into a thread from a biased point of view, have a predisposition to see certain things they desperately want to see, and then isolate one comment from certain posters that arguably support their predispositions."

That probably comes across as overly harsh, but I'm so sick of wading through the personal garbage between you two to get to your otherwise insightful comments.

Please keep up the insightful comments, though. I do get a lot from both of you.

[StillKickin]

So you're defending that lame display? I don't think we should look the other way just because he's our best player.
No, I'm not defending it. And in re-reading my post, I can see where you got that impression. I've said in other posts that I think he should be fined and in fact, with flipping off the refs, I think a suspension wouldn't be out of order.

What I am saying, though, is that there is no cause for alarm that he's going to do that on the Nats. There's just no precedence for it. As far as I'm aware, he's gotten one red card while playing for a national team - either the U17s or U20s, I'm not sure.

You can't take Saturdays game and project it onto what he's going to do for a Nats game, and a WCQ at that, as far as blowing his cool.