Noonan's Potential?

[IUtwins]

I have been a fan of Pat Noonan since I first saw him at IU. I like the way he reads the game, and I like his creativity. Over the years I have seen him become quite a goal scorer in each new level of soccer he takes on. He transitioned from high school into college well in 4 years, and now it looks like he is beginning to settle into his professional career with the New England Revolution. What I want to know is what other soccer enthusiasts think about his possible national team career. I know that I am biased so I want to hear other people's thoughts about where he could fit in if at all. Please, no bashing. PN is obviously a talented player, and I want to discuss his future in the national team and as a professional as it is seen by other viewers. What are your thoughts?

[DCFAN96]

For a guy with a big frame I was suprised at the speead and acceleration he possesses. Hes really quick on a and off the ball, he does well with the ball at his feet and is good in the air. He definitely has potential and should very much be in the USMNT mix for a while. A lot of questions about him will be answered this upcoming season to see if last year wasn't just a fluke and if he can still consistenly produce.

[forza inter]

valid, both good observations.


it hink arena is keeping and eye on him, and has sine his rookie year. he has been called into camps before since his rookie year. just to be called in on a fairly regualr basis is a good sign even if the action is limited.


i wouldnt mind seeing him for the nats if his game stays good



forza inter

[MLSNHTOWN]

For Noonan, I think it is tough. What position is he? I think he is probably best suited at forward and if he really was capable of lining up in the midfield (under Arena), then he would have had a serious shot due to our lack of depth at right mid.

Unfortunately, the forward pool is a b$tch. Arena likes a target/speedster matchup up top. Noonan doesn't really fit into either mold perfectly. On top of that, with the emergence of EJ (who also doesn't technically fit either of those modes either...but he is fast), the pool gets deeper. I don't see Arena playing with 3 forwards unless one of those three "forwards" (if not two) is Beasley and Donovan (maybe Lewis instead of Beasley).

So where does that leave him?

On the fringe. A good showing in a gold cup, a good showing in some friendlies and he might get more and more time. I think he and EJ up front would make a good partnership. But in the end, the other options at forward are:

Target guys: McBride, Casey, Ching,
Speedster types: Wolff, (Donovan), Buddle?, EJ
Not really either types: Twellman, Esky, (mathis), Arnaud etc.

So that leaves him somewhere on the outside right now, but with McBride's declining club play, Wolff's constant injuries, etc., that leaves him in the same group IMHO as Twellman and Esky. He is on the outside. If he keeps playing well, keeps improving he can play a role in qualifying/world cup. He can end up as our #3 or #4 forward in the pool. Just depends on whether he keeps plugging along and keeps improving in comparison to Esky and Twellman.

[eplkewell]

He's a great player, but with the depth we have, it will be a hard road. Johnson is automatic these days, and McBride will keep playing until he dies. I think that the order of forwards right now looks something like this.

McBride
Johnson
Wolff
Casey
Noonan
Ching
Twellman
Eskanderian

If Donovan or Mathis were to play at forward, they would be place ahead of Casey for sure, and possibly all the way up to the top.

[IUtwins]

I agree that for Noonan to break into the Nats as a forward would be quite difficult considering the current options at that position. I remember when he began at IU it was a very similar situation. The forward position was very deep. So Yeagley started him as an outside left mid the whole season. He did well there, learning the ropes and then became a forward in the following seasons. I would like to see Bruce give Noonan some time on the outside wings and see how that might fit. PN, IMO, has good vision and is able to make creative passes. Plus, he is also well trained at playing defense, as that is a key element that the IU program thrives on. I hope that Pat will get some time in this early stage of his national career on the wings like he did when he started college. I really think it could be a good way to prove himself, much more than at forward right now.

[Sanguine]

I see Noonan as a player who can really help our team out. Not so much in qualifying, but his size, athleticism and ability to play the right midfield spot could be a godsend should we run into a big northern European (or perhaps west African) side in the WC. He's not a best XI kind of guy, but I like what he can give us in certain matchups.

[TMurray]

As much as I am a fan of both Twellman and Noonan (I am a Revolution fan), I have to be practical and say that I can't see either one of them beating out Eskandarian for a starting position. He seems to have a special touch for putting the ball on goal and I think he and Johnson up front would be just great, with McBride close by to help them out.

[IUtwins]

As much as I am a fan of both Twellman and Noonan (I am a Revolution fan), I have to be practical and say that I can't see either one of them beating out Eskandarian for a starting position. He seems to have a special touch for putting the ball on goal and I think he and Johnson up front would be just great, with McBride close by to help them out.

Ironically, it was Eskandarian that beat Noonan out for the Herman Trophy. Maybe this time Noonan can take the prize :)

[The Big Ticket]

From what I've seen of him in MLS, Noonan is a forward with a lot of good qualities, but doesn't really excel in any one area. Good in the air, good finisher, good technical ability, decent speed and size. He's right up there with Twellman and Eskandarian, just trying to break into the team.

[forza inter]

From what I've seen of him in MLS, Noonan is a forward with a lot of good qualities, but doesn't really excel in any one area. Good in the air, good finisher, good technical ability, decent speed and size. He's right up there with Twellman and Eskandarian, just trying to break into the team.

but with 1 goal to his 2 caps.


that may help


forza inter

[purojogo]

He's what, 24? I think at best he gets a roster spot among all the candidates come WC time......But, whether due to his college years, or whatever (can't blame him for trying to secure a future) his potential cannot get much higher than it presently is....

[swedust]

Also a Revs fan, I see Noonan having won the forward role more because he doesn't fit in Nichol's midfield scheme as well as others. If he becomes a regular pool player on USMNT, it will be at RM.

He's opportunistic, athletic, hustles. A good enough MLS campaign to get invited to the Gold Cup and a good showing there gets him a decent chance. I have to say that I think the Revs look to have a more varied offense this year and I don't know if that will make Noonan look better or worse, though I tend to think the latter.

[RevsRule]

He's a great player, but with the depth we have, it will be a hard road. Johnson is automatic these days, and McBride will keep playing until he dies. I think that the order of forwards right now looks something like this.

McBride
Johnson
Wolff
Casey
Noonan
Ching
Twellman
Eskanderian

If Donovan or Mathis were to play at forward, they would be place ahead of Casey for sure, and possibly all the way up to the top.

One of the reasons I try not to read big soccer is for reasons like the post above. Look at this list and it's easy to see major problems with it. Casey is gone and won't be back. That experiment is over. Ching's stock is slipping fast and there is no way Noonan is better then Twellman. Wolff is closer to the bottom of the list, if on it al all. I also don't expect to see Wsky agan any time soon. That leaves McBride and Johnson as the only correctly placed people and I still am not sure that Johnson is all that and think he had a lucky streak. Even if I'm worng, the position is his to lose at this point.

[Bruce S]

I am a Revs fan and I like Noonan for his soccer brain and skill.I worry about his pace for the international game. Not his speed of thought( that is very good)-his speed of foot.He has average MLS pace, and the US team has a ton of speed... but he does not.Still, he is an exceptionally clever guy on the field and reads the game really, really well.But I would not say I am optimistic.

[Ray Luca]

I have been a fan of Pat Noonan since I first saw him at IU. I like the way he reads the game, and I like his creativity. Over the years I have seen him become quite a goal scorer in each new level of soccer he takes on. He transitioned from high school into college well in 4 years, and now it looks like he is beginning to settle into his professional career with the New England Revolution. What I want to know is what other soccer enthusiasts think about his possible national team career. I know that I am biased so I want to hear other people's thoughts about where he could fit in if at all. Please, no bashing. PN is obviously a talented player, and I want to discuss his future in the national team and as a professional as it is seen by other viewers. What are your thoughts?

I don't watch him nearly enough, but he seems to find away to make things happen at least in the MLS. I have no idea if he can do that for the National team does he have the kind of speed it takes to get the shot off at the international level.

I have not seen him enough to know so does he? If you think no it is no. I have not watch him more, but I did not notice it.

[Bruce S]

I don't watch him nearly enough, but he seems to find away to make things happen at least in the MLS. I have no idea if he can do that for the National team does he have the kind of speed it takes to get the shot off at the international level.

I have not seen him enough to know so does he? If you think no it is no. I have not watch him more, but I did not notice it.
he is not slow-just average MLS speed.I would think he would be the slowest US attacker... but soccer is a funny game.There are certain players who are effective, even if they are not fast.I am not sure how fast Alan Shearer is, but he sure scores alot of goals.
Among the Rev players, I would say that Dempsey easily has the brightest international future.He just has that fast, dynamic game.

[IUtwins]

What a game for Noonan. IMO, Pat was one of the best players on the field today. He cut up Reyes so bad they had to sub him out in the 2nd half. Further, the team was clearly worse off once the subs were made for Noonan and Mathis, more so for Noonan in my opinion. I think he made a great case for himself and if someone would have been on the end of some of his crosses or if Ching could finish on a wide open shot then he would have had an assist today.

[Tony in Quakeland]

I'll say one thing for the guy--he has a great combination of excellent first touch with instant excelleration. The top speed may not be much, but he gets to his top gear as fast as anyone.

If he continues to develop like this, he may be the kind of guy you have to create a role for.

[Sanguine]

What a game for Noonan. IMO, Pat was one of the best players on the field today. He cut up Reyes so bad they had to sub him out in the 2nd half. Further, the team was clearly worse off once the subs were made for Noonan and Mathis, more so for Noonan in my opinion. I think he made a great case for himself and if someone would have been on the end of some of his crosses or if Ching could finish on a wide open shot then he would have had an assist today.

Yeah, he was excellent today, and all of his best work was along the ground, despite the height advantage he (and we) had over Honduras. I'd like to see him opposite Beasley at some point. Maybe in an upcoming qualifier, or in the Gold Cup.