Parkhurst Update

[jw]

From Soccer New England:
http://www.soccernewengland.com/articles/view_article.php?id=1000

The MLS Rookie of the Year had expected to miss just a training session or two, having been accidentally caught by the knee of Shalrie Joseph three weeks ago. However, what was thought to be just a deep bruise has now been diagnosed as something a little more serious, as Revolution Athletic Trainer, Steve Glazier explained on Friday:

“Once the swelling went down, we found a small tear in the IT band on the outside of his right quadriceps. It will another two weeks before he is ready.”

[DREWWW]

OK lets hope we are getting all the injuries out now, rather than late in the regular season

[thigpig]

so Parkhurst gave up the opportunity to play on the national team so he could avoid injury...

[Chowda]

I guess Heaps will play CD and Reilly will play RD for the LDA match.

[Rodan]

so Parkhurst gave up the opportunity to play on the national team so he could avoid injury...
I think it would be more accurate to say that he gave up the opportunity to practice with the national team.

The was no way or how that he was ever going to play in a game.

If he continues to grow and learn, he'll get his shot.

[Ultra Peanut]

I think it would be more accurate to say that he gave up the opportunity to practice with the national team.

The was no way or how that he was ever going to play in a game.

I'm not so sure. Arena gave minutes to pretty much everyone who came into camp, even guys like Ihemelu who, like Parkhurst, won't really be due for serious national attention until the 2007 Gold Cup or the beginning of the next WCQ qualifying cycle. I think if he'd accepted the invitation, Parkhurst would've seen at least mop-up courtesy minutes against Norway or such. At any rate, he'll get another call soon enough.

[RevsRule]

I think it would be more accurate to say that he gave up the opportunity to practice with the national team.

The was no way or how that he was ever going to play in a game.

If he continues to grow and learn, he'll get his shot.

He'll not only get a shot, he'll win a spot. After watching the Poland game, I feel hes as good as any of the current pool and better then more then a few

[Dan B]

He'll not only get a shot, he'll win a spot. After watching the Poland game, I feel hes as good as any of the current pool and better then more then a fewHe might have had a shot, but then again, he might have gotten just a few courtesy minutes.

As far as being as good as any of the current pool players, I hope that you are referring to the MLS pool. I really like Parkhurst's play, but there is no way that the current version can replace a "Gooch" (strength/size/goal scoring), or a Gibbs (speed), or match the experience of many (any) of the others. If he is good enough, then he will get his shot, but it was never going to be in this WC (IMO).

We should have sent the Revs to Argentina, where it is still summer, because the warm weather in Bermuda was still too cold to prevent injuries :rolleyes:

[dcochran]

He'll not only get a shot, he'll win a spot. After watching the Poland game, I feel hes as good as any of the current pool and better then more then a few

I'm a big fan of Michael and hope you're right, but it's not clear how he'll fit into the MNT. I don't see him playing centrally in a 4-4-2. Gooch is going to hold down one of those spots for years. There are a lot of players in the mix for the other spot now and coming up who have good skills and are bigger and more athletic than MP. The d-wings have a lot of attacking responsibility. It may be something Michael can develop, but it won't happen playing centrally for the Revs. If the MNT moves to a 3-5-2, there might be a spot as a wing defender. Some have suggested that he has potential as a d-mid. Certainly something to consider for the Revs if/when Shalrie goes overseas, but that's a position that benefits from a bit of bite. Michael makes the play, but no one is afraid of his tackle.

[Jon Martin]

There are a lot of players in the mix for the other spot now and coming up who have good skills and are bigger and more athletic than MP.
Name them. I'll spot you Gibbs and Spector.

Actually, I agree with your main point. I think MP's best position may ultimately be right back in a 3-5-2. To give the man his due, we don't know if he is capable of attacking up the wing.

[dcochran]

Name them. I'll spot you Gibbs and Spector.

Actually, I agree with your main point. I think MP's best position may ultimately be right back in a 3-5-2. To give the man his due, we don't know if he is capable of attacking up the wing.

OK, after Gibbs and Spector, we're looking more at potential. I won't say any of these guys are better than Michael, but, in MLS, Ihemelu and Marshall are in the same league, similar age, and bigger. Overseas, I read good things about Whitbread and Demerit but readily admit that I've never seen them play. Marvel Wynne is obviously untested, but we can anticipate that the pipeline is going to get pretty crowded with talented players like him as the pool continues to expand.

Whoever is coaching the MNT heading for 2010 is going to look for someone to stand up to the big European attackers. Michael will have to really stand out to be a central defender in that environment. I didn't list anyone who is better than him above, but if you were MNT coach, wouldn't you be looking a lot harder at the bigger, faster guys?

[RevsRule]

I'm a big fan of Michael and hope you're right, but it's not clear how he'll fit into the MNT. I don't see him playing centrally in a 4-4-2. Gooch is going to hold down one of those spots for years. There are a lot of players in the mix for the other spot now and coming up who have good skills and are bigger and more athletic than MP. The d-wings have a lot of attacking responsibility. It may be something Michael can develop, but it won't happen playing centrally for the Revs. If the MNT moves to a 3-5-2, there might be a spot as a wing defender. Some have suggested that he has potential as a d-mid. Certainly something to consider for the Revs if/when Shalrie goes overseas, but that's a position that benefits from a bit of bite. Michael makes the play, but no one is afraid of his tackle.

People said similar things about Dempsey but he found a way.

Parkhurst's biggest asset is that he plays soooo smart. He makes it look easy because he's usually a move or two ahead of the attack. Having to cover Joey F's mistakes is almost a fulltime job.

I don't have any strong feelings about Gooch right now but in watching him some, I think he will be card prone and we can't have that in close games. He's big and atheletic but he always "looks" like he must have done something wrong. Parkhurst on the other hand, comes off as a choir boy.

[Chowda]

Any update on Parky's condition?

[Tony Biscaia]

Tomorrow.