Noonan for USMNT striker

[braun]

Of course, there is Donovan, McBride, Mathis, Twellman, Buddle, etc., and we start against the minnows in January, but given his rookie year showing, shouldn't Noonan be invited to camp?

[MarioKempes]

Originally posted by braun
Of course, there is Donovan, McBride, Mathis, Twellman, Buddle, etc., and we start against the minnows in January, but given his rookie year showing, shouldn't Noonan be invited to camp?

Noonan is the new Cletus.

[The Magpie]

Waaaaaaaay too soon to even think this, even though he's been on a good run of late.

The Magpie

[Nutmeg]

Originally posted by The Magpie
Waaaaaaaay too soon to even think this, even though he's been on a good run of late.

The Magpie

I think braun is a few weeks too early on this. If Noonan were to continue his recent play through the playoffs, I think the question would be a legitimate one.

[Father Ted]

He would do great for the USMNT, as long as the Metros are the opponants.

[Matrim55]

Bruce called Mark Lisi into camp in January 2002 after a much less productive rookie year than what Noonan's had. Granted Lisi has much, much more potential than Noonan, but it's not entirely unprecedented for Bruce to take a look at a promising rookie.

That said, I suspect if Bruce does look at him on the int'l level, it will be as a right midfielder.

[soccertom]

Originally posted by Matrim55
Granted Lisi has much, much more potential than Noonan,

Why so?

[lurking]

Originally posted by soccertom
Why so?

Because hes a Metros fan and he probably is reacting in horror at the destruction that Noonan has done to them. Well that and Lisi is a Metro.

Ive been impressed with Noonan all year, although Im not really where he fits on the field. There are less deserving people that have been called into camp.

[Mattinho]

Noonie actually does things most American players can't do. He's got vision, a magic touch, a sweet pass, and solid shooting technique. If it wasn't for his disturbingly average appearance, he might stick out more. I'll be a fan of his as long as he keeps playing like he has this season. Sort of an American Teddy Sheringham. Even though I hated Teddy.

[Red Card]

Too bad Noonan wasted time in college. He still might make it internationally, but time lost is time lost. He has been very impressive against Metros, but let's see what he can do against other teams.

Lisi has potential but right now he is hampered by an ankle awaiting an operation. His absence is the number one reason the Metros have stopped scoring.

Both have a chance at the nats.

[lightningback]

I haven't seen that much of him, but I don't think he's quite ready yet. Revs fans, is he someone we could think of as a future candidate as a target man after McHead (bless his soul) has retired from Int'l play? How is he in the air? Obviously, getting ahead of myself, but just curious to know if anyone thinks he can play that type of game...

[ursula]

Well I think he'll be called up this winter. After that, who knows?

[Bruce S]

Originally posted by lightningback
I haven't seen that much of him, but I don't think he's quite ready yet. Revs fans, is he someone we could think of as a future candidate as a target man after McHead (bless his soul) has retired from Int'l play? How is he in the air? Obviously, getting ahead of myself, but just curious to know if anyone thinks he can play that type of game...
no, he does not play as a target man at all. He wants the ball to his feet.
I was VERY skeptical of him when the Revs drafted him-looked like another typical college boy.I was TOTALLY wrong.First, he is very skillful,even by Nat standards.His touch is excellent. Secondly, someone above mentioned he has a rare skill for a USA player: he shoots very well.Hard and on target alost all the time. Lastly, he is very savvy- the guy just has a soccer brain. By the way, his strike rate per minute is almost identical to Damani Ralph's. Instead of scoring by going 1-1, he is a combination guy. Quick 1-2's, quick flicks.In that sense he might fit even better with the USA team than Ralph, who I think is very good, but his style would fit less well with the USMNT.
I am not sure of Noonan is ready but I was totally wrong about him- he has a ton of talent.

[Noonan]

I think Noonan should definitely get called up!

[RevPOWA]

Great "MLS" player....but thats about it. He does not have the size to be a targetman OR the pace to play as a support striker....

He might actually do fine against many concacaf teams but against the stronger teams...MEX/CR he'd prob get skinned alive.

[gyr0]

"Noonie"?

[milkduds]

Noonan appears to have some good upside, but I have not seen enough to make me think that he is already National Team material. As someone else mentioned, there are quite a few guys ahead of him as a forward (Donovan, McBride, Buddle, Twellman, Razov...) and I don't think he has the pace to play as a right midfielder. I could be wrong about that, but he never struck me as being very fast. He makes me think of Chris Klein in that position - and I don't think Chris has a very promising future with the Nats.

The kid is still young, and if he keeps getting better then I'd love to say that I was wrong about him.

[Woodrow]

Noonan should get his shot sometime next year, if not during the offseason, then perhaps in the summer when the Olympics and qualifying conflict.

[Bruce S]

Noonan bagged another tonight.9 goals in last 9 games- who has done that except Clint when he could play? His best play was a 40 yard attempt to beat Walker with a lob- off the bar.As noted above, the boy has an excellent shot- almost always on target.

[voros]

Originally posted by Bruce S
Noonan bagged another tonight.9 goals in last 9 games- who has done that except Clint when he could play?
Donovan did it earlier in the year.

I'd bet Twellman and/or Ruiz has done it at some point the last two years as well.

Noonan's best chance for the Nats right now probably is on the right flank where he played earlier when Twellman was healthy and Ralston was gone.

We still haven't taken much of a look at Twellman or Buddle, so Noonan may have to wait his turn at striker.