[jri]

Been saying it for the last 2 years...

DMB is still lacking in some basics, and, despite the hype over his limited WC performance, I question whether or not he can be any sort of success (consistently) in Europe.

I recently saw him play in 2 MLS games...and I don't see any growth in his game. He is still largely an unimaginative player, still relying on kick-and-run and very simple "play it to the guy you are facing" stuff. His balance is still off too much, he does not get a clean plant a lot of the time.

Being a lefty, and having great speed...I could see where he could be a niche winger/midfielder for someone in Europe (he is unorthodox, that's always valuable in spurts). Maybe even better as a late game sub. But day-in, day-out consistently good? I don't see it.

Donovan has a much more rounded overall game, but I'm afraid his decision to stay in U.S. will only retard the fantastic progress he's made last 1 1/2. He's dominated AAA (or AA-take your pick)- now he needs to go to the bigs. He has needed MLS (until World Cup) for this stage of his career. Now he needs to go prove himself among the "men" of the sport, or his game will only slip in the slower thought MLS...

Mathis, it seems, has added tools to his game every year since he's been in the league..and if gets fit and healthy, certainly can rival Donavon as (currently) most talented Yank. He needs to go.

I do hope Pablo can get overseas and soon. He schooled the Germs, and if he stays here, will also only regress.

It is time for most the boys to leave home, and stand on their own 2 feet (in Europe). Young Beasley would be better served staying here, and adding the needed tools to his game.

[jd2084]

I agree with your descriptions of Beasley's faults but think that you may be overstating them a little. His dribbling is imaginative and the way in which he varies his attacks (inside and out, pass or dribble) makes him tough to defend. In this Saturday's game he put a very tough (fast) defender (Ryan Suarez) on his heals most of the game.
I also like the simplicity of his game. He doesn't try to force the issue when he is deep in his own half. Add to this his willingness to track back to defend and you have a very good outside midfielder.
Remember he will become more comfortable turning with the ball as he gets a little older and (pray) stronger.
Granted Beasley's best trait is his speed, but speed kills and that alone makes him enticing.

[appoo]

I to thought that about DaMarcus. Then i lost that after watching the All-Star game. I don't care if it was an all-star game but that romp through the MLS defense before Dema hacked him to peices was jae-dropping. It was like his foot had a ball magnet. I think he has all the tools he needs, he just doesn't use them all the time because he can usually get away on speed alone.

[Liverpool_SC]

You are right about the All-Star game. Landon and DMB linked together very well the entire game. DMB plays well up and down the entire wing, tracking back well and leading the counterattack with the ball at his feet almost as often as he benefits from it off the ball. He looks very small when he drifts into the middle, but I was impressed at his control at high speed.

The run in which Dema hacked DMB was amazing. I really think that he would have made a fifty-yard run on goal if his "teammate" hadn't committed a tactical foul.

Also, in this game, it was nice to see how well Landon dropped into "the hole" and played a greater role in the build-up as well as more of a finishing type role.

[greenlightwilly]

Well, you've certainly got the Euro-snob angle covered on this one. Remember, that the 'men' they would be playing with were the same 'men' they played against in the WC. So, let me get this straight, these guys have to go back to Europe so they can 'develop' in order to play the 'men' they have already measured up to - some might say exceeded?

I have to admit that I see your point though. But I have to remind myself that Pablo and Donovan and Mathis and Sanneh and DaMa (to a lesser extent, Friedel) all cut their chops OVER HERE IN THE US. But I watch MLS and I don't see how that can be - the APPARENT quality doesn't come close to what I see in Europe. Yet... it happened. So maybe there's something going on that idiots like us don't see? ....NAAAAHHH!

[Eliezar]

I too think that Beasley has a lot of developing to do. I think if he can play in a better league for the next 3-4 years that he will be a standout player at the next world cup.

His size will be an issue though. If he gets calls he can be dominate (see Portugal), but if he isn't getting the calls he can be a liability (see Korea).

[Stogey23]

DMB plays some serious D.

[nobody]

I think you just need to get over your problems with Beasley's game. I understand what you are saying. DaMarcus does not have the skills that Donovan has. He doesn't have the fine close control, he doesn't have a stunning shot, and needs a bit more time to get his shot off at all.

Thing is, he's just really a different type of player. And, like it or not, he always will be. If you expect him to drastically change his style of play or develop a much higher skill level at this point, you are going to have to get ready to be disappointed. It's just not going to happen at this point.

DaMarcus has many strengths. He's extremely quick, fast, unpredictable. He does tend to play a simple game, but I see that as one of his great strengths. He doesn't make things harder than they need to be. He combines well with other players. His tactical sense, especially in advancing the ball down the wing is excellent. His ability to read when to go inside and when to stay wide is very good, and keeps defenses guessing constantly.

His defense is strong and his work rate is as good or better than pretty well anybody I've seen. His touch is average, as is his passing and shooting, but he makes the most of what skills he's got. He may not have great close control , but still manages to beat players on the dribble consistiently. He's constantly a threat on the field at any level, including the World Cup.

So, yeah, he's not Pele, he's not Maradona. He looks a bit unorthodox and he's never going to control the center of the field the way a guy like Donovan can. We have other players with better technical skills than he has. However, he is a very exciting and dangerous young player who's going to be on the field for the US for quite a few years to come and gives every indication, through his accomplishments on the field at every level, that he could succeed in any league anywhere. Get used to it.

[appoo]

Originally posted by nobody
I think you just need to get over your problems with Beasley's game. I understand what you are saying. DaMarcus does not have the skills that Donovan has. He doesn't have the fine close control, he doesn't have a stunning shot, and needs a bit more time to get his shot off at all.

Who DOES have the talent and skills of Donovan?? I wish people would stop using him as a barometer for US talent. They forget he is one of the 10 - 15 most talented players in the world. If you want to compare him so someone start with Owen Hargraves, Manuel Rui Costa, Fracesco Totti.

[kickin365]

Originally posted by appooOnU


Who DOES have the talent and skills of Donovan?? I wish people would stop using him as a barometer for US talent. They forget he is one of the 10 - 15 most talented players in the world. If you want to compare him so someone start with Owen Hargraves, Manuel Rui Costa, Fracesco Totti.

I'm sorry, I love LD as much as anyone, but there is no way in hizell that he is one of the 10-15 most talented players in the world. I won't get into listing.

As for the topic of this thread- so what if Beas has a way to go in developing his skills. THe important thing is that he has improved greatly over the past two years. He is only 20yrs old. If he was 24 or so, and as skilled as he is we might have something to worry about.