[Knave]

This thread is intended for DC United supporters, so I'm leaving a lot out. If you're looking for broader information you might try the MNT boards or the Youth National Team board. I'm pretty focused on DC United players below, and really just on the U-23 DC United players. But if you've got a question I might be able to answer just post it below and I'll see I can do.

:::: Day One ::::

AM Game :::: U-23s (4) :: (1) Blue Star ::::
PM Game :::: U-23s (1) :: (3) MNT ::::

There weren’t too many people there for either match, forty at most this morning and this evening. Many of them were friends and family of the players. From the scrape marks on their knuckles I could tell some were LA Galaxy supporters. And then there was an assortment of MLS-folk. Sigi “The Hut” waddled to and fro. Andrulis looked very woodsman-like as usual. Sarachan, who showed up only tonight, is still very, very short. It was only when I walked down the sideline at halftime this morning to try to get a better look at what I presumed to be the MNT practicing on the next field over that I noticed Bruce Arena with Onalfo and Company in tow sitting on the sideline watching the U-23s play the Blue Star. Never did figure out who was practicing over there …

The morning game was really low key, a slightly surreal, highly skilled Saturday morning pick-up soccer game. They let anyone on the field to stand by the sideline, there were hardly any fouls, no yelling – in short it was ultra-friendly. That said, both teams took it pretty seriously and it was by no means a mere kick-about with a bit of laundry serving as goals. In the end the U-23s beat the Blue Star 4–1.

The afternoon game between the U-23s and the full nats was much more formal. They wouldn’t actually let spectators on the field for that one but you could easily watch from the behind the endline fence. It was a much more intense match, even featured one yellow card. Unfortunately, however, partly because I was further away from the field but mostly because it was getting dark and the lights weren’t optimal, it’s hard for me to comment in too much detail. I simply had too much trouble telling some players apart. (How many blonde haired midfielders does the USA have!?) I’ll give some specifics though and one or two examples. The final score was 3-1 to the full nats. But the U-23s had some great chances and one shot rang off the crossbar. I missed the goal, however. At halftime it was 1-1. Warren (playing on the “A” team for that match) let in one soft goal. I’m starting to think he has a tendency to let balls get underneath him, particularly in one-on-one situations with the shooter. Then the second teams came on and the full nats got two more goals. I think Countess was in goal in the second half but he was just a blurry dot from where I stood. If the scoreline were to reflect the reality of the match it probably would have been 2-1 to the full nats. They were better than the U-23s but not quite 3-1 better.

But back to the morning game since that’s what I can comment on most. The first half against the Blue Star was scoreless. Neither Landon nor Conor Casey had the will to shoot the ball. This was not for lack of opportunity, but apparently neither could really be bothered. Casey wasn’t bad though, certainly better than the last time I really saw him play back in Sidney. But, alas, his problem wasn’t finishing, it was shooting. Convey took the middle and played well. The offense went pretty much through Convey, Beasley, Landon and Casey and although they all linked up together pretty well it just wasn’t happening in front of the net.

Judging by his performance today Brian Carrol is a terribly under-rated player. (He’s called BC in the parlance of Nat Borchers who, incidentally, organizes a defense pretty well and quite loudly). Carrol happens to be a nifty little player. Amongst other things, he made some terrific runs into space out of the midfield and if he and Convey were more in sync he might have gotten a shot or two on goal. It was not to be, however. Still, he’s a guy who’s equally good in defense and offense, in short a real versatile midfielder who should be getting playing time with DC United next season.

The second half saw a wholesale substitution on the U-23 side. Blue Star put in Memo, Suarez and Klinsmann; adding to a core that already included Lalas and Steve Shak. I’ve heard it said that when Jurgen practices with the Galaxy he’s the still the best player on the field. Well if that’s the case then the Galaxy must be pretty bad in practice. His skill still shines through but he’s just not the player he used to be.

Eski, Stokes and Warren took the field for the U-23s in the second half. Warren was a surprisingly vocal organizer of his defense. The rap against him during the season was that he was too stand-offish and didn’t really command his box vocally. Perhaps he’s worked on this since the Petke incident because he was a master of his domain today. He actually started the day’s second match against the MNT. I was standing behind the goal so I got to hear quite well just how vocal he can be. He was damned good, kept his box organized, made some good saves, distributed the ball well – no complaints. Well, maybe one complaint. It was a difficult save but I still think he could have done better with the goal he let in. It was basically a one on one situation and the ball just got under him. My sense was that he had time to make the save though. Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t have the benefit of a replay. But I seem to recall other times when the ball just got under him. Maybe there’s something there he needs to work on. But still, going up against the MNT he acquitted himself very well. I said it before but as I see it he has what it takes to be a starting goalkeeper in MLS and he should be challenging Rimando for the number one spot. From what I saw today he’s already the best goalkeeper on the Olympic team.

The revelation of the day, however, was Stokes. I’d never seen him play before, all I knew was what I read on the boards and what Ray Hudson said. Don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t the best defender on the team but he certainly was in the same league as the best defender on the field. That league is MLS quality. There’s no question in my mind that he can play in MLS and do so quite solidly. That Ray Hudson refused to give him even one minute of time on the field speaks either to his idiocy or his prejudice against youth. His play today, especially in the second game, was damning evidence against Ray Hudson’s judgment upon his playing ability. He did very well this morning, including a couple key plays against Klinsmann. But tonight I really made a point of watching him – partly because he was one of the guys I could identify from my vantage point with ease. He was worth watching though. He kept his mark well, executed a few well timed dispossessions, made some nice passes, helped in the transition to offense and generally held his own quite capably against a very high level of competition. The U-23s were under constant attack and Stokes was certainly up to the task. He only made one real mistake: a miss-weighted clearance that ended up at the feet of someone on the other team. So be it, as if our other defenders don’t make an errant pass or two on occasion. The big surprise was how good an attacking player he is. One sequence in particular really got my attention. He took the ball down the wing, orchestrated a couple triangular passes between himself and some midfielders, got the ball into the corner and hit what was probably the prettiest cross of the night. It was perfect and it’s just a shame that none of the forwards could quite get their heads to it. It was one of the best chances of the game for the U-23s. I had no idea Stokes could help like that with offense. He’s tall too and could be a real asset on corner kicks. With him up there maybe we’ll even score off one. Imagine that! Stokes can play in MLS. There’s no question in my mind about that. That Hudson didn’t see it that way, given what I saw today, is just baffling.

On the other hand … Eski, Eski, Eski … It’s truly amazing. He’s got two legs but apparently only one foot. After one remarkable play this morning in which he did his best Etcheverry by fumbling about with the ball trying to get it to his left foot instead of taking what should have been an easy right footed shot, Thomas Rongen screamed “Alecko! You’re allowed to use your other foot!” But what really killed Alecko was the comparison to Buddle who was simply in a different class than him. Indeed, Buddle got screwed in the A and B team selections. He should have played in the first half alongside Donovan instead of Conor Casey. Tonight Eski did his best to make Chris Albright look like a competent right back. He came in for the second half, spent his time trying to get past Albright but simply couldn’t do it. I’m sorry to say it but right now he’s just an unremarkable player. Maybe Nowak will do him some good. We can only hope.

I also got to see David Testo. MLS needs to find a way to sign that kid. I’d still like to see him on DC United.

I’m going back tomorrow for the combine and perhaps again on Monday if the combine proves interesting. Supposedly there’s also another U-23 vs MNT match on Monday too. I’ll post more if I see anything of note.

... ...

By the way, here's a thread with some pictures:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showt...threadid=90680

[Go2NY]

God Job - Thanks Much

[jason1551]

I pretty much expected that much out of both of them. They start for the U-23 squad or come on as a sub in basically every game, so I know they have talent. I hope that Nowak was there watching them.

Eski, well, that's pretty much what I expected as well. He just can't make the transition from the college game. Could be trade bait, could be Nowak's project (that makes two with Q1), but the boy needs help.

Testo needs to be in MLS. Everything I read on him says he can play at this level. Knowing he's at Richmond in the A-League, I'm sure DC is keeping tabs on him. Sign him and put Q1 or Eski in the A-League to develop some more. Seems like a reasonable plan that could actually work.

[Th4119]

Originally posted by jason1551
Eski, well, that's pretty much what I expected as well. He just can't make the transition from the college game. Could be trade bait, could be Nowak's project (that makes two with Q1), but the boy needs help.

Which brings up a good question, how many 'projects' does Nowak need to have around?

[jeff_adams]

Knave, how did Wade Barrett look? I assume he played some left back. Did he bring the ball out of the back well?

[Knave]

I actually got a good look at Wade in the second half. It's funny you ask about him bringing the ball out of the back because one thing I noticed was how Thornton used him almost exclusively for that very purpose. Granted, his options were slim as Chris Albright was on the other side. But, yeah, he did a pretty good job starting up the attack down the left. He was quite poised coming up from the back and often quite effective in instigating an attack. That said, he got burned on the counter-attack more than once by some of the faster U-23s.

[lurking]

Who were the goal scorers in the second game for the nats?

[jeff_adams]

Ok I'll bite. How did the "Chris Albright to right back" experiment work? Is he turned easily? Did he have to foul alot? Can he overlap and hit a cross from that deep?

Was Wade beaten on the counter because he was too slow getting back or did the central defenders not shift over and cover his forward runs? He was usually pretty good about not "hanging" up front in MLS.

[sams_soldier]

Originally posted by Knave
Amongst other things, he made some terrific runs into space out of the midfield and if he and Convey were more in sync he might have gotten a shot or two on goal.

He scored twice against Bolton reserves while they were on tour last year.
http://wakeforestsports.ocsn.com/spo...l_brian00.html

[Red&Black]

Originally posted by Knave
. That Ray Hudson refused to give him even one minute of time on the field speaks either to his idiocy or his prejudice against youth.

well i saw stokes play three full games for united in the cup last year and other than some success in wilmington, he just wasn't mentally ready to play in MLS. there were incredible flashes of talent but he was so inconsistent i thought it right he wasn't playing regularly in MLS. it was very clear he will become a very good player, he just didn't seem to be there yet. had we been somewhat short of experienced backline players, he might of been thrown in there, however this really wasn't necessary. a young player could do worse than train with and watch nelsen/petke/prideaux for a year.

however it sounds like he is gonna be ready this year to challenge for some playing time. i will be excited to see that.

i would catution however not to read TOO much into a scrimmage in a camp situation.

i am glad to see carrol is improving as well. he frankly looked bad in the cup for united, really struggling with defending. he seems so physically undeveloped, i hope he is working on his strength in camp.

in my opinion speed of thought is the most important skill in football and that just isn't esky's strength.