The Gyasi Zardes thread

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Scotty, Sep 11, 2014.

  1. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Time to start this. Zardes is on fire right now and has more goals than any other American in MLS this season. Just a matter of time before he receives his first call-up to the national team.
     
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  2. Stan Collins

    Stan Collins Member+

    Feb 26, 1999
    Silver Spring, MD
    Kinda surprised it took this long, honestly.
     
  3. miked9

    miked9 Member+

    May 4, 2000
    Philadelphia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think it's good to be skeptical of young players. But the kid is making smart runs and finishing chances. He might just be a squad or depth guys, but hey--the USMNT needed Conor Casey to get to South Africa. I don't think he's going to be a star, but Zardes might have a role to play.
     
  4. morange92

    morange92 Member+

    Jan 30, 2012
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A callup definitely isn't out of the picture. I do feel he is a much better striker than winger though. I remember watching his concacaf champions league game back in the spring and remembering him looking pretty bad out on the wing.
     
  5. GiallorossiYank

    GiallorossiYank Member+

    Jan 20, 2011
    NJ/Roma/Napoli
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's 2014 still, what is the point in not bringing him in, right?
     
  6. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Like no other force, JK can and should expedite the transfers of guys like Zardes to European clubs...at the very least give them a chance to make it happen a la Yedlin.

    Should be one of his top priorities at the beginning of a new cycle especially.
     
  7. Editor In Chimp

    Editor In Chimp Member+

    Sep 7, 2008
    He's Josh Wolff 2.0; potentially useful piece that's wasteful in front of goal.
     
  8. Heist

    Heist Member+

    Jun 15, 2001
    Virginia
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    wasteful? He's finished quite nicely this year.
     
  9. SamsArmySam

    SamsArmySam Member+

    Apr 13, 2001
    Minneapolis, MN
    Seems pretty obvious that he will get called up for the next domestic match -- and he will have deserved it.
     
  10. twoolley

    twoolley Member+

    Jan 3, 2008
    19th in total shots, 3rd in goals. Not the most complete analysis by any stretch, but doesn't sound like he's that wasteful. Your theme about Zardes is on a one-year delay.
     
  11. IndividualEleven

    Mar 16, 2006
    I'm hoping he stays another year to continue learning from Keane. I don't want to see another attacker prematurely transfer to a big Euro league.

    I'm optimistic on his ability to become a regular in the NT. He reads the game well, He's developing a good poacher's instinct. He makes excellent runs. He has good size and pace. He traps decently enough and is fairly indefatigable.
     
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  12. Matrim55

    Matrim55 Member+

    Aug 14, 2000
    Berkeley
    Club:
    Connecticut
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    To put it another way: He moves with purpose and isn't robotic in and around the 18. It's a pleasure to watch that kind of forward at any age.
     
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  13. twoolley

    twoolley Member+

    Jan 3, 2008
    Very true. I think another positive, that IndividualEleven noted, is his tireless nature. Ability being equal among players, his work rate, and willingness to defend from the front, harass and tire defenders, and then even translate that into a wide player position bodes well for his future. That energy can often keep you on the field even if you hit a slump.
     
  14. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He's only 2 years younger than jozy and 1. And a half older than gyau and 4 yrs older than green...that's nuts!

    He deserves a shot
     
  15. Editor In Chimp

    Editor In Chimp Member+

    Sep 7, 2008
    I still see him flubbing some easy chances. He's not BWP-wasteful, but he probably should have a handful of goals more than he does.

    BUT, that being said, IMO, he could be a useful piece. As otherwise noted, he's got a great work rate, and the ability to find himself in positions to score as consistently isn't exactly something that's easily taught. As you noted, he's improved his finishing this year.

    So maybe I should amend my statement to: Likely Outcome at the NT Level: Josh Wolff. Ceiling: Danny Welbeck-ish.

    Is that more fair?
     
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  16. onefineesq

    onefineesq Member+

    Sep 16, 2003
    Laurel, MD
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, his play over the last 3-4 months has warranted him getting a look, especially this early in the cycle. My only concern is that we are establishing too high of a hope on him this early in his career. I'm sure a Galaxy fan will correct me, but I don't believe that he had a single goal in either MLS play or CCL this year at the time that the players were released to the World Cup. So essentially, 2 and a half months into the season, Zardes was goal-less. Hell, I remember reading in pretty much every single thread that concerned the Galaxy about what a terrible player he was, during March and April. In addition to lusting after guys like Villareal, there were overt statements that Zardes just wasn't a soccer player and had no mind for the game. Four months later, there is a post here clamoring for him to leave MLS immediately, as if he is too good for the league. I hope that when or if he hits a rough patch for a month next year, or next month for that matter, we don't start the cycle of tearing him down all over again.
     
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  17. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's not that early in his career...
     
  18. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    Wolff was a damn good player. Kick-started a few crucial 2-0's! Including WC 2002.
     
  19. Editor In Chimp

    Editor In Chimp Member+

    Sep 7, 2008
    Josh Wolff consistently found himself in positions to score. I remember a friendly that was...maybe prior to WC2002 where within the first 20 minutes he had like 5 pretty good chances.
     
  20. Bajoro

    Bajoro Member+

    Sep 10, 2000
    The Inland Empire
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree he could be useful. But damn, where are the young difference makers? (Subject for another thread, I guess.)
     
  21. Rahbiefowlah

    Rahbiefowlah Member+

    Oct 22, 2001
    Las Vegas
    I watch probably 80% of Galaxy games. Last year he was played wide all year and learned a little bit tactically, but now that he's up front we're looking at a dramatically different growth trajectory.

    He does waste some chances, but its night and day compared to last year. He plays defense, he plays within the team concept, he's humble and coachable.

    The improvements he's made in decision-making and work ethic suggest a nice international career IMHO.
     
  22. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    He's better than Jozy Altidore. Anybody else agree?
     
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  23. cpwilson80

    cpwilson80 Member+

    Mar 20, 2001
    Boston
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Is there any Expected Goals analysis on Zardes? Or, for that matter, any MLS player?
     
  24. Editor In Chimp

    Editor In Chimp Member+

    Sep 7, 2008
    Completely disagree. Completely.
     
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