There's my buddy. I was thinking earlier how this was the most pleasant discussion we've ever had. Your inability to articulate your views makes them pretty much useless to me. I don't believe that MLS is universally better than most leagues. I think a debate about whether epl, Bundesliga, series A, or la liga is the BEST is a waste of time.
And this is the bsky that I love. I'm not sure how anything in this paragraph is in any way responsive to anything I've written in my last few posts (but I think you know that, don't you?)...
You keep stating how poor the quality of the league is and then that the competition of MLS is better. I asked you to elaborate in what ways a crappy Honduras is significantly superior to the crappy teams in the SPL and you provided nothing. There are definitely some better midfielders in the SPL than MLS. I'm pretty sure of that.
It is. That's not a controversial opinion for those who've watched both leagues over the years. And unlike others around here, I don't particularly think that highly of MLS. They have a better collection of players than any SPL side (not named Celtic) that Hyndman has/will face this season. Another uncontroversial opinion. Definitely? Or are you just pretty sure? And aren't you the guy who said just a few posts ago that you don't know what "better" means? Finally, credit to you for getting back on topic and responding to things that I've actually discussed instead of off topic rants about how you "don't believe that MLS is universally better than most leagues" (have I ever said anything remotely close to this) or that "I think a debate about whether epl, Bundesliga, series A, or la liga is the BEST is a waste of time"...
Rep for post qualifying post and being able to find it... I've got some thoughts on this that I'll put in his YA thread later. I think it is hard to rate players like this across a tournament and using range like makes sense. I would say that Steffen, Hyndman, and Rubin were invaluable and irreplaceable in that tournament. Miazga and CCV were very good, but EPB could step in for one of them, as he did, and not have too much of a drop off. Arriola, Payne and Zelalem were the others that stood out or had moments.
I thought Steffen, Miazga, Carter-Vickers, Rubin and Arriola were good. Everyone else, not so much. Hyndman might've fell somewhere between 6th and 8th, but I'm not sure thats much of a compliment.
I think Rubin was very average, I rated Arriola and Payne above Hyndman, but that's all subjective. 4-8, 6-8 they were pretty close. Not a bad tournament for Hyndman especially having Zelalem next to him.
I don't believe that anyone could have a great tournament playing next to a kid who was 15 years old physically, but brainwashed into thinking that he is Fabregas.
Ok, look at it this way (although I hate negative comparisons): Here are players who were noticeably worse than Hyndman at the 2015 WC: Maki Tall, BJIV, Marco Delgado (who inexplicably kept starting games), Kellyn Acosta, Jordan Allen, Shaq Moore, Joel Soñora, Gedion Zelalem, Tommy Thomson, Conor Donovan, Requejo, EPB. Additionally Hyndman captained the squad, played at least 90 every match, and tied with Rubin for top scorer with two goals apiece - although one of Rubin's should have been credited to Arriola, giving Arriola two. Tall and BJIV also had one each. All this on a squad that was poorly coached and still exceeded expectations. I agree Steffen (GK), Miazga and CCV (CBs) were good. I thought Arriola (RM) was fantastic (still do!). Payne (RB) compared very favorably to Moore (who was putrid) but I wouldn't say he was better than Hyndman. Rubin, likewise, scored a nice goal against New Zealand and poached an Arriola goal that was already going across the line, IIRC although I do credit Rubio for game winner with that tap in (against Colombia) but the goal was created by Hyndman and Arriola. Again, YMMV, but he was not noticeably better than Hyndman and, IMO, not as good. So, I will be generous and say that Hyndman was the 5th best after CCV, Steffen, Arriola, and Miazga, in that order. Still the best CM.
Tall was injured after one game, Jamieson after a few games, Donovan barely played, as did Requejo, EPB barely played (and played well in the one game he did play), so I wouldn't say its any big accomplishment that he was better than a bunch of players who barely played, and some players who performed terribly. Was he the best CM? Probably, but again, I'm not sure thats such a compliment. I thought Zelalem was awful, besides the New Zealand game, and Delgado wasn't much better, although he's not really a #6, so its hard to blame him for how he played. Regardless, I'm not going to give him credit or discredit him based on where he ranked compared to the other players. I'll assess his play (and every player) on their own merits, and I didn't think he had a good tournament, given what expectations should've been. Just my opinion though.
Yes, you've said that he didn't have a good tournament. You don't really have to reply since you're not changing your mind but I am curious to know what you think was bad about it.
Starts with page 7, and ends on page 5. https://www.bigsoccer.com/search/2991248/?page=7&q=Hyndman&o=date&c[node]=255&c[0]=214277
Here's the winning goal from FCD's 2-1 semifinal win against Coritiba in the U19 Dallas Cup supergroup. Assist by Jesus Ferreira to Paxton Pomykol. Its important to remind ourselves that this is a U19 competition...............Ferreira is 16 and Pomykol is 17. These two have a chance to be special. Pomykol is probably the player of the tournament. There are tons of scouts at this event. I don't know how FCD is going to hang on to him. Particularly if he's able to get a Euro passport (Pomykol is a Czech name. We haven't found out whether he has access to a Czech passport or not.] 853066532557082624 is not a valid tweet id
I really like what I've seen of Pomykol so far. He has a good combination of skill, seems athletic enough and always seems to rise to the next challenge and stand out relative to where he should be for his age. I remember watching him play up in an important FC Dallas youth game and thinking he was the most influential and impactful player on the field. I've also been pleasantly surprised that he has not looked out of place in MLS at such a young age. Lastly, @Clint Eastwood has mentioned that he really seems to have worked on his body in the offseason which I think suggests a professional maturity that's promising. As for Ferreira, he sounds like a great prospect but I'll defer to posters that have seen him play more. What I will say is that people get justifiably nervous about foreign players limiting opportunities for domestics, but his father is a prime example that there are benefits as well. Not only do the foreigners raise the level of play and thus developmental arc for our top MLS players, but some also have children that are high-potential prospects and many stick around to contribute in coaching and other operational roles. All in all, I think they are an important piece in continuing to grow the soccer culture in our country.
Jesus Ferreira has been playing with the FCD academy since he was 9 years old, and US citizenship is imminent. He's been called up to US youth team camps in the meantime with the expectation that he'll play for the US when eligible. When you hear interviews with him, he acts and sounds as "American as apple pie." So yes, he's technically "foreign"...............but that's not really how folks think about him. It should be noted that MLS clubs are now extremely careful about bringing in foreign U18s to their academies. Actually, the entire soccer world is. Its the reason the pipeline of American U18s to Liga MX academies has slowed dramatically. FC Dallas can't bring in a Colombian U18 to their academy for the same reason that Barcelona got penalized for bringing foreign U18s into their academy. FCD actually drafted a Canadian U18, Adonijah Reid, in the Superdraft. He's not eligible to sign for FCD until he's 18, and isn't playing with their academy either. I don't know what he's doing. I don't know what the percentage is, but I imagine that a huge percentage (>95%?) of U18 and U16 academy players are US eligible. They might end up representing another nation (like say Jesse Gonzalez with FCD and the Llanez/Alvarez kids with the Galaxy representing Mexico)............but they're US eligible. The complication for clubs in places like Texas is what to do with children of undocumented immigrants. There have been high profile cases of this at the FCD academy.
Good post. Just FYI, I meant that his father, David Ferreira, is a foreign player but that there are benefits to these players spending time in MLS for the USMNT and for the league. In his case, his son is a promising prospect for both the US and FC Dallas. And while David is currently out of the country I think, he now has ties here and might come back to contribute in coaching or other capacities someday (and even if he doesn't personally, some will). Apologies as it was a bit off topic and not worded as well as I would have liked.
@ussoccer97531 I went back and read your comments on the post-WC thread you created. Concerning Hyndman, you were almost as non-specific as you are now. You mainly stressed that you were concerned that his (lack of) athleticism and physicality would not translate to the next level. I am sure this has morphed over time in your memory to he had a poor tournament. I really don't mean to single you out or beat a dead horse but none of the Hyndman skeptics have actually vocalized what they think is lacking in his game. Most, although not you, just say the SPL is a shite league.
The link I posted works, so I don't know what you are talking about. I'm sorry if I don't remember specific examples from games that were two years ago, which is why I directed you to what I had posted at the time. Anyway, I've been very specific every single time. He's a tweener. He's not dynamic enough offensively to be a #10, lacking ability to beat players 1 on 1 in any sort of way consistently, and he's not good enough lacking that 1v1 ability, yet playing a true #10 role like Riquelme or Oezil to compensate for the lack of 1v1 ability. Few players are, only a few like I mentioned. As a #8, he is not only small, weak and doesn't cover much ground, but his defensive effort is really lacking and he routinely makes bad decisions defensively. So ultimately, I see him as a position-less player who has clear athletic limitations, defensive limitations, yet some very nice passing ability that probably won't translate to better leagues and competitions because his limitations (which many have had) will hold him back.
I'm really tired of watching Ferreira and Pomykal in youth competitions. I don't feel like they have anything left to prove in youth games. These kids need first team games. I have little problem with Pomykal's use (although a little more wouldn't hurt), but I'd like to see Ferreira start getting some first team games, as well.
I'm glad they are still getting some youth team games. Neither is physically mature and dropping down at times should help with their continued development. I doubt they are worried about proving anything in those games. Is this guy Paxton's brother? He looks to be an early maturing kid for his age. https://www.fcdallas.com/players/porter-pomykal
Lots of generalizations about positions and determining a players skill set at 19 yo. He's already improved in most of those areas and is more of a pure #10 than he was a couple of years. I think he could play as #8 and ideally see him as an 8/10 in a 433 alongside a guy like Pulisic.