I think we are getting too sceptical. Switch the feet and you are describing Efra who is all the rage now.
The same could be said of the former USMNT prospect Jonathan González though. Granted he’s not on the same hype train as 15 months ago, but in the weeks before he filed his one time switch, many probably would have considered penciling him in (though I still think it was ridiculous to do so for Carleton, he badly needs to get out of Atlanta before yet another season is wasted. Believe in his potential, not so much in his present).
Yeah, but he didn't stab a girl scout. He was an 18 year old that partied too much the night before a big game. So they suspended him for a game that they probably weren't going to use him for anyway. What we were hoping for under de Boer was that Carleton could start over with a clean slate. That doesn't seem to have happened. I'm not letting Carleton off the hook here. There are clearly issues with his behavior. And based on de Boer's comments there are issues with his physical maturity as well. I haven't seen that when he's gotten on the field to be honest. He's not going to be DeMarcus Beasley. Pace was never his strongest suit. Physicality was never his strongest suit. But both are fine. Particularly for an MLS level. We have had problems with this with FCD academy alums. Guys like Bryan Leyva and Danny Garcia never developed into athletes good enough to play at a pro level. They would have moments where their technical ability shone thru, but they weren't good enough athletes. I haven't ever thought that was an issue with Carleton. When he's played, he's been fine. I just wish all of this was handled behind closed doors. Maybe Atlanta United brass feel like they've done everything and this public dressing down is their last option.
Hard to say but I don't think this is infeasible. He's been with them quite a long time and you only get so many chances. I don't recall them making these comments in his first couple of years. FWIW, I don't think his athleticism will hold him back at the MLS/Championship/B2 level but I'm not sure it translates at higher levels.
Reminds me of the time Jimmy Johnson cut a Cowboys player for falling asleep in a meeting ( a non-starter journeyman type guy). Media asked what he would do if Troy Aikman fell asleep in a meeting and Johnson said, " I would say Troy, Wake up". If a guy is seen as a true superstar, best talent in the US, I think he gets more leeway. For some reason it appears the brass at ATL see Carleton as a kid that has some talent and can turn into a good player but not enough to let him get away with stuff they would probably take from Martinez or other main players. Point being no one really knows what ATL sees in training or in the USL games and what their real opinion is of his top end. So far, he has proven to have been a really good U17WC player and a kid with flashes of talent. Having said the above, I still think to really evaluate him in the MLS he needs a good run of games where he starts and plays 75 or so minutes each game. If he doesn't get that in ATL this year, he has to move.
Outside of one comment by FDB what part hasn't been handled behind closed doors? The public hasn't been made aware of anything done by Carleton which is why this thread is 99% speculation.
Just reading between the lines, but I think their was another incident or collection of incidents that happened recently on top of the incident on the eve of MLS Cup. Carlton was on the bench and a sub in 3 straight games under FDB and then was dropped out of the 18 and relegated to ATLII, but hasn't even been in the 18 recently for ATL II. Throw in FDB comments and it points towards another spat of off-the-field issues keeping him off the field. It looks like the public comments were an effort to get his attention as the private suspension appeared to not work. Granted there is some speculation in this post, but it jives with Carlton's playing pattern and comments by FDB.
We're talking about this column, which was on MLS' front page. Comments from deBoer within.................. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...urges-andrew-carleton-grow-avoid-distractions Now you might say that some tough love is good for Andrew. This certainly isn't Freddy Adu-style coddling. I just would rather that this "man up" message was given behind closed doors.
FYI he is traveling with the first team to vancouver for their game tomorrow. Nagbe didn't travel at all for resting purposes. I doubt AC starts, but he might be on the bench for the game
This is the crux of the matter. Did he get a clean slate and take a dump on it or did his previous sins not allow him a fresh start?
To be fair, Carleton was at some point ill and dropped out of the XI for at least a week because of that. To the extent that absence has affected the other weeks, I don't think anyone knows.
Yeah, pretty rough on kids who may not be through with growing. Not sure if it applies to him but I've seen many kids get chubby only to go through a growth spurt right after. It's like bodies know they need to store up for the future.
Dug out of the Jaime Hill article on how young the U-20 group is collectively: "Meanwhile, still more 2000s missed out for varying reasons: Jaylin Lindsey was removed from contention due to long-term injury, Josh Sargent has graduated to the senior team, Jesus Ferreira is the victim of the slowly-turning wheels of bureaucracy, and Andrew Carleton has struggled through trials and tribulations in Atlanta." http://www.americansoccernow.com/articles/the-us-u-20-world-cup-squad-youth-is-served
Yeah, but that criticism is also completely ignorant in terms of his ability as a soccer player. Efra's a special talent regardless of his body type. I honestly think he looks like Yogi Bear -- that's not out of spite, and it does not discount the fact that he has an enormously high ceiling as a player. Andrew Carleton is not dissimilar in terms of high end talent/supposed lack of "athleticism."
My argument is that it’s extremely unlikely that either will pan out at a Big 4 level because of their lack of athleticism. This is not a skills competition. There are VERY few players who aren’t either quick, run forever, or strong that make it today.
not on the bench not on the u20 team i predict he will be anonymous this season and umped by ATL (for the better) by the end of the season
I'm surprised that someone like Wright has gotten so many chances in Germany (some he has taken advantage others he hasn't) while Carleton gets treated like a stepchild in his own hometown. Not really seeing a reason why top u17/u20 players should sign with MLS unless they are almost guaranteed MLS time, tbh.