YNT-eligible lower-division pro players: 2018 In-season thread

Not sure how representative it is of his overall potential, but every time I watch a bit of the Sounders 2, Hopeau makes a big play. Only in the first minute so far of last night's game, but he already has a secondary assist after making a nice off the ball run down the right side to outrun his defender.

He didn't put up huge numbers last year, but he was born in December 98 and he's from a bit of a soccer backwater, so perhaps there's some growth potential. Regardless, I really like what the Sounders are doing with their USL team in general, and these are exactly the types of players (along with the really young, high-potential academy players) I want teams investing in.

 

Just wanted to bring up that S2 played two home games within four days. They rotated players giving multiple players minutes.

Sam Rogers is likely the next signing to the first team. Whether its this season or next.

Some of the young signings just need to grow athletically. Get that bit of strength and speed/burst needed to make those skills viable at a higher level.

I really like Teves to be honest. He seems to always be aware of his surroundings. Constant head checks and then moves the ball quickly. He can dribble out of trouble. Again, once he strengthens up some I think he has a promising future.

 

Because Ebobisse was so often given garbage time sub minutes or was unused, he didn't play much in MLS or USL last year. He's already surpassed his 2017 USL playing time numbers and scored his second goal. Terrell Lowe got an assist in T2's game last night, too. Lamar Batista was sent off in stoppage time. Eryk Williamson went 90.

Noah Verhoeven registered an assist for Fresno, though the goal was all Pedro Ribeiro:

We are just going to sit this right here @ESPN #SCTop10!

OMG Pedro Ribeiro! Take. A. Bow#FRSvTUL pic.twitter.com/zt0b1149Am

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 19, 2018

 

DJ Taylor went 90 in NCFCs incredibly boring 0-0 draw with TFC2. Akinola had 28 minutes for the Canadians.

 

18 minutes for Akinola. Maybe he’s just getting up to full fitness, but otherwise his usage pattern suggests he’s a ways away from the first team.

 

At least we get to see him play!

ATL UTD 2’s Starting XI vs. @loucityfc pic.twitter.com/5s2xz4rT6P

— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) April 21, 2018

 

Im really frustrated with the situation, but I found myself looking forward to this game the most this weekend.

 

Louisville's a decent test for those youngsters. Defending USL champs and are 4-0-0 to start the season.

 

A lot more people there since Carelton is playing, was pretty empty last game

 

30+ minutes in and I’m not sure anybody on the field has been what you might call “good”.

Atlanta’s goalie can kick it pretty far, these announcers are fully committed to saying “A-T-L-U-T-D-2” every single time they mention the team, and Devan Sandoval might run a 7 second 40. Those are my big takeaways.

 

Skied it lol

 

I think Carleton just snapped his right arm, that replay was disgusting

Edit: nvm he looks fine.

 

Stutter stepping on PKs is one of my least favorite things in soccer, and Carleton does it every damn time.

 

From what I saw (both USL games and U17 WC), Calerton's biggest problem is his consistency. There were usually too many turnovers from him. Just like the previous USL game, he only has 43% passing accuracy in opponents' half, that is too low. I know he was dangerous, and might tend to play risk passes, but for a 1st class attacking mid, the turnover rate was still too high.

 

GK David Ochoa '01 made his debut for Real Monarchs last night.

 

.@uly_soccer7's first professional goal for #LosDos is a beauty. #LAvNY pic.twitter.com/XdsaXI65cD

— LA Galaxy II (@LAGalaxyII) April 23, 2018

Vom Steeg starting in goal

 

Yeah I saw a lot of discussion of how Carleton didn't look great this weekend for AUFC 2 and I did see this quote from AUFC 2's coach:

Donnelly on Carleton:

“He knows he can play so much better. He’s short of sharpness. That’s an honest assessment of it. He’s a very good player that can make a difference. It wasn’t his top performance tonight, but it’s part of the process for what we’re doing. He’s 17.”

— Haris Kruskic (@HKruskic) April 22, 2018

Which I think is what should be expected right now. He has looked very good in some games and not so much in others. He is gaining some good playing time right now and I rather him just go 90 for AUFC 2 for a bit to just get a good run of games for awhile rather than playing for AUFC right now. Because if he plays for AUFC, he will definitely come off the bench and I'd rather him go 90 week in/week out for awhile.

 

The lack of fitness lands directly at the feet of Martino. He's chosen this. He chose to not start Carleton when Barco got injured. Gressel had a terrible preseason, Carleton significantly outplayed him. Many Atlanta fans (let alone US fans) wanted Carleton to start. Martino made a decision, and then it sounds like revisionist history occurred to support their coach (not directing that specifically at the poster above me). He chose to give him 15 total minutes in 4 matches.

Carleton shouldn't be playing any more second division games, IMO. The first division is a low enough level. If he needs games, get him games in MLS. I know this sounds like a foreign concept, but when the back ups on many teams are lacking match fitness, the coach rotates them in to get them some playing time and to keep them sharp for big games where they might be needed.

 

I must say, this travel is brutal for a second team. That's just unsustainable at this level and I hope the USL divisions get enough teams that this doesn't have to happen.

I don't disagree with you that Carleton should be playing, but at least with a constant run out with ATL2 (presumably he'll play tomorrow in the game vs Charleston) he'll stay in match form, and if he keeps putting up numbers there'll be no choice but to give him actual minutes.

And regardless, Carleton is no longer in competition with Gressel given they're only playing 3 at the back. He's purely against the South Americans, Vazquez, and Williams (kinda) now.

 

I was talking about the beginning of the season, but I agree that he's not currently in competition with Gressel for a spot. When Villalba returns, I think Martino's going to change the formation. I don't think Villalba (or the designated players) will be coming off the bench.

 

Some of these ATL UTD 2 players are really having trouble figuring out how to play with each other.

 

Bright note: 01 Jackson Conway made his debut start for ATL2 tonight. Although he came off early.

 

ATL2 got whooped.

 

Carleton was sharper today and very involved in the match, but Atlanta couldn't create many chances. Carleton had the best chance of the game for Atlanta, but he rounded the goalie, and then couldn't finish from a tough angle. The other team played 5 at the back, and completely bunkered, which make it difficult for Atlanta. Carleton started out at LW, which doesn't make much sense, considering he's a #10.