Hassani Dotson.................4 year NCAA player, right? They still exist in our pool. We constantly prognosticate and predict the end of the 4 year NCAA player. And yet here we are. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he's scored just about the same number of goals in his first MLS season as his four NCAA seasons combined.
I don't think there will ever be a day where we don't have 4 year college players making a name for themselves in the pros. Sometimes it seems like development is constant and always trending upwards, and it really appears that way on a macro level. When individual players plateau we forget about them, or in the came of some wail and gnash our teeth (Pulisic, for example). On an individual growth level, though, plateauing is expected and often necessary for breakthroughs to be made. Players who fell behind leaving high school have the opportunity to make it up in college, and some will.
When we have guys like Roldan, Trapp, and Lovitz, starting, anyone is in the pool. But those are low bars to jump. You can become a good MLS player, after playing NCAA. Whoever doubted that? Maybe in 10 years...but maybe the NCAA gets better. Has anyone played 4 years of NCAA soccer and started a Champions League game? A few played three and got into the competition on Belgian and Scottish teams. Going to college for four years caps your ceiling. Who knows where Dotson would be if he hadn't played college.
I took the time to view Datson's college highlight vids and to me, he looked head and shoulders above the competition. He was playing in midfield. I'm surprised he stuck it out for 4 years. The kid has size, speed and good view of the field. He is definitely one to keep an eye on and see if he continues to improve.
If you're not coming out of an MLS academy, your options are limited. If my memory serves me correctly, he came out of Crossfire in Washington.
You saw the report from Brian a few days ago. There was some good tidbits in there. Lewis, Cappis, Richards, Glad, and maybe Soto were having a stock improving camp. Another update would be nice I suppose. The game against El Salvador is today, so that will produce more info. It's a closed door so presumably there's no way to watch. Don't even know the specific time, but it must be before the US senior match to not distract focus and be anti-climactic.
I know the starting lineup vs. El Salvador Freese - GK Herrera - RB Glad - CB McKenzie - CB Gloster - LB Dotson - No. 6 Mendez - CM Mihailovic - CM Lewis - LW Lennon - RW Soto - CF - Saucedo left camp early with a knock - Cardoso is doing well. He's young and didn't know ANYONE coming into camp. His English is also very poor. So there is a learning curve for him but he's worked really hard.
Thanks for the update. It's a little disappointing of a lineup tbh, although injury and senior team call-ups play a role in that. I'm sure there will be a lot of subs used and they'll come in early like last time, so much of the list is ceremonial.
I think he's #1. He started last camp too. Pitched a shutout. He's also shown the most w/ a 1st team this season. Do you think someone else is a better answer? I'm intrigued by Marcinkowski and Ochoa, but they've played exclusively in the USL this season, even though they've performed, and pass the eye test for me there and the youth levels. I also thought Freese impressed. This might actually be a good group, but it's a later emerging position on average.
Did Ledezma even get on the plane? His name hasn't been mentioned once in connection with anything at this camp.
You might want to keep that quiet or twitter is going to meltdown. I can't believe he was not starting.
Presumably means nothing. I imagine complete lineup turnover to start the second half. I'm not going to assume that the starting lineup is the one that Jason sees as his "best XI" from the group.
True but you know how people try to read tea leaves. By the way, I heard Pax was shopping for houses near Frisco so sounds like putting down roots and not looking to be sold. Speaking of reading tea leaves.
30' | Goal USA! The U-23s double their lead as Djordje Mihailovic sets up Jonathan Lewis for a nice finish from a tough angle.🇺🇸 2-0 🇸🇻— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 15, 2019
46' | With 7 changes, the U.S. line-up after the break: Marcinkowski (GK), Durkin, Fernandez, Gloster, Ledezma, Lewis, Mihailovic (C), Perez, Richards, Soto, Trusty🇺🇸 2-0 🇸🇻— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 16, 2019 50' | Goal USA! Two quick goals to start the half as the U.S. wins possession deep in the attacking third and Sebastian Soto finishes from close range off of a pass from Lewis. 🇺🇸 4-0 🇸🇻— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 16, 2019 57' | Another sub for the USA: Mason Toye enters the match for Soto. 🇺🇸 4-1 🇸🇻— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 16, 2019