My top 40 players to watch this year: 1. W Darlington Nagbe (POR) 2. *W Diego Fagundez (NE) 3. CM Kelyn Rowe (NE) 4. RB Deandre Yedlin (SEA) 5. MF Luis Gil (RSL) 6. LB Chris Klute (COL) 7. F Gyasi Zardes (LA) 8. CB Amobi Okugo (PHI) 9. CM Dillon Powers (COL) 10. W Nick DeLeon (DC) 11. RB Kofi Sarkodie (HOU) 12. RB Andrew Farrell (NE) 13. CB Shane O'Neill (COL) 14. MF/FB Kellyn Acosta (DAL) 15. CB Andrew Jean-Baptiste 16. ST Jack Mcinerney (PHI) 17. CB Chris Schuler (RSL) 18. W Dilly Duka (CHI) 19. ST Will Bruin (HOU) 20. CM Luis Silva (DC) 21. ST Devon Sandoval (RSL) 22. CB George John (DAL) 23. CB Matt Hedges (DAL) 24. CM Perry Kitchen (DC) 25. CM Will Trapp (CLB) 26. F Chris Pontius (DC) 27. *MF Sebastien Velasquez (RSL) 28. CB Ike Opara (KC) 29. CM Warren Creavalle (HOU) 30. GK Clint Irwin 30. F Lamar Neagle (SEA) 31. CB Kofi Opare (LA) 32. RB Sheanon Williams (PHI) 33. CB Ethan Wite (DC) 34. Zac Macmath 35. ST Jose Villareal (LA) 36. W Soony Saad (KC) 37. CB Austin Berry (CHI) 38. CM Jared Jeffrey (DC) 39. CB Walker Zimmerman (DAL) 40. MF Carlos Alvarez (CHV) Established NT players: CM Michael Bradley (TFC) F Clint Dempsey (SEA) F Landon Donovan (LA) MF Graham Zusi (KC) CB Matt Besler (KC) LW Brad Davis (HOU) ST Eddie Johnson (DC) DM Kyle Beckerman (RSL) GK Nick Rimando (RSL) CB Omar Gonzalez (LA) MF/RB Brad Evans (SEA) CB Clarence Goodson (SJ) Fringe NT players: CM Benny Feilhaber (KC) RB Michael Parkhurst (CLB) ST Chris Wondolowski (SJ) CM Dax Mccarty (NY) RB Chance Myers (KC) LB Seth Sinovic (KC) LB Corey Ashe (HOU) CM Ricardo Clark (HOU) GK Tally Hall (HOU) F Mike Magee (CHI) GK Sean Johnson (CHI) LB Michael Harrington (POR) RB Tony Beltran (RSL) MF Eric Alexander (NY) GK Bill Hamid (DC) Other young breakout candidates: CM Mikey Lopez (KC) CM Ben Speas (CLB) ST Jack Mcbean (LA) F Andrew Wenger (MTL) MF Blake Smith (MTL) ? Eriq Zavaleta (SEA) F Omar Salgado (VAN) MF Danny Garcia (DAL) Somebody else can do a better rundown on this category than me, and the incoming college players
Last year my players to watch were Jose Villareal, Luis Gil, Juan Agudelo, Perry Kitchen and Amobi Okugo. Villareal looked good in the beginning. He's obviously a very technically gifted player, but his physical abilities seemed to limit him. Now he's in Mexico and honestly I'd be shocked if he warranted a call up over some of the new kids in MLS. Gil started out a bit slow, but showed a steady progression that has me very excited for his career and for this season. Agudelo has obviously left the league, but his showing last year was very impressive. It reenforced the faith I have in his talent, while also confirming my worries about his injury prone nature. He was hurt a lot, but when he played, he was outstanding. Kitchen was again stuck on a bad team, but I'll say that he's probably the best asset DC United have right now. That's not really saying too much, but I still see this kid with USMNT potential long term. Okugo had a bit of a down year after his impressive debut season switching to centerback. Hopefully he shows some continued progression this upcoming season at that position. My players that I'll be watching in 2014 in MLS. Gil: This kid looks special. I had some worries for a bit about him, but I see a tortoise and the hare type scenario where RSL are bringing him along slowly and he's just going to keep getting better as they give him more responsibility. Deandre Yedlin: Can this guy blast his way into the US 23 for Brazil with an amazing first half? I think that may be a steep hill to climb, but I'll be watching all the way. This guy has real potential as a US starting fullback at the latest by the Gold Cup in 2015. Dillon Powers: An even slower and less hype tortoise. Powers came through the NCAA system with little hype and won the rookie of the year award also relatively little hype. Can he continue to improve his game and became the master general of the midfield for Colorado this year? If he keeps getting better and improving, then he enters the crowded US midfield discussion after the World Cup. Kelyn Acosta: Acosta is next cycle's new prodigy. The fact that he got into Hyndmann's lineup as a 17 year old is pretty impressive and speaks to the kid's ability and maturity. He'll be the head honcho on the U20 squad for this season, the kids we all put first in pen on our U20 lineups. The only question is where? Right back? Central midfield? The kid seems to have it, and we can only hope this year he keeps getting better. Those are my five to watch this year, or the five I'll be watching closest. I'll also be watching the immigration status of Fagundez and Nagbe closely, as that's about the only thing keeping me from getting uber excited about them.
Seattle has to be a buddy and convert Zavaleta to a central defender. Do with him what we were hoping to do with Wenger. It sucks seeing talents like those languish on the bench
Good list, I'd add AJB and Zardes in there, interested to see what they do with big roles this year I dont think Okugo had a down year though, thought he shouldve gotten a callup to camp cupcake
Age in 2016 for some MNT players: Beazer 34 F Johnson 29 OG 28 Besler 29 Cameron 31 Jones 35 Bradley 29 Zusi 29-30 Donovan 34 Eddie Johnson 34 Jozy Altidore 26 (27 in Nov) Clint Dempey 33 Benny 31 I figure WCQ starts up in 2016. For 2015 flava's we're looking at who could be ready for the WCQ's. Looks like there will be openings. (I'm not saying all these guys will be aged out)
Just to be nitpicky, the new format gives us two ways that we could qualify for the 2017 Confed Cup. We could either (a) win the 2015 Gold Cup, or (b) beat the 2015 Gold Cup winner in the playoff between 2013 and 2015 winners.
hold. the. phone. Chicago Fire just hired Cleatus as their assistant manager. I am all of a sudden rooting for Chicago to tailspin so Yallop can be let go and the reign be given to Cleatus
Just give it time, I'm pretty sure Mathis is on a trajectory to be an MLS head coach somewhere in a few years. Which I agree would be awesome.
EJ, Beasley, Jones and Goodson are the only four that I think are definitely too old for the 2018 WC. Donovan, Dempsey and Howard could all probably make it to the 2018 World Cup if they wanted to, but all three will probably retire from international duty after the 2014 WC.
Would like to hear your take on GK Clint Irwin, for his age, first MLS season and being in top 5 GAA, Shutouts, just trained with Howard in England, etc. I think he is on verge, however, I am really biased since I get to see him every home game.
Howard, certainly. But Don-Dem? I don't know man, the last time a 33 year old field player got into the WC was McB in 2006. The last time for a 34 year old was Agoos in '02. But yeah, they'll probably retire. Howard should stay IMO.
I'm really excited for the upcoming season and I can't wait for it to get here. The following 5 guys are the players I'm going to be keeping my eye on the most this year as I think will break out and have strong campaigns. 1. Zardes; Galaxy: It seems like he's going to stay on that LW spot for the present future. He got remarkably better as this past season continued and has the work ethic to get even better. His crossing improved by leaps and bounds last season and I'm sure he worked on his finishing this offseason. He has the tools to take over games and I think he's going to put it together in his second season and be one of LA's most important players. 2. Pontius; DC United: This is a guy who if it weren't for injuries would not only be in Europe but competing for a spot in this years WC. If he stays healthy he could be one of the top 10 players in the league. 3. Rowe; Revs: Young. Check. Exciting. Check. Creative. Check. I'm just looking forward to watching him play. I think he makes a huge splash this year and will get his first national team call up because of it. 4. Nagbe; Timbers: Boring pick. Everyone on this forum will be watching him with bated breath to see if he takes the next step in his game. He has the ability to be the best player in the league this year so here's to hoping. 5. Zimmerman/Acosta; FC Dallas: Tons of potential and if given the opportunity could be a very good young cb in the league. Pareja showed last year with the Rapids that he's not afraid to play youngsters so hopefully Zimmerman gets some mins. Acosta is going to play but it remains to be seen where. He has all the tools to be an absolute stud before he's even out of his teens.