These names are all good, and the players have had some success. But picks like Besler point to what the Wizards and the MLS need to get away from. Please draft an athletic "player" rather than an athlete who can kinda play. Besler was in way over his head technically this year, and under pressure it got worse. I'm sure he is a good young man, and I'm glad kids from KC are finally getting chances, but he wasn't ready.
I don't get all the Besler criticism - he's a rookie, what did you expect? People also forget that, even though he's naturally a center back, he was played out of position at LB for about 3/4s of last season. I'm not at all surprised he struggled - he doesn't have the speed or attacking instincts to handle that position at the professional level. Once Vermes paired him in the center with Conrad I thought he improved noticeably. Besides, who the hell else were we gonna draft at that point? The only "impact" player left on the board that we actually could have used was AJ DeLaGarza.
I had no problems with Besler at all ..... he works hard, he plays hard, in a team that was complete shit. As a rookie. Playing in a position that did not fit his makeup? Being coached by a guy that got fired for the first two thirds of the season, and then Vermes who contrived to have us leak goals easily with a complete lack of defensive discipline/tactics? Talk about running the Gauntlet. He didn't do badly at all considering he got dumped in the deep end. Hell of a thing being a rookie in KC in 2009, I'm pretty sure anybody dealing with all he had to would have struggled a bit. He might not be the most exciting player in the world, he might not ever be a star ... but he is certainly not a problem. You are selling him far to short. Especially when players like Arnaud and Conrad and the supposed standouts did nothing but get worse while this kid got better as the season went on. Sure I'd love to have a team here he just could not get into, I would love for us to be that good. Just not sure why people are so down on him. Sure if he gets a good run in 2010, plays center back in an improved team and does not improve .... jump on him, but right now it seems premature.
Well said. I am wondering what will happen to Besler now that Robb has said we have a new SI center back coming into the fold. I would only want us to draft a defensive player if he is a solid right back that can make an impact NOW, like LA's two kids did last season.
Dunno what the future holds for Besler, and I'd guess a lot of it depends on whatever formation we use. Quality right/left backs -- especially with pace and the ability to get forward .... dreamy stuff
I know I may get bashed for this, but I say give Myers the opportunity to actually win the spot. He has the skills to play that position, he just needs to be healthy (and it's not the best like for like example, but remember that Burciaga missed most of his first few seasons in KC with injury as well).
Why would a CB really have that much effect on Besler? Didn't he play on the left much (most) of the time last year? I thought our first choice CB combo was Conraud/Holbein? Granted, I got to watch very little towards the end of the year, so I admit I'm out of the loop? I mean If we get a center back and a D-mid, that will pretty much open up all but about 2 spots to serious competiton.
Vermes had pushed Besler back to the middle, Hohlbein dropped to the bench and Harrington became the starter again at left back. That's why signing a new CB affects Besler, the spot next to Conrad appears to be his right now.
I actually agree -- our defensive unit as a whole really isn't bad if it is just organized and used to its potential. Especially if there is a destroyer sitting in midfield ... and JC comes back next season fired up and healthy. Thinks got wobbly at the back last season but on the whole our problem was scoring goals, not preventing them .... just alternating draft picks in and out isn't going to do us much good when often experience is all the new guys need, that and a game plan. What is sad is it is not even 2010 yet and my rose tinted glasses are already growing in power .....
I always pull my set out of the back of the closet and shine them up at the this time of year as part of my optimistic outlook for every new season that is approaching. I think it's partly due to my addiction and consequent withdrawal symptoms that seem to start right around Thanksgiving every year .....
agreed. ...but if he picks up another significant injury, well... EDIT: well, agreed about myers, not about burciaga. there was a reason we got rid of him. horrible, horrible left back.
Not saying he wasn't, but when he was injured for 2 years he was still given the chance to earn his spot after those ACL tears.
I think Myers might be a more effective outside midfielder, I see him getting time in different places this upcoming season when others need rest or are injuried as he can play both D and Mid... Hope we take Corben Bone if he is still on the board for our first pick... Aside from Lopez, I am not a big fan of our midfield; Davy is one of my favorite players but he is more of a tweener (in fairness so is Lopez, but Lopez is much more a creator working in the midfield as play has showed)
Here's an updated list of GA players: HS F Jack McInerney HS D Zachery Herold Fr M Amobi Okugo Fr M Dilly Duka So M Tony Tchani So F Teal Bunbury So F Danny Mwanga Jr G Sean Johnson Jr F Andrew Wiedeman Jr D Ike Opara Jr M Corben Bone Jr M Blair Gavin Mwanga seems to be the leader now to be the number 1 pick by Philly. After that the question becomes whether NY takes Duka or not with the number 2 pick. NY tried to sign him via the developed player agreement, but MLS wouldn't let them. They could trade down with Dallas as Dallas has the 5th and 6th pick and really wants Opara. Then it's dependent on who SJ takes at number 3, but there seems to be a good chance will be able to take our pick of a few good GA players like Bone, Bunbury, Tchani, and potentailly Opara (although I think he's off the board by the time we pick).
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/12/sbi-2010-mls-mock-draft-version-20.html Latest mock draft from Ives has Bunbury falling to us and getting Sean Johnson in the second round.
Buzz's look at defenders http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=717301&sec=mls&root=mls&cc=5901 Buzz's look at midifleders http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=719595&sec=mls&root=mls&cc=5901
mlsdraft.net has a post up about the Pro Pace Combine in Omaha, Nebraska on Monday. It mentions that both us and Columbus had coaches there. Looks like the combine consisted of predominantly local college players: UMKC, Jewell, Benedictine, Rockhurst, Missouri State, Graceland, Missouri Baptist, Creighton, Drake, etc.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/01/sbi-2010-mls-mock-draft-version-30.html mock draft 3.0 from Ives, again has us taking Bunbury and Johnson.
Where do u think we "need" to go? I would be happy with a young forward lkike Bunbury but would also be happy to get a guy in the midfield like Tchani; seems this is a strong midfield class
I think we're looking to build our midfield with that signing that's yet to be announced. Our forward line is getting pretty old minus Kamara (if he re-signs), with Wolff and Zoltan being over 30 as well as Lopez who has played up there. Arnaud is also getting close to 30. Getting a younger forward to step in and contribute would be key in my opinion. And while keeper shouldn't be an issue this year, getting a guy that can step in when Hartman's gone would be big. It's yet to be seen how well Kronberg will come back from his shoulder surgery last offseason. So I understand the two picks Ives has us making. Midfield is deep, especially in the GA class this year, but I doubt any in the GA class will still be there in the second round and I think striker is a more pressing need.
I'd almost rather take Tchani--gives another option on set pieces with his height. Plus, if he can create well, then Lopez and Wolff will still finish--it's when they're lofting shots from 25 yards out they have the issues. I think we will take Bunbury, both for the wizards connection and that we haven't actually drafted a forward in the first round in awhile. I think Johnson in the 2nd round's a no-brainer. Let him understudy Kevin for 3 years.
Marcus Mallam representing my alma mater well in the second game with 1 goal and 2 assists (from a right back!)