Graziani-(A): Has exceeded all expectations and the season isn't near over. Scores, possesses and distributes.....The "Yallop" way. Barrett-(A): If more people knew who he was he'd be a consideration for MLS Defender Of The Year Mulrooney-(A): Heavy duty work rate with a controlled aggression and a beautiful cross. Ekelund-(A-): The Senior International vet has been a rock in the mid. He had a few matches where he seemed out of sorts but he's back on track. The key is that he's stayed relatively healthy. Cannon-(A-): Some will disagree....the results are there though....he gets stupid sometimes but he leads the league in GAA and shut-outs....I know it helps to have guys like Robinson, Dayak and Barrett in front of you. Cannon IMHO is the best 1v1 keeper in the league. He does have to work on corners though. DeRosario-(B): His work rate makes up for his bonehead decision making. If he gets smart, he'll be an A. Donovan-(B): Good work rate, great speed and quickness. Will be much better when he is able to settle back in along side Grazi. Robinson-(B): Very good in the air on offense and defense and very aggressive.....sometimes too much so. Gets a little too cute in the back sometimes but he's not the only one. Keep him out of the Midfield. Corrales-(B): Probably the Quakes most versatile player. Has done everything asked of him and has scored a couple of game-on-the-line winners. He has a good short game but his long balls are waaaaay off usually. Conrad-(C+): He seems to work better in the central D but Eddie has taken over the back-up spot there. Sometimes he looks great on the right but occasionally he gets beaten like a drum out there.....almost Ibbyish. Quakes need a better Right Back. Lagos-(C): Has showed flashes of last years brilliance but I think injuries are holding him back. Russell-(C): Speed, tenacity but not much creativity....could be a B but like Lagos I think he is hurting more than he will say. Ibsen-(D) Isn't a true defender and isn't a good enough midfielder. Barclay, Roner, Gonzalez, Conway and Agoos-(incomplete)
I forgot Yallop: (A)- With all the personel in and out of the line-up he has maintained......my only problem is when he puts Ibsen on D with the match on the line.
Awesome! Not only did you beat me to this post, you selected every player with the appropriate grade. I would have been a slightly harder grader, but no real compliants... Here are my slight mods: Graziani and Barrett (A-): Graziani had a bad game in LA and Barrett let in a poor goal in Dallas (2nd goal gave too much space) and KC (bad stab)... Cannon (B+): Started off the season slow, caught fire, and has cooled off. Good D and the post have been his friends... Conrad (C): Started off the season as most improved and has almost completely fallen apart. Unless he recovers, this will be a position to improve next year. Team (A): For a team that doesn't necessarily have the best talent, they have proved that winning last year was no fluke.
this is the most important grade, although a (B) would be more deserving due to the horrendous road record....luckily, the rest of the MLS is a (C+) tops.... an (A) implies there is no room for improvement..... Go Quakes!
Good point! I'm not convinced at the moment that they will run away with the Cup. Too many injuries and a defense that has started to give up some late game goals...
_ded_....were you reading off of my paper? Oh....sorry, I was reading off of yours. Well said. Seconded on all counts.
Chris Roner - A- He makes pre-game warm up a delight to see. Ronnie Ekelund - F- Terrible hair Richard Mulrooney - F Its all his fault we lost to Germany in the World Cup Landon Donovan - A His abz rool Devin Barclay - recently switched to D His dreds gave him the illusion of speed, which allowed him to beat defenders. Now he is just human. Dwayne DeRosario - C Scores to little Ariel Graziani - C Scores to much Jimmy Conrad - B+ Usually his ESPN articles are really good Jon Conway - A Watching him throw the ball makes my day Luchi Gonzalez - A+ Best player we have Coach Yallop - F Our team keeps winning, and he can't do anything to stop it.
Barrett (A-): Ironman of the team with a consistently high workrate. Cannon (B+): Hasn't been as consistent as last year but a big contributor. Conrad (C-): Has had only a handful of good performances. Corralles (A): Has been terrific wherever he has played. Stepped up his game this year in the mid-field. One of the most consistent players this year. DeRosario (C+): Tireless workrate, but has rarely executed well. Ekelund (A): One of the most consistent players. He has taken on more offensive responsibilty with good results. Graziani (A+): Terrific with the goal-scoring and attitude. Has embraced FYs program. Quakes MVP nominee. Ibsen (B-): Has improved a bit since last year, but still makes some of his characteristic mistakes. Has kept a good attitude. Mulrooney (A+): Has been everywhere, going at 100%. Quakes MVP nominee. Robinson (B+): Has stepped in well when he has been called upon. Improvement rate is terrific. Inexperience his only hamper. Yallop (A+): Has done a terrific job with all the injuries, call-ups and inexperienced players. Has guided the team to a position unexpected. Quakes Honors: MVP: Graziani Most Improved: Robinson DefensivePOY: Barrett OffensivePOY: Graziani