I would be shocked though if Brian White ever surpassed Chris Wondolowski’s career for the USMNT. That’s his ceiling. In other words, he might be a standout in MLS but he’s never going to be “he can get us out of the group” striker either.
At least two things that need to happen for college soccer to improve: 1. Coaching has to improve. (already happening imo....as the "organic" result of more former players with an increasing level of quality playing experience) 2. More money. Soccer doesn't have to catch up to football or basketball but as it grows in prestige, more money will flow into the sport.
The other big necessary change is the calendar change which seemed like it was going to happen but is on pause for the time being. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/men-s-college-soccer-finds-itself-strange-fragile-spot-charles-boehm
I didn't think of that but while I think it has importance, I don't really believe it is that big of a deal. The main problem with it is that it allows for a crazier pace and players don't have to learn to manage their energy as much. That being said, I think the adjustment in that aspect is relatively unimportant compared to other things.
I'd add, it's not the guys that are going to turn into pro soccer players that are getting the breather. As far as developing top tier talent, the sub rule probably helps. It raises the level of intensity. Defenders presumably close down faster. And, since speed of play is one of the big adjustments going from college to professional, the sub rule probably reduces the speed of play gap between college and pro.
McKenzie is quite comfortable with his left including long passes. Check out 4:05. Doesn't mean he is Brooks with his left but he can hit all the passes as well as defend with his left which is often a failing of right footers playing on the left. He mostly plays right which is why 59% right but you aren't going to see many players who are as two footed as him.
If you have a problem with Lletget always getting called up blame Becky G Claiming the top three spots as the most marketable overall for 2021: ⭐@SLletget⭐@pedrogallese⭐@handwalla More: https://t.co/RHi5qXEIt6 pic.twitter.com/hzdLYh0VtO— MLSPA (@MLSPA) November 16, 2021
I like that one of the criteria is called "Fan Attractiveness." It means "percentage of audience with an affinity for music, gaming, international/global affairs or luxury goods" but I like to think there is someone judging how hot each player's fans are. Anyway, I'm sure a marketability metric that ranks the Orlando City goalkeeper #2 in the league is very accurate.
If tonight was @kyleduncan_6’s last match for #RBNY he gave his all for the badge on both sides of the ball85% pass success1 🔑 pass9 duels won1 tackle 11 recoveries So technical, creative, and explosive with the ball at his foot. Work ethic unmatched defensively. pic.twitter.com/j0u4Vjt9tl— MLS Gone Wild ⭐️ (@MLSGoneWild) November 21, 2021
I kinda like JJ as a commentator; he could be influential. He's been in a lot of battles and knows a lot more about the game than one might think. He could add some fresh insights to broadcasting games so they don't sound like baseball or whatever.
I've been thinking a lot lately (becasue I've been watching too much football) about the cross field pass (diagonal ones, mostly, since that is what advances the ball) which switches sides. I guess it is easier to see from the fan's bird's eye view than from the view of a player on the pitch. When successful, it seems to really produce a lot of goal scoring opportunities. I find myself yelling "cross field pass" at the tv a lot. I don't mean out of the central 6 position but rather from the touch line when the ball carrier has attracted a possee of mids and is looking for next pass. I did not see the KC game. Steve Zakuani has some good analysis on MLS site per usual: Three Takeaways from Sporting KC's Audi MLS Cup Playoffs win over Vancouver | MLSSoccer.com The most obvious weapon they utilized was cross-field diagonal passes, especially from right to left – from Zusi to Salloi. Aside from getting one of their most dangerous players on the ball, it pulled the three Vancouver center backs out into the wide areas where center backs don’t normally like to be I think Adams can hit those passes for USA from the right and Scally from the left (using his right foot for longer ones, I guess).
Caden Clark, who is expected to be off to RB Leipzig, thanks the NY Red Bulls for everything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AYpr2uguKp— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) November 21, 2021 pic.twitter.com/S27NM3zJYj— Mike (@MikeWubbWubb) November 21, 2021 Hmmm…
He's exactly the type of player that Jamaica may be able to poach from us. Then again, Jamaica's fullbacks are pretty much in the same general talent range. If Duncan didn't have that terrible ACL injury a few years ago, he'd have more USMNT caps. We'd think of him in the same category as Reggie Cannon. Kyle Duncan is rumored to be going to Oostende. A bottom half team in Belgium. A team worse than Chris Durkin's STVV. But we'll see where he ends up. I really like Kyle Duncan, but don't know how he fits into our crowded right back group. Duking it out for the 3rd string behind Dest and Scally.
Usually we take 4 fullbacks to the World Cup. Robinson and Dest are locks if healthy and I think most of us assume Scally, though uncapped, will be the 3rd guy. So we've got a lot of players competing for the final spot. But given that Dest and Scally can play left back, I think that 4th player could be a right back. It's not like Vines, Bello, Cannon or Moore have lit the world on fire in their chances. All are plausible options, but Duncan could be better than all of them. Given his lack of caps and Berhalter's more pressing need to integrate Scally, I doubt he'll get the chances to show he's better than the more established options. He'll probably need to really impress in Belgium and have there be an injury or two. Not impossible, but odds are not with him. Edit: Do we think Duncan will be at the December camp? It's not a FIFA window, and he'll still be under contract with the Red Bulls who are eliminated, but he also has the pending move to Europe.
Jozy was out again? 40 hours ago I was ready to be #teamjozy again. Today...thank you for 2017, Mr Altidore. Seriously,how fucking sick could you have possibly been, Jozy? You cooked up some good stuff, I guess,— Duane Rollins (@24thminute) November 21, 2021 Oh well I’m sure starting Dom Dwyer was fine…
Jozy Altidore’s set to leave Toronto FC - I’m told it’s done, the decision has been made. Work in progress for the termination of his contract, Altidore will be available on the market as free agent. 🔴 #TorontoFC #MLSToronto will have a DP spot free - ready for a new signing. pic.twitter.com/0ZFS14x9Dv— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 22, 2021 He's leaving Toronto.
Towering header. Daryl Dike rises 🆙5 straight games with a goal for the #OrlandoCity man.#NSHvORL // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/qeV7pugzlH— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 24, 2021
Credit to him for getting on the end of it, but that is some abject marking and especially goalkeeping, leaving the goal wide open. Would love to see Dike in the January MNT camp.
Multiple Serie A AND Bundesliga clubs eyeing DD. https://t.co/Z6cZmL8LTm— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) November 24, 2021 Still mind blowing an in-form Daryl Dike didn’t get called into #USMNT duty this month.— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) November 24, 2021 Yes it is
Yikes one of the single biggest bummers of the season has been chris mueller's regression from the best year of his career to one of the worst years of anyone in the league pic.twitter.com/emHcMV6Qh7— J. Sam Jones (@J_SamJones) November 24, 2021