Frank Dell'Apa Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2004/01/17/revolution_decide_on_dempsey/
"Dempsey, who turns 21 March 9, is listed as a forward, but performed as a defender in the scouting combine, and was used as an outside midfielder by the US Under-20 national team." This pick makes more sense now. I think Nicol, like Arena, wants players who are good on both sides of the ball.
from the bottom.. "The Revolution traded the No. 9 choice to Chicago for the rights to an allocated player to be named" I don't think its the case, but this makes it sound like Chicago already had a player set to use the allocation on and then we come in and take his rights...again thats probably not how it is, just seems like the wording is off. Agree on Nicol looking mainly for two way players, hopefully he discovered a good one in Dempsey
I think it's more than that. With rosters so tight, there's a BIG premium on versatility. Kamler is on the depth chart as a central defender, as is Joseph. Noonan is a left & right midfielder as well as a forward. Franchino could play defensive mid if needed. Pierce can play central or right back. Also, college coaches may have different reasons for playing certain players in different positions. After all, their jobs depend on winning, not player development. I really like Nicol's attitude about throwing Dempsey in different positions and seeing how he does. What a waste it would have been if Joseph had been stuck on defense.
I'm looking forward to driving up 84 to see the Revs play this season, should be a good time again. Couple of things: Jeremiah White: Currently in Europe on trial with Partizan Belgrade and then off to Denmark. Clint Dempsey: one of only two players to thank God for his situation. The other was the LA forward from Zimbabwe