Of course everyone is going to have their eye on Freddy Adu this year, the most popular rookie or player this league has ever had. But what has everyone been hearing about the rookies in their respective camps. I know for a fact that DC feels like they got a steal in Josh Gros (a 4th round pick I believe). So are there any Damani Ralph's out there this year?
Don't be surprised if Joseph Ngwenya starts making big headlines by mid-season. In a team that was desperate for scoring prowess last season, the Galaxy has stocked up on quite a bit of attacking players. Ngwenya has impressed just about everyone this pre-season. He could end up being our super-sub.
Gibbs is not even close to being a rookie. Clint Dempsey from New England has been gettin praise from his coach. Marshall in Columbus is another player who could have a big season.
Jeff Parke - the last pick in the the draft, whom the Metros acquired by making a seemingly-nonsensical-at-the-time trade, appears to be making Bob Bradley look pretty good right now. Sounds like he could be starting on the Metro backline.
Ryan Cochrane for SJ looks to be out for a few weeks due to knee injury. Steve Cronin still our 3rd string goalkeeper Tighe Dombrowski played a bit in Spain, but hasn't done much stateside. I think thats about all for SJ.
There's been a good bit of praise for the effort Clint Dempsey's put in for the Revolution in pre-season to this point, Steve Nicol being particulary (and quite uncharacteristically) supportive. There's been some suggestion that he might be a solid option at d-mid, but Shalrie Joseph pretty well has that spot nailed down, so unless Nicol decides to change alignments to something different than a 4-4-2, I'm not sure how much playing time he'll see. But the praise to this point has been, well... high.
My first 'new BS' post. For the Burn (in no particular order): No, Gibbs is not a rookie. But poor Jason Thompson should probably be. The bruiser has been playing pretty well and scoring in preseason. Still looks to be #4 or 5 on Burn forward depth chart, but could see some time if Kreis stays injured and Bobby Rhine is used more in the midfield. David Wagenfuhr has seen major minutes, and earned not just a developmental slot, but a full roster slot (for the moment, at least). Is apparently the starting left back, at least until Gbandi gets better. Buzz is really high on this guy. Clarke has referred to him as 'the suprise of camp'. Ramon Nunez was slowed a little in training camp with a hamstring injury, but has played pretty well when he's played. Seems to be developing a rapport with EJ. Might see quite a few minutes if Pareja stays injured and Simo Valakari can't get his Visa straight. Clarence Goodson has looked pretty good. Buzz has commented on his impressive aerial ablility and good ball skill, but his desperate need to bulk up to be an effective central defender at the MLS level. Dont' expect him to play too much, with Gibbs, Jolley, Talley and Behnke apparently ahead of him at central defender.
Chad Marshall looks to be starting out the season partnering Robin Fraser in central defense for Columbus.
Expectations are high for Ngwenya on the Galaxy front, but I've read some reports singing the praises of Ned Grabavoy. A lot of people projected him going in the first round of the draft, and the Gs were able to snatch him in the second round. Anytime you can get a central midfielder out of the draft that can control on defense and create on offense, that's a great thing. And all indications are that Grabavoy has potential. With Herzog no spring chicken, as the season goes on, Grabavoy might just surprise some people. Perhaps we'll have the super-sub rookie tandem...