Just watched the Mstars v Fire game (taped it because I was at the National Subbuteo tournament). I was quite impressed by all the young players. Magee is looking more and more like a like a top player. Gaven was impressive for a 16-year old, and Rico Clark is quite the talent. Chicago's Justin Mapp shows flashes of brilliance and can cross with either foot, and it looks like he crosses better than DmB. Add Logan Pause, Kelly Gray, and the powerful Nate Jaqua and it was a fun game to watch. Looking at San Jose, Mr. Alvarez scoring in his first start has shown he can put in a great cross and is a tough player. Dunivant although not as young is looking talented on the left side. Colorado's Beckerman and Tremblay are starting to look comfortable in their roles. I know I'm missing quite a few, but this is just getting started.
there's a discussion in both the us mens n&a and in us men's junior forums about this. many, many exiciting young talents on display in MLS last weekend, and most likely this weekend as well.
What's exciting about this is that every year now there's going to be more young studs like this coming into the league. MLS is going to be one great fu**ing league in a short time with more and more great young American players like these coming into the league every year. MLS better expand to 16 or 18 teams by 2010 just to make room for these guys so they can play.
This leads me to believe that until we get 16 teams, we'll have to export some talent to give the young bloods the opportunity. Its fun to watch these young kids play, they all have more skill and talent then their predecessors.
I was going to start a similar thread more about the rookie class than just "young players"...does anyone want to compile stats on how many minutes/points the class of 2003 already has? And maybe compare to other years? It seems more teams have more rookies contributing than any year I can remember. Dunivant and Eski (the latter as of this weekend) are looking good as well. If I get some time, I'll see what I can come up with. Later, COZ
Add to the list defender Ricky Lewis in LA who got his first extended exposure in the game v. KC, and acquited himself reasonably well. He has a lot to learn positionally but his skill with the ball at his feet is above average for a backliner.
I put together some information which can be accessed here https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55645
Re: Re: All the young dudes.... He looked okay in the game I saw. He's no Rico Clark, but has potential.
I agree. The silver lining of having such small rosters is that it forces coaches to throw young players into games. Some may sink, but many swim, and all are getting superior experience actually playing MLS games than any reserve team in any Euro league (yes, that includes La Liga, Premiership, Serie A and the Bundesliga). Until MLS is making some decent money for the owners, I'm just fine with 18 full roster spots and the rest being mandated to be P-40's or developmental players. It's great for MLS, it's great for we fans (IMHO), and it's great for the owners. Yeah, the coaches hate it, but its even for each team. But as soccer becomes more successful in the youth circles (i.e. better coaching, earlier starting ages, year round teams, etc.) and the US Youth teams continue to expand (U-17's wen from 20 to 30 kids not too long ago) there will be more and more of these talented US youngsters. Regardless of roster sizes, 10 teams just is not enough. Kids playing with Kids isn't great experience. It's only good when the kids get to play with high level competition of skilled veterans. We need to sprinkle in the youth into games and teams that are predominantly veteran. That's how they accelerate their learning curve and improve the league quickly. Let's hope some investors come to the table with a strong conviction about soccer in the US and enough money to see it through. Guys like Malcolm Glazer (Buccaneer's owner and 3% owner in Man U) and Jeffrey Lurie (Philly Eagles owner who just built the Linc) would ideally be two of those guys. But at least right now, they're not. -Digital