Craig Stouffer writes about Brian Carroll: Carroll Having Impact In MLS http://onthesidelines.org/united042604.htm Notes about his younger brothers in the article as well--one playing at St. John's and another a senior at W. Springfield.
Brian Carroll has played 360 minutes, and has 0 assists, and 0 goals. And he ain't playing defense. Yet, he's making an impact in MLS as the title thread stated, and example #1 as to why Nowak is just so much better at developing young talent than Hudson. After all, "independent analysts" tell us this. Heck, this kid shoulda started a LONG time ago. I guess I'm being a troll by not following the standard everybody-knows-this.
he seems to be a nice guy. he played exceptionally well at charleston and i started to talk to him but before i could he started thanking me for coming down and great it was to have a group down there. he is a very friendly guy, seemed thoughtful.
Carroll has very strong leadership traits. I don't know what the future holds for him, but we are fortunate to have such a confident yet humble player on the team. He will make an impact wherever his destiny lies, IMO. GM
Actually, he was developed by Hudson (and 16 or so coaches who preceeded him ). Sitting out last year he did two things (minimally) ... watched and learned the game at this level ... and learned it takes harder work to start/play. Personally, I have nothing against coaches who sit first-year players, most of them need a bit of conditioning to the pro level. It's also a good attitude check Obviously Brian's character was strong enough to weather the learning year he had last year. Quarterbacks in the NFL had longer, better careers when they used to sit out the first year, back before they made so much money after being drafted that you had to start them.
He's playing dedicated d-mid in a 3-5-2 formation, which is about the same as playing defense. It is not a position from which you expect offensive stats. Watching him play, IMO, he is making a good impact. It's not all about stats.
Judging from the 4 matches that I've seen of him this year, I'd say that Carroll is the best d-mid we've had since Richie W, c. 1998. It's a cliche, but truly he's doing all the little things (ie, smart) that get no credit on the stat sheet. His contribution to our improved midfield is the most critical change from seasons past, in my opinion. Cheers, Tim
i saw brother Jeff play and i'm surprised he doesn't get more attention than he does. He plays as a true #10 with good vision and a phenomenal first touch. At least at the high school level. I dont know how he has been doing at college tho....
Started on defense on St. Johns runner up team this year. Interesting to see WVU got Pat. It's way off topic, but they also got an outstanding girls recruiting class this year, as far as I could tell out of nowhere. I wonder what they discovered in Morgantown that could sell these kids...?
Hey, I'm in Morgantown. I'd say that's a selling point right there. But seriously, our soccer complex just got renovated, our women's team is one of the best in the nation, and Mike Seabolt's a whale of a coach for the men. He assisted Keith Fulk (who works with the Rapids and a few US youth teams right now) before taking the WVU job. The men only lost to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (a team we're a bit familiar with here at DCU) 2-0 in a scrimmage this spring. And that was without the guys that were seniors this past fall or the incoming freshmen. I'm likely doing radio for WVU soccer in the fall, so I'm looking forward to seeing young Carroll play. Maybe Brian will make an appearance to watch little bro play.
Try telling that to Dave Masur. Jeff's NOT a defender, but it seems that's the position Dave wants him to play, He has a tendency to put all his "best" players there, i.e. Chris Wingert, whether that's their best position or not. I suppose on the bright side, Jeff's defensive skills have really improved!
I believe, if I was seeing correctly at the game Saturday, that he DID get a haircut! No headband that I noticed...
it kinda sucks that he's stuck back there. i kinda agree that you should have skill in the back whenever possible, but his skills are much better at providing service to forwards... you dont get a chance to see many american #10s, and one finally comes around and he gets converted to defense. a shame, but somehow not surprising....