From the latest Soccer America Confidential: "Ex-Wizards midfielder Matt McKeon, who has trained with Dallas in his search for a new club, is training with D.C. United." And: "The Metros are continuing their pursuit of Honduran midfielder Amado Guevara and Mario Rosas, whom the Metros declined to sign, is still in the picture with D.C. United."
He played 1/2 of the inter-squad scrimmage at d-mid, and the second 1/2 at right back. Showed well today at practice, including a goal. He'll be w/ the team through the end of the week.
McKeown would be an absolutely perfect fit for this team, IMHO. He's a pure d-mid who actually gets into the offense as well. I think he was underrated and would love to see him in a United shirt.
So will he be cover for when Reyes, Nelsen, Kovalenko and Petke are suspended? What's the matter, we couldn't lure Cle Kooiman out of retirement?
Defender on the 1994 US squad (started against Switzerland and didn't play again) who played two years for Tampa and one for Miami. Picture a less-likeable John Doyle, but without the talent, if such a thing is possible.
I don't know that he's a perfect fit, but I do agree with the sentiment. He's a tough, fiesty pure Dmid, and when Nelsen is away with New Zealand duty, or injured or sitting for disciplinary points, McKeon can fill that role. He also has passing ability and size. I think he could be a good backup. Also, with Ivanov having hernia surgery, Nelsen may need to slide into the back to take over his old organizer role, so McKeon may see quite a few minutes. As for Mario, it's clear he has talent. I'm not sure what he brings to the table is lacking in the team, but if the price is right I wouldn't mind adding him either. -Tron
If they sign him, he walks into the starting side, I'd think. We don't have ANYONE near as good at D-mid as he would be. btw...he didn't retire, he got nuked by the salary cap as one of those mid-level, sort-of expensive, but not marquee-type players at KC. You must be thinking of someone else. McKeown played for Colorado (IIRC) and KC. And he's good. He's miles better at D-mid than Nelsen. I think you'd see Ryan drop back into central defense (where he belongs) and McKeown start. Someone else would then have to sit.
Just because Rosas did not work out with the Metros does not mean he is not good enough to work out for us. Just means he is not what Bradley was looking for. If he can play, bring him in. McKeon, I am not sure about. I don't think he played all that much for KC last year so is he still good enough to do the job in MLS?? Did we have to cut anybody the other day to get to the league limit??
I think McKeon would be a great fit for DC United in the Ray Hudson system. To me he is a younger version of Jim Rooney who flurished with Hudson on the Fusion. I hope we sign him as he is a good DMID and right sided defender. I think he has also played right mid with some success. I know I am jumping ahead but if we ever have a lead he would be a good substitute to bunker down the defense with. The Far Side
McKeon would be an excellent pickup. He is largely underrated, but I think he is the big reason that KC had such a strong defense for so many years. He does all the unglorified, thankless "dirty work," and I don't mean he is a dirty player. I mean he marks well, wins the ball and starts an attack. He also has the temperment that Hudson likes so well. He is also very strong in the air, unlike "Wrongway" Richie. If DCU is intent on building around Marco Etcheverry then they will need someone like McKeon on the pitch. He also has some skill in the attack. I saw him play for St. Louis Univ. (Univ. of St. Louis? whoever the Billikens are) against the Univ. of South Carolina (who were loaded with Clint Mathis and Josh Wolff at the time). When South Carolina was leading McKeon was moved from CMid to forward and scored a technically brilliant goal. He was easily the best player on the field that day.
I think we absolutely need McKeon more than we need Rosas or Petrov. He is a natural D-mid, unlike Nellie, and it would put Nelson back in the middle of the backline where I think he performs best, whether we play a 3 or a 4. He's only 28, and he should come fairly cheap. What's not to like?
I wanted to ask Hudson last night at the Meet the Coach affair about the d-mid position, but didn't get the chance. But it seems to me he's got to be concerned about it. He made a point of saying no one talks about losing Richie Williams, but that he's someone who could play for Ray any time. He also said Nelsen was his best player last year. Now, it looks like he's moving Nelsen to d-mid from the back line despite the fact that central defense is where he's had his first real success as a pro. And Nelsen is banged up now, isn't he? We've got no experienced backup at the d-mid position. Ray even tried Ivanov there and admitted the experiment failed miserably. Seems McKeon would fill a real need for this club.
McKeon was the starting Dmid for the Nats at the Confed Cup in 1999, where we finished 4th. Arena added him to the squad late after Armas got hurt (for the 1st time). I'm suprised so few of you have heard of him. Here's a link to a scrimmage and practice report of McKeon with the Burn: http://www.3rddegree.net/practice/021903.htm
Steven Goff's article also says that McKeon will not be signed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63634-2003Mar20.html (at end after women's report)