Just a tidbit on Frank Simek on Arsenal.com...positive words from the reserve team coach after a their match with Chelsea: ...on young central defender Frankie Simek Frankie was terrific too. As you know, he's our young American boy who's coming along very nicely. He's been wonderfully coached by Neil Banfield and Don Howe, and he slotted in very well. Hopefully you've seen someone there who can develop into a big asset for this club in the future.
Thanks Spike - I couldn't find that quote, but below are links to Frankie scoring for the U-19s on 1/19 and vs. Chelsea yesterday he played with the reserves alongside the likes of Freddie and Jeffers in the 1-1 draw. http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcon...e&type=com.sportapps.news.NewsItem&id=3477551 http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcon...&nextPage=/reserves/res17_chelsea03022003.jsp
Here's the link to the story - part about Simek is at the end: http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcon...e&type=com.sportapps.news.NewsItem&id=3527975
Wow. Good for him. I believe this was his first start for the reserves? He came on as a sub in 2 other games, for sure. And usually plays for the U19 team. You know, Upson just left for Birmingham and Keown is getting old . . . .
Yeah. Our team is awesome. Regardless, we should probably start a thread somewhere about the inherent bias towards players who play in the United States, maybe coin it the anti-yankabroad bias? Although in my mind, it really isn't bias against yanks abroad, it just is the fact that not enough money is poured into US Soccer so that they Arena can go catch a game or two of Cherundolo's last year or the U-20's coach can catch a game or two of Simek's. If he pans out to be a starter/sub for Arsenal it should be fantastic for the U.S. If his reserve team coach is as big on him as he seems, he might just be a part of the first squad next year (at least as a sub). The Arsenal center backs are getting OLD.
Yeah, Campbell and Cygan are both 28, positively ancient Good for Frankie, though, and even though he hasn't made many appearances for the reserves, it looks like he's getting the attention of the right people. That's a pretty high-profile reserve match to be thrown into. One thing that worries me a bit about him - is he really only 5'10"?
While Campbell is awsome i'm not much of a Cygan fan. I never thought he was that great. Just MHO though
Without derailing this thread -- I don't know if this is much of an issue. Arena is reportedly a satellite TV junkie and clearly does his research... I doubt he ever saw Joe Enochs play live before calling him into camp a few years back. And as for the youth, it seems clear that Rongen is holding a spot for Whitbread (if he can ever get him into camp). Simek, meanwhile, wasn't a member of any national teams that I know of before he went to Arsenal -- though that might be for age-related reasons more than anything else. And Jay Denny recently got called into U-17 camp from Stoke City's reserves. There are plenty of guys who haven't gotten long looks, took, but many are ODP Europe and have been through the system. Seems like US Soccer is pretty much on top of things.
With regards to the age of Cygan and Campbell, I wasn't talking about those two. I was talking about Keown. I don't know how many more years he has before he's done. That was all. I don't know the full Arsenal depth chart is currently but that puts Simek in the running for a bench spot and first team ball. I was just joking generally about the anti yank abroad bias. I was just referencing the difficulties that Simek has had from what I recall making the youth squad and Dolo with the full team. I never understood Heydude being picked ahead of Dolo until Arena starts heydude at left back. I don't know if Dolo was capable of that. I think Cory Gibbs was also mentioned as someone who should have gotten a call in with all of the chaos we were having at left outside back. That is all I was talking about. I remember Arena being a satellite junky and I also remember Arena saying sometimes that he hadn't caught any recent games of a yank abroad. I also have no idea what games or what scouting is done by the USMNT or youth teams with regards to player development.
I think the biggest barrier to FA's making youth national teams is that they have a hard time getting free for the various training camps and tournaments. Without that time to bond with their teammates its very hard to fit in with their flow. Unless Simek is able to train with the U20s for a month of so it would be very hard for him to be in the starting lineup.
Yeah I know... I'm basically in the same boat as you. Hm, I wonder how much information about players, if any, US Soccer gets from this board? Incidentally, I came across this story:http://www.sluh.org/vol66-31.pdf It talks a bit about Frank (and his old SLUH teammate John DiRaimondo of the U-17s) and interestingly notes what appears to be surprise at his US callup.
I have no favorite English team, but I do have FSW and I am very impressed with Arsenal's game. They are a very, very good team. They play beautiful soccer and they win. If Frank can cut it in that crowd you'd have to be impressed.
Arsenal recently signed Philippe Senderos form Servette in Switzerland. He is 18 years old and captined the Swiss U-17 team to the UEFA title. He is a very strong defender. I think he plays central defence. Simek will have a difficult time beating him out.
Our team has not really proven to be awesome yet. We're weak in defense as usual. I wish the best for this guy, but it's going to be tough breaking into the Arsenal rotation.
Such is life at one of the best clubs in the world. They have the money to buy players, to keep competition sharp at every position. But, you can be sure he will get his shot if he keeps performing and stays injury-free. On a side-note: I will not be surprised to see Frank getting 1st team PT with another club on loan, before seeing him in the Arsenal setup. That seems to be part of the grooming procedure these days.
Re: Re: Frank Simek at Arsenal For Arse-nal, it is not unreasonable to say they may have 60-70 games a season (League, League Cup, FA Cup, Champ. League), and somebody is gonna get tired or injured. Consider that thier 3rd 'keeper has gotten a few games in this season. While Frank my not be in the first 25 for a couple of years, if he progresses as he seems he is doing, then the first 25 may not be out of the question.
Frankie mentioned in the preview for the Reserves match vs. Ipswich Town. http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcon...e&type=com.sportapps.news.NewsItem&id=3554646
There's a nice piece about Simek in the Fulham programme where he talks about playing for the U-20's and how most people here have no idea who Arsenal are. Seems as though he's excited about representing the country at Youth Championships.
I already posted this in the Youth Teams forum, but since we are discussing Simek I'll add here that he will be joining the US U-20s for the tournament in Portugal in March--hoping to be heading for the Youth WC from there.
IIRC Cherundolo was injured and got a lot of flack for going to Korea instead of returning home for treatment. But that's a different thread I suppose...
I'm about to give away a result (but I'm guessing no one has taped this one). Simek went 90 for Arsenal reserves at Ipswich in a 3-0 loss yesterday (2-12-03). No mention of him in the match report.
Although the Arsenal site sometimes posts pictures with match reports for the reserves, they are usually pictures of first team players playing with the reserves (e.g., Ljungberg lately). I think, though I'm not sure, that in this picture from the FA Youth Cup victory over Colchester #5 is Frankie. Not exactly "in action" as they appear to be celebrating a goal.