I didn't see this posted anywhere else (i probably just missed it), so i figured I would drop it off here. There are a couple of throw-away lines toward the end that seem to indicate that Gaven may be getting into some money games a lot sooner than people thought. http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20040715&content_id=8397&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp
Clip: Gaven said he could tell immediately upon entering camp with the national selection that the game moved that much faster than the MLS level -- which he is just now fully adjusting to. "I mean, it's not like it goes so fast that I can't handle it," he said. "But if you just switch it off for a second, you're going to pay for it." When the day was done and Gaven headed back to New Jersey, Arena complimented him on a job well done and told him there remains a chance of being recalled for one or more of the qualifiers. "He said I did well for the week and that he would definitely be checking my progress in MLS," Gaven said. Eddie Gaven definitely has a handle on the learning curve, that's for sure. He speaks like he's not going to let his new experiences overwhelm him at all.
Hey, let's hope he does. I saw him vs DCU a couple of weeks ago, and it was apparent that the kid knew what he was doing out there. He had some nifty moves with the ball. He's a different kind of player than Convey is, but I'd rate Gaven ahead in his development at this point.
No surprise to me either, but most people poo pooed the idea of him even getting called up in the friendly. Now he's talking about getting into qualifiers this year. how quickly the tide turns.
I hope he does get in. The kids has the X-factor, mogo, whatever.... i was disappointed he didnt play more in the poland game
Well, i think the fault of that is the players who didn't put away the myriad chances we had in that game. if we could have gotten a couple of shots into the net in the first half, he would have gotten in much earlier.
that's one way to look at it. on the other hand, if the job isn't getting done, then make the change (esp. in a friendly)...and only bruce can do that.
Actually, it was a mixed bag, as usual on BS. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120081&highlight=gaven
well, i'm not disagreeing with you. Personally, I would have put him in at halftime, but i'm not the coach. Gaven said that Bruce told him that he would try his best to get him in the game, but also said that he wanted to win. Apparently, he thought that keeping the other players on the field gave him a better chance. That Gaven immediately came into the game and did some damage may have proven him wrong.
I love Gaven and all and he's a great player but I personally wouldn't put him in WCQ. I haven't seen the Poland game yet cause I'm not home right now so I can't make any comment on how he played then, but I just don't think it's a good idea to put him in something as big as WCQ yet. I mean he is only 17, that just seems kinda young but I guess if he is good enough. But neways I wouldn't put him in WCQ but I'm not the coach and Bruce usually does what's best.
Age means zilch. It is merely a number indicating years since birth and not an indicator of individual skill, tactical maturity or, in the case of older guys, being necessarily over the hill. It the ability to apply high quality skill and athleticism that count, regardless of age.
IF we qualify a little early in this round for the Hex, I'd say trot Gaven out for the last games against Panama and Jamaica. If we're not qualified by then, Gaven may be in the lineup already from desperation. What he might need most are road minutes in El Salvador so he can get ready for Costa Rica/Honduras/Guatemala and, of course, the Azteca.
in my opinion Gaven has a better chance of sending Reyna to the D-mid spot than Donovan. Both I think are qualified but Gaven beats defenders with instinct...Donovan beats them with athleticism. A midfield of Beasley Gaven Donovan Reyna would be imposing to say the least
He was damn effective and didn't look out of place at all.Set up some good chances and was called on an offside that was questioned by some observers. I can see this happening possibly in Jamaica definitely in a home qually.
The US needs every bit of offense they can get, and if Gaven produces the rate is going - then bring him in. BA has never been afraid of allowing youngsters to start and count on their production. The Donovan/Beasely situation in WC '02 is a classic example, and this Gaven kid could be equally or better than those two. If the US qualifies, Gaven will be 19 years old, already 6' in height, stronger, and 4 years as a pro. Talk about primed for the bigtime.
quote"I'm glad you are not Arena" The only reason I'm so hard on him and skepticle is cause he's my favorite player. With nebody else I really wouldn't care. If I'm watching soccer on TV I'll yell at him throught the TV five times more than I'll yell at ne1 else, except the ref.
I hate to sound like an old bag, but would it kill you to correctly spell that word? Or is nebody some new word I haven't learned yet? You're saving yourself one character to either seem hip (not working) or ignorant. And while "ne1" saves more than 1 character, it's also ridiculous.
Well, i wouldn't expect him to make the first game for Jamaica, on the road. However, I can see him on the bench of the first home game (i'm too lazy to look it up). Personally, I WOULD have him on the bench against Jamaica, but BA seems to be a lot more conservative than I am. I just hope that he stays healthy. It seems to me that an injury is the only thing that could stop him from being a great player someday very soon.