Goff/Post 4/11: Injuries Cloud DC United's Optimism & Match Preview

good report. good placement on the front page and decent space devoted. pretty good analysis, though i would have like to have seen the "Barra Thesis" as the lead point of the preview https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43437

 

Am I the only one that was struck by the fact that NONE of our four top-fourteen draft picks is stepping in tonight despite the fact that we're down half the team with injuries?

Look at how other teams have gotten immediate help from their top draft picks the last few years (especially on defense). Where's our Garcia? Our Bocanegra? Our Kelly Gray? To say nothing of Twellman or etc.

 

Three of the four are with the team - someone will probably get some playing time. I think it's a good sign that we don't need to start a rookie in the season opener.

 

personally, i would much rather see Stokes or Carroll start in D tonight and not Alegria.

But that's just me.

 

Given the impact that rookies have had in the last few years and the fact we had so many high draft picks this year, I think it's a horrible thing that none are starting tonight.

Especially with so many injuries. You get draft picks like we had and you need to find major impact players. The kind you can't keep off the pitch.

 

How many practices have you been to see how Stokes and Carroll are doing? My guess is that Hudson strictly wants to go with experience first..

It's not like Alegria doesn't know how to defend.. With strict instructions to stay at home, most hard working MLS players can do a pretty decent job in defense if given the opportunity..


Let's see what happens first before we start clubbing Alegria...

 

I'm not as worried about it tonight as I would be if this were June and none of them were chosen for the first XI.

And remember, one of those four picks is a keeper so it's a damn good thing he's not playing, no disrespect intended to Doug.

 

Great article and MLS preview.

I will second the barra hypothesis.

As a side note in the MLS Preview it lists Edson Buddle as being 26 instead of 22.

 

Good articles, thanks Mr. Goff.

Thanks for the link Chico.

I can't wait for tonights game!

 

Good point, I think even Twellman wasn't a starter on opening day last year.

But we can't keep getting draft picks that amount to nothing. Who was the last pick we had that's really set the league on fire? I think Convey and Quaranta are probably our best in the last couple years, but they still haven't really been impact players.

 

This is an excellent point, and I think we agree in general, but just to play Devil's Advocate, here's a few things we should consider:

1. Most of the immediate impact rookies (not including professionals such as Twellman, etc.) have been physically impressive and tactically advanced defenders. Guys like Bocanegra, Garcia, Suarez, Gray and Curtin have been the biggest early contributors. All but Garcia are 6'1 or taller. All but Curtin are fast. So, these guys are able to compensate with physical gifts for their errors made from adjusting to the speed of play/thought. None was a teenager. We only have 2 guys that fit that description, Stokes and Carroll.

Carroll was/is less developed tactically as a defender than Stokes, so I wouldn't expect him to contribute his first season. So really, only David Stokes fits this profile.

Stokes has looked very impressive in preseason, but he's still too raw. His defending is often excellent, but he's still prone to rookie mistakes and his distribution simply isn't up to snuff yet. I look for him to be a contributor this season, but not the first game. It's just too soon.

2. This is the first game of the season. While the learning curve is unique for each player, there's no doubt that the jump from college to MLS is gargantuan. In addition to learning new things and breaking bad habits formed from playing technically, tactically and physically inferior opponents, these guys need to train their minds how to read situations faster. It is rare that a rookie can do a passable job in the first game of the season. Hopefully by the playoffs yes, but now, unlikely.

3. Hudson's team had tremendous turnover. This means that Hudson, Trask, etc. are spending much/most of their time teaching Ivanov, Petke, Nelsen and Kovalenko on the United system. This means that the staff doesn't have the time to concentrate on teaching the rookies. It also means that the veterans are so busy learning themselves to really impart much meaningful help to the rookies. It's difficult to take a kid under your wing if you're just learning how to fly in formation yourself.

4. Injuries. With the revolving door of injuries the rookies haven't been able to get used to playing with a stable lineup. This often helps rookies as the veterans playing next to them can cover for them and anticipate when they'll need more help. But with the revolving door of central defenders and wingbacks, that just hasn't happened.

I do think Stokes will be a rookie that impresses, I think he's more likely to come on later in the season.

-Digital