Gooch out of training with tendonitis http://www.fcmetz.com/news_detail.asp?num=1811 The infirmary update from Metz has a short note that Gooch is out of training with tendonitis of the kneecap (if I am translating correctly). The note says he will have an MRI and an echogram - whatever that is.
Ummm...but not it's not too serious http://www.fcmetz.com/news_detail.asp?num=1817 Gooch is not among the team selected for a friendly this weekend in Luxumbourg, but he is selected for the CFA (reserve) team which has an "important" match according to the official site also this weekend. The team selected for the friendly is called the "equipe type" which I believe is the preferred team of the manager. This would make one think that Gooch is not in for much first team time through the rest of the year barring further injury of course. One would further think this would not bode well for next year assuming Metz does gain promotion to the first division given that Metz will (almost) certainly strengthen the squad and presumably provide Gooch with even more competition for playing time.
There recently was a story on Gooch in Soccer America. Apparently, with all his weight training, he is up to 215 pounds. This obviously is speculation on my part, but that excess weight might have contributed to his tendonitis. Apparently, when he first got to Metz, he only weighed about 195 lbs. Gooch seems like he would be a better player at 195 lbs., especially if he is playing outside-back in a 4-4-2. Those guys need to run a lot. Also, those guys have to do a lot of turning and back-peddling. It's important that they are nimble and agile.
He has the frame to carry it. One constant concern I have with most American players is that they are too thin. While Gooch wasn't skinny at 195 he was not as big as, say, Sanneh. He has broad shoulders but got real thin in the waist. More bulk will help him with gaining space for headers. He is most dangerous on set peices like corners and IFK's near the PA because of his heading ability. His size will also make him better defensively.
Wasn't there some recent rumor that his patella tendon might have been injured? I wonder if this latest "injury" is related to that rumor.
There are certainly bad ways to train with weights. It's very hard to gain 20lbs., especially if one is also trying to keep one's endurance high. The human body only has so much energy and one can only do so much of one before affecting the other. So it is quite possible he gained the weight too quickly and got something out of whack, like extensor/flexor strength ratio, range of movement, etc. Your point is good. Remember though that Gooch trained for a long time before playing because of the whole Metz relegation issue so he may have had the time to gain the weight properly. He has a great frame for soccer. IMHO, some extra weight in the hips and legs beyond what he had in his college days would definitely help him.