I think Davy Arnaud can be a YA one day (R)

He was a developmental player in 2002, but was signed to a full contract before 2003. So if we want to assume a typical four years, that would mean he'd have two left. But this is clearly speculation, and I'm not so sure that it's really that important. Arnaud, unlike somebody like Convey of Bocanegra, likely hasn't been thinking about making a move to Europe for the last several years. He's been focused on staying in MLS - I'd expect him to be renegotiate a contract after this season.

 

Definitely. Especially since nobody really expected him to be playing in every single game for the wizards this season.


..and scoring agood amount of goals in the process.

 

...yes, and performances like the one against the Galaxy won't hurt.

 

but yesterday was his first goal scored in over two months - gotta become more consistent if he wants to go abroad but hey, we want this forum to grow right???

 

I thought we wanted it to die?

 

I agree that it is a possibility. I doubt he could make much of an impact in the EPL, or its equivalent, but he could make it in a lower league, as jri mentioned.

I was thinking that Eddie Johnson would be the next to make a move, however. I mean, Liverpool is looking for a striker, are they not?

 

Just to expand on this point, Arnaud is making $25,200 this year. If he's willing to accept a contract extension with MLS, he'll climb into the vicinity of $100K. We're not likely to see him in Europe for a while.

As for his consistency, it did seem as if he'd been slowing down a bit. At the same time, Wizards forwards don't get many opportunities to score, especially since Chris Klein got hurt. Arnaud had two chances last night, and he converted them both. What's more, the first one was largely a result of his own individual effort -- he pressured Albright into a misplay, then ran an excellent give-and-go with Wolff.

 

The Wizards lack of scoring ties in directly to both Chris Klein and Preki being unavailable, and Igor Simutenkov not being full strength.

The sudden emergence of Khari Stephenson (who knew?) as a third attacker has suddenly freed things up for Wolff and Arnaud.

 

Davy will never play in Europe. He will likely be a very good MLS player throughout his career.

 

There should be some sort of a winter camp for young American guys to work on their skills and so forth. We have Bradenton for the young'uns. Isn't there a pitch or two nearby, so guys like Arnaud don't go into the hybernation in the off-season?

Or can they get training with Euro teams?

BTW, Davy is 24 and getting to the point where it's now or never, insofar as his potential Euro career goes.

 

Exactly how long do you think the MLS offseason is?

Most teams will have a camp in January. The Wizards first competitive match is mid-March in the CCC. At best, he's looking at 6-8 week break after 10 months of non-stop playing. That's assuming he's not spending some time in a USMNT camp or three.

And every year, players from MLS do offseason training stints in Europe and South America.

 

Never say never.

Does he have any family ties to a Euro country ? Otherwise he will never get a work permit to play in England.

Oops.

Never say never. You listening, Bruce ?

 

Well, then the break is from mid-November till early March, not counting the mini-camp, for the play-off participants and is November through February for the non-participants and the early round casualties or roughly 3 months off.

I'd say they could spend the middle 4-6 weeks working on their skills somewhere in Florida without necessarily getting into a game shape.

Those who follow the various teams training regimen undoubtedly know more about it than I do but it seems to me that a "skill-only" program where players practice crosses and shots on goal without any further tactical teaching may result in a terrific improvement in the MLS quality of play.

 

Most MLS teams are in full training at the end of January/start of February.

So mid-November to start of February. 10 weeks.

 

It's been a long time now, but I remember reading a good piece about the Wizards' off-season training. They practice hard, outdoors, in the cold. The one thing that really stuck in my mind was how Nick Garcia -- already a standout player -- didn't own a car and would ride his bike to practice through the snow.

 

Flash forward to 2024:

Star Player: Coach Garcia, sorry I'm late for practice but the Benz was in the shop and the wife had the Rolls so I had to wait until she got back.

Garcia: Benz? Listen kid, when I was your age I used to ride my bicycle to practice through a foot of snow. And I was glad to have the bicycle! You kids today have it so easy...

 

And the appropriate word here is "back".

 

No, it's not. Clint Mathis left the league at 27. Although McBride went to VfL Wolfsburg at 23, he didn't get back to Europe until 6 years later, at 29. He didn't transfer till two years after that. Vanney didn't go to Bastia till he was 27. Sanneh moved at 27. There's no reason to think Arnaud has to go now or never go.

 

Arnaud right now could play at Championship level and be an ok player. If he has another good year next year then there might be maybe a lower Premiership club trying to get him.Arnaud is what 23 or 24 so he still has time to get to Europe.Arnaud is a good MLS player but, right now not a Premiership player.

 

Uphill both ways.

 

Right now Arnaud could play in Europe just not the Premiership,Serie A,La Liga, or Bundesliga.He could play in the Netherlands or Belgium or Denmark etc etc.Arnaud needs another 1 or 2 good years in the MLS then he could play in a big League like the Premiership Bundesliga etc.