I think Rico suffered a bit of a sophomore slump this year with the Metros. Plus, there's quite a long line currently for D-Mid: Zavagnin, Mulrooney, Mastroeni, Armas (if healthy). I think he needs a bit more seasoning, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him at least called into camp if the Metros are out of the playoffs.
Yeah this season was not a good one for Ricardo, however his performances the last four games or so have been a lot better. Not that that merits a call up or anything, but hopefully we're seeing the return of the one true ricardo clark.
Rico showed a lot of potential in his rookie season, but unfortunately for US fans, I think he'll retire from competitive soccer after the pounding and discouragement he's about to take from Christian Gomez. No, but really I'm sure Rico will get his chance with the national team soon. We'll have a very healthy competition in that spot in the near future with Rico, Dempsey, Sztela and maybe even Onyewu and Spector.
I didn't see this supposed sophomore slump people keep talking about in reference to Rico. He was injured, recovered, played his way back into the team, was tried at positions that may have seemed good, but ultimately did not suit him, and finally he was put back where he belongs - and has done EXTREMELY well. Put Patrick Viera at RB or RM in a 4-3-3 and see what he does. However the DM list ahead of him is tooooooo loooooong (CR, JOB, Pablo, Chris Armas, Kerry Z) so I think he is out of this cycle so far. The only thing working in his favor is the fact that 4 of those 5 guys have been picking up knocks in recent years.
THE METROS GOT PATRICK VIERA?!?!?!? WOW...now they're gonna win it all!!! ...how the best bigsoccer rumors get started.
At this point, he's got a better chance of making the Nats as a RB than a Holding Midfielder. (He's a more skillful Tony Sanneh). This past year he needlessly gave the ball away too much for the Metros. He must be nearly flawless in MLS to get a shot with the Nats. He should be on Arena's radar though.
umm... no and yea ricardo needs to keep on playing and improving. He just isn't at the nat level yet, though who knows...
I tend to agree. Rico had a great first year but was plagued by injuries leading to inconsistent play. That being said, he also shows a bit more offensive potential in my mind than a few of our more senior holding midfield types (witness his goal last week). The problem Rico faces is that even if he plays real consistently next year, he is unlikely to be able to crack the team pre 2006 due to the options that we have there. Post 2006 he will then be competing with a whole new bevy of midfielder which include some potential mainstays in the midfield like Szetela. He may actually be better served getting more time at rb with the Metros and working on his wing play.
Your right about the list ahead of him but the other thing that works in his advantage is all of those players are old, except JOB whose body breaks down like he is 60 years old. To describe his sophmore season this year there is one world that would apply this season but not last year: Inconsistent
I was disappointed by his slump this year. Besides some passing breakdowns, he also appears ungainly in his movements. I think the next two years will make or break him as a potential USMNT player. And I agree that he's well down the potential list right now. But... injuries and inconsistent playing time may have set him back much more than we know. We shall see.
Ricardo Clark suffered his injury before the Olympic qualifiers started in Mexico. It took him a long time to recover and that's why his play was inconsistant, but when he struck that beautiful goal on the last week of the regular season that match showed he is back in tip top form. The last 4 to 6 regualr season matches finally showed that he was fully fit. I don't expect Rico to be in the mix for 2006. But for 2010, he definetly has a shot, just like Gaven does.
You think Arena keeps calling Gaven up NOW to get him ready for 2010. He, like Clark probably, is at least in the mix NOW.
The Metrostars have the worst defense in the league. Clark (and Gaven) are part of that defense. Something is amiss and they contribute to it in some way I don't understand. That may be more of an issue for Rico than Eddie, as it should be for a defensive midfielder. Perhaps someone who has seen more Metros games in person can add something here. I find it very difficult to analyze defensive midfield positioning and tactics from televized games.
Another Eddie may be a bigger culprit in the Metrostars <lack of the> defensive prowess and their likely demise.
I agree with you -- Gaven is certainly in the mix now. I'm not quite ready to pronounce Clark in the mix yet, though -- unless I'm just not remembering correctly, he's never even been called into camp, right? It's hard to argue that someone who's never been called into camp is in the mix now.
Yeah, that was a bombazo, but I wanna see more than that, especially in his positioning, distribution and movement. Not convinced right now, but the potential is there.
Along with Szetela, Rico is our most talented prospect at the position. Arena will probably call him up for some friendlies around the New Year. If he plays well, that will certainly put him into the mix.
There was a time that I would've loved to see Clark in a USMNT camp & challenging for a roster spot at DM. But after the year he had with the Metros (what the hell happened to his play?), I don't believe he's a good option. At least, not at this time. Hopefully, Clark will "rebound" in 2005 with a solid year but, at this time, I'd say even Mulrooney (who I think "deserves" a look) is higher on the depth chart IMHO. Zavagnin, Armas, Mastroeni, Mulrooney and, even Reyna makes for a crowded list at d-mid. I just don't see Clark in the "immediate" future for the USMNT.
You have to think that Ben Olsen might get a look at the position as well. He's looked great for DC this year. The technical side of his game has improved by leaps and bounds and he has not lost as much of his quickness as some people claim.