Didn't Nellie say Bryan should be DCU's Defender of the Year? He has played every minute, is tough and tenacious defensively, passes accurately over distance and makes smart runs into the offensive third. If you calculate value vs. salary, he is our most productive player IMHO. Yes, a big, big raise is in order.
Throughout the season, Namoff has been back there working his arse off. No doubt in my mind he deserves more cash, Maybe add Stokes' salary and punt stokes? Namoff will be someone I look to to develop as a leader in back, especially in Ryan's temporary, and possible permanent abscence. Last night's finish was the icing on a damned fine season from Namoff. RMDad
I think if we were in a 4-4-2, Namoff would create all sorts of havock going forward. I won't be shocked if he gets a callup to the winter National Team camp.
I also think Namoff would be a perfectly defensible callup for the USMNT camp. Bruce has seen plenty of his games; I presume he was in attendance last night in case his son somehow made it onto the pitch, so he saw what a two-way player he is. I think the Hejduk experiment should be terminated, Sanneh may be too old for a reprise of WC 2002, which leavs Cherundolo and ...?
Sanneh, with Russell waiting in the wings. And I think Frankie will be around for a while longer. Namoff might get a look, but I think he's a bit below the Ralston line.
If DC played 4 in the back and he was an overlapping outside back in the style that Arena employs, I'd say that he'd definitely merit a look. However, this is not the case, and I don't see Bruce bringing him into a camp. I'm sure that Arena has seen him play many a time, as he is usually in attendence at all DC United home games that don't conflict with National Team commitments, regardless of if his son is on the other team or not. There are other subjects in your post I don't exactly agree with, but this is a DC board, so I'll leave it at that.
All I'm saying is that Namoff is worthy of a look by the Bruce, not that he should step in to the starting team. Bruce is still experimenting and using the camps to evaluate talent. Thamlin's point about Namoff not playing in Bruce's favored 4-man back line is valid, and this impedes him from going forward often, but my point was that when Bryan does venture forward he does it with intelligence, skill, and determination. I think he oculd do very well in a "4" for the USMNT. As you point out, this is a DC forum, but I see the right back slot very unsettled at this point, except for Cherundolo and maybe Sanneh. Namoff's passing and crossing are superior to Heydude's, by a LOT. Russell I've not seen much, but I could see Ralston there, even though he plays midfield normally.
Let me tell you something about Bryan Namoff... In 1998 I was looking for a new watch. I found one I liked with a red face and a black band. Not only did I like the look of it, but it's a little something in United colors that I can wear with me everywhere I go as a subtle show of support. Last month, when K and I won the trip to Columbus, I noticed that Namoff was wearing, sure enough, a watch with a red face and a black band. I didn't approach him about it. I didn't need to. I've liked him ever since he got here, and am thrilled that he came up big for us on both sides of the field Saturday.
Namoff has always been a stud. Rongen knew it, and he played well as a rookie. Hudson f'ed with his head. He has really blossomed under Nowak.
When I got a chance to escort my sisters soccer team to a day with United, Kasper talked to the group and before he brought Gros in for a Q&A session, he said that he expects Gros to be called into the winter camp with the National Team. I figure if Gros would get a call into camp, Namoff is deserving as well. Bryan is hurt by playing in a 3 back system, but he has been the best defender (over the course of the season) for the MLS team Arena sees the most, he has gone up against the best forwards in MLS and more than held his own. When I say I think he will get a callup, I'm not talking about a cap or a start, but called into that big camp that US Soccer holds at the HDC in December and January. I mean if Chris Fvcking Albright can get a callup as a defender, anything is possilbe.
He played forward at Boylan High School and Bradley University. His prowess for the goal was uncanny at both. He is extremely composed in the box when drapped with defenders. He would make a great attacking back... hope this trend continues for him. As mentioned his speed is deceptive. When I had the privilege of coaching him in high school, he would run at various rates of speed, so you were never certain as to which was the "real" speed. Then he would just explode past everyone once the ball was anywhere near or inside the 18. He is a deadly finisher if given the chance. Way to go, Bryan! Rockford, Illinios is cheering you and your teammates on this playoff season.