An interesting article and video on Ofori Sarkodie and his decision to forego the MLS draft and enroll at Indiana. http://www.ussoccer.com/editorial/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=287640&itype=4129&icategoryid=79 I'd say even if he never makes it to MLS this kid will have no problem succeeding at whatever it is he chooses to do. Wise beyond his years.
I doubt it will happen, but I really hope IU has him play left back in a 442. Odds are he'll sweep, or play left marking back in a 3-5-2 - which IU usually plays - but I'd like to see him play LB since that's where I suspect he'll end up as a pro. He could also play D-mid, but since we seem to have plenty of young ones on the horizon (Carroll, Clark, Szetela, Bradley, Feilhaber, etc...) so for selfish reasons I'd like to see him play LB. I know he's smart and composed and has great anticipation and is good on the ball and all the things I'd love to have in a centerback, but I just worry that 5-9 is too small, espeically at the international level.
No question that Sarkodie should move to LB, or to a lesser extent, DM, but in today's game he's just too short at CB. I know, I know, someone will come up with some very effective shorter CBs. But that was yesteryear. Another interesting question is how a college coach balances the needs of his team with what might be best for an individual player. I don't know how Freitag views things, but the optimist in me would like to believe that he's very aware of where Sarkodie SHOULD play, and although he might need to fill a CB slot in the short run, he'll make certain he brings in a quality CB with some height next year.
Great points. IU could easily play a 442 next year, though it would be young. Besides playing Sarkodie on the left, the Hoosiers are getting Kevin Alston, the U17 national team's very promising right back. They bring back one of their starting backs in 6-0 Greg Stevning, a rising junior. And, they redshirted a kid this year who was in the U18 nationa team named Chris Schuler, who is 6-4. They also bring back Julian Dieterle, a 5-9 rising senior, (though you'd have the height issues there, too) who started every game this year. So the talent is certainly there to play a 442. Will IU do it? Dunno? But if they play a 3-5-2, there will be some good players who either sit or have to play midfield.
Cannavaro, Fabio 5'9" Just kidding. I agree with you guys assessments of his potential and the likelihood of a position change for Ofori.
I've been coming to the conclusion that going to college for a year is a great option for guys who's chief questions concern size. I think by going a year, like Lee Nguyen did, you can get a transition to playing against fully grown men, and get a lot of good information about yourself in a relatively short time. Since your average college team is still a lot better than your average club U18 opponent, and since players get a lot of chance to play games other than just with the college (either YNT or PDL), I have never really thought a single year of college stunted your growth as a player. I am beginning to think that it is a valid way to grow for some players.