This is a good lesson for every player out there. If you go out and do your job well, game after game, no matter what the pecking order has been, the coach just has to notice you. And in the case of Gooch, it sounds like Arena just has to bring him into camp from now on (unless there's a club-Nats conflict).
Thanks hart. Goal #1 is the Gooch's best scoring tactic. He's fast and tall and a monster in the air. Note the far post to near post run and that the near post space was opened up by a dummy runner. Gooch then scores of the side of his head. 90% of players who are good in the air try to take that shot with their forhead but Gooch doesn't mind taking it off the ridge above his temple. As far as the yellow goes, that's just gooch's game. He tends to pick those up. All defenders do but with Gooch it seems to happen more often. Some stats on that would be nice to see. I can't see him playing DM on a permanent basis.
He played once DM before Curbelo and Bisconti were back. That's not a natural position for him. He's a good stopper offensive-minded, he actually need a DM to cover his back when he leaves the line
The third one is as good as the 2 others for Gooch! This should show in few seconds the guy's talent: Third Goal - Garbini
Gooch is now the 3rd leading scorer on his team (with 2 goals!) and 2nd in points (next to Tichte Mohammed) for "Man of the Match" for all games combined. (Mohammed is the team's leading scorer with 5 goals- but Gooch has gained on him rapidly in recent weeks in the MOTM "competition") Standard Liege now tied for 4th in Jupiler League..
Thanks for those clips! They're very brief but they allow us to see he's making major contributions in a variety of ways - and that's just on offense. I was pleased to hear he has a teammate named Kovalenko. You always want someone with a name like that on your side, not as an opponent. Your opinions may vary.....
OMFG.. I just saw the 3rd clip.. Are you freakin' kidding me? The guy is built like der Terminator, and he pulls a Frankie Hedjuk at his best move/in his prime and cross ...after scoring 2 goals already....after being a beast on defense.. Gooch is not left-footed, correct? If so, it makes this all even more amazing. Even if he is...it is pretty unreal... Seriously, OMFG.....some big clubs see those clip, and they have GOT to be interested...that is amazing that a central defender w/his size can DO THAT..
Alright, after seeing the clips... you're right Gooch should not be a Dmid... how about A-mid? right mid? Attacker? Just kidding... well sort of. Now the first goal was off a set piece, so no suprise he's up field. But on the 2nd, it's a deep throw, but he's pretty far upfield for a central defender... and on the 3rd, he's almost up as a front runner. Is Gooch really playing central defense? OR does he start out as a central defender, but have free reign to go upfield when he wants to... because I don't know many central defenders that would have been in the position to get that ball for goal #3... much less get th ball near the corner flag, spin and put in a lovely cross.
By the way, did anyone else notice that in Goal #3, Gooch apparenty followed the ball and came to the center after making the cross... he's back in the picture (bottom right) when the goal celebration begins. He didn't just make the cross and watch...
Is it me or does this guy always have exceptional games in which he was either one of the key players or the best player on the field? This is a telling sign. He's conssitently good which could only mean great things lie in store for this kid.
OK, I have a question. What did Maryland trade Africa to get senior Onyewu and mama Adu? Because we rooked 'em.
He often has great impact moving up late in the game. It's a unique talent and option that can be very disruptive. Many posters say he's been used this way since college. Why mess with something that's been successful everywhere he's played and gives the manager an asymetrical weapon for late in the game? The assist on the last goal was magical. And the volley was on the left, too. If he's right footed, that would be, how you say, sick! Thanks for the clips, OmiKell.
Youre right, it gives the coach a method of changing the formation and playing style without requiring a substitution... and yes he's been doing it since his college days at Clemson (at least)
He's a full CD, but... since Standard Liege has a hard time scoring this year (They lost both MPenza and Datti), he's often asked to bring some weight to the attack. The trade goal was obvious, they wanted more technical players (Wamberto from Ajax, Concecao from Lazio, now Milan Rapaic) than physical ones. Last year, everything relied on long ball sent to MPenza. The guy was able (and still is, cf. Hamburg last results) to challenge every balls between the opponent keeper and his defence. It appears now for Standard Liege that you cannot replace an Emile MPenza by 3 star dribblers if you have no one to finish. Today, the only guy able to easily finish an action is Gooch, ... but he's required in defense. He can take risks against Mons, but he will not be able to do so against Anderlecht this Wednesday.