The next Heydude? http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/90min0501pierce.html He can't pass or cross the ball, but he runs around all game and has great pace. Does mark well, but he doesn't have the size to be a center back (nor does Garcia). I think Pierce needs more than one year before even be in consideration...
he is an extremely good defender, but you are right that he is not a great passer. I would not worry about his size. He is about 5'10" but very, very fierce.He basically never gets muscled off a ball- his problem is that he gives it away with his passing sometimes!
Pierce is barely MLS material. As a rev's season ticket holder I have seen enough to know that Pierce is not and will never be international quality. Same goes for Franchino, Heaps, etc
I agree about Heaps and Franchino.I am not positive about Pierce. He has and can be very effective as a pure defender.I would consider him among the best defensive defenders we have in the USA, but his passing and composure with the ball would have to improve. Bruce A has talked to him about what he must work on, so it is not impossible that he will get a chance. He was a regular with the US U-20 team.Remember that we gave up several goals at the 2002 WC simply because we could not defend simple balls tossed into the mixer. Athleticism counts for defenders and Rusty has that in spades.