in what had to be the MLS match with the youngest average age, chicago beat the metrostars 3-2 - in this nationally televised game, we got at least a look at no less than 8 talented US internationals-in-training - a little scouting report, almost exclusively taken from today's game eddie gaven (16) - makes incisive runs - confident enough to take veteran defenders on - decent in holding, decent size already - was disappointed when he failed to finish half-oppurtunities - showed great footwork on his breakaway oppurtunity and only a shrewd bit of keeping from thornton kept him from putting the metros on the board mike magee (18) - constantly found space and showed equally good vision when gaven or guevara did - outstanding layoffs when holding - navigated tight spaces well - generally reserved on the field, he did show some fire when cj brown took him down rudely - accelerates well - comes back a long way on defense - obviously needs work on heading, but at 5' 8" or so, it's clearly never going to be his bread and butter ricardo clark (20) - decent size, plays all over the field - runs at high speed very smoothly and doesn't lose much of it on the ball - makes offensive forays at the right times and tracks back like lightning - very good ball stealer without leaving his feet - distributes to the wings well, including lobbed passes - strikes the ball hard enough that he could certainly trade a little velocity for a little accuracy - decent in the air, great at jockeying for position kelly gray (22) - big physical presence and a nice target on set pieces - moved ball along quickly and simply - very versatile guy to have around - played tight without fouling a lot - good in the air justin mapp (18) - finally got to play on his preferred left side and seemed ubiquitous in attack during the first half - another big physical presence - worked combos well and kept most passes simple - deceptive speed and commits to runs - his crosses had a lot of action - has already shown that he is a good ball striker logan pause (21) - doesn't draw a lot of attention, which is sometimes good for a d-mid - worked safely out of tight spaces well - tackles without leaving his feet - can't really say all too much about him (and i've seen him three times LOL), but he has become a regular starter on a good team, so... nate jaqua (21) - one very sturdy dude to say the least - impossible to move when he had a holding stance - good footwork for a guy his size - decent pace, decent passing, decent running craig capano (17) - only had a cup of coffee this afternoon, but got some good face time and showed quick feet - one of the top U-18 scorers from midfield and for that matter a few words on young jamaica prospect damani ralph - WOW! is this kid strong and fast! fantastic job of holding all day long - runs fast yes, but also runs wide: takes up space as he maneuvers - confident, hard, bending shot from either foot - smart shooter, like to bounce the shot through traffic - also times his runs well and takes the first touch ably - very impressive, played a bit like we want ed johnson to
Because I was bored.... The average age of the Fire's Starting lineup- 24 years The Metro's average age- 24 years The average age of the Fire after subs- 23 years The Metros- 24.5 years The average age of both teams' starting lineups- 24 years The average age of both teams after subs- 23.6 years The Metros had both the oldest and youngest players on the field on their team.... Eddie Gaven - 16 years, 235 days Richie Williams- 33 years, 355 days (all ages/ lineups and subs came from mlsnet.com)
thanks for the tally amyep if anybody has any thoughts, please add on here - i'm not that good of a scout!
The tally was no problem, I was pretty bored. EDIT: I did my calculating wrong (I have this obsession with details...) Richie Williams is 33 years 11 days old, and Eddie Gaven is 16 years 130 days old....
Gaven needs to learn to how to beat people 1v1. He has the attitude, but not the moves. Every time he tried to take a player 1v1 he'd get dispossed rather easily. but I do like get after em attitude he has. And I liked what he did on his goal scoring chance, even if he didn't score.
under the poll question 'who does jlmatthews impress?' hey bear in mind appooOnU that he is 16 - he's got moves, but now he has to learn how to set them up - cj brown seemed to read his mind
Oh I know, I never said anything to negative. Just that he needs to improve his 1v1 moves, but also why I mentioned I liked his attitude so much.
Ralph I thought Ralph showed the best in the game, and I think he has the greatest ability (of the listed players) to make an impact for his national team right now... too bad it's for Jamacia.
Magee missed a couple of real 'sitters' with his head - just because he is only 5'8" doesn't mean heading the ball is less important than it would be for a 6+ footer - witness Owen vs. Slovakia. Magee was good though, but Twellman is still the only young player with the pure striker's instinct for finishing. comments about Ralph are right on - can't believe he is that young.
The best thing about this game was the depth of talent we are starting to exhibit. After all these were two of the teams most affected by Con Fed Cup call ups and yet it was still an exciting, well played game, dominated by young american talent. I never thought we would develop so many good players so fast. Its a great sign for MLS and the Nats.
Just curious... Are there any other leagues in the world where they would play this many youngsters in a match? Certainly not in Europe where relegation is on everyone's mind and players spend years on the reserve teams. From watching South America and Central America leagues on GOL, I know they don't do it there. Heck, most of the stars in those leagues are foreign anyway. Games like Fire/Metros are going to pay big dividends in a couple of years.
by denver_mugwamp - "Games like Fire/Metros are going to pay big dividends in a couple of years." Games like the Fire/Metros already have paid big dividends....and I agree that they will continue to as well.
well Magee is 18; Twellman is what? 22 or 23? was Twellman that good at 18? i have no way of knowning and it's a meaningless argument anyway, but Magee's doing alright for himself so far.
No arguement - but to me, it seems that a striker is one who has no fear in front of goal with the ball at his feet. It's hard to explain, it's not that they don't miss, it's that they don't fear missing, and so have the patience or the mental approach that allows them not to rush a shot. As you imply, this skill is developed with time. Some, like Owen, seem to have it at birth. Hopefully, Magee will develop the 'instinct', and he will look back on Saturday's game as a real learning experience.
Magee has previously shown good striking instincts - remember even Owen has had his runs where he can't seem to score. I think Magee will develop over time well.
I was really impressed with Rico Clark. That dude can play. Did you see that one give and go that was like 80 yards of running? He is the one I see reaching senior nats level the fastest. On a negative note, and I would not bring it up here except someone mentioned his named and made me (unfortunately) remember him...how bad was Richie Williams? How many times did he give the ball away? It actually became quite comical.
that was the most hackish performance by Ritchie I had seen in quite a while. That game was the most exciting game i've seen so far this year. The young players really made it an exciting attacking game. That does show well for the future of MLS and the US National team. Out of that group Clark will be the first called up to play defensive mid.