Clinging and Climbing: Sam Vines at Royal Antwerp

Starts:

STARTING 1⃣1⃣! 👊#RAFC #ANTCER #COYR🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/MjkfHJGrNv

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) April 9, 2022

 

Same started solidly if not conservatively, hit the inevitable new bot rough patch, but IMHO played well today overall. Much more involved going forward, really tidy with the ball. Can’t always say this but the Sam I saw today was much improved, more aggressive going forward and a bit more cultured. Here is hoping it wasn’t one off and continues.

 

His team are in the “Championship” group of the play-offs.

 

Sam went 90 in a 1-0 loss to Brugge in Belgian playoffs. A lot of out second tier guys seem to be getting a lot of minutes recently for some decent teams.
Vines, LDLT, EPB, McKenzie. Haji scoring. BA has come back for RB. Cannon a regular at Boavista. We like our stars and young hopefuls but there are some youngish guys getting stuff done.
If Richie L can come back on the path he was at PSV, and Basset can worm his way into more time at Frood that‘s pretty good.

No?

 

I think there is reason to be optimistic. Heck, seems like it was just a couple of years ago where we only had a couple of YAs getting minutes. There were weekends where our guys sat and there were no games to watch. Now we complain when only 10 play and no one scores. I also like the way our guys are developing domestically with a ton of teen yanks playing in the MLS. We still need to develop better goal scorers but it is a process.

 

…….and goalkeepers.

 

Went 70 against Union St. Gilloise (probably mis spelled). Was playing left back and subbed off for a striker. Looked OK. Really relies on his speed.

 

I completely agree, we’re spoiled now compared to what things were like 5 years ago. Before Pulisic broke through we were in the dark ages of YA.

 

Looked to be a LWB role in a 3-5-2 / 5-3-2. Covered a ton of ground in both directions. I think he was too indecisive in attack - a few times he got himself into a 1 v 1 and came to a complete stop hoping to break the defender down that way. Didn't work.

Came off as part of a formation switch as they brought on more attack. Also didn't work, but the sub wasn't because Vines was ineffective.

 

I concur. It was clearly a tactical sub.

 

USA, 't Stad & snelle omschakelingen in de JPL. 🗣️
Sam Vines beantwoordt de supportersvraag van de week. pic.twitter.com/mmnBJAjdLn

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) May 6, 2022

 

Starts:

STARTING 1⃣1⃣! 👊 #RAFC #ANTAND #COYR🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/m1UJVExHko

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) May 8, 2022

 

Rough day for Vines and his teammates.

 

Vines was the lowest rated player on the pitch in a 4-0 loss. I can't bring myself to watch the tape.

 

I tried to watch the first half. I think it ended 0-1. There was very little mention of Vines except when he found himself in the box somehow and Nainggolan sent him a pass. Vines had no idea what to do and lost the ball.

 

Starts:

STARTING 1⃣1⃣! 👊#RAFC #ANDANT #COYR🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/rXGPPl6RPt

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) May 12, 2022

 

Can someone give me the scouting report on Sam Vines? Aside from his fabulous name, of course, what does he bring to the table? What does he still need to work on? I didn't see him a ton coming up through the US youth ranks - and haven't watched his Belgian club team. Curious what he brings.

 

He's starting today against Anderlecht, so with an ESPN+ subscription, you can watch yourself.

He's not super athletic, but does have some quick feet. Left back pretty competent on defense and likes to go forward aggressively, either as the LB of a four man line or LWB in a 3-5-2 5-3-2 type formation. Good as passing and moving to space afterward, can hit an OK cross, plays hard. Doesn't foul a ton. No elite traits - not an awesome athlete or super skilled, and sometimes feels like he's chasing the game more than one would like. Doesn't have the ceiling of the top other Euro-based LBs, to my eyes.

 

From the (very) little I've seen of him, he's a pretty good pure LB at Jupiler top third level. I didn't see anything that would make the likes of Brugge or a Ligue 1/BL1 side pay a transfer fee for him. On a free transfer? Maybe. Then again, maybe not.

 

On the bench:

STARTING 1⃣1⃣! 👊 #RAFC #ANTCLU #COYR🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/B9xgLvIWba

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) May 15, 2022

On in the 67th.

Lost 3-1.

 

Played LWB in a 3-5-2, coming in for de Laet, whom the announcers raved about. Vines came in right after they went down 3-1, but the day was really about Club Brugge nearly clinching the title. Give Otasowie the trophy now?

 

Vines starts the season finale. Game starts at 10am eastern on ESPN+.

STARTING 1⃣1⃣! 👊 #RAFC #USGANT #COYR🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/CBoPlhiVJN

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) May 22, 2022

 

Started friendly:

Opstelling:1 Jean Butez, 2 Ritchie De Laet, 8 Alhassan Yusuf, 14 Benson Manuel, 16 Pieter Gerkens, 18 Vincent Janssen, 19 Koji Miyoshi, 21 Sam Vines, 38 Faris Haroun (c), 51 William Pacho, 61 Dinis Almeida

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) July 9, 2022

Out at the "half":

36' I Start tweede helft. Scott komt Vines vervangen op links. pic.twitter.com/Eb0Jf7Poo2

— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) July 9, 2022

 

He's back:

Sam Vines rejoined Royal Antwerp in training ahead of the Belgian club's first leg UEFA Conference League qualifier against Kosovo club Drita on Thursday. Was one of a few players dealing with a slight injury. #USMNT fullback logged 29 apps last season.

— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) July 18, 2022

 

Do we know what the injury was?