Before any of you call me an idiot for suggesting him, please note I'm a soccer fan that never played the game on an organized level of any kind so I don't claim to have an scouts eye for talent. I've only been to one professional match in my life. I fell in love with the game on a trip to see family in Germany just before France '98 as a 30 year old NFL/MLB/NBA fan that thought soccer was cross country hockey played without sticks. 6 hours after my flight landed back home, Brazil played Scotland in the opening match which means my two weeks in Germany were the last two weeks building up to a World Cup in a soccer mad nation. I still stayed a fan after the USA's performance in France so I do deserve some kudos/slack Anyway . . . onto my perceived positives of Lenhart Plays with 100% effort at all times Getting lots of playing time and producing on a solid MLS team. Good in the air . . . both in the box and on goal kicks Long legs for those ever crucial toe pokes Has a nose for goal . . . poacher "Plays well with others"(seems to play well with whoever he's partnered with) Demands excellence from himself . . . still improving And yes, I know that there are some negatives . . . first three listed actually all factor in with each other. Still very raw Seems to have great soccer instincts . . . but may not have a good "soccer brain" yet Red card waiting to happen Like most American soccer players . . . needs to w*rk on his dribbling Your thoughts?
He's definitely on the list of guys to watch. At his absolute peak he's a Brian McBride type that gets to play in England or somewhere...hopefully he continues to progress.
Yes I've been following this guy since he came into MLS. For a big guy, he moves very smooth, has excellent (shooting) technique & touch, and great sense for the goal area. If he becomes more skillful with his individual skill, he could be good like Mark Viduka. He will replace Ching/Cooper/Casey for the next cycle. I am that sure! He did very well in the CONCACAF matches too this year. If he continues excelling at this pace, he will not be in MLS after this season. I think he and Andy Najar will be the next big moves to Europe.
I forgot to add that he basically made Alejandro Moreno expendable and available for the expansion draft.
that made me LOL. good to see that people still be converted in soccer even way later in life, but anywho. Yea, I remember when he first came onto the scene and scored against my beloved Galaxy, didn't really think much of him back then, but I was highly impressed with his performances in the CONCACAF Champions league, during this time with all the ranting going on about getting Buddle and Gomez into the US camp, I figured it was just a matter a time before someone called for Mr. Lenhart. Hes only 23 and can only improve, hopefully he'll continue to play well and get a look.
I dislike how you worry you would be flamed for this suggestion. I have seen him play and I am not sure he has the stuff to become a really good player. He is a big kid and I am hoping he can become a Jan Koller type player
given this guys performance tonight, I thought i'd resurrect this thread. so his 2nd goal tonight, his diving header against philly instantly gave me flashbacks of Brian Mcbride's goal against Portugal back in 2002. now I know this is still premature... but can this guy be our next Mcbride? hes only 23 and I definitely think he has the potential.
Man, he was fantastic tonight. That 2nd goal was an all-around thing of beauty. They really deserved the win after that disgraceful flop by Le Toux.
Pup, I'm not sure it was a stone cold penalty but it wasn't a flop. Hejduk barely clipped him...if you watch the replays you will see his foot turn as Frankie makes contact
I watched it 3 or 4 times just to be sure of what I saw and let's be honest, 1. Le Toux was never, ever going to get to that ball after he poked it to the end line, and I wish referees would finally get wise to that, surely they realize that and can have the discretion to make the right decision on a case by case basis. These are referees at the highest level of the game and while they are subject to mistakes, if you watch the replay, he was staring RIGHT AT the play. Making that penalty call, or others like it that I see in many games, should really never be made. 2. He completely dragged his foot to draw penalty even when Hejduk was pulling out of the tackle. It was more Le Toux making contact with Hejduk's foot than the other way around. I'm not saying there was no contact, but there is no way in hell that Frankie's pinky toe brings him down, it was a dive even if it "technically" wasn't.
Lenhart is worth testing-out, Lenhart did show finishing touch against Toluca, Barros Schelotto is helping out polishing this player.
THE ONLY THING HOLDING LENHART BACK was his hair, and not that its gone, nothing is holding him back. Lol... Seriously, I think some folks didn't like to watch him cause he had a bozo the clown look about him, but on the field he is deadly. It isn't that he can head the ball well, he's had some lethal strikes from some difficult angles too. I remember a goal he score in which it looked like he did a Jackie Chan 180 round house kick and the ball lazer beamed into the net. Call me very interested in Lenhart for the future, we need good forwards, he is turning into a very pleasant surprise. Anyone who can put the damn ball in the net, and also do it in style? Please... call him up!
Alaska doesn't have a pro team? He's a camp cupcake guy right now. That will be an important camp for everyone. Everyone is gonna want to impress early in the cycle to improve their chances of being integrated with the squad. Of course the down side to impressing early is slumping later on (Kljestan).
Why not would be if he crapped the bed for the rest of the season. Cupcake is for the best of MLS and those players abroad who aren't getting much PT or haven't yet been capped by the national team. It's not like we just hand out invitations to anyone. However, even if he did crap the bed for the rest of the season if the coaching staff sees enough potential in him maybe he gets the invite. I certainly hope he continues to develop well. We are really going to have to overall the defense for the next cycle.
I watched the Crew-Union game yesterday and was very impressed with Lenhart. He showed a nose for the goal with his 2 goals (and nearly a 3rd), while also displaying fluidity and aggressiveness. If he keeps it up, I don't see why he shouldn't get a shot.
Count me in the "would be disappointed if he's not called into Camp Cupcake" crowd. I really like the way he plays. In another thread I described his personality on the field as "Brian McBride crossed w/ a 9 ball." I loved McBride's tude. But, I also like Lenhart's weird & wild streak, too.
CAP HIM NOW!!! [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUP1AaQoXsg&feature=related"]YouTube- Steven Lenhart Dances‎[/ame]
I've always liked him aLOT as a person, and over the last year or so have come to like him as a player. He's the type of player, IMO, who fits perfectly the resume of a late bloomer. Small school, plays a role on the field where guys tend to peak very late for attacking players. So it wouldn't shock me for him to become an outstanding MLSer and a fine pro in Europe and be in Brazil in 2014. He's got a great attitude. But he's got a ways to go. One to keep an eye on. This Camp Cupcake is a different one from the next two in the cycle, in that Bob (or whoever) will be preparing his roster for the Gold Cup that gets us into the Confed Cup. The bar, I think, will be higher for a project than it will be the next two. To me, it's more realistic to think of him as a guy who might be in the Jan 2012 Camp. But you never know; he might explode as a player.