The Official Niko Tsakiris thread

Great - with Lopez off for months and Arango potentially out we now have pretty much nothing to fall back on (and Pelle is less than nothing) if Leroux can't go over the next few weeks

 

Tsakiris goal

Niko Tsakiris levels the score thanks to some sensational work from Kristian Fletcher. These two have been the standouts this camp, and apparently there are scouts at the games to watch Tsakiris.
🇺🇸 USA U20 1-1 Japan U20 🇯🇵

🎥 @TelemundoSports pic.twitter.com/fFfTtO0vtY

— American Ultras Talk (@usmntaut) March 24, 2025

The U.S. U-20 team plays Japan to a 1-1 draw to conclude their March camp in Spain.
- Niko Tsakiris with the 56th minute equalizer
- U.S. played well, had a lot of possession. Hard fought by both teams
- Another good camp, overall, for the U.S. team under Mitrovic.

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 24, 2025

U20 takeaways from this window:

-Augsburg are going to have a hard time keeping a hold of Banks

-Wouldn’t be surprised to see Tsakiris move in the summer

-Strikers aren’t convincing

-Fletcher + Campbell wing pair would be very dangerous

-CBs and GKs are a major strength

— USMNT Source (@usmntsource) March 24, 2025

 

OK, it was kind of a tap-in but did Niko finish with his right foot there? I gotta give him credit for that since I'm always harping on his one-footedness. Since I'm not super high on Niko in general, I think a transfer would be a good outcome, not just for us but for him also. Bruce doesn't rate him much anyway, at least not yet. He's unlikely to improve with us this year. His minutes are going backwards. Way backwards.

 

Knowing the Quakes they will hold on to Tsakiris as his value plummets towards zero from Bruce not playing him, and THEN sell him!

This sequence was 🤑, but unfortunately Fletcher was called offsides.

The hesi and touch from Banks. The turn from Tsakiris and the finish from Fletcher. pic.twitter.com/DbBjrwiSsv

— Marcus Chairez | US/SC (@USSoccerColl) March 24, 2025

 

"SJ has botched this situation."

Plenty of scouts will be watching a number of United States U-20 players in Spain this week, but I'm told a few European clubs will be there for San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Niko Tsakiris

Tsakiris, 19, has EU passport & is under contract through 2026. Has 61 first team apps pic.twitter.com/g6tihijVa9

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 20, 2025

I am guessing they really liked what they saw. Niko looked like a man amongst boys today—wonderful performance. SJ has botched this situation. https://t.co/49IZnuSzHT

— Marcus Chairez | US/SC (@USSoccerColl) March 24, 2025

 

That's very confusing. Mr. Chairez seems like someone to avoid.

 

He runs this site where he does US prospect rankings... also he's around here

https://www.ussoccercollective.com/

Goal today from U-20s was from the two best players from this camp: Fletcher and Tsakiris. Fletcher slices through Japan's defense and finds Tsakiris slipping in on goal. Both guys were outstanding over both games. pic.twitter.com/DydJnTMzY6

— Marcus Chairez | US/SC (@USSoccerColl) March 24, 2025

 

Not sure what SJ has "botched". Niko has gotten lots of playing time with the Quakes over the last 4 years. 52 appearances, 2455 minutes, 0g, 1a, lots of awkward moments where he needs to use his right foot but doesn't want to or can't. As I said earlier, best case for both Niko and the Quakes is that he's transferred on the basis of his U20 performances.

 

Assuming he means 2025... in other words this:

 

Yes, your scenario would be a botch for sure. Fortunately, in Cade's case his value plummeted not all the way to 0, but from say $8M to $4M because Chivas was dumb enough to pay $4M. So we only lost about $4M on that one.

On Niko we need to strike while the iron's hot. I think with Bruce calling the shots we at least have a chance to not be dumb.

 

Agreed

 

Not the best situation for Niko, very tough to develop when previously the first team has been a dumpster fire...especially for a young mid. It's clear he needs to add attacking verve to his game to be a valued contributor. He's not there yet, he needs to develop getting his shot off quicker in MLS. But imo, he deferred too much responsibility to teammates before, and now he's trying to take more responsibility to make something happen...he's a slasher...not a pure dribbler who can walk by defenders...we're seeing more of that, those darting runs into the box...hopefully the finishing will improve. The jury is still out on him elevating his attacking game, so I think botched is premature and a bit harsh. I actually think when Bruce says we have some young players who will have good MLS careers, I think Niko is in that group. He see's him in training day in and day out...I'm sure the staff is working with him non-stop to develop his acm game. I think he's valued...not a lost cause stuck on the bottom of the depth chart...he'll get periodic opportunities to state his case...if Bruce see's what he likes in training...tough love from Bruce, he wants to see impact on the game at that position not a passenger.

 

Niko, like Bouda, flashed dominance at Qii. If Bouda suddenly looks like he belongs after seeming lost in MLS, there may be hope for Niko yet.

 

Bruce has actually said that Niko will be a key player for the Quakes in the future or for many years or something along those lines. So I think he believes in him but doesn’t think he’s there yet. I hope a big part of what he wants Niko to work on is his one-footedness. As a CM it’s not good when you can be forced to your right and then you’re kinda stuck.

 

Quakes should hire this guy to coach Tsakiris

Saw this earlier and just thought it was a brilliant video, a great example of proper coaching.

“You’ve gotta miss with it now to score with it when you’re older.” pic.twitter.com/Yha2dlqZMq

— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) March 25, 2025