I wouldn't mind suffering through a mediocre record this season if this becomes "the year of developing great young talent." In other words, if we end up having a handful of players with a breakout year, then this will a fun season. Among the following group, who do you guys think has the most upside potential and why? Alvarez Dunivant Maliza Roner Sanfillipo Saunders Walker (I know a lot of people will pick Alvarez, but if you know about the other guys, I'd really like to see what you have to say.)
I think Dunivant could, in time, be a top defender in this league. I base that on more or less a hunch (I did seem him play twice this spring though) ... but i have a good feeling about this guy. alvarez, will certainly be a stud. here's a question: what's the word on wegele? I heard that he was training with the quakes again. any truth? what's his future?
I heard he was training with Lucci's team in Sweden (?) but there wasn't enough interest. So he came back and was in camp with SJ. (I read this in a Lucci or Luchi or whatever thread in the Yanks Abroad forum.)
Speaking of Lucci, why didn't he get a shot to play striker for us? Yallop gave him a whooping 47 MLS minutes, almost all in midfield and we waive him? The guy was the "College Player of the Year" at SMU as a striker, not midfielder. Would anyone else rather see him playing for us instead of Ching or Mullen?
Dunivant, Alvarez and Roner. Dunivant showed good composure considering he's a rookie in the Champions Cup match, his offensive ability will be a help as well. Alvarez will show some sparks, but due to his age he'll be spending time maturing. Roner, as the senior member, might eke out more minutes than Dunivant through the course of the season. It'll be nice to see how he does in his natural midfield position, if he gets a chance.
Thinking about it some more, they are going to have different impacts this year because they have different opportunities. Dunivant will have the greatest chance because we really don't have any other option at the left back spot. You could put Corrales out there, but that would be a waste of Corrales. Roner could fill in on the right back or midfield spot. The right back spot will be a more likely option. As the season progresses and he develops, I wouldn't be surprised to possibly see him in the midfield, perhaps in the center if Yallop has the opportunity to try Roner there. Alvarez is more likely to get up front now with DeRosario out. I see him as the first sub off the bench. He could fill in the left midfield role if Corrales is needed elsewhere and Lagos is needed on the right. Considering how he replaced Dunivant in the Champions Cup match, we could also see him at the left back spot.
Yeah, I'm excited to see the kids get a chance. If we don't win the Cup this year... at least we'll uncover a jewel or two. And next year we'll be talking about a new, younger "core" to supplement with a trade or a discovery.
Absolutely. Used to infuriate me to see guys like Barclay playing instead of Luchi. P.S. Luchi looked great against Pachuca (?) at Spartan.
Unfortunately... I agree. Lucci, the one time I actually saw him get some minutes, looked like a man against Pachuca. Barclay never, ever looked good when I saw him -- considerably more minutes. However, I always chalked it up to Frank knowing more about it than I could possibly know as a spectator.
Ratings wanted from those who saw the game (10 high, 0 low): Alvarez . . . . . . . : Dunivant . . . . . . : Any other of the youngsters?
Yeah, me too. And I must admit that I could never understand the preference for Barclay over Lucci Gonzalez. Do we remember that about the 2001 season? The team was doing so well that none of the reserves ever got to set foot on the pitch (or almost never). As someone said on another thread in reference to Chicago's situation with an injured Armas, et. al, there were guys who got a chance to play who would never have if the regular starters were all healthy. There are a bunch of guys out there that wouldn't ordinarily be and some gems will be produced, I am sure. Artie is one of them.