U20 v S.Florida Select [R]

I wonder why Alvarez did not go back to San Jose like Gaven, Adu and Capano did. I know he got on the field the week before and scored a goal.

 

it looks like the guy everyone was hating on, Watson, scored the first goal of the match and scored very early (under 5 minutes IIRC) vs South Florida Select. I wonder how the guys such as jri and nutmeg feel about this? anyone there for comments or match reports?


JHF

 

Is it hating to say I don't think he is "the best we have"? Or that he will be a mid-level (or slightly above average) MLS player at best. He, too me, is basically Eskandarian's level (career)- Eski did great in college, and scored a few goals for our youth teams..

Good for Watson.....prove me wrong!

 

I read a lot about how Thomas Rongen put a heavy emphasis on defending for this camp. It seems they only let up 1 goal and it sounds like it was a cheap one. How did the defenders do? Who stood out? I heard Owens and Phelan had great camps. Anybody see the games?

 

I saw Owens. I like his size, he seems to use his body well, good reads and etc. He is strong in the air as you can imagine. For him to really become a stud, in my opinion, and by this I mean major impact on US Nat Team level and playing top level Europe- he needs to get a lot better on the ball. He has time, but I think he is not a natural and pretty mechanical on ball. So he has some work to do there.

 

Think JRI is right on about Watson. Think Esky has more upside. Let's put it like this. When the U17's went to England last year before the cup, the English fawned over Watson's dashing runs and how his tank was never empty. That says it all to me. No skill. English prototype. We need less of these guys, not more.

 

Its amazing how perception of a guy swings around based on a few games. Watson may have had a rough time in the last camp but he's still an excellent prospect. Remember it was just last year that he forced Eddie Gaven to the midfield for the U17 worlds. The comparison with Alecko is a pretty good one IMO as they are pretty similar. Both are short, suprisingly strong players with good speed and positioning. From what I've seen of Jaime he's going to need to add a few pounds to handle more physical defenders, which shouldn't be shocking for a teenager. The one skill of his that does seem to be consistently underrated is his passing. Several times during qualifications and the worlds Watson was able to spring other players free by sucking in the defense then flicking on a someone filing the wing.

 

so is being a prototype for the english style worse than being perfect for mls??? im kind of wondering which is a better style to have, the english game, or the mls game? if having dashing runs and the fire to go 90+ and full speed isnt good then what is good? what is your defintion of a american prototype? can you name anyone in the youth ranks who tops watson with better runs and more desire because i am having a hard time thinking of one... not even the soccer savior (freddy) gets in behind defenses like his forward partner does.


JHF