From the early game - LA - Ricky Lewis - 17 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists NE None (No U23s on their roster) Nice to see Lewis pop his MLS cherry. He seems to have been hitting the wieghts as he looked much thicker than his Clemson days. Often looked like someone making his pro debut on national TV and was a step slow a couple of times but he looked comfortable with the ball when it was on his foot and looked to go forward several times. I'll try and do the others later.
I was at the Fire-Earthquake 0-0 game last night. Logan Pause continues to play well, matched up variously on Lagos, Mullan, and Corrales. He came out at 85 for Faria as the Fire pressed for a goal. He positions himself well, is strong on the tackle, holds the ball well, and makes the simple pass. It seems that with every game, he plays with additional confidence. This is only going to help his U23 prospects. Beasley had a first rate game, rattling the post on a typical laser shot, which really signalled the beginning of the Fire's dominance in this game. He was fouled by my count four times, one of which set up a dangerous free kick. He will set the MLS record for fouls suffered -- assuming he stays healthy. He and Agoos also got into quite an amusing tussle in the second half, as he basically slammed Jeff into the boards. Jeff, however, was not amused. CJ Brown put the clamps on Landon Donovan, who was basically ineffective all night. No doubt playing 90 on Thursday took a bit of the spark out of his game, but CJ really manhandled him on a couple of occasions. Just one of those things, I guess. Kelly Gray, Justin Mapp, and Craig Capano did not play. We've talked about Todd Dunivant elsewhere, bemoaning the fact that he's 4 days too old for the 23s. Well, I was very impressed with his play last night, very calm and composed, intelligent on the ball, and a good decision-maker on the mark. It is a shame he is just THIS much too old.
Here is the complete rundown of U23 players from Saturday evenings games. DC Bobby Convey - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Alecko Eskandarian - 60 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Santino Quaranta - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists NY/NJ Ricardo Clark - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Mike Magee - 85 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Kenny Arena - 1 minute, 0 goals, 0 assists Tim Regan - 1 minute, 0 goals, 0 assists DALLAS - DJ Countess - 90 minutes, 2 saves, 3 goals allowed Brad Davis - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Eddie Johnson - 45 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists KC - none CHICAGO DaMarcus Beasley - 100 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Logan Pause - 85 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists SAN JOSE Landon Donovan - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Arturo Alvarez - 10 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists COLORADO - Kyle Beckerman - 26 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Casey Schmidt - 26 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists COLUMBUS Kyle Martino - 83 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists The DC players are just in a funk and whether they play as forwards, wide mids, center mids or left backs, they just aren't scoring goals. It's not their fault, but they are also part of a foundering team. Still it's good to see them getting games and I would like to see more of Tino at wide mid. Clark was solid again, just composed beyond his years and SUCH an athlete. After watching that game, I couldn't help thinking that Ray Hudson may have regretted taking Esky over Clark. Magee had a couple of chances but didn't put much of an impact on the game. Arena (MLS debut) and Regan only came on just before injury time but in a 1-0 game, that's a good sign of confidence that Bradley has in these two rooks to help protect a lead. I didn't see the Dallas-KC game so I can't comment on the Burn players but it sounds as if Countess wasn't to blame on the three goals and Johnson tweaked a hammy. I'm starting to get concerned about his being injury prone. Martino had another solid game as a playmaker and while he got nicked up, he is starting to show a toughness I never though he had when he was at UVa and with the 20s. I also love how he works back for the ball and he is starting to play simpler, which is good. Really is a natural "10" and it's just a matter of time before he gets that number from Maisonneuve. Also, Martino would have had a goal but he was denied by a nice save from Vallow and his rebound hit the crossbar. Beckerman needs to start, period. Colorado has no central midfield and if he can't crack it, either Hankinson is an idiot or "Becks" is just dogging it in training. Schmidt had one nice chance and brought some energy to the team but didn't do much. Still, if he continues to play, Mooch is going to have to notice. I haven't watched the Chicago-SJ game and haven't even checked my tape to see if I recorded it properly. But, Karl's observations from being there are better than anything I could add from watching the game on the telly. One question for anyone at the Chicago game: How did Alvarez look and where did he play?
Alvarez entered for Donovan, a sure sign the eQuakes were playing for the point. He may have gotten a touch or two, no more as the FIRE were ramming play down San Jose's end.
I thought Magee had his best game of the season -- he made a couple of glaring mistakes, and still is obviously learning, but his hustle was less aimless and his understanding of his teamates seemed improved. Clark had his quietest game of the season, but still managed to impress with his tackling, leaping ability and overall skill. It may have to do with the fecklessness of the opponent that left him with less to do.
Quaranta was much more dangerous after he moved to the front line. That could be due to the other players in the DC midfield though. He was still working hard from up front at the end. Convey seemed to have a bit of trouble with the turf but got better as the game went along.
Beckerman needs to start, period. Colorado has no central midfield and if he can't crack it, either Hankinson is an idiot or "Becks" is just dogging it in training. Schmidt had one nice chance and brought some energy to the team but didn't do much. Still, if he continues to play, Mooch is going to have to notice. _________________________________________ __________________________________________ I know he is not dogging it in practice. He wants to start so he keeps performing in practice . It must be stubborness that keeps hankinson from using him. He plays that position but he insist of trying just about everyone else who basically play somewhere else. Everyone is saying give kyle some games in a row and if he can't perform then take him out. But he just won't. IMO he doesn't just doesn't like him. Mooch has notice. He has been called in for every camp and plays...