WEDNESDAY KC-NE None - NE has no U23 players in its roster and with Jose Burciaga hurt, none of the U23 players on the Wizards are getting PT. SATURDAY NY/NJ-COL Ricardo Clark - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Mike Magee 84 minutes, 1 goals, 0 assist Tim Regan 62 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Kenny Arena 6 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Kyle Beckerman - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Casey Schmidt - 35 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists CHI-NE DaMarcus Beasley - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Justin Mapp 34 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Kelly Gray 30 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Clark was supposedly playing right mid but he pinched in a lot and spent as much time centrally as he did out wide. Looked good going forward - he had a nice, strong shot early in the game - and active defensively. He's very comfotable on the ball, very fast and tactically, he's always in the right place. My only quibble with him is he doesn't really get stuck in on tackles, which he'll likely need to do better to be an effective D-mid at the next level. We ought to call Magee "My Sharona" because he just has The Knack. He just seems to know where to be for the ball to bounce to him and when he gets a chance, he finishes it. Spent a lot of time wide right and showed good pace out there, leading me to think that Mooch may want to try him as a right mid. Regan didn't do anything that really made him standout but in his first extensive MLS play he didn't make any mistakes either, playing in place of a dinged up Richie Williams at D-mid. At the end of the day, he helped pitch a shutout and you can't argue with that. At some point, Mooch is gonna have to consider giving this kid a look, especially if he is calling in players like Stokes who hasn't played in MLS yet. For the second staight game, Arena came in late with the Metros protecting a lead so obviously Bob Bradley has some faith in him, which is a good sign. He didn't go much but he won a couple headers and through his weight around so you can't say he didn't play to his strengths! (BTW, as someone who spent a lot of time defending Kenny when he was being accused of being on the U20 team only because of who his dad is, I have to say I feel a little vindicated. I don't think Arena's gonna be a star, but I always thought he was better than people ever gave him credit for and a lot of people took out their dislike for his old man - pre Korea, of course - on Kenny.) Beckerman had an up and down game. He was listed as a holding mid but pushed forward a lot. As a D-mid, he's still a sloppy tackler but he is active and isn't afraid to get stuck in. He would make a nice pass to create a chance then make a sloppy pass for a turnover. Obvously, he has to do more of the former and less of the latter to be more effective. The kid has talent but he seems like he was pressing and being "a bit too ambitious", as the Brits say, at times. Schmidt didn't score but he did what you want a sub to do, which is make an impact. He hit the post once and head a couple of other chances. If he keeps playing like this, eventually those will start to go in and if they do, you have to figure Mooch will eventually notice, especially if he's getting more minutes than someone like Nate Jaqua. Beasley looked like someone playing his fourth game in 10 days in four cities, which of course he was. Didn't have his usual extra burst of energy and didn't really threaten NE with his pace. Mapp didn't have much impact on the game but he played with confidence, showed some skill and definitely looks like someone who should be playing more. He started off as the right mid then switched over to the left but in both cases drifted centrally a lot. Gray came in as a midfielder to help Chicago get one back but had to move to the back after CJ Brown got tossed. Looked good but the game was pretty much over at that point. I'll do the three later games in a couple hours.
Of the games Ive seen Clark, Id say this was his worst. He factored well into play a couple times, but he was a bit too invisible for my liking. He struck me as not being a major factor in this game as the Rapids controlled much of the possession. Magee definately got a "right place at the right time" goal. He showed some nice pace a couple of times as well. Id say he was solid and productive but unspectacular. Regan was active and getting involved in the play, he kept popping up and getting involved all over the field. Didnt strike me as a particularly skillfull player though, and Im not sure how he fits on the U-23s. He strikes me as a well, Richie Williams type player, valuble in MLS but of limited utility in international competition. Beckerman looked like an attacking mid playing out of position. He did OK in the game, but really looked more comfortable when attacking. Not sure if he can develop in Colorado as it is now, as for the most part it doesnt seem like players on the team know their role. I think that showed up as uncertainty in his play. Schmidt was pretty impressive as a target forward in a 1 forward system, he made himself available, while fighting and holding position. Also I liked what I saw in that he is primarily a one touch player, he doesnt try and hold the ball longer than he should.
KC-DC Alecko Eskandarian - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Bobby Convey - 87 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists DAL-LA DJ Countess 100 minutes, 8 saves, 1 goal allowed Eddie Johnson - 57 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Brad Davis 32 minutes, 1 goal, 0 assists Ricky Lewis - 31 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Convey was very good in his time even though he didn't create a goal. Playing a lot in the middle, he was active and showed constantly for the ball and called for it. He is starting to play with some assertiveness that I like. I'm curious to see how he'd do on a better attacking team with more cohesiveness. Eskandarian was rarely a threat but he showed a willingnes to take guys on 1-v-1 and he tracked back on D a lot, which I always like from forwards. I didn't see the Dallas-Los Angeles game but here are some thoughts. Sounds like DJ had another solid game and couldn't do much on the LA goal, though it sounds like he got bailed out by a defender on the goal-line on one play. For all the talk EJ has made about wanting and deserving to start (and how many of us on BS did the same thing), the kid better start coming through. He has been pretty impotent in four starts, with nary an assist to show for it. Davis' goal was supposedly a cracker and he continues to be an offensive spark off the bench. I really think that's his best role in MLS for now and definitely with the 23s. Nice to see Lewis get another game off the bench though it raises an eyebrow that Dallas scored shortly after he came in. Anyone know if he was involved on that play? As an extension of that, I look forward to everyone's thoughts on the games they saw, particulalry the Dallas-LA game.
Convey moved the ball well . Had some precise short passes , did not loose alot of balls, and whipped alot of crosses into the box..and one cross helped DC gain a PK. He was also all over the field . And he tracked back and played some D. He showed some indomitable spirit tonight , an all around effort. He was subbed cause of a cut on the back of his nuggin..he met Meola's cleat..when he dove right into the keeper in the 2nd half. Eski ran his tail off tonight.He really didn't have a good shot on goal , nevertheless he was a pest for the defenders all night. Always buzzing around.
LA-SJ Landon Donovan - 90 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist I didn't see the game but Landon is playing at an MVP level and while SJ was without Buddle and Martino, it was still a good win for the Quakes, who look like the class of the league right now. This game is a testament to his fitness as, like Beasley, he was playing his fourth game in 10 days, all in different cities.
Dal-LA as soon as Brad Davis came on he started creating a lot of offensive chances- some great passes into the box that were almost goals. of course he scored so that was good too. DJ made a TON of spectacular, highlight-reel saves. saved our ass on way too many occasions. EJ seemed like a nonfactor really, i can't say he had any chances at goal that i can think of.
Re: Dal-LA EJ has done basically done jack ************ in his four starts. In all fairness, he hasn't had the best service, and his role on the U17s was as a goal poacher. He's still thinking the game too slowly to have much of an impact. Lewis wasn't involved in Davis' goal IIRC.
ej had one header straight into the arms of hartman. dj stood on his head - the guy's lightning quick. davis' goal was a highlight reel left footer from about 20 yards that ripped into the upper 90 to hartman's right. and lewis was ok on defense and went forward a few times as well. he was not a factor in the dallas goal. the galaxy were playing a man down and could not withstand dallas' constant pressure. it was as simple as that.
Thanks Sandon Mibut ...one more question?? It seems like MLS is taking advantage of the young homegrown talent, but on every MLS game we still can see the lack of coaching motivation, excesive ball handling, and the kids are following the same pattern...some coment about this.....
Actually, Donovan is not on his game. He is definately too tired to run, not fighting for balls, and gave up too many possessions. But even that, when he decided to run and pass a killer ball, he still can do it. So kind of like Mathis in this game, he disappeared most of time, but still can impact a game in few minute.
Re: Goal poacher ???? I'm very aware that a goal poacher can have a vital role in a team's performance, and can often be the difference between a good team and a great team. The problem with this is that when you choke off the service, then the guy is basically dead wood out there. *cough*Batistuta in the WC *cough*
Eskandarian looks like he will be able to do some good things in the league as a forward, but not right now. His ideas, his instincts and his physical ability all look good, but he is not used to the speed of play in MLS. The problem for him is, who do you sit in order to give him experience? DC need goals right now. Maybe it is fortunate that nobody else is scoring. Hudson won't do any worse with Eski in there.
Of all the U23 players this weekend, Lewis stood out the most to me. He looked strong on the ball and defended well with good positioning. Keep an eye on this kid.
How good do you have to be to be described as both the early leader in the MVP race, get a goal and an assist in your last league game, and have a fan of your own team describe you as not on your game? I guess you'd have to be the most skilled player in the league.
Actually, he had an outstanding second half. He admitted he played poorly first half; turned it on the second half and took the Quakes all the way. Yallop himself said he's serving the ball on a plate to his teammates and if they could finish he'd have had 3 or four assists IN THIS GAME ALONE. So I wouldn't call that disappearing.
I don't know if Lewis stands out above players like Donovan and RunDMB, but otherwise I agree with this. This is the first time I've seen Lewis and he was very impressive. He strikes the ball as well as any other defender I've seen with his long balls. He's also cat-like quick and showed some very good technical skills with the ball at his feet.
Clark - I agree that this was his worst game. His worst game is better than many players' best - not just rookies, and not just U23s. It is his tactical awareness, combined with his physical traits, that set him apart from any other rookie this year. And let's not forget that Rico went 90 in Guadelajara midweek, so if he doesn't have the energy to stick in every tackle, I'll forgive him. Especially when his positioning is flawless. Magee - His confidence is growing, and he does have the knack for being in the right place at the right time. That is indicative of a young player already having a solid read of the game, and making the right reactions to play. More importantly, it indicates that Magee is willing to work off the ball. A very good omen. As the year progresses, I'd like to see some more confidence from him on the ball. Donovan - Yes Shaster, his first half sucked. His second half did not. He and Martino are competing for MVP right now. He was winded after so many games, which is to be expected. That was evident through him not pressing the ball as much as we're used to on D, but he still checked back constantly, and as others have said, his vision and execution in passing is unparalleled by any player in the league. DMB - Playing with the Fire is not going to help his game this year. They have no ideas in the attack, their central midfield is a trainwreck with a drunk conductor (Williams), and DMB has been reduced to a long-ball player. His touch was pretty bad against the Revs, but you could also tell he was exhausted. Lewis - As indicated, he was not responsible for the goal. He's an intriguing player, but I haven't seen enough of him to pass any type of judgement. E Johnson - His performances have reminded me of the performances of the forwards when the US played Costa Rica in San Jose. In other words, he's been hung out to dry. He has gotten literally zero service in the games I've watched. It's hard to measure how good of a player he is/could be in the Dallas situation.