Only two games and yet 12 U23 players saw action. LA 1, San Jose 1 Ricky Lewis – 100 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Jesus Ochoa – 81 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Arturo Alvarez -- 100 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Jamil Walker – 39 minutes 1 goal, 0 assists Chicago 4, Dallas 1 Phil Salyer – 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists DJ Countess – 90 minutes, 2 saves, 4 goals allowed Brad Davis - 70 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Eddie Johnson - 20 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Logan Pause - 90 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Kelly Gray – 90 minutes, 1 goal, 0 assists Justin Mapp - 72 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Nate Jaqua - 4 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists Ricky Lewis and Phil Salyer both start their second games of the season. If I'm Chris Wingert, I'm starting to get nervous, especially if Salyer keeps playing regularly. I know Chris is playing in the PDL - and playing well - but let's not kid ourselves. Playing in MLS is much better for a player's development and as good as Wingert is, with these other wingbacks playing, it's hard to see how this doesn't impact his standing with the national team. Jaimil Walker - yet another player that's never been in the U23 pool is playing regularly and now he's scored. I've said it before but if these guys that never got called in when they were in college keep playing in MLS, Mooch has got to think about giving them looks, particulalry when he's calling in players like Wingert, who are still in college, or guys like Stokes and Carroll who have yet to play in MLS. Logan Pause - with every week, it gets harder and harder to see how this guy won't be part of the 18 that goes to qualifying. After Clark, he's got to be the highest D-mid on the depth chart, ahead of Carroll, Stone, etc... That said, if Ochoa is getting regular minutes, he too deserves a look.
Know we've disagreed on this one before Sandon, but: EJ played well in his limited minutes (I think it was Gbandi who lost that header to Futagaki). Salyer was doing well unitl his horrific mistake vs. Razov (carbon coby of Chicago's 3rd goal vs. Metros). Rookies will be rookies, I guess. Davis had an off night for him. Not really involved. Terrible mental lapse on handball in the Burn's box. Still delivered some good crosses from the left. DJ could have done better positionally on the 4th Fire goal. Solid all night, with a couple exceptional saves. Seems to make a lot of kick saves. I don't know enough about goalkeeping-is this an example of good technique or bad technique? Gray was solid in his defenisve midfield role. Seemed to lead most of the Chicago counters. Abused Suarez with one dribbling move to go one-on-one with Countess, but missed the shot. Was not to be denied on the 3rd Fire goal, although it must be said he ran between 2 Burn defenders on the play, neither of which decided to guard him. Pause was solid all night. Didn't notice him too much, which is good for a Dmid, i guess. Which I could say the same about Chad Deering, whom I noticed a lot. Mapp just seems useless to me. Tall, but skinny and weak. Doesn't seem that fast or aggressive. Haven't noticed him being a particulary adept crosser. So-so defensively. STILL not a 90 minute player. Sandon, did Dunivant not play vs. LA, or is he not a U-23?
Go back and watch the tape. It was EJ, I assure you. That was a shame because he really was having a nice game till then. Then again, that's like saying my dog was behaving well till she crapped on the rug. Davis infuriates me because he has games like this and I write him off and then he has a game where he's whipping in crosses like Beckham and I'm back on his bandwagon and then he has games like this again. Inconsistent or not, he's got to be mentally sharper and avoid the gaffe's like the PKs. I don't know enough about the technique to comment but I do know the kid's reflexes are quick!!! As for being out of position on the final goal, I'm gonna let him slide as I think he was pretty demoarlized by then. (In terms of DJ's development, is it good that he's getting shelled right now?) Gray is gonna be a great utility player most of his career and it's gonna basically guarantee him a spot till he wants to stop playing, particularly as long as MLS has small rosters. I don't see him as the first choice starter for the 23s at back or defensive MF but I'm pretty he'll be on the team beacause he can play so many places. Sarachan ought to get coach of the year just for plucking this guy in the third round. That, and Ralph in the second. See Davis. This kid probably has more skill than Davis but he is SOOOO inconsistent, it's maddening. I'm willing to cut him more slack because he's only 18, three years younger than Davis. Oh, he played. He was Man of the Match. Alas, he was born 12/26/80, which makes him all of five days too old for the current U23 team. It's a damn shame, too!
Im really hoping he gets an overage spot if he continues his MLS form, he is bar none the best MLS back going forward. Has to be downright scary for D's when hes overlapping.
I'll say he's inconsistent like Sandon said, but he's not fast? There's no way that's true. He's got an extra gear and he can accellerate very well. You just didn't see it this game. Again, he's very inconsistent. You're right about him not being a 90 minute player.
Mapp seems inexperienced out there, in a bit over his head. Not that he isnt capable of playing at that level, hes just not mentally ready for it. In sharp contrast to Alvarez, who has put in some good minutes for the quakes because he is mature, composed and tough despite his age. Salyer was great for the first 75 minutes or so, one of the Burns best players. He distributed the ball pretty well, made nice tackles and marked well. Have to go check the Razov goal again, but it sounded like an experience thing. He showed the ability to be a very good pro, which is what I think you look for first at this age. Basicly for me the difference between Sayler and Arena is that Sayler has the tools to take it up another level. EJ didnt show anything that I hadnt seen before. I think he could really use a loan to the A-League where he can get some minutes and get used to being the big fish in the small pond. Walker just works his butt off, has pace and is fearless. I think he will be a serviceable MLS guy, as he does the dirty work at forward so to speak. You need guys like that on teams sometimes, who just make themselves available for their teamates, so that guys have someone to latch on to the end of their crosses and passes. Worst game Ive seen from Davis so far. The PK was just kind of unfortunate. I think he got caught by suprise and reacted badly. After that I dont think he was ever in the game mentally.
Pause was solid all night. Didn't notice him too much, which is good for a Dmid, ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ don't agree with the statement about dmids..you know when pablo and armas are on the field and others also
I've said this before and I think it bears repeating: Mapp appears to me to have a fitness problem. In his first few games, he was doing great, and then would hit a wall around 75. Now it's TWO games where he's come out sluggish. I believe it is the unusual player who can, with minimal professional experience, step out on the field and play 90 in this league. Especially in midfield, where you have to cover a lot of ground. (Guys like Pause and Clark may be the exception, though I think Pause does a very good job in conserving energy). Given the few minutes Mapp got at DC, he is for all intents and purposes still a rookie in MLS. While he has many of the mental challenges an 18 year old would have as a professional player ahead of him, right now I think his biggest challenge -- and the one he needs to overcome quickly -- in the challenge of proper physical conditioning. I think he can be an outstanding player in this league, but he has got to get over this hurdle first.
Jamil Walker scored again for San Jose on Saturday against Columbus. That makes two in a row. It's only a matter of time before Frank Yallop has him play the full 90 minutes.