For those interested, DC United loaned 4 players to round out the U20 b squad in a preseason scrimmage. The 4 DC United players were Stokes, Ali, Carroll and Namoff. I attended the match and did a review for TopDrawerSoccer here: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/1045979803/view Of particular note was that Ali scored the game winner (2-1 win for the U20s) and Namoff played very well in central defense. He had good positioning, broke up several attacks and looked solid overall. Maybe he's picking it up? Stokes looked ok after he woke up. I say that because he started the second half and was immediately stripped of the ball by Rapids forward Casey Schmidt, after receiving a backpass and taking far too long to decide what to do with it. He settled in after that and was good on defense until he subbed out 15 mins later with a knock. Also, Bobby played great and supplied a good corner kick which EJ converted. He took all of the corners as usual. He was playing in a central mid role and looked threatening the entire first half he was in the game. Coach Hudson was also there with an amused look on his face as he watched his charges perform well.
interesting...."after he woke up" is the key phrase here. lets hope it was just a short nap and not a continuing habit. while at unc, stokes made those kind of plays a regular feature of his game. in many ways, its truly amazing he's even in a dc united uniform. three undistinguished years as a tarheel where he properly failed to receive even 2nd team acc recognition one time. shows how far one can get with a large, athletic frame and good name recognition as a youth player.
Except for most professional sports, having outstanding athletic ability (while that isn't everything) counts for a lot. B/c being good in college ain't good enough in the pros. Just look at Lee Morrison vs. Stokes for that reality. Morrison outperformed Stokes in college, but Stokes is the guy people want (and Morrison will be lucky to stay in MLS this season). You figure people can acquire certain things but they can't acquire speed, quickness, height.
Re: Re: USA U20s vs. Rapids [R] with help from DCU Many things go into players making the all-league teams but mostly it's about performing and the team accomplishing. When players are taken at the professional level, especially as a Project 40, they are taken based on potential. You can't teach 6' 3" 185lbs. coupled with athletic ability and speed. Remember Stokes was the Final Four Defensive MVP two years ago when he shut down IU's Noonan to win a national title. He also performed very well at the MLS Combine prior to the draft which moved him to the #5 pick overall. He is also a winner, he won national titles at the high school, club and college levels. Due to his size and experience coaches continue to try and make him a central defender, he is best as a man marker where the game is much simpler and he has some cover for an occasional error. Stokes will be just fine, he will be making a living at this game for the next 15 years or so.
Re: Re: Re: USA U20s vs. Rapids [R] with help from DCU Agreed. He was clearly the most dominant defender at the combine and did show some spark in the Rapid's scrimmage after the early mishap. I think he needs time to adjust to MLS speed and to develop the focus and discipline of a professional but he has a chance to be something special.
Maybe I have missed this but what is up with Tino?? Not playing in this game and not going to Portugal with the team. Is he injured again or something else??
Technically speaking, you can acquire height, but it's not a pretty process. I wonder if Ali somehow responded better not playing for Hudson? Or maybe he's just responding to the bad press or the team pep talk. David
Player Evaluations Great article Mason, and welcome to the TopDrawerSoccer.com team! I also wanted to point out that Mason did an excellent player evaluation that may be found here: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/1046043831/view Thanks again Mason. -Tron