What is Matt Watson doing in USL-1? I'm surprised he hasn't been picked up by any MLS team. He was constantly beating the KC backline (Michael Harrington is no scrub) in the Open Cup game tonight with his individual skill on the wing, drawing extra defenders in, and putting up good crosses. Watson showed really well with his fakes and stepovers, and not just pushing the ball past players and outrun them like DaMarcus Beasley. He's pretty good tactically and knows when to stop dribbling and cross. It was like jogo bonito watching this guy take on players. I've haven't seen someone of his quality in the A-League, so he's for real. He's English born and 23 y.o., according to Wikipedia. He's better than any of the the fringe players we've had on the wing the past few years ( > Quaranta, Guppy, Maesnner, Kirk, Mediate, Deroux, Burch, Cordeiro). IMHO, the only players who've played for DC as winger that is better than Watson (due to their vast experiences) are Justin Mapp, Ernie Stewart, and Convey. But if you are comparing individual skill, Watson is just as good as Mapp.
Not sure about this Watson fellow, but I would like to mention Matthew Mbuta of Crystal Palace Baltimore as a potential target. He was very effective tonight against a bizarre RBNY lineup. Nifty player, quick and good close control. Apparently he's on the Cameroon Olympic squad.
Maessner a fringe player? Tough crowd. Clearly no respect for the hairstyle! Or is that a reference to his Buffalo Blizzard days KGDG Come On United (States and DC) www.screaming-eagles.com Go John Maessner, Go John Maessner, Go!!
If he's that good, a loan? We've done it with S.A. teams. I presume they'd have to look at, and be satisfied with, how players develop here . . . .
Man, I almost did the classic spit-take when I read the thread title - I thought it said we should sign Mark Watson! Any help on the wings would be good. After watching Kirk last night for a full game, I don't think he will be around next year.
he's got to agree to the contract, and there could be all sorts of personal reasons not to. he may even make more already then he could get from us, or maybe there are guarantees he has now. always worth a look though, IMO.
Is this the same Matt Watson that played for the Blast two seasons ago? If so he was a disease in the locker room, a head case. If I remember correctly he got into it with another player and was basically let go near the end of the 07 season. I could be thinking of someone else though.
Straying a little off-topic, are there any USL goalkeepers who'd merit United's consideration, anyone particularly noteworthy during this USOC round? Seems to me, that's the club's most pressing need, even above wide midfielders. IIRC, that's how we found Mark Simpson in 1996 when 1st team GK Jeff Causey was doing such a craptacular job...
Ray Burse has been outstanding for Portland, but he's on loan to them from FC Dallas. He's a great shot stopper and athletic as the Bouna time guy in Colorado. I would trade for him if there's a chance.
From his wikipedia page, it says he was with the Blast for two seasons, and was out most of the 2nd season with injury, but got a championship ring: "During the 2006-2007 season, Watson scored ten goals in twenty-nine games as the Blast failed to qualify for the playoffs. In his second season, he broke his toe, putting him out for much of the season. However, he did win his second professional championship as the Blast won the 2007-2008 title."
That dude's HUGE. Still, coming off the bench for William and Mary's squad does not say "ringing endorsement" to me...
While not in the US Open Cup, Jay Nolly had the game of his life in a shut out of Toronto in the Canada Cup. He made some ridiculous saves Wells could only dream of and looked like a cross between Tim Howard and [SIZE=-1]Jens Lehmann. Wish we could get him back. [/SIZE]
For all those "glowing" about Nolly now, I guess you didn't see his match before the TFC game, where he gave up 2 howlers. He's a good USL-1 Keeper, as is Wells...