Who is the next US darkhorse star not only in the MLS, but also on the USMNT? I'm thinking a guy like Buddle who had produced a little in MLS, will breakout as soon as he comes back from his injury. He has a great body and has a Brian McBride quality that Arena loves. A couple more: 1)Ricardo Clark- A midfield general like a Ramos. 2)Guillermo Gonzalez-Good skill Longshot Kenny Arena-solid,very solid
for purposes of this discussion, how are you defining "darkhorse"? just to get an idea, would landon or dmb have been included prior to the last WC (or were one or both of them already too well known)?
I'm defining darkhorse as a person no one expected to do anything in the MLS early,but defy expectations.Also as a person no one would've thought to become a USMNT stalwart.
Justin Mapp: Why? Because of all the American Right midfielders we have, he is the only one that shows "classy" skills. He is built in the same mould as Convey, Beasley, Martino, and Donovan. Not nearly as good as they are right now, but shows much of the same skill set and mind set. At least thats what I've noticed from recent Fire matches. He just needs some experience out on the field
Memo looked very cool to me in the Dallas Cup tapes. If he can physically move up to the MLS top level in the next two years he would certainly be a candidate. I too also like Ricardo Clark and Buddle.
There are lots of candidates: (in no particular order) 1. Mapp 2. Gray 3. Pause 4. Gbandi 5. Davis 6. Quaranta 7. Stone 8. EJ 9. Salyer 10. Capano 11. Alvarez 12. Memo 13. ADU 14. Spector 15. Gaven 16. Clark 17. Magee 18. Convey 19. Cochrane 20 Klass 21 Marshall A host of 87's, a few 86s, a few other U17s, a couple of U20s. 2010 seems quite feasible if we can keep our core group healthy.
Suprised! I was very suprised at Kenny Arena's strong play last night for the metrostars after Pope left. From what I had heard on these boards he was a hanger on er, But I don't think McBride felt that way last night.
I haven't really seen these guys play except for tourneys broadcasted on galavision. I liked Edward Johnson in the u-17 world championships in T&T. He showed very good flair, and in my opinion, was the best striker in the tournament. If he can keep his ego in check, he might be a wonderful player to watch. I think Jim Curtin is also a player to watch out for. He shuts down players well, and is good with his head. Quaranta is a great playey, but his play in the All-Star game in SJ was a little suspect. In that game, he showed that he really didn't have a nose for the goal; when he was in perfect shooting oppurtunities, he just passed the ball. He has almost all the abilities that make a gret striker, but he just lacks instinct. Gooch Onyewu will be a good defender for the nats. Martino would make a good player for the future nats, but he needs to stop falling down so much. Kelly Gray is a good player too, but it seems like he lacks consistency right now. Buddle is a good poacher. His physical ability to run and stay on the ball is his greatest asset. And finally, convey. He needs to bulk up, he has good vision and is quick though. I'm sure there are other guys that are good prospects, but I feel that these guys are going to be stand outs. The are other good players in
I like Jim Curtin. What is his background. I believe he is only 24 years old. After watching the US lose to Germany again on a header Height is something that could help. I can't believe he has not been called up to practice with the team. Hell, Eddie Robinson got a call up. However, what this thread is about IMO is players that didn't come from the youth National teams. Mathis is the classic player that made it on his own. Ching is a possibility.
Why don't you focus on reality......? Why don't you focus on reality?......Taylor Twelman is doing better that all those guys you are mentioning, he is even doing better than the so call PESCADITO MY SS who suposed to be the league vip, DA P0ACHER is showing everybody that he knows what to do with the ball in front of the goal.......SCOOOOOOORE.....BE REAL BOY
Re: Why don't you focus on reality......? Taylor Twellman wouldn't be a darkhorse. Some people already fully expect him to be a goal scoring dynamo with the National Team
After seeing Chicago in person today, I'd put Mapp near the top of my list. Every time I watch Arsenal, I'm left wondering why more players don't closely study tapes of Robert Pires and learn his basic moves and approach while on the ball. I'm now curious if Mapp actually does that. While it's an unfair comparison, Mapp did a lot of things that looked similar to how Pires plays. I didn't get a clear sense of Mapp's speed though I was impressed by what I did see. as for other dark horses, from the Quakes I'd put Arturo Alvarez and Todd Dunivant on my list for future Nats stars. Dunivant is very smooth and smart, good crosser of the ball. Alvarez has a lot of talent and confidence on the ball and also has a knack of sending in dangerous crosses.
People, a darkhorse is someone who comes from nowhere to suddenly being great a la Ben Wallace in the NBA. Every person you've mentioned on here has been on some US youth national team, these guys are supposed to be our future USMNT they are not darkhorses. The ultimate darkhorse this year has been Brian Ching. He goes from being cut by the Galaxy to the A-League then to San Jose where he's had a great year so far and even earned a call-up to the USMNT last week. While I don't know his potential on the USMNT he's definitely a darkhorse.
Then there are no dark horses. Players like Brian Ching just aren't talented enough to hang with the guys that we do send through the pipes like Quaranta and Eskandarian and Magee
What is this a joke post or some other bullshiite? Richardo Clark will make the national team very soon. He is a very good player, but as a defensive mid. Once he can score a few goals in the flow of play. He looks like he will be able to do that, but he has not done it yet. He does not lose the ball very often, and he can make the simple pass accurately. He hustles and get his arse behind the ball when his team loses the ball, and he can win the ball. He is a completely different type player then Ramos. I know no one who would ever compare these two players except for you. ------------------------------------ Kenny Arena solid? He played total maybe 20 minutes or less over all in 8 games, and he is National team material? Got to be kidding or just really stupid.
If the World Cup were right now and had my team picked out and had to choose for the final spot between Ching, Quaranta, Eskandarian and Magee, I'd pick Ching. Ching would be a great back-up for McBride unlike the other three and the other spots would be taken up by players like the other three but better ie: Donovan, Mathis, and Wolff(when healthy). This is a man's game and even though recently we've had this Youth Revolution these kids Quaranta, Eskandarian and Magee won't be in there prime for another 6 years.
Sorry that I went wild on the other post. It's the medication mixed with the Mr. Hyde part of my personality. Dark horse ok Lisi from the Metros might rate a look with the national team at the end of the season. If he keeps playing like he has been playing.
what about ross paule...the right mid from the crew?? once upon a time we thought he might be our central mid of the future but he's showing well with the crew at right mid. he crosses well enough and has talent...i guess the question is...does he have enough speed and ball control to beat out the klein's and the olsen's of the world.
First of all,what I meant was that Clark can become a clog in the USMNT midfield and I did mention longshot when i said Kenny Arena.From what I saw last night,he has potential.He is still very raw,but once he cracks the lineup everyone can see just how solid he really is.It also doesnt hurt to have his dad being the boss.
Buddle has the big body and skill to dominate: Weakness..injury prone Santino has very good vision , holding ability , speed on the ball , very good touch..alligned w/ quickness and a wide body 6-1'' 185 pounder is a leathal concoction. Weakness..injury prone and shooting. Nate Jaqua has good dribbling skill for a big player. Can score and pass. Brad Davis is '"Mr. everything" pass , score , create , dribble , ect..
i hold high hopes for john thorrington (eventual right wing answer?) and ed johnson (love his skill and athleticism)
For the purpose of defining "darkhorse" I would submit that Pablo Mastroeni fits the description as well as anyone on the Nats. Given that, I would argue that if you have an expectation now they aren't exactly darkhorses.