Yeah, Columbus has been doing a good job too. Not as much recruiting out of territory as those clubs I named (they do some), but I think they are starting to blend all of it well (recruiting, developing, integrating).
Part of it is talent, not all. You are definitely right that they had an expanded territory with more talent in the past and didn't do too much better. Right now though, I'm pretty sure their territory is Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and a small part of Missouri (the Western-most part). Those are not really big soccer states. Also, I could be wrong, but would SKC have had access to the St. Louis area players or would it be Chicago Fire? It's not clear to me that these St. Louis area players (the majority of the better players you see produced by Missouri) were at SKC before STLC SC joined MLS. I believe they have had access to the Kansas City area players in Missouri as part of their territory, but it seems like that's not an area that produces as many players. I think Pierre had some pretty extensive hamstring injuries that cost him a lot of time on the sidelines, and then Davis kind of took his spot.
SKC had all of Mizzou before STLC came onto the scene. So if they weren't finding, developing, & integrating more St Louisans, it's indicative of a flaw in their process, that extends to the KC area too.
The best players that SKC produced in Busio and Lindsey were from NC and now that territory in Charlotte. Honestly as MLS gets better and better and there are more and more teams in both MLS and USL sharing the talent there are not going to be heaps of players coming through most academies. Days of Wan Kuzain’s getting run are over.
I noticed that NC connection also, however, the rules regarding poaching are more relaxed than before so it's only partially excusable.
So this 19 year old Gerardo Valenzuela kid is just a regular starter for Supporters Shield contending Cincy out of nowhere... 16yo Stiven Jimenez on the bench Tonight's #AllForCincy Starting XI vs Nashville. 🦁 pic.twitter.com/swhDXAm2xb— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) May 29, 2024 Call ups McGlynn and Harriel plus snub Sullivan start Midweek Matchup #StartingXI.📝 https://t.co/kKWNqfqon7#DOOP | #PHIvTOR | @MLS pic.twitter.com/erK0w8SicN— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 29, 2024
Wiley assist Se la inventa Thiago Almada, pero es Jamal Thiaré quien la termina para que @VamosATLUTD amplíe su diferencia. pic.twitter.com/Lg9EDONVmP— MLS Español (@MLSes) May 30, 2024 If the Chicago Fire won't release players... perhaps that is for the best 1795981213133398255 is not a valid tweet id
He sure is. I've never thought it was particularly close between him and the other left back candidates.
I remember a number of people right here on BigSoccer debating me at the start of 2023 about Wiley vs freaking Andrew Gutman. No, seriously.
And Valenzuela is playing over one of their DPs! Let's ignore that that has more to do with said DP than Valenzuela. He doesn't have a goal or an assist yet, and he might be replaced at mid-season, but he's holding his own and Cincy is winning.
Not on Wednesday. And because he's a YNT player now.. Walker had a good game until he was taken off. On another note, Cincy's Kevin Kelsy is really good. Too bad he's not American. I really like how well he is able to use his big frame at just 19 years old. Sometimes these big guys need to be a bit older to be effective as they get used to a large frame. Kelsy moves really well for his size.
Cincy made a mistake on Boupendza from day one, though it's been until now for a Cincy fan to admit it. Even without any other issues, he's one of those guys that can only play how he plays, and he thinks he's better than he is. Leading to a lot of wasted chances. But they hit the jackpot on Kelsy. He plays a lot more like Vazquez, but he's better at the scoring parts and he's 19, right? Maybe we can get him to marry an American quickly?
Tolkin goal JMI. BANGER. 🚀 #RedRunsDeep 🔴 @Audi pic.twitter.com/THmVlnqlOV— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 2, 2024 Esmir goal Electric from Esmir!!!⚡️#OlyMNT 🎥 » @NERevolution pic.twitter.com/qVk2IDw0zg— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) June 2, 2024 Gutierrez goal Guti from way out! 🔥📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/4cP5a8xHNM pic.twitter.com/5fiA6A5q2B— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 2, 2024
Esmir from his right, which is impressive even if he probably put himself in a bit of a hole with hesitation. Gutierrez plays so much better with Shaqiri not playing. I don't think he's good enough yet to carry a good MLS team, so Chicago has to find a player that complements him and vice versa instead of a slow, ponderous, ball dominant non-defender.
A healthy Maren Haile-Selassie helps Guti as well. He's a guy who does everything that Shaqiri doesn't. Depending on whether MLS allows a second buyout, Chicago has a chance to bring in 2 DPs in the summer transfer window. If they can cut more of their abundant dead wood away, the top of the roster may look very different come July. Squad players who start now will go back to being squad players.
Unfortunately, the same guys are in charge. So I'm sure it'll be another washed up player Heitz knows and wants to give a fat contract to.
Although he didn’t make the stats reel, McGlynn is at another level now. Out of all of our young guys in MLS I believe he’s the most deserving of a transfer to Europe this August. More so than the Aaronson brothers.
He doesn't have the high level of athleticism you normally look for in a top prospect but the kid is near unconscious on the pitch right now. Pinging stunning balls all over the pitch. That left foot is magic... period. I really liked his play over the past two seasons but now he looks like the real deal. He is ready for Europe.
Rare Minnesota homegrown MLS debut (only thing more rare may be Portland?) Apple Valley stand up 🫶Kage Romanshyn has arrived.#MINvDAL | #MNUFC pic.twitter.com/Ganx0ZbntY— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 9, 2024
They've been giving Devin Padelford ('03) regular minutes all season. Caden Clark ('03) also is getting regular minutes. They aren't doing that bad on this front. The actual academy is another thing, and I also don't think their academy is as bad at this point as the reputation.
Can’t get much worse than Portland. Hall got some minutes as well but didn’t do anything with it. Thought he was 18 but he’s only 16 so just getting some minutes is special as long as he doesn’t turn out like Clark.
dual nat homegrown signing McIntosh Sources: New England Revolution sign right back DaMario McIntosh to a homegrown deal, starting in 2025.McIntosh, 16, has 11 apps with the Revs second team this season. He'll remain a regular for Revs II before joining first team roster next season. pic.twitter.com/7TDQL2WzUz— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) June 10, 2024