Roundup!
I've been swamped recently so the US Soccer Ladder has been neglected. Sorry folks. Today I'm going to highlight some interesting things going on that I've been paying some attention to.
- European clubs invade! I would love to see some Americans staring in La Liga, however, until that day arrives it is exciting to see Americans standing toe to toe with the best teams in the world. Yes, these are friendly matches that mean little. Yes, the European players are not at full, mid-season fitness. Yes, the players aren't going to play at full speed in friendlies. That being said, Chelsea did not like losing to the All*Stars and it doesn't hurt MLS to play these matches, in my opinion it only helps.
To me these games are cool for some different reasons. First, many MLS players are playing against top level talent for the first time. The average draft pick hasn't played in the World Cup, hasn't played in an elite league and hasn't been tackled by someone like John Terry. The average MLS rookie hasn't marked Ronaldo. In fact, it is probably safe to say no one in the league has delt with a player like Ronaldinho before. Playing these kinds of players will only improved the league and the players. I don't see how it can hurt.
Another reason I like these games is the exposure. People in the marketing business will often say, "all publicity is good publicity." Win, lose, draw the media loves to see David Beckham walking around Utah. This gets new people to come to MLS games and see that our league can play with the best. After watching the first half of the Red Bulls - Barca match, if you're a fan of the sport it'd be hard to say you're not intrigued by Edson Buddle. I bet there are some people who have sat on the sidelines who will now start going to more MLS matches.
Finally, I love it because I can DVR a match staring the best club in the world against a team I can watch any day of the week.
- The US U-17 squad didn't do too well in Japan, losing in the third place match to a local club team. A highlight is that they did beat mortal enemy, The Czech Republic. Don't fret folks, the results are not important. Yeah, hardware is nice, but at this age getting the international exposure and confidence is key. Those of these kids selected for the residency program will go into their fall semester with some big games under their belt. They learned things while on the trip and hopefully will continue to learn things while down in Florida. We should learn who is getting invited to Bradenton soon as the fall semester kicks off August 21. Later this month the kids in the 90's team will travel to to England to participate in the Pepsi International Tournament. There they will play Portugal, England and Turkey. Tell me that isn't a dream for a soccer loving kid. Again, results not important, learning very important.
- College dorms are filling up and that means one thing around here. I'm starting to make sure my college tracking spreadsheet is all up to date and I have the biggest list in three years of doing this. I have over 242 kids I'm following. Not all of them have entered college, and I know that isn't everyone, but at this time last year I think I had 80. I'm trying to figure out how to get an on-line database going, for free, so I can share this list with everyone. If anyone can suggest good, free, on-line database software please let me know.
- If the latest rummors are to be believed, MLS is turning into a bit of a soccer player boomerang. Word out there is that DaMarcus Beasley is thinking of coming back to the league to play for RSL. I don't know if this is wishfull thinking on their part or if he really is considering it. DaMarcus is a fun guy to watch and he will help any team he joins in the league. Selfishly I wish the Rapids could grab ahold of him.
This was the logical next step in the growth of MLS. First, league brings strong youth talent in with the Nike P-40 program (now sponsored by adidas and called Generation adidas). Second, player gets a starting job and impresses. Third, player makes the World Cup and gets noticed around the world. Fourth, player is purchased. Fifth, player has a career abroad. Sixth, player decides he's "been there, done that" and wants to be closer to home again, he comes back. We'll see this story played out many times in the future and that is fine. I think it only helps the league to have these guys who have been successful come home. In the short term they'll help the league raise the level of play. In the long term they'll become the leaders of the league on the bench or in the front office. We need our home grown guys to continue to play and work in the league. Hopefully we'll see more players follow DaMarcus' plan.
- Chris Wondolowski is sitting on the bench. So I take a look at the MLS reserve league standings every once and awhile. That is the place for those of us with such and eye to the future. To my surprise there is a kid with 10 goals in 9 games sitting atop the scoring charts. He has double the number of goals as the second place Thiago Martins of Colorado. Even more surprising, Wondo is listed as a midfielder. Somehow, Chris hasn't seen day light in a senior game this season. He played twice last season while leading the Earthquakes' reserve team. He has good size and he obviously can score. If he were in Colorado, he'd be all over the starting roster by now. Martins is.
I know why Chris isn't playing....Houston is deep at midfield. With Dwayne De Rosario, Brian Mullan & Brad Davis all starting ahead of you, it is no surprise he's playing in all the reserve matches. I haven't seen Wondo play in person, but I'd like to. Hopefully down the stretch he'll get some time so we can see what this Bay Area kid is all about.
This does show how great the reserve league is for the young guys. Chris is getting his chance to impress and his manager will use him when the time is right. Without the reserve league we wouldn't get to see youngsters like him outside of practice.
So that is about it for now soccer fans. Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Hopefully someone can help me find a free, on-line database so I can get my scouting stuff on-line to share. Right now it is a spreadsheet as well, so a database would help. If you know of one, please leave a comment below. Thanks!
- European clubs invade! I would love to see some Americans staring in La Liga, however, until that day arrives it is exciting to see Americans standing toe to toe with the best teams in the world. Yes, these are friendly matches that mean little. Yes, the European players are not at full, mid-season fitness. Yes, the players aren't going to play at full speed in friendlies. That being said, Chelsea did not like losing to the All*Stars and it doesn't hurt MLS to play these matches, in my opinion it only helps.
To me these games are cool for some different reasons. First, many MLS players are playing against top level talent for the first time. The average draft pick hasn't played in the World Cup, hasn't played in an elite league and hasn't been tackled by someone like John Terry. The average MLS rookie hasn't marked Ronaldo. In fact, it is probably safe to say no one in the league has delt with a player like Ronaldinho before. Playing these kinds of players will only improved the league and the players. I don't see how it can hurt.
Another reason I like these games is the exposure. People in the marketing business will often say, "all publicity is good publicity." Win, lose, draw the media loves to see David Beckham walking around Utah. This gets new people to come to MLS games and see that our league can play with the best. After watching the first half of the Red Bulls - Barca match, if you're a fan of the sport it'd be hard to say you're not intrigued by Edson Buddle. I bet there are some people who have sat on the sidelines who will now start going to more MLS matches.
Finally, I love it because I can DVR a match staring the best club in the world against a team I can watch any day of the week.
- The US U-17 squad didn't do too well in Japan, losing in the third place match to a local club team. A highlight is that they did beat mortal enemy, The Czech Republic. Don't fret folks, the results are not important. Yeah, hardware is nice, but at this age getting the international exposure and confidence is key. Those of these kids selected for the residency program will go into their fall semester with some big games under their belt. They learned things while on the trip and hopefully will continue to learn things while down in Florida. We should learn who is getting invited to Bradenton soon as the fall semester kicks off August 21. Later this month the kids in the 90's team will travel to to England to participate in the Pepsi International Tournament. There they will play Portugal, England and Turkey. Tell me that isn't a dream for a soccer loving kid. Again, results not important, learning very important.
- College dorms are filling up and that means one thing around here. I'm starting to make sure my college tracking spreadsheet is all up to date and I have the biggest list in three years of doing this. I have over 242 kids I'm following. Not all of them have entered college, and I know that isn't everyone, but at this time last year I think I had 80. I'm trying to figure out how to get an on-line database going, for free, so I can share this list with everyone. If anyone can suggest good, free, on-line database software please let me know.
- If the latest rummors are to be believed, MLS is turning into a bit of a soccer player boomerang. Word out there is that DaMarcus Beasley is thinking of coming back to the league to play for RSL. I don't know if this is wishfull thinking on their part or if he really is considering it. DaMarcus is a fun guy to watch and he will help any team he joins in the league. Selfishly I wish the Rapids could grab ahold of him.
This was the logical next step in the growth of MLS. First, league brings strong youth talent in with the Nike P-40 program (now sponsored by adidas and called Generation adidas). Second, player gets a starting job and impresses. Third, player makes the World Cup and gets noticed around the world. Fourth, player is purchased. Fifth, player has a career abroad. Sixth, player decides he's "been there, done that" and wants to be closer to home again, he comes back. We'll see this story played out many times in the future and that is fine. I think it only helps the league to have these guys who have been successful come home. In the short term they'll help the league raise the level of play. In the long term they'll become the leaders of the league on the bench or in the front office. We need our home grown guys to continue to play and work in the league. Hopefully we'll see more players follow DaMarcus' plan.
- Chris Wondolowski is sitting on the bench. So I take a look at the MLS reserve league standings every once and awhile. That is the place for those of us with such and eye to the future. To my surprise there is a kid with 10 goals in 9 games sitting atop the scoring charts. He has double the number of goals as the second place Thiago Martins of Colorado. Even more surprising, Wondo is listed as a midfielder. Somehow, Chris hasn't seen day light in a senior game this season. He played twice last season while leading the Earthquakes' reserve team. He has good size and he obviously can score. If he were in Colorado, he'd be all over the starting roster by now. Martins is.
I know why Chris isn't playing....Houston is deep at midfield. With Dwayne De Rosario, Brian Mullan & Brad Davis all starting ahead of you, it is no surprise he's playing in all the reserve matches. I haven't seen Wondo play in person, but I'd like to. Hopefully down the stretch he'll get some time so we can see what this Bay Area kid is all about.
This does show how great the reserve league is for the young guys. Chris is getting his chance to impress and his manager will use him when the time is right. Without the reserve league we wouldn't get to see youngsters like him outside of practice.
So that is about it for now soccer fans. Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Hopefully someone can help me find a free, on-line database so I can get my scouting stuff on-line to share. Right now it is a spreadsheet as well, so a database would help. If you know of one, please leave a comment below. Thanks!
posted by Bonji at
10:05 AM
1 Comments:
Boo to those overrated, glorified schrimmages!
By
Allen, at 1:01 PM
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