Which 2006 MLS Draftee Will Shine in 2007...Part II...
Ok folks, time to march on with the next set of teams. First I’d like to say that not all of the players I’m looking at were draftees…I know this. I’m looking at the sophomore class coming in and in the case of Rogers he’s not even that. But it is my blog and I’ll do what I want thank you.
Dallas - Dominic Oduro. The young Ghana forward helped Virginia Commonwealth University reach the quarterfinals of the 2004 NCAA Championships for the first time in school history. He has the talent and soccer training, no he just needs the chance to prove himself. With Copa America and Gold Cup the front line of FC Dallas is going to need as many reinforcements as possible and Oduro will get a shot as a starter or off the bench. As with all these kids it depends what he does with his shot. Competition from Abe Thompson, Abdus Ibrahim and Roberto Mina will be tough to fill Ruiz and Cooper’s spot so Oduro is really going to have to pick up his game. In 2006 he was a sub in 13 games and started 3 only getting 1 goal. The lanky forward will not be the presence in the box like Cooper but he should be able to get on the end of some crosses this season.
DC United – Justin Moose. Moose was one of the bigger names in the 2006 SuperDraft and his first round selection confirmed it. I guess that is what happens when you perform well at the combine after playing for a top ACC program like Wake Forrest. However, his rookie season was a big disappointment. Unfortunately for the young midfielder, DC United is talent central. We all know the names Gomez, Olsen, Carroll, Gross, Moreno, and we’re going to learn Fred and Emilio. These guys can play forward, attacking mid, outside mid and defensive mid. That is a lot of talent to compete with and Moose may be getting lost in the shuffle. However, the MLS season is a long one and as with the other teams they will lose players to summer internationals and injury. Moose will need to step up this year or he could be looking at a trade or the USL as United continues to bring in talented players over the top of him.
Houston - Patrick Ianni. Defender Ianni was a hot prospect after a good showing with the US U-20 team during the summer of 2005 and being names a semi-finalist for the MAC Herman Trophy that same fall. However, Houston had a core of good players and Patrick didn’t crack that nut. He played a full season for the reserve team but only played in two senior matches as a sub. Wade Barrett will probably see some national team time this summer opening the door for Ianni. He will have some time to grow in Houston but I’d like to see a real surge in his playing time in 2007. He seems to have the talent, pedigree and know how and needs to get real playing time to reach his true potential.
Kansas City - Yura Movsisyan. Kansas City got some good playing time from their rookie class in 2006, but their top pick only played in 9 games as a sub and 1 as a starter. Kansas City needs some help scoring goals but Yura couldn’t get it done in 2006. So long as Eddie Johnson is in a slump, Yura will get a chance. At 6’ – 180 lbs he has some size to compete in the box with physical MLS defenders so he should learn to play like Brian McBride. All teams need a force like that and if he can turn into that kind of hard nosed player he’ll displace the all-American flameout Johnson. Ryan Pore will try to keep him from reaching the starting lineup but Gansler saw some raw talent in Movsisyan and took a gamble on him. Now it is time to prove the ex-coach right.
Sorry for the late posting today. Busy work day. Check back tomorrow for the third and final installment…
Dallas - Dominic Oduro. The young Ghana forward helped Virginia Commonwealth University reach the quarterfinals of the 2004 NCAA Championships for the first time in school history. He has the talent and soccer training, no he just needs the chance to prove himself. With Copa America and Gold Cup the front line of FC Dallas is going to need as many reinforcements as possible and Oduro will get a shot as a starter or off the bench. As with all these kids it depends what he does with his shot. Competition from Abe Thompson, Abdus Ibrahim and Roberto Mina will be tough to fill Ruiz and Cooper’s spot so Oduro is really going to have to pick up his game. In 2006 he was a sub in 13 games and started 3 only getting 1 goal. The lanky forward will not be the presence in the box like Cooper but he should be able to get on the end of some crosses this season.
DC United – Justin Moose. Moose was one of the bigger names in the 2006 SuperDraft and his first round selection confirmed it. I guess that is what happens when you perform well at the combine after playing for a top ACC program like Wake Forrest. However, his rookie season was a big disappointment. Unfortunately for the young midfielder, DC United is talent central. We all know the names Gomez, Olsen, Carroll, Gross, Moreno, and we’re going to learn Fred and Emilio. These guys can play forward, attacking mid, outside mid and defensive mid. That is a lot of talent to compete with and Moose may be getting lost in the shuffle. However, the MLS season is a long one and as with the other teams they will lose players to summer internationals and injury. Moose will need to step up this year or he could be looking at a trade or the USL as United continues to bring in talented players over the top of him.
Houston - Patrick Ianni. Defender Ianni was a hot prospect after a good showing with the US U-20 team during the summer of 2005 and being names a semi-finalist for the MAC Herman Trophy that same fall. However, Houston had a core of good players and Patrick didn’t crack that nut. He played a full season for the reserve team but only played in two senior matches as a sub. Wade Barrett will probably see some national team time this summer opening the door for Ianni. He will have some time to grow in Houston but I’d like to see a real surge in his playing time in 2007. He seems to have the talent, pedigree and know how and needs to get real playing time to reach his true potential.
Kansas City - Yura Movsisyan. Kansas City got some good playing time from their rookie class in 2006, but their top pick only played in 9 games as a sub and 1 as a starter. Kansas City needs some help scoring goals but Yura couldn’t get it done in 2006. So long as Eddie Johnson is in a slump, Yura will get a chance. At 6’ – 180 lbs he has some size to compete in the box with physical MLS defenders so he should learn to play like Brian McBride. All teams need a force like that and if he can turn into that kind of hard nosed player he’ll displace the all-American flameout Johnson. Ryan Pore will try to keep him from reaching the starting lineup but Gansler saw some raw talent in Movsisyan and took a gamble on him. Now it is time to prove the ex-coach right.
Sorry for the late posting today. Busy work day. Check back tomorrow for the third and final installment…
posted by Bonji at
4:51 PM
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