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MLS Breakdown: Downward Trend at Combine?
After a couple days surveying the scene at the MLS Player Combine, Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy wonders if the MLS Player Combine might do a better job of stocking USL than MLS.
Jan 12, 2009 10:04:49 AM
By Kyle McCarthy
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Among all the MLS players and coaches scattered across Lockhart Stadium are coaches and scouts from teams who don't play in the American top flight.
These aren't foreign scouts. These talent surveyors come from places like Baltimore, Portland, Charleston and Puerto Rico.
I pulled Puerto Rico Islanders head coach Colin Clarke aside after Saturday's games and asked him about a couple of players. He demurred, noting the difficulty of evaluating players on the first day.
So we talked a little bit about Puerto Rico and Clarke mentioned how great it was to be able to lead a team out in World Cup qualifying and in CONCACAF Champions League play in the same year and how two or three of his players were drawing some interest from MLS and other foreign countries.
But the take home point came when we talked about his interest in these players and the opportunities presented by a smaller roster size.
With smaller roster sizes in MLS and competitive salaries and CONCACAF Champions League play in the USL, why can't USL teams go out and approach some of these players and offer them playing time? Clarke believed that was a real possibility.
From one point of view, it doesn't make much sense. Why would a second- or third-round draft pick skip out on an opportunity to play in MLS even with the enticement of additional playing time and possible international scouting?
After watching two days' worth of Combine play, it made all the sense in the world.
As I watched play, I kept writing 'USL' next to many of the names. In the messy world of my notes, that means good players who might not be a pure fit at the top level. There isn't any shame in that; most of those notations came from physical limitations the players can't overcome with their skill at the next level.
At this combine, there aren't many sure MLS players in the bunch. All nine of the Generation adidas players will get a long look from the league because of their roster-exempt status, but most of the class represents potential rather than the finished product. Sam Cronin looks like a good bet to be a MLS starter. Others like Chris Pontius, Lyle Adams and Michael Lahoud have the makings of a solid pro, but aren't an iron-clad cinch to play in the league over an extended period of time. The rest either have potential or won't make it at the pro level.
By decreasing the roster size from 28 to 24, MLS has pushed much of the development down the pipeline to USL. Some of that movement is natural. The college tweeners – players with good skills, but who don't possess the physical skills or natural position at the top level – will slip into the second division. Maybe one or two will pan out and vault into MLS some day, but most will lead a productive life.
The real question turns into where do these players with some ability and some top-level professional potential see their future. Is it with an MLS team where the opportunity may be fleeting or in USL where the chance to play at a decent level beckons? The answer will likely determine where most of the second and third round players choose to start their professional career. Based on the displays here, don't be shocked if the USL wins out in at least a few of those cases.
Draft board after two days
I won't post a mock draft until Wednesday. Thorough notes and impressions about selected players will have to tide you over until then. If you're looking for a more detailed breakdown of days one and two, click the links provided to my Saturday and Sunday musings.
On a global level, I'd say this isn't the deepest player pool. Missing players like O'Brian White (UConn) and Brad Ring (Indiana) would certainly bolster the top-end quality. There are far too many players at the Combine who possess no shot of ever making an MLS roster. At this point, I'm struggling to find players I'd like to see available at the back end of the second round. That being said, there is some talent available that will help teams in the short and long term.
Goalkeepers
Stefan Frei (Generation adidas/California) could start right now for a couple of teams in this league. Good athleticism and great professional frame... If I had to take a goalkeeper after Frei, I'd be a little worried. Evan Bush (Akron) is likely the best of the lot, but I'd give some consideration to the absent Zach Simmons from UMass.
Defenders
Omar Gonzalez (Generation adidas/Maryland) doesn't have much pace and will need a quicker partner on the pro level, but he takes up a lot of space and finds the right spots... Kevin Alston (Generation adidas/Indiana) has a great engine and has the potential to be better than many of the fullbacks I saw this season. For Colorado or Real Salt Lake, he'd be a great fit... Lyle Adams (Wake Forest) plays like a Wake Forest product: he doesn't make a ton of mistakes and he finds the right spots on the field... Yohance Marshall (South Florida) isn't polished, but has great size and speed. Some team will take a chance on him early and hope he develops... Rodney Wallace (Generation adidas/Maryland) projects as a left back in my eyes. His pace blinds, but he's too raw to play from day one for a MLS side... Darrius Barnes (Duke) needs a couple of years of seasoning in USL before he's ready to play in the top level, but he might have the physical tools to pull it off someday if he slides out wide... I like Calum Angus (Saint Louis) as a defender, but he's too small to play center back and too beefy to play out wide... A.J. Delagarza (Maryland) might be the best pure defender out of the three Terrapin backs. If he can play out wide, he has a chance to make it... Some team will take a chance on Babajide Ogunbiyi (Santa Clara) because of his hulking size and surprising athleticism, but he'll need to sit and watch for a year or two before hopping into full-time duty.
Midfielders
Sam Cronin (Wake Forest) is the real deal. There's a reason why teams are trying to trade up to get him. Cronin is neat and tidy on the ball and doesn't try to do things he can't... Ryan Maxwell (Tampa) didn't come in with a lot of buzz but tore down the wing both days. I still have reservations about his consistency and overall quality, but he's done enough to warrant a late-round pick... Michael Lahoud (Wake Forest) played both days as a defensive midfielder, but he can play anywhere across the midfield. His versatility will help... Baggio Husidic (Generation adidas/Illinois-Chicago) projects as a defensive midfielder, not a playmaker, in my eyes. That will likely hurt his stock because others can likely perform that role with more enthusiasm and bite... Andrei Gotsmanov (Creighton) got hurt on day one and didn't play on day two. I'd like to get a look at him fully healthy to confirm my suspicions that he doesn't project as an attacking mid... Daniel Cruz (Generation adidas/UNLV) played in the worst midfield of the four and still didn't stand out. Maybe he isn't ready... Jeremy Hall (Generation adidas/Maryland) hasn't performed particularly well, but you can tell he's got first-round capabilities... Graham Zusi (Maryland) just doesn't stand out to me... USL teams will be thrilled to sign Akeem Priestley (Connecticut) and Ryan Maduro (Providence). Maduro was good on Sunday, but neither college playmaker has a true position in MLS. Other good USL prospects include Matt Poole (Virginia) and Richard Jata (Campbell)... Jokul Elisabetarson (UNC-Greensboro) isn't bad in the holding midfielder role, but that Icelandic citizenship will hurt him on draft day.
Forwards
One person suggested that Chris Pontius (UC Santa Barbara) might make more sense for Seattle as the number one pick. Given his intelligent play and stellar finish on Saturday, I can see the point... Steve Zakuani (Generation adidas/Akron) does things that make you say wow. If he can find a way to stretch that out over a game and consistently finish the opportunities his pace will create, his career arc won't stop in MLS... Peri Marosevic (Generation adidas/Michigan) doesn't have that wow factor, but he is a grinder. That will help him immensely in MLS... Quincy Amarikwa (UC Davis) scored twice on Sunday. A mazy first goal will earn him a long look on Tuesday, but there are size concerns that might force him into a flank midfield spot... I like a good target forward as much as the next English soccer aficionado, but Nick Perera (UC Santa Barbara) lumbers a bit too much for me without much reward. Nice goal on Sunday, however... Ross Schunk (Redlands University) is the type of raw forward with size that will get pushed out of MLS because of the reduced roster size.
Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kylemccarthy@gmail.com.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Among all the MLS players and coaches scattered across Lockhart Stadium are coaches and scouts from teams who don't play in the American top flight.
These aren't foreign scouts. These talent surveyors come from places like Baltimore, Portland, Charleston and Puerto Rico.
I pulled Puerto Rico Islanders head coach Colin Clarke aside after Saturday's games and asked him about a couple of players. He demurred, noting the difficulty of evaluating players on the first day.
So we talked a little bit about Puerto Rico and Clarke mentioned how great it was to be able to lead a team out in World Cup qualifying and in CONCACAF Champions League play in the same year and how two or three of his players were drawing some interest from MLS and other foreign countries.
But the take home point came when we talked about his interest in these players and the opportunities presented by a smaller roster size.
With smaller roster sizes in MLS and competitive salaries and CONCACAF Champions League play in the USL, why can't USL teams go out and approach some of these players and offer them playing time? Clarke believed that was a real possibility.
From one point of view, it doesn't make much sense. Why would a second- or third-round draft pick skip out on an opportunity to play in MLS even with the enticement of additional playing time and possible international scouting?
After watching two days' worth of Combine play, it made all the sense in the world.
As I watched play, I kept writing 'USL' next to many of the names. In the messy world of my notes, that means good players who might not be a pure fit at the top level. There isn't any shame in that; most of those notations came from physical limitations the players can't overcome with their skill at the next level.
At this combine, there aren't many sure MLS players in the bunch. All nine of the Generation adidas players will get a long look from the league because of their roster-exempt status, but most of the class represents potential rather than the finished product. Sam Cronin looks like a good bet to be a MLS starter. Others like Chris Pontius, Lyle Adams and Michael Lahoud have the makings of a solid pro, but aren't an iron-clad cinch to play in the league over an extended period of time. The rest either have potential or won't make it at the pro level.
By decreasing the roster size from 28 to 24, MLS has pushed much of the development down the pipeline to USL. Some of that movement is natural. The college tweeners – players with good skills, but who don't possess the physical skills or natural position at the top level – will slip into the second division. Maybe one or two will pan out and vault into MLS some day, but most will lead a productive life.
The real question turns into where do these players with some ability and some top-level professional potential see their future. Is it with an MLS team where the opportunity may be fleeting or in USL where the chance to play at a decent level beckons? The answer will likely determine where most of the second and third round players choose to start their professional career. Based on the displays here, don't be shocked if the USL wins out in at least a few of those cases.
Draft board after two days
I won't post a mock draft until Wednesday. Thorough notes and impressions about selected players will have to tide you over until then. If you're looking for a more detailed breakdown of days one and two, click the links provided to my Saturday and Sunday musings.
On a global level, I'd say this isn't the deepest player pool. Missing players like O'Brian White (UConn) and Brad Ring (Indiana) would certainly bolster the top-end quality. There are far too many players at the Combine who possess no shot of ever making an MLS roster. At this point, I'm struggling to find players I'd like to see available at the back end of the second round. That being said, there is some talent available that will help teams in the short and long term.
Goalkeepers
Stefan Frei (Generation adidas/California) could start right now for a couple of teams in this league. Good athleticism and great professional frame... If I had to take a goalkeeper after Frei, I'd be a little worried. Evan Bush (Akron) is likely the best of the lot, but I'd give some consideration to the absent Zach Simmons from UMass.
Defenders
Omar Gonzalez (Generation adidas/Maryland) doesn't have much pace and will need a quicker partner on the pro level, but he takes up a lot of space and finds the right spots... Kevin Alston (Generation adidas/Indiana) has a great engine and has the potential to be better than many of the fullbacks I saw this season. For Colorado or Real Salt Lake, he'd be a great fit... Lyle Adams (Wake Forest) plays like a Wake Forest product: he doesn't make a ton of mistakes and he finds the right spots on the field... Yohance Marshall (South Florida) isn't polished, but has great size and speed. Some team will take a chance on him early and hope he develops... Rodney Wallace (Generation adidas/Maryland) projects as a left back in my eyes. His pace blinds, but he's too raw to play from day one for a MLS side... Darrius Barnes (Duke) needs a couple of years of seasoning in USL before he's ready to play in the top level, but he might have the physical tools to pull it off someday if he slides out wide... I like Calum Angus (Saint Louis) as a defender, but he's too small to play center back and too beefy to play out wide... A.J. Delagarza (Maryland) might be the best pure defender out of the three Terrapin backs. If he can play out wide, he has a chance to make it... Some team will take a chance on Babajide Ogunbiyi (Santa Clara) because of his hulking size and surprising athleticism, but he'll need to sit and watch for a year or two before hopping into full-time duty.
Midfielders
Sam Cronin (Wake Forest) is the real deal. There's a reason why teams are trying to trade up to get him. Cronin is neat and tidy on the ball and doesn't try to do things he can't... Ryan Maxwell (Tampa) didn't come in with a lot of buzz but tore down the wing both days. I still have reservations about his consistency and overall quality, but he's done enough to warrant a late-round pick... Michael Lahoud (Wake Forest) played both days as a defensive midfielder, but he can play anywhere across the midfield. His versatility will help... Baggio Husidic (Generation adidas/Illinois-Chicago) projects as a defensive midfielder, not a playmaker, in my eyes. That will likely hurt his stock because others can likely perform that role with more enthusiasm and bite... Andrei Gotsmanov (Creighton) got hurt on day one and didn't play on day two. I'd like to get a look at him fully healthy to confirm my suspicions that he doesn't project as an attacking mid... Daniel Cruz (Generation adidas/UNLV) played in the worst midfield of the four and still didn't stand out. Maybe he isn't ready... Jeremy Hall (Generation adidas/Maryland) hasn't performed particularly well, but you can tell he's got first-round capabilities... Graham Zusi (Maryland) just doesn't stand out to me... USL teams will be thrilled to sign Akeem Priestley (Connecticut) and Ryan Maduro (Providence). Maduro was good on Sunday, but neither college playmaker has a true position in MLS. Other good USL prospects include Matt Poole (Virginia) and Richard Jata (Campbell)... Jokul Elisabetarson (UNC-Greensboro) isn't bad in the holding midfielder role, but that Icelandic citizenship will hurt him on draft day.
Forwards
One person suggested that Chris Pontius (UC Santa Barbara) might make more sense for Seattle as the number one pick. Given his intelligent play and stellar finish on Saturday, I can see the point... Steve Zakuani (Generation adidas/Akron) does things that make you say wow. If he can find a way to stretch that out over a game and consistently finish the opportunities his pace will create, his career arc won't stop in MLS... Peri Marosevic (Generation adidas/Michigan) doesn't have that wow factor, but he is a grinder. That will help him immensely in MLS... Quincy Amarikwa (UC Davis) scored twice on Sunday. A mazy first goal will earn him a long look on Tuesday, but there are size concerns that might force him into a flank midfield spot... I like a good target forward as much as the next English soccer aficionado, but Nick Perera (UC Santa Barbara) lumbers a bit too much for me without much reward. Nice goal on Sunday, however... Ross Schunk (Redlands University) is the type of raw forward with size that will get pushed out of MLS because of the reduced roster size.
Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kylemccarthy@gmail.com.
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