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End To End: All-MLS Edition
Another week closer to this summer's host of U.S. National Team games, Goal.com's Noah Davis breaks down whose chances of a call up are rising and whose are falling.
May 12, 2009 10:14:42 PM
By Noah Davis
In this all-Major League Soccer edition of End to End, one player makes the jump from "Falling" to "Rising" while a newish face makes an appearance and there's trouble in Texas.
Robbie Findley
The Real Salt Lake striker scored his fifth goal of the young Major League Soccer season last week in a wild tilt against the Los Angeles Galaxy (and nearly tallied another one). Findley also has two assists to his name and is in good position to exceed the slate of six goals he scored in each of the past two seasons. RSL sits in the middle of the Western Conference but its high-powered offense isn't to blame. The 23-year-old, who's of Trinidadian descent, played in two fixtures for the United States' U-23 squad last year and could be called in for the Gold Cup if his excellent run continues.
Stuart Holden
In this space two weeks ago, I called out Holden for a lack of productivity on the offensive end. Since that time, he's tallied a goal and an assist in a pair of Houston Dynamo victories, including a lovely cross that Kei Kamara converted into the game-winning goal against FC Dallas over the weekend. The midfielder, tasked with providing an attacking spark this season in the wake of Dwayne De Rosario's departure, hasn't negated his defensive responsibilities either, with Houston currently riding a 403-minute shutout streak. (Holden did give FCD one of its best chances after turning the ball over in the 76 minute, but Kenny Cooper's shot went wide. More on that in a bit.)
Eddie Gaven
The 22-year-old midfielder opened his 2009 account in Columbus' 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Wizards during the 10th anniversary celebration of Crew Stadium. (The defending was spotty, but a goal is a goal.) Gaven, who held the record as the youngest player to sign an MLS contract until Freddy Adu came along, has 29 goals in his career but has never demonstrated the consistency he needs. (He did make the league's Best XI in 2007.) He has seven senior national team caps to his name, and should add to that total this summer.
Kenny Cooper
Sure, the FCD striker sits tied for fourth in the MLS with four goals in eight games, but it sure feels like something is off with his game. He missed a golden opportunity over the weekend when he put a feed from David Ferreira wide right of the net. It was one of only two shots he took all match. Dallas' problems run deeper than Cooper, but his struggles mirror that of his team's. After disappointing performances in recent national team call ups, the son of the longtime Dallas Tornado goalkeeper needs to show a bit more in league play.
Wade Barrett
The Dynamo captain missed his team's 1-0 victory over Dallas with an injury. His absence wasn't felt, however, as Houston allowed just a single shot on net and refused to give up a goal for the fourth straight match. Barrett will be back -- he does wear the armband after all -- but Geoff Cameron and Andrew Hainault are playing extremely well while he (and Eddie Robinson) miss out. With Barrett turning 33 in June, Bradley would be hard pressed to consider calling him into service, especially with all the young -- although inexperienced -- talent waiting in the wings.
Dax McCarty
Another Red Stripes player who is struggling, the U.S. Olympian replaced Blake Wagner in the 73rd minute over the weekend. It was his first appearance as a substitute after starting the previous seven games. He's struggled with injuries in his career -- and was almost traded to San Jose during the off-season -- but he still should be further along in his progress. With FCD stinking and young(er) kids such as Wagner and Anthony Wallace knocking on the door, you have to wonder how much longer he'll hold his spot.
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
In this all-Major League Soccer edition of End to End, one player makes the jump from "Falling" to "Rising" while a newish face makes an appearance and there's trouble in Texas.
Rising
Robbie Findley
The Real Salt Lake striker scored his fifth goal of the young Major League Soccer season last week in a wild tilt against the Los Angeles Galaxy (and nearly tallied another one). Findley also has two assists to his name and is in good position to exceed the slate of six goals he scored in each of the past two seasons. RSL sits in the middle of the Western Conference but its high-powered offense isn't to blame. The 23-year-old, who's of Trinidadian descent, played in two fixtures for the United States' U-23 squad last year and could be called in for the Gold Cup if his excellent run continues.
Stuart Holden
In this space two weeks ago, I called out Holden for a lack of productivity on the offensive end. Since that time, he's tallied a goal and an assist in a pair of Houston Dynamo victories, including a lovely cross that Kei Kamara converted into the game-winning goal against FC Dallas over the weekend. The midfielder, tasked with providing an attacking spark this season in the wake of Dwayne De Rosario's departure, hasn't negated his defensive responsibilities either, with Houston currently riding a 403-minute shutout streak. (Holden did give FCD one of its best chances after turning the ball over in the 76 minute, but Kenny Cooper's shot went wide. More on that in a bit.)
Eddie Gaven
The 22-year-old midfielder opened his 2009 account in Columbus' 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Wizards during the 10th anniversary celebration of Crew Stadium. (The defending was spotty, but a goal is a goal.) Gaven, who held the record as the youngest player to sign an MLS contract until Freddy Adu came along, has 29 goals in his career but has never demonstrated the consistency he needs. (He did make the league's Best XI in 2007.) He has seven senior national team caps to his name, and should add to that total this summer.
Falling
Kenny Cooper
Sure, the FCD striker sits tied for fourth in the MLS with four goals in eight games, but it sure feels like something is off with his game. He missed a golden opportunity over the weekend when he put a feed from David Ferreira wide right of the net. It was one of only two shots he took all match. Dallas' problems run deeper than Cooper, but his struggles mirror that of his team's. After disappointing performances in recent national team call ups, the son of the longtime Dallas Tornado goalkeeper needs to show a bit more in league play.
Wade Barrett
The Dynamo captain missed his team's 1-0 victory over Dallas with an injury. His absence wasn't felt, however, as Houston allowed just a single shot on net and refused to give up a goal for the fourth straight match. Barrett will be back -- he does wear the armband after all -- but Geoff Cameron and Andrew Hainault are playing extremely well while he (and Eddie Robinson) miss out. With Barrett turning 33 in June, Bradley would be hard pressed to consider calling him into service, especially with all the young -- although inexperienced -- talent waiting in the wings.
Dax McCarty
Another Red Stripes player who is struggling, the U.S. Olympian replaced Blake Wagner in the 73rd minute over the weekend. It was his first appearance as a substitute after starting the previous seven games. He's struggled with injuries in his career -- and was almost traded to San Jose during the off-season -- but he still should be further along in his progress. With FCD stinking and young(er) kids such as Wagner and Anthony Wallace knocking on the door, you have to wonder how much longer he'll hold his spot.
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
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