I’ve been holding this in for a while now – ever since coverage and speculation over this year’s MLS Draft started. With the Draft this Thursday, I just have to say my piece.
I’m disgusted by what most “reporters/analysts” are writing. And these are considered good sources of soccer information in America. These guys have large followings, who as a result are bred to think and spread the same nonsense. I can’t fully express how sickened it makes me!
Soccer By Ives, voted best US Soccer blog of 2009, has been publishing a list of players that MLS coaches are following closely and will ultimately have to decide on. I don’t know how many of these players he has personally tried to evaluate, and how many he has just listed due to his sources and what they say. What I will criticize, however, is the typical focus on physical attributes – instead of actual soccer. For me, this is proof-positive that one hasn’t a clue about the game!
In this post I’m going to give a breakdown on some of these players. Some of these guys we’ve competed against in club and we’ve been scouting over the years. Others we’ve seen plenty of times live at college games or on TV.
IKE OPARA
By far the most overrated player on the list. Over the past month – even last year – he was considered as having the quality of a #1 or #2 Draft pick. Holy shit, this is unbelievable! If I took this guy to Europe or South America, not only would they laugh at me, but my credibility of selecting talent would be forever ruined!
Soccer IQ = 5
Technical Quality = 5
Physical = 9
No wonder he’s thought of so highly. These three grades perfectly depict the prototypical American player.
TONY TCHANI
Saw him in the two games of the College Cup. It looks like there might be something there, if he can shake that wretched American influence of going forward too often. Nothing amazing though as they’re making him out to be.
Soccer IQ = 6
Technical Quality = 7
Physical = 9
TEAL BUNBURY, Akron, F
Only saw him in the College Cup final, and that’s all I needed. Has a quality touch and good decision making, but definitely not ridiculous like Mwanga. He receives a pass grade from me.
Soccer IQ = 7
Technical Quality = 7
Physical = 8
DANNY MWANGA, Oregon State, F
Has been our opponent in youth club soccer over the years. Predicted he would rape people in college – and he did! By far the greatest player in the Draft pool. I would also go as far to say he’s already better than the vast majority of MLS strikers.
Soccer IQ = 9
Technical Quality = 9
Physical = 9
AMOBI OKUGO, UCLA, M
Has been our opponent in youth club soccer, and have seen him play many times at the collegiate level. He was also on our list of only 4 freshman to watch in college. Okugo has developed quite nicely as a D-mid. Talks his ass off! Reads the game better than most, good at tracking and tackling then playing the simple ball. He’s already good enough to start, and is a tremendous investment for the future.
Soccer IQ = 8
Technical Quality = 8
Physical = 9
AUSTIN DA LUZ, Wake Forest, M
Only saw him during the College Cup, and that’s all I needed! He is the by far the best creative midfielder in the pool. If he doesn’t get drafter very early, then people are retarded!
Soccer IQ = 9
Technical Quality = 9
Physical = 6
JACK McINERNEY, U.S. Under-17, F
Jack who? I saw the U-17 World Cup where he participated. Not only did he not impress, but being regarded as a top pick in the Draft has me baffled.
KYLE NAKAZAWA, UCLA, M
Saw him many times during the college season. Way better than Michael Stephens and makes the cut as far as I’m concerned. He has flashes of creativity and is a respectable second to Austin Da Luz.
Soccer IQ = 8
Technical Quality = 8
Physical = 7
BRIAN PERK, UCLA, GK
Meh, he’s a goal keeper. We have no problem producing those in the US. Nothing special, but he get’s a pass from us.
MICHAEL STEPHENS, UCLA, M
Along with Ike Opara, one of the most overrated players out there. Not only seen him during college, but also with the Galaxy U-20s last year. Another overrated prototypical American player …
Soccer IQ = 5
Technical Quality = 6
Physical = 6
The Actual Draft
We’ll see how the Draft goes on Thursday. And in typical 3four3 fashion, we won’t be holding back any punches! If people are clueless, they’re going to be told off!
Great stuff guys. Absolutely agree with about the over-emphasis on physicality in the US. Makes the college game almost unwatchable at times and reflects a bizarre, illogical understanding of the game at the highest levels (I love that Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi wouldn’t even get a second glance from some of these scouts). Glad to see you guys think so highly of Mwanga and it makes me think Nowak really knows what he’s doing with the draft.
Quick question though: did you see McInerney in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the U-17 World Cup? Very different player. I was quite impressed. He’s got enough raw talent that, at 17, I do think the right environment could turn him into a very, very good player.
Hi K.M.
I’m so encouraged you agree with the philosophy!
I didn’t see McInerney during the qualifiers. I think the US Soccer channel on YouTube might have those games. I’ll go check it out.
I’m still skeptical though. Just looking at his touches, decision making, and movement off the ball from 4 games should be more than enough. I just think there’s no quality there. By contrast, if you look at Luis Gil & Duran, there is a huge difference.
Can he make it in MLS? Sure. But he’s going to be like the vast majority – Nothing Special.
Also: your comments on Okugo makes me question my pro-Duka rant on my site. You’re certain he’s ready to play against MLS teams from day one?
I think so.
Aside from the quality he possesses, my main reasons are:
1) Low “barrier to entry”. People seem to think there’s some huge leap between college soccer and MLS. That’s just wrong. Maybe they’re accustomed to the other sports where it is a considerable difference. But in soccer, it’s just not true.
2) 17 & 18 year-olds around the world debut professionally without much trouble (and these are leagues much better than ours). As a D-mid, I believe Okugo is on the same level as these guys. Hence, no problem!
BUT:
Sometimes the success of a player depends on the circumstances. The main one is proper utilization.
If the coach attempts to play him somewhere other than D-mid, he will struggle.