Comments on: MLS Draft Prospects http://blog.3four3.com/2010/01/12/mls-draft-prospects/ Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:21:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Some quick thoughts the Union’s draft selections « C. Horridus http://blog.3four3.com/2010/01/12/mls-draft-prospects/comment-page-1/#comment-4020 Some quick thoughts the Union’s draft selections « C. Horridus Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:59:53 +0000 http://blog.3four3.com/?p=932#comment-4020 [...] McInerney. My new internet friends at 3four3 are not alone in their skepticism about McInerney, and even those who see believe in him don’t see him contributing in MLS for another year or [...] [...] McInerney. My new internet friends at 3four3 are not alone in their skepticism about McInerney, and even those who see believe in him don’t see him contributing in MLS for another year or [...]

]]> By: Gary Kleiban http://blog.3four3.com/2010/01/12/mls-draft-prospects/comment-page-1/#comment-4016 Gary Kleiban Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:01:26 +0000 http://blog.3four3.com/?p=932#comment-4016 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. 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.

]]> By: Gary Kleiban http://blog.3four3.com/2010/01/12/mls-draft-prospects/comment-page-1/#comment-4015 Gary Kleiban Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:40:39 +0000 http://blog.3four3.com/?p=932#comment-4015 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. 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.

]]> By: K.M. Morris http://blog.3four3.com/2010/01/12/mls-draft-prospects/comment-page-1/#comment-4014 K.M. Morris Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:04:55 +0000 http://blog.3four3.com/?p=932#comment-4014 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? 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?

]]> By: K.M. Morris http://blog.3four3.com/2010/01/12/mls-draft-prospects/comment-page-1/#comment-4013 K.M. Morris Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:01:13 +0000 http://blog.3four3.com/?p=932#comment-4013 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. 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.

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