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View Full Version : Generation Adidas: Not-exactly-glowing references



jloome
01-09-2009, 07:27 PM
Maybe we should call them "Next Generation" Adidas.
Ives Galarcep's ESPN review of the draft class ( http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=607964&sec=mls&root=mls&&cc=5901 ) makes it fairly clear that most of these guys are simply not ready to play yet. And if the best of the class — which is what the GA players in part represent — isn't ready, you can't suppose the rest of the draft will offer much

Let's read between the lines by taking one snippet from each description, outside of Steve Zakuani, the former Arsenal youth player everyone seems to think is ready from day one:

Omar Gonzalez, defender, Maryland (Junior)

There are some concerns about his lateral quickness, but he is the clear-cut top defender in the draft, and is almost certain to be a top-two pick. "Physically he's gifted and there's a lot of similarities in terms of a Chad Marshall when he came out of college," said one MLS technical director/GM. "In the right environment, with the right coaching, he could wind up being a special player."

Stefan Frei, goalkeeper, California (Junior)
"He's not ready to step in and be a starting goalkeeper, but if you bring him into the right situation and let him develop, you could have someone special."

Jeremy Hall, midfielder, Maryland (Junior)
"He's not a guy who flat-out takes guys on and puts service in, but he gets up and down and puts in the work defensively that you like to see on the professional level."

Kevin Alston, defender, Indiana (Junior)
"He's a former [U.S.] U-17 [national team player] who has gotten better every year and has a skill set and maturity that makes him a safer pick than most," said one scout

Baggio Husidic, midfielder, Illinois-Chicago (Junior)
"He's got a very good mind for the game, a very creative player, but he wasn't really challenged physically in the league he played in,"

Peri Marosevic, forward, Michigan (Sophomore)
"He isn't the most technically-gifted player in the draft but he has all the tools and work ethic to be a good pro for years."

Daniel Cruz, midfielder, UNLV (Sophomore)
A relative newcomer to the game, having started playing in high school, Cruz still has much more room to grow, but still has the tools to contribute right away.

And this is the best draft class in years? Those seniors better be offering a whoooole lot of readiness to play immediately.