American Talent Pool Too Shallow, RSL will never improve

SoccerPrime · 10-20-2005, 10:53 AM

Speaking of exclusive American players, you have 3 categories.
#1- College draft. I say RSL goes after more immediate producers. The Parkhursts, the Rolfes, the Rileys of the NCAA. Limit "investment" picks like Besagno, at least for this year.
#2- Current MLS players. There are some key guys on other teams that ride the pine there but could start here and produce. I think Broome was a good example. A couple other ones out there are Ned Grabavoy of LA, Arturo Torres of Chivas, Roger Levesque of SJ, Jamil Walker of DC, Alan Gordon of LA, Tighe Dombrowski of SJ are just a few off the top of my head.
#3- Use our "you suck" allocations to get overseas guys like Bernhalter or someone. proven producers with no major baggage (read that as you like).

Also, ppl like Joey Worthen and other USL players are important too.

Stucki · 10-20-2005, 10:56 AM

In order to pick up players off other team's benches, you need something they want. Although if they can't play for their current team, that could be an indication that we don't want them either.

Joey whatever was looked at by RSL, and they chose not to sign him. Maybe that means he isn't good enough?

Aero · 10-20-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stucki

In order to pick up players off other team's benches, you need something they want. Although if they can't play for their current team, that could be an indication that we don't want them either.

Yes. I'm tired of getting other people's castoffs. I want players that should be starting no matter what MLS team they are on.

Quote:

Joey whatever was looked at by RSL, and they chose not to sign him. Maybe that means he isn't good enough?

If he didn't make RSL's roster, that means he sucks!

SoccerPrime · 10-20-2005, 11:05 AM

Stop, put the gun away. Before you guys go off, lets talk facts for a moment.

Joey Worthen was wanted by RSL, big time. Steve P told me that the reason RSl didn't get the Utah boy was that his current club, USL1 runner up Richmond Kickers wanted way too much cash from RSL for Joey.
Remember, they lost their other Golden Boy, Clyde Simms to DC earlier in the season.
I believe RSL will go after Worthen again if he is recovered from his injuries.

Deuce · 10-20-2005, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero

Yes. I'm tired of getting other people's castoffs. I want players that should be starting no matter what MLS team they are on.

Amen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero

If he didn't make RSL's roster, that means he sucks!

I don't know... it seems that since our FO has made a few mistakes with player choices... people, that shall remain nameless, seem to think that they can do a better job at choosing players... the unfortunate part about that bit is that we all "get to" listen to them.

but that is my opinion. and we all know that opinions are like butt cracks... everyone has one and they all stink!

Stucki · 10-20-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Stop, put the gun away. Before you guys go off, lets talk facts for a moment.

Joey Worthen was wanted by RSL, big time. Steve P told me that the reason RSl didn't get the Utah boy was that his current club, USL1 runner up Richmond Kickers wanted way too much cash from RSL for Joey.
Remember, they lost their other Golden Boy, Clyde Simms to DC earlier in the season.
I believe RSL will go after Worthen again if he is recovered from his injuries.

How much of the interest was talent, and how much was let's get a local boy to boost attendance?

Aero · 10-20-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Stop, put the gun away. Before you guys go off, lets talk facts for a moment.

What if I don't want to put the gun away? :signsayin If you don't like guns, how about lightsabers? :starwars: Or tanks? :tank: Or jet fighters? :tomcat:

Quote:

Joey Worthen was wanted by RSL, big time. Steve P told me that the reason RSl didn't get the Utah boy was that his current club, USL1 runner up Richmond Kickers wanted way too much cash from RSL for Joey.

Well, if that is the reason he isn't on the team, then bring him on. If it was because he couldn't make the current roster because he wasn't good enough, then he would have sucked. Big time.

BTW, according to you and the many mistakes they have made in the past, does it really mean all that much to you that the FO actually wanted him bad? Why should you trust that they were right on this one when you feel they have made so many mistakes in the past? (I tried to put a smiley here, but it wouldn't let me so pretend it exists.)

SoccerPrime · 10-20-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stucki

In order to pick up players off other team's benches, you need something they want. Although if they can't play for their current team, that could be an indication that we don't want them either.

No, many MLS teams are just better than RSL and have deeper benches than us.
Some of these guys, like Grabavoy, is very good but got bumped when Landon Donovan returned to MLS.

I am sure they want to play, not ride the bench. Besides that incentive, maybe we can give them 2 or 3 players in exchange. We have a few supplemental drafts to give still.

SoccerPrime · 10-20-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stucki

How much of the interest was talent, and how much was let's get a local boy to boost attendance?

I know that Richmond thinks highly of him.
I know that when I spoke to Steve and Trey about Joey last year during spring training, they thought he was both: Local boy and great talent.

I've never seen him play so I can't tell you more.
But basically, there is talent out there in the USL. RSL should scout there too (but watch out for Leightons).

Rover · 10-20-2005, 11:48 AM

I'm getting in on this late, and it's lively enough without me, but I'll add one thing.

There is no problem with the upcoming talent pool in the USA. The plethora of foreign scouts here confirms that.

The problem we continue to have is the lack of a systematic pro club-based development program. If you look at a typical big club in Europe, like Barcelona, they have youth teams from age 14 or so and up. Those players are developed within the organization and a few eventually make the senior roster. The key is that they are trained and developed in a professional environment and well prepared when they get the senior call-up.

The skills and abilities of young American players now match anyone from around the world. What we currently lack is a good system to make sure they get into and stay with MLS teams.

College is another issue, since by world standards a 22-year old college graduate who then joins MLS is a starting way behind the curve.