Catching up on MLS Round 9: Donovan, Danso and more
by Steve Davis on May 16, 2011 8:17 AM EDT
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You can find the full report on everything you need to know about MLS Week 9 later today when the men behind the big computers at SI.com central work-up and pretty-up my weekly Five Things You Need to Know recap. (Update: find it here now) Until then, here’s your super-fast weekend report:
TRENDING UP
Chivas USA: Robin Fraser is doing it with duct tape and safety pins. Lord knows how? But he’s making the magic happen for the Goats, who refused to sit back passively at New York and emerged with a stunning 3-2 upset. I wrote a lot about that one for the SI.com report.
Justin Braun: He was the hat trick hero of Sunday’s win for Chivas, even if one was the simplest of goal-line tap-ins. About the time I was telling everyone that this kid can really be something special (possibly even in a U.S. shirt) he got hurt. Now he’s back and, while Braun is not where he was about this time last year, he could still have something to say about the national team forward situation.
Landon Donovan: The Galaxy’s old man – Don’t forget, he recently told us that he’s no longer a goal scorer, presumably ready to settle into the comfy rocking chair of playmaking duty – has hit for seven of the Galaxy’s last nine goals. What, was he playing possum on us? Donovan scored his team’s only goal in a midweek draw in Philly, then hit for two in the 4-1 weekend win over Spork. (That’s Sporting Kansas City to you.)
The Cascadia Cup: The trophy that will go to the top team in the Pacific Northwest had its first MLS set-to on Saturday, as Portland visited Seattle. In a development as predictable as the nightly news, Qwest Field was rocking. About 500 members of the Timbers Army made the bus trip north. Who’s in for a road trip when the same teams meet down in the Rose City?
Mamadou Danso: Portland’s heroic center back hit for another goal this week. He’s been massive on set-piece plays for John Spencer’s team, in addition to great work in the back.
TRENDING DOWN
Charlie Davies: The comeback kid’s in-person audition for U.S. coach Bob Bradley didn’t go so swimmingly. Davies left with a hamstring strain after 34 minutes. Did he do enough to intrigue Bradley in that time? Nah. Not really. Look, it’s a great story and all, his comeback, that is. But “great story” won’t be among the considerations when Bradley names the Gold Cup roster next week. (It’ll be May 24, I’m told.) (Late-breaking update ... probably May 23 at the latest.)
Carlos de los Cobos: A draw in Toronto isn’t the absolute worst thing for Chicago’s coach. Still, this was surely the Fire’s best chance this year at a road win. If you rank the league’s coaches in “squirm factor,” de los Cobos has to be at the top. It’s not quite firing time around MLS; that’s usually closer to July and August. Still, the noose is surely tightening at Toyota Park.
Real Salt Lake offense: Jason Kreis’ men suffered predictably without their creator, the injured Javier Morales. But they won’t have Moreno for some time, and it’s on the men of Utah to find a way. Coach Jason Kreis will have to keep tinkering after a scoreless draw against Houston.
Local TV broadcasts in MLS: I’ll have more on this one later. Lordy, will I have more.
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Re: Davies
Bradley picked Beasley when he hadn’t even been playing regular soccer for a long time. There’s no doubt to me that, with Davies scoring, he’ll be picked for the Gold Cup (barring another major injury).
Um...
> Jason Kreis’ men suffered predictably without their creator, the injured Jaime Moreno.
Jaime Moreno? Must have been the auto-correct…
Close, but no cigar...
Still says “But they won’t have Moreno for some time…”
have to say
I think the biggest hit to the RSL offense has actually been the injury to Alvaro Saborio which required surgery in the off season and he clearly hasn’t fully recovered. He has been pressed into action by both his desire to play his way back to health and fitness (which I admire) and injuries recently to Paulo Jr. and Fabian Espindola. With the Gold Cup coming up in just weeks we will need both of the injured players to get healthy as Saborio, Alvarez, and Johnson will be gone for most of June.
I was a bit disappointed that despite 13 shots on Saturday, there was only one shot on goal for RSL. That has to improve.
No Doubt? I Doubt That
It’s not slam dunk that Davies gets picked for the Gold Cup. No, it’s not that a bunch of his goals have been PKs. I think that if Davies gets picked it’s b/c a lot of other candidates might have removed themself from consideration (Wondo—inconsistent performance, Braun—hurt, EJ and Agudelo and Altidore all not getting much PT recently) or aren’t such slam dunks themselves. If Davies gets picked, it’s not b/c he’s been so fabulous (though the goal total is impressive), it’s b/c he’s playing 90 minutes as a starter, playing hard and shows that he’s got his speed back.
Here’s why he might not get picked:
1. He’s hurt. No world on how long he’s out. Probably not long. But if you’re BB, do you pick a guy for your roster who (a) is injured a the time you pick him and (b) has a track record of saying “nah, only a scratch, I’ll be healthy and in-form before the first kickoff”?
2. His game isn’t totally close to being totally back. Good finishing touch so far (some nice one-touch results that are as good or better than anyone else in a US uniform at forward these days including Agudelo). Good speed. But the rest of his game is absolutely rust. Bad first touch at times in the open field. Movement off the ball is haphazard, unselfish but decisions with the ball aren’t always strong. He’s still rusty.
I could easily see BB picking…Bunbury, Altidore, maybe Cooper and then one more forward. Agudelo? One of the Euros (since they’re out of season and no club conflicts—like Buddle or Chandler gets a trial up top)? What about Herculez Gomez who ended strong (and the NT coaches have often been willing to showcase NT players looking for teams to help insure critical players got PT and a chance to be in a good club situation)?
In short, I wouldn’t be shocked if Davies gets picked. But it’s not slam dunk either. He doesn’t have his full game back yet and there are plenty of candidates.
WOW What a joke
How has Wondo been inconsistent? He has 5 goals from the run of play this season in 9 games (55% strike rate!)… more than Davies who only has 3 goals from the run of play! If anything Wondo is the most consistent USMNT eligible striker out there right now.
If anything Wondo is more deserving than the names being bandied about… Davies – still not 100% fit and only has 3 goals in run of play; Gomez – 0 goals in 10 months until his recent 4 goal streak; Bunbury – has promise but is not on Wondo’s level yet; Agudelo – has promise but is not on Wondo’s level yet; EJ – shown nothing for years; Altidore – scored a couple goals in friendlies last year but none in the WC and more importantly he has shown nothing at the club level for years now.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on May 17, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed on Wondo
He needs a shot at the USMNT. A goal scorer like that cannot be left off of a team forever, especially since the US is always short at that position.
Chad the Ref
