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Posted by
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May 27, 2014 |
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Aaron Nielsen
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It is the second month of the 2014 NASL and USL Pro season and clubs have already defined much of their year. Ottawa and Edmonton, in the NASL, have already played the Canadian Championship part of their season with Edmonton taking the Montreal Impact to the brink until being eliminated on a questionable penalty. Both Canadian NASL sides are also eliminated from the nine-game NASL Spring Tournament, meaning they will have to win the Fall Tournament, or finish in the top 3 or 4 in the final standings overall, to make the 2014 NASL playoffs.
Meanwhile in the USL Pro, many clubs have caught up in games with most teams at 10-11 with Wilmington and Arizona still needing to catch up have only played 7 games. This week will also include the opening round of the US Open Cup Third Round that will include all NASL and USL Pro clubs in the tournament, except Orange County Blues and Toronto FC affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads, who lost to NPSL club Chattanooga FC 3-1 in the Second Round matches.
News hasn't been all bad for Wilmington as they are 3 wins and one draw in league play this month including two 1-0 wins over Vancouver Whitecaps affiliate the Charleston Battery. I was mistaken in my last USL Pro recap in saying Manny Aparicio had not played, when in fact he has been playing a depth position in the midfield, but hasn't recorded a goal or an assist. Quillan Roberts is still the number one keeper, although veteran Matt Gleaser has also seen time. Roberts has three shutouts in five games although it must be said Wilmington have played a defense-first style, meaning Roberts has only faced 17 shots in six games. Daniel Lovitz has also played strong with Wilmington and saw Toronto FC recall him for the Canadian Championships. Lovitz has been responsible for all of the Hammerheads set plays and what I like about him is his choice of hitting more finessed dead balls opposed to a direct like Kyle Bekker, which I feel provides more opportunities and creates havoc for the defense.
See also: NASL and USL Pro recap - April 30, 2014
In my last recap I talked about concerns for the Vancouver Whitecaps affiliate the Charleston Battery after no wins, four draws and two losses record in March and April. In May the club has so far won three games and lost twice, as mentioned to Wilmington, and are now in mid-table, but have played more games than most teams. Omar Selgado scored two goals and added an assist with the Battery before the Wilmington games which lead to his call-up by the Whitecaps along with Jackson Farmer. Meanwhile, other Whitecaps loanees Aminu Abdellah, Mamadou Diouf, Andre Lewis, and Adam Mena have combined for 38 games. Lewis so far has a goal and two assists, although after watching him play a few times via YouTube broadcasts I'm beginning to question the Whitecaps drafting him 7th, especially in comparison to later picks such as Patrick Mullins.
USL Pro’s biggest disappointment has been the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who haven't won any games in their first nine, including three draws. This despite the club including former English Premier League player Collins John and Houston Dynamo players on loan Jason Johnson, Brian Ownby, Bryan Salazar, and Anthony Arena. The biggest surprise has been the poor play of players who excelled at this level including Matthew Dallman, who lead the league in assists last season, and Jose Angulo, Jhonny Ateaga and Joesph Ngwenya, all potential double digit goal scorers at this level. The club has had some financial issues and these off field troubles could be affecting the team on the field.
The NASL has shown much parity this season, probably more than expected, highlighted by last place club Indy Eleven tying the New York Cosmos 1-1 in New York this past weekend. This means five teams still have a chance for the Fall Championship and an automatic place in the playoffs with only two games remaining. Minnesota is in first with 16 points and will need a win and draw away to Atlanta and Tampa Bay to guarantee them 1st place, however next week’s game between Fort Lauderdale and the Cosmos could have a big say on who wins it.
Ottawa and Edmonton are currently 8th and 9th, with Ottawa needing to find consistency but have shown to be one of the most talented teams in the league, while Edmonton have had some stand out player performances, especially that of 17 year old Hanson Boakai. Although Colin Miller’s defensive style has dominated FC Edmonton’s performances, ownership might need to ask questions about the future if they cannot improve under him for the Fall tournament.
Like the last recap, I plan to showcase players who I feel should play a future role in MLS. Last Month I had Kyle Porter, who ended up being recalled by DC United. Added to him was Danny Berrera, who by many has been the top player in the NASL this season, while Miguel Ibarra, Daniel Steres and JC Banks continue to build a CV that should see them play at a higher level. Here is my new five for this month.
Jordan Hamilton
With Toronto FC making some roster moves the last month it allowed them to loan highly regarded Homegrown prospect Jordan Hamilton to the Wilmington Hammerheads. Hamilton was never given a shot with the senior team, only making his MLS debut coming on for the last minute against Colorado, which makes you wonder why would Toronto give Hamilton a contract instead of encouraging him to play NCAA soccer this year?
Hamilton has taken his opportunity with Wilmington very well, scoring the game winner and sending two shots in 29 minutes against Charleston, and a goal, two assists and four shots in 77 minutes in a 5-1 win over Pittsburgh. With the signing and success of Luke Moore, another player who I felt was good value when brought in by Chivas USA, it looks like Hamilton will get significant playing time with the Hammerheads, and if equally successful, he might actually gather interest from Europe.
Mark Anderson
I've talked about Mark Anderson since his university days and his ability to both shoot from long distance and set up goals. The 25 year old Englishman started his career as a Sunderland trainee before coming to America for University. He was an NCAA Division III Player of the Year and also excelled in the PDL, but was ignored in the 2012 MLS Draft and signed with Fort Lauderdale in NASL. Rated in my overlooked non-MLS players, when healthy he's been the top player in NASL and despite scoring a spectacular goal from his own half against San Jose in an US Open Cup game he hasn't garnered much interest from MLS.
Anderson had some injury issues last season, which made me worry about Fort Lauderdale this season, but him being healthy meant the Strikers have surprised many with their success the first seven games of the season.
George Davis
The 26 year old Richmond Kickers winger has shown an ability to create offense, first in the PDL with Dayton, then with Dayton in USL Pro, then the LA Blues and now finally in Richmond. Davis has seven goals and two assists this season and is second in scoring to another player I rate highly that is under the radar in Kevin Molino. Davis is a little on the small side at 5'8 and wasn't a scorer in college, but like Miguel Ibarra who I have talked about before, has excelled in the pros and looks to be always improving. With MLS clubs freely bringing players up from USL Pro, I would like to see them at least give players like Davis a trial and see if he can produce in a similar fashion once given the opportunity.
Christian Ramirez
Ramirez is another player that makes you question the scouting reach in North America. Born to Colombian parents in California, Ramirez was a high school standout in the state. He attended UC Santa Barbara University but decided to transfer to an NAIA school and was the 2012 Player of the Year scoring 23 goals. Despite also being 6'2, he was ignored by MLS scouts and signed with Charlotte in USL Pro last season as a free agent and had eight goals and four assists. This season he moved to Minnesota and has helped lead United to 1st place in the standings after seven games, scoring four goals and adding two assists in the process. Ramirez has played up front by himself this season as the lone target man, but has also played on the wing in his career.
Jose Cuevas
For me, the story of Jose Cuevas is an important one and I'm cheating a bit as the 24 year old midfielder is not playing in either NASL or USL Pro. Cuevas played for Charleston the previous two seasons and was the USL Pro Finals MVP and ranked number two in my list of the top 20 overlooked players by MLS. He surprisingly wasn't resigned by the Battery, partly due to the addition of the Whitecaps players. Cuevas was out of contract and signed with his hometown PDL club Fresno Fuego and after scoring a goal, an assist and 10 shots in his first two PDL games, he helped lead Fresno to a US Open Cup win over USL Pro club Orange County Blues scoring a goal in a 2-0 win. I have heard stories of many Hispanic players in the States being overlooked and to me it’s a shame that someone of Cuevas quality isn't given better, or more opportunities to succeed.
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