Comments on: Jay DeMerit and Charlie Davies: Profiles in Player Development

By: Heading for the Pies

Heading for the Pies — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:24:09 +0000

DeMerit has been very good fro Watford. I admit I had never seen or heard of Davies until this tournament, but I’m English and don’t watch MLS, USL or the Swedish League.

By: Ture

Ture — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:44:40 +0000

Two PDL vets playing in a FIFA final. Amazing!

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:27:37 +0000

What your story points out, is that for the US to be successful at soccer, the USMNT needs a coaching staff that is willing to evaluate players from all training and playing upbringings. Landon Donovan, the best player in US Soccer right now, is the flag bearer for the Academy system. Of course that doesn’t mean the next 10 on the best XI list are also graduates of the system. The US player pool is so much larger now, and can be exploited by the coaching staff like never before (due to scouting technology). While it is unfair for the coaches to play favorites (and unfavorites — did Adu say something mean about Bradley’s mother?), those that can’t perform are slowly being marginalized. Specific to this tournament, we are seeing a nice job by the coaching staff in choosing high-performing players that are the best fit for the tactical decisions. As such, the team (and results) are improving game to game.

The media and fans all have their favorites for who should be on the field out of the vast talent pool. I say it is important for us to continue promoting those players. With a higher visibility to the powers that be than ever before, our collective opinions (and passions for success) should used as a resource.

By: Soccer Jerseys

Soccer Jerseys — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:38:36 +0000

I can’t wait to watch the growth of Davies. Was Davies on the last Olympic team?

By: Big Tony

Big Tony — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:48:17 +0000

US players ok, but generally I’m not sure it’s as uncommon as you think – it’s certainly becoming less so as prem clubs now sign players at 13 years old, but in the not too distant past both Teddy Sheringham (Leytonshone) and Stuart Pearce (Wealdstone) came up from the semi pro/non league ranks.

And maybe the first goal could technically be considered the winning one, but in general football parlance, it describes the goal that tipped the balance in a game won by a one goal margin.

Jay’s goal against Leeds would have been described as the first or opening goal.

Maybe it’s different in the states … Tomatoes and all that.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:30:17 +0000

I think you tend to over rate DeMerit. Parkhurst, Conrad and Califf are still better.

Davies has been a good call by you. Maybe you just got lucky but I remember you screaming along with Denholm for Davies in the summer friendlies last year, so all credit to you for this.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:15:07 +0000

Great piece and good job calling this potential upset even though last week you and so many others were off their rocker. I thought we were unlucky against Italy although the Brazil game undoubtedly was an embarrassment of epic proportions it was just one game which you didn’t keep in the proper context.

It’s a tough job to spot and develop players at a young age but it seems like Bradenton has had more failures than would be acceptable in most cases.

By: Kartik Krishnaiyer

Kartik Krishnaiyer — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:09:20 +0000

Fair point big tony, but it is uncharted territory for a USMNT player. In fact it’s a completely unique story in recent USMNT history even if not in English professional football. Even if it were more common territory for Americans, players off the radar usually stay off the radar which makes DeMerit’s story especially compelling.

The first goal also is the game winner. Leeds didn’t score, so the first goal held up as the winner.

By: Big Tony

Big Tony — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:03:59 +0000

Er, not sure about your info here Kartick!

A) Northwood FC whilst admittedly playing in the seventh tier of English football (The Isthmian League) are a semi-professional team and I’m not sure would take too kindly to be described as a sunday league side! Incedentily they play on Saturdays! True, he got lucky by being spotted quickly, but many big names in UK football have come through the lower leagues, so it’s not exactly uncharted territory.

B) Demerit scored the first of 3 goals in the 2006 championship play off final, so I’m not sure even with journalistic license you could call it the winner.

By: LS

LS — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:42:18 +0000

Sounds like DeMerit was a bit fortunate to have things work out his way. There are plenty of talented lower league players that never get a shot at the big time.

From a developmental standpoint, these are interesting cases but I really don’t think you want to rely on English Sunday leagues as a developmental platform !!