Further proof of college soccer's influence on Major League Soccer can be viewed with the New York Red Bulls. Frank Giase of the Newark Star Ledger writes about the collegiate feel of the Red Bulls.
Red Bulls coach Hans Backe must think the United States is loaded with soccer talent. That in a country of 300 million there must be more quality players out there than can possibly fill the rosters of Major League Soccer.
And why shouldn’t he feel that way? A week after he was named coach the Red Bulls drafted five college players who could form the core of the team in the future.
In Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Juventus, three of those draft picks had a major impact.
Midfielder Tony Tchani, the No. 2 overall pick out of Virginia, started in the center and seemed to hold his own. He cracked the starting lineup May 8 against San Jose and scored his first goal May 20 against the Crew.
Forward Conor Chinn, a third-round pick out of San Francisco, had an impressive training camp but didn’t make his presence felt until April 27, when he scored two goals against the Philadelphia Union in a U.S. Open Cup play-in game.
Against Juventus, Chinn scored the second goal on a calm trap and professional finish in the box.
And then there’s forward Irving Garcia, a fourth-round pick out of Cal-Irvine. Garcia played the final seven minutes of the Open Cup game April 27 and 27 minutes against the Revolution in another Open Cup game May 12.
On Sunday, the 5-5 Garcia was all over the field, gave the Red Bulls some energy and created the first goal when his 30-yard shot hit the crossbar and was knocked home by Jeremy Hall.
“They still have a lot to learn,” Backe said after the match. “But definitely when you see players like Conor, who is always good for goals, Tony Tchani, who today had some ups and downs and unforced errors, they may need time, but they will improve.
Red Bulls coach Hans Backe must think the United States is loaded with soccer talent. That in a country of 300 million there must be more quality players out there than can possibly fill the rosters of Major League Soccer.
And why shouldn’t he feel that way? A week after he was named coach the Red Bulls drafted five college players who could form the core of the team in the future.
In Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Juventus, three of those draft picks had a major impact.
Midfielder Tony Tchani, the No. 2 overall pick out of Virginia, started in the center and seemed to hold his own. He cracked the starting lineup May 8 against San Jose and scored his first goal May 20 against the Crew.
Forward Conor Chinn, a third-round pick out of San Francisco, had an impressive training camp but didn’t make his presence felt until April 27, when he scored two goals against the Philadelphia Union in a U.S. Open Cup play-in game.
Against Juventus, Chinn scored the second goal on a calm trap and professional finish in the box.
And then there’s forward Irving Garcia, a fourth-round pick out of Cal-Irvine. Garcia played the final seven minutes of the Open Cup game April 27 and 27 minutes against the Revolution in another Open Cup game May 12.
On Sunday, the 5-5 Garcia was all over the field, gave the Red Bulls some energy and created the first goal when his 30-yard shot hit the crossbar and was knocked home by Jeremy Hall.
“They still have a lot to learn,” Backe said after the match. “But definitely when you see players like Conor, who is always good for goals, Tony Tchani, who today had some ups and downs and unforced errors, they may need time, but they will improve.
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