By Clemente Lisi -- Rookie New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream plays on a team that includes international stars Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, yet he has been able to grab a lot of the spotlight thanks to his outstanding performances this season. Ream, a central defender, played at St. Louis University, but never appeared for the US National Team at any age level after four NCAA seasons. That could soon change given that the 22-year-old Ream has been exceptional over the past five months.
With the MLS regular season drawing to a close, Ream, who was chosen 18th overall in January by the Red Bulls in the MLS SuperDraft, leads the team in minutes played and scored his first-ever league goal Saturday in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids. He has even been in contact recently with National Team assistant coach Mike Sorber about a possible future call-up.
“Getting a goal and getting a win was really a great feeling,” said Ream. “This has been a really great season for me and the team. I hope to keep building for the future.”
Ream is correct. Building for the future is pivotal for him, the Red Bulls and league as a whole. If the retirement last month of Clint Mathis and impending one of Brian McBride at the end of the season closes a chapter in MLS history, Ream and this year’s crop of rookies opens another. The fact that so many top-quality rookies have entered Major League Soccer this year -- and are performing so well at the same time -- is proof that the overall level of quality, training and talent coming up through the college and amateur ranks has greatly improved in this country over the past decade.
While foreign superstars have grabbed the attention of most fans, it has been rookies like Ream that have been the most consistent this season. MLS teams have also not shied away from inserting rookies into their lineups. On opening day this year, 16 rookies (seven starters and nine subs) got playing time (tying the record set in 2005 and 2009) -- a considerable amount given that the number has been in the single digits seven out of 15 seasons.
The Red Bulls are the team with arguably the most standout rookie talent. Aside from Ream, coach Hans Backe also has midfielder Tony Tchani (drafted 2nd overall), striker Conor Chinn (drafted 34th) and Juan Agudelo, who was plucked from the team’s youth academy and is currently a member of the US Under-20 team. RBNY has also created a positive environment for its rookies to play and learn.
“I’ve always wanted to play pro soccer and I think being in New York is a great place,” said Agudelo. “Everyone on the team has been good to me.”
Not since midfielder Maurice Edu - drafted 1st overall by Toronto FC in 2007 and who now plays for Scottish club Rangers - was named MLS’s Rookie of the Year, beating out future USA teammate Robbie Findley, have there been so many great first-year players in the league. For instance, another 1st pick, striker Danny Mwanga, who was chosen by the Philadelphia Union over other college prospects like Tchani and Ike Opara (taken 3rd by the San Jose earthquakes), has led his team offensively this season.
Just 19, Mwanga is considered the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors. To say he's impressed is an understatement, turning dribbling skills and playmaking abilities into seven goals in 15 league games. In college, Mwanga started 11 games as a freshman, where he tallied four. Mwanga holds a US Alien Card and is on the path to American citizenship – something that would allow him to play for the US National Team.
“It would be an honor,” Mwanga told the Union’s website last month. “Playing for the US in a World Cup would be something I would enjoy. I don’t know what’s going to happen. For now, I’m focused in on helping the Union. To be a member of the US for the World Cup is something I’ve thought about a lot.”
Another reason for the increased quality of the Class of 2010 is due to the ongoing efforts of Generation adidas, designed to find, sign and train young talent for the League. One recent Generation adidas signing, US Under-17 star Luis Gil, was signed by Real Salt Lake this year.
In an announcement last month, Patrik Nilsson, president of adidas America, said his company had renegotiated the last four years of an existing 10-year deal with MLS while adding four more years through 2018. As part of the deal, the company will continue to lend its support to Generation adidas.
“The United States is a breeding ground for athletic talent and we need to ensure our homegrown athletes have viable opportunities to play soccer at the highest level,” he said. “We need to accelerate the model for soccer development in North America to attract and keep elite talent engaged and excited about professional opportunities in the sport. We share a long-term vision with MLS to develop the game and are excited to foster the next generation of American soccer stars.”
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