ASN 100 Analysis
Jason Davis Talks ASN 100, Joe Gyau, and Josh Gatt
Best Soccer Show co-host Jason Davis is an ASN 100 Panelist, and here he answers five questions about the list, his personal rankings, and who he thinks is the No. 1 player for the Yanks.
1) Name one player you think should be ranked higher. Why?
Will Bruin. I had him at 50, and I'm regretting putting him that low. His maturation as a forward in MLS has been remarkable, and there's an argument to be had that he's ahead of C.J. Sapong in terms of development. He's got that innate ability to find the right spot at the right time, and unlike a lot of young American forwards, he can finish. 2) Who do you think should be ranked lower. Why?
Josh Gatt. I'm as anxious as anyone to see Gatt's speed finally get a run in the USMNT, but I'm not sure his accomplishments to this point merit his ranking. Full disclosure: I was sucked in by the hype, so I'm admonishing myself as much as anyone. Let's see him play some international soccer before we get too excited. 3) Is there a low-ranked player you think might start for the U.S. national team in Brazil? Why?
There's no one I think will start for the team in Brazil, but there are a few longshots that could surprise. Joe Gyau comes to mind, based on his speed and ability with the ball. For a team that lacks players willing to take on defenders as well as out-and-out wingers, Gyau could serve an important purpose. 4) Clint Dempsey beat out Michael Bradley by one point for the top slot. Who ya got as No.1? And why?
I still have Dempsey in the top spot. Bradley's importance is undeniable, and the US is not the same without him in the midfield, but without Dempsey there's not enough offense to give them a legitimate chance to win games. Dempsey often frustrates, but when he's on, he'll open up space for others with smart runs while also being the most dangerous American on the field. 5) Who's primed to drop out of the ASN 100 by the time the Hex starts in February?
Robbie Rogers. I'm not really sure how he's still in the mix, considering he's now riding the bench in League One. Fifteen months ago, Rogers was scoring in a friendly against Mexico. Now he's so far down the list of midfield options for Jurgen Klinsmann you have to wonder if he'll ever play for the U.S. again. Check out the ASN 100, and be sure to click on the tabs to sort the players by position, goals, caps, birthplace, age, height, weight, etc. And when you're done doing that, follow Jason Davis on Twitter.
Will Bruin. I had him at 50, and I'm regretting putting him that low. His maturation as a forward in MLS has been remarkable, and there's an argument to be had that he's ahead of C.J. Sapong in terms of development. He's got that innate ability to find the right spot at the right time, and unlike a lot of young American forwards, he can finish. 2) Who do you think should be ranked lower. Why?
Josh Gatt. I'm as anxious as anyone to see Gatt's speed finally get a run in the USMNT, but I'm not sure his accomplishments to this point merit his ranking. Full disclosure: I was sucked in by the hype, so I'm admonishing myself as much as anyone. Let's see him play some international soccer before we get too excited. 3) Is there a low-ranked player you think might start for the U.S. national team in Brazil? Why?
There's no one I think will start for the team in Brazil, but there are a few longshots that could surprise. Joe Gyau comes to mind, based on his speed and ability with the ball. For a team that lacks players willing to take on defenders as well as out-and-out wingers, Gyau could serve an important purpose. 4) Clint Dempsey beat out Michael Bradley by one point for the top slot. Who ya got as No.1? And why?
I still have Dempsey in the top spot. Bradley's importance is undeniable, and the US is not the same without him in the midfield, but without Dempsey there's not enough offense to give them a legitimate chance to win games. Dempsey often frustrates, but when he's on, he'll open up space for others with smart runs while also being the most dangerous American on the field. 5) Who's primed to drop out of the ASN 100 by the time the Hex starts in February?
Robbie Rogers. I'm not really sure how he's still in the mix, considering he's now riding the bench in League One. Fifteen months ago, Rogers was scoring in a friendly against Mexico. Now he's so far down the list of midfield options for Jurgen Klinsmann you have to wonder if he'll ever play for the U.S. again. Check out the ASN 100, and be sure to click on the tabs to sort the players by position, goals, caps, birthplace, age, height, weight, etc. And when you're done doing that, follow Jason Davis on Twitter.
