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Author Topic: Julius James, the X factor  (Read 883 times)

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Offline dwn

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Julius James, the X factor
« on: March 29, 2008, 07:38:48 PM »
Collin Samuel, the breakout player to watch

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=520730&root=mls&cc=3888

This is the 13th of 14 MLS team previews by ESPNsoccernet for the 2008 season.

2007 finish: 6-17-7 (seventh in the East, last in MLS)

Key Additions: D Julius James, M Kevin Harmse, D Marco Velez, GK Brian Edwards.

Key Losses: M Ronnie O'Brien, Chris Pozniak.

Key Questions

1. Will Toronto land Amado Guevara, or any playmaker?

Toronto FC had a grand total of 25 assists in 2007, less than half the totals of D.C. United and Chivas USA. That embarrassing number has had Mo Johnston searching for a playmaking midfielder all winter and he believes he has found his man. The question is whether he can get him.

That player is Amado Guevara. The former league MVP who left Chivas USA in a messy divorce that sent him back to Honduras is ready to return to MLS. Guevara wants to join Toronto, the same team he balked at being traded to a year ago, but Toronto still has some hurdles to clear in order to secure the 2004 MLS MVP.

If Toronto does land Guevara, will he be an impact player? TFC believes he can be, particularly with Maurice Edu and Carl Robinson doing the heavy lifting in central midfield.

And if Toronto fails in its bid to land Guevara? TFC will likely be forced to wait until the summer to address its biggest need, which would probably leave the club in desperation mode, particularly with Edu likely to miss several games for the Beijing Olympics.

2. Is John Carver ready for MLS?

This might sound like an absurd question considering Carver's coaching experience in England, but the reality is foreign coaches with no prior experience in MLS as a coach or player haven't exactly set the league on fire.

Eric Wynalda's Take:
"It's a big coaching change, and it's another one where you kind of scratch your head on. It's going to be a learning process for the coaching staff. Mo Johnston has to be tickled pink that he doesn't have to worry about managing that team. He can start focusing from the stands -- on what this team needs and how to help them get better. I love the atmosphere there. I love games in Toronto. I'm happy the All-Star Game ended up there. That's a great reward for those fans. I wish I was Canadian -- no I don't want to go that far, but I really enjoyed games there. If they can ride the enthusiasm of their crowd, they'll win more games than they lose next year."
Tactics won't be a problem for Carver. The real issue will be dealing with a thin roster and the reality that he can't just go out and buy replacement players if things don't go well. Carver does have the benefit of working with Mo Johnston, the best trader in MLS. If there is a deal to be made, Johnston will make it, though Toronto can be criticized for not giving players enough time before casting them aside.

Carver will have the task of implementing a 4-5-1 formation which will likely mean a reserve role for popular forward Danny Dichio. Will Dichio be content to share playing time or will he look for the exit? MLS clubs have already made offers for Dichio so there is a growing belief that he will ask out of Toronto. This may not be an issue for Toronto, especially not if the club decides to use its designated player slot to sign a high-profile forward, something that is a very real possibility this summer.

3. How much better will the defense be?

Toronto FC surrendered a league-high 49 goals in 2007, a disheartening total that led the club to address the back line by using both of its first-round picks on defenders. Johnston also went out and signed defender Marco Velez.

The biggest revelation of the preseason has been James. The UConn product was regarded in some circles as the most MLS-ready player in the draft and he has lived up to that billing in training camp. His rapid rise should allow John Carver to use Jim Brennan at left back, which would allow Todd Dunivant to slide into a left wing role.

With Brennan, Tyrone Marshall, Marvell Wynne, James and fellow rookie Pat Phelan, Toronto should have the pieces to field a strong defense, though some preseason struggles leave you wondering if it will take awhile for the pieces to come together.

X factor: Julius James

He's fast, strong and fearless and there is very little about Julius James that screams rookie. He has played well enough in preseason to earn a starting job. James will be sidelined by a separated shoulder he suffered in preseason, but once he returns he will be making a good case for rookie of the year honors.

If Toronto signs him, Amado Guevara will be the clear X factor for TFC. His ability to deliver pinpoint passes, as well as score goals on his own, would make him the ideal player for the squad Toronto currently has. That is assuming Guevara will come in with a good attitude and won't revert to some of the behavior that tarnished his last stint in MLS.

Breakout player to watch: Collin Samuel

When the Trinidad & Tobago international showed up at Toronto last year he looked out of shape and never quite played to the level you would expect from a World Cup veteran.

Toronto has seen a very different Samuel this preseason. He lost 10 pounds and is showing quickness and energy that was missing last year. Slated to slide into the right wing, Samuel also gives Carver a good forward option.

One rookie who could have a breakthrough year is goalkeeper Brian Edwards. One of the most highly rated netminders in the draft, Edwards is expected to battle for the No. 2 job, but he has shown some flashes and Greg Sutton's uncertain health status and erratic form could pave the way for Edwards to step in as a rookie and start.

MLS Primetime Thursday
April 3
New England at Chicago
8 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360)
San Jose at Los Angeles
10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360)

Outlook

Like a recipe missing its main ingredient, Toronto FC is missing a playmaker to tie together a squad that has more talent than it gets credit for. Maurice Edu is the key to the current squad and is arguably as valuable to Toronto as any other MLS player is to his team. He can't do it alone in central midfield though, and Kevin Harmse is not the answer.

Can Toronto climb out of the East basement and contend for a playoff spot? TFC is still a player or two, preferably an attacking midfielder and winger, away. Without those key additions, Toronto will be doomed to another disappointing year. With some impact additions, like Amado Guevara, Toronto can challenge for a playoff spot in the loaded Eastern Conference.

Ives Galarcep covers MLS for ESPNsoccernet. He is a writer and columnist for the Herald News (N.J.) and writes a blog, Soccer By Ives. He can be reached at Ivespn79@aol.com.

Offline Bianconeri

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Re: Julius James, the X factor
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2008, 07:59:33 PM »
good to hear some GOOD news coming out of the MLS for TT players

Offline Bianconeri

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Re: Julius James, the X factor
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2008, 08:31:14 PM »
was this injury recent? is that why he didnt play against Guadeloupe and El Salvador??
he definitely deserves a look when he's fit

 

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