By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Sep 15, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Twice a week, USSoccerplayers.com will ask some of the questions in need of an answer in world soccer. Tony Edwards will give you his thoughts, but what we're looking for is a deeper discussion. Your comments are welcome, as we try to get at what's really in play from the American game to the highest levels of FIFA.
Is Jamison Olave the best player in MLS?
According to the latest MLS Castrol Index, he is. As detailed here, MLS’ Castrol Index leaves more questions than answers. In case you were wondering, Chance Myers is the highest rated American on the list (third). So what's the call? Is the Index right and Olave leads the list, or are there a few MLS players with a gripe? A few on the Galaxy roster perhaps?
What role does Michael Bradley have at Chievo?
As Clemente wrote here, observers without a stake in his development think Bradley can break into the Serie A club’s starting midfield. With Jurgen Klinsmann wisely leaving Bradley in Italy during the recent international window to integrate with his new club, the opportunity to play in Europe's most tactical league should push Bradley's game even higher. If his last name was Smith or Hernandez, we'd be marveling at this player's accomplishments. Yet we've seen what this can mean for National Teamers playing in Italy.
Who is the proverbial 'team you no one wants to face' in the MLS playoffs?
There's still far too many weeks to go, but with the MLS playoff format giving not enough advantage to higher seeds, this could be another season where a lower seed makes a run. While the Galaxy are rightly the favorites, what Eastern Conference team wants to play a lower Western Conference seed in the playoffs?
What team in MLS has scored the most goals?
Sure, you could look it up, but go on and guess. As of Wednesday before the scheduled games, it was Kansas City and Seattle with 43. That the range between KC and Seattle and the team with the fewest goals (Vancouver at 28) is about half a goal a game gives evident proof of the worth of consistent scorers.
Which American player is in the top ten in Mexico in assists?
It’s far too early for this to mean anything, but its DaMarcus Beasley, with two. UANL’s Brazilian Danilinho leads the competition with 5 in 8 games. Beasley’s Puebla are mid-table, with 10 points in 8 games. The one wildcard for the Americans could be Herculez Gomez, who so far is serving as a super sub for Tecos.
