Preseason Battles III/V: The Wingers

By: Dave Martinez | February 18th, 2009

CONTENDERS

Dane Richards
Khano Smith
Matthew Mbuta
David Roth
Danleigh Borman
Nick Zimmerman

OVERVIEW

Just to review, the roster compliance deadline for MLS is in two weeks, and alot of hefty competition is still being had late in the offseason. This week, we take a look at the wings.

We start with an assured starter on the right wing: Dane Richards. The speed demon from Jamaica has been a handful for MLS defenders since his inception into the league (just ask Wade Barrett). When there are simply no answers left on the pitch, the Bulls shoot it to the right hand side for their diminutive winger to jam it home. But who will be pushing him for playing time, or be competent enough to fill in his shoes during international competition? Well, look no further than the back flipping Cameroonian, Matthew Mbuta. One of Osorio’s personal signings, Mbuta showed a combination of speed and elusiveness last season in very few appearances. He will be relied upon heavily this season to carry the load in his absence.

Also competing on the right wing side is Nick Zimmerman, though he has been featured only twice during preseason match ups, usually backing up a far right Matt Mbuta. I may be reading into things, but that may not bode well for the young winger. Either way, he was described as “lively” in the first few minutes of the game against the PR Islanders not too long ago, and has been able to feed a couple of good crosses that may have caught someones eye. But even Jeff Agoos, in his press release after the 2009 draft, was quoted as saying “”We’ve got quite a number of right midfielders, so I think there may be some versatility with him, and maybe use him as a right back or right midfielder. But we liked what we saw at the combine and we’re excited about having him in camp.”

On the left, things are a bit more wide open, and they just may get worse with a coming trip to Argentina. Recent signing Khano Smith is battling Danleigh Borman and David Roth for the starting spot that Dave Van Den Bergh left empty. As currently constituted, it is not that far fetched of a statement to assume Khano has the upper hand at the left. He is a fast, passionate individual, with good height and a competitive spirit. David Roth was injured last season, but prior to that, was considered the steal of the 2008 draft. Roth is seen to have a ton of upside, and in his year off, has made friends with alot of Red Bull supporters. A LOT of ‘em. You would have to see it to believe it. Borman was featured in spots last season, and what stuck with me most about him was his willingness to put himself out there and try different tactics to find the back of the net. Whether crossing or shooting the ball, he isn’t afraid to take chances. And that is a good and bad thing. He can create opportunities, but can also leave a person scratching their heads (where was that cross intended to go?).

Other options are available within the team as well. Both Oduro and Kandji have seen time on the left hand side this preseason, and super utility man Seth Stammler is always a safe and consistent option to fill in. And though Osorio has shown a preference for Generation Adidas player Jeremy Hall to play centrally (*Thanks Eugene), he may be the last resort on the left.

Argentina, in the end, may play a bigger roll in finding a left winger than we can anticipate (and a central defender. and an attacking mid . . . )

THE TALLY:

SENIOR SPOTS:
3 (Richards, Mbuta, Smith)

DEVELOPMENTAL:
1 (Borman)

TOTAL SENIOR SPOTS: 3 (9/20 in our analysis so far)
TOTAL DEVELOPMENTAL: 1 (2/4)

*PM UPDATE* David Roth has been cut.