Every Friday, Sportsnet.ca will chat with Sportsnet soccer commentator Paul Dolan—a former Canadian national team goalkeeper—about the big stories and issues in Major League Soccer.
Montreal left back Jeb Brovsky sat out the previous four games before starting for the Impact in last week’s 1-0 win over Philadelphia. Did Brovsky, a regular starter for Montreal the past two years, do enough to win back his starting role from Heath Pearce?
I thought Jeb Brovsky was one of the most improved players in the league last year and has made great strides since his rookie year in Vancouver. He’s brave, determined and has been steady defensively for the Impact and helping to keep a clean sheet last weekend against the Union leads me to think he’ll keep his spot.
Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit was given last weekend off for the second time this season, and his replacement Johnny Leveron struggled in a 2-2 draw away to Salt Lake. Does Vancouver have enough defensive depth? Can the Whitecaps continue afford to give DeMerit games off for “maintenance”?
That depth was tested last year at the centre-back position and Leveron and Carlyle Mitchell did very well along with Brad Rusin when called upon. I think with the addition of Christian Dean in that position that they are solid again there this year. As for Demerit, I think he adds a bite that’s valuable as the team’s captain and unless he is really struggling for fitness I would be surprised to see him out of the team any time soon.
Soccer Central podcast: SPORTSNET.CA’s Soccer Central podcast, hosted by John Molinaro and James Sharman, takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues. To listen and subscribe to the podcast, CLICK HERE.
Toronto FC is back in action this Saturday at home versus New England after having a bye week. One player who’s looked solid this season for the Reds is Issey Nakajima-Farran. He’s been used on the flanks so far but might the Canadian international give coach Ryan Nelsen another option up front?
I tend to see him more as a possession based midfielder. But when given the chance he’s shown he can get into dangerous areas and contribute offensively and with the lack of depth in the forward position you could see him involved there again this season.
The Timbers are winless in their first eight games of the season, with three losses. What do you make of Portland’s terrible start to the campaign?
It’s incredible to think they haven’t won a game yet with many picking them to win MLS Cup this year after a strong season in 2013. But if you remember last season they drew a record 15 games (next closest was 11) meaning they aren’t far off following that same path this year with five draws already. What I think they’re missing is that cutting edge up front that could turn draws into victories and where they got so much production from midfield in Will Johnson and Diego Valeri last season that hasn’t transpired yet. I still think they will contend for a playoff spot at least, with so much of the season yet to play and a good nucleus of players still intact from last year.
Is there a player in MLS that has been flying under the radar this season who you feel deserves more attention?
Having a bit of a closer eye on the Canadian teams, the player that stands out for me as someone who has been very steady in the early going has been Justin Morrow at TFC. Defenders don’t get a lot of the spotlight but he has been almost flawless in his performances against some very difficult opponents to start the year. Matt Hedges at Dallas is another defender who has contributed offensively as well as defensively and although he is a big name, Obafemi Martins in Seattle has been outstanding but a little overshadowed by Clint Dempsey’s great run of form.
Soccer Central: Need to catch up on the latest soccer news from across Canada and around the world? Tune into Soccer Central, hosted by James Sharman, airing Monday to Thursday on Sportsnet World and Sportsnet ONE at 7pm ET. Also, be sure to catch Soccer Central Roundtable, Friday’s at 7pm ET on Sportsnet World.