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It has been a couple weeks since I posted anything on Major League Soccer’s rookie class for 2008. I decided to go away from the week-by-week account of the rookies and do this once or twice a month because this season, unlike many in previous years, is harder to judge the rookie talent due to the influx of foreign talent in the league.
The amount of young talent in the league right now is probably at an all-time high. But in terms of rookie play, it is probably near the low levels that it has ever been at in the league’s history. But rest assured the home grown talent is still in the league thanks to the rookie class. We are just having to wait a little longer this year for rookies to step up and emerge as top players in this league.
I saw this because right now only one rookie has scored a goal here this season. Houston’s Geoff Cameron scored in week two against FC Dallas for the rookie class’s lone goal of the year. Yup, this time last year we had a couple rookies in the score books. Kansas City’s Michael Harrington scored just three minutes into his debut, and by month’s end, then-Los Angeles forward Robbie Findley also tallied a goal.
EDIT: Completely forgot about Chicago’s rookie Stephen King’s goal this past week…so there has been two rookies with goals.
The rookie play early last season was talked about more to keep people interested while they were waiting on the likes of David Beckham and Blanco to join the league.
But as tough as things have been, six weeks into the year there are a few guys that are breaking through the cracks in my eyes. Injuries may have played a part and still are for some guys here this season but I think before long some of those top picks will break out and really justify their pick in the draft.
