Crusader goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck was taken with the 26th overall pick in the MLS Supplemental Draft by FC Dallas.
Zobeck joins Stefan Antonijevic (2012, 43rd overall in Supplemental Draft, Sporting Kansas City) as the only Crusader soccer players ever drafted by Major League Soccer.
Huzzah!
Congrats to Kyle, and awesome that I could potentially see a Valpo player on a local professional team :). I watch FC Dallas games on TV, but haven't attended one as of yet. I have been wanting to do so, and if he makes the team, that will give me some added motivation.
I have checked for Stefan since last year, and it seems like he only played in the reserves? Anyone with additional insight into his professional career since last year?
Stefan's been bouncing around trying to stick somewhere. After failing to stay on with Sporting Kansas City through training camp, he ended up with the Chicago Fire Reserves, the Vermont Voltage of the USL Premier Development League (4th-tier, if you're familiar with football, think of a pro league under the NFL, CFL, and UFL for a rough comparison), and I believe he is currently with Spartak Zlatiborvoda, a pro team in Serbia where his family comes from. There may be another team in the timeline missing, but those are the highlights I am familiar with.
Going back to "Zo," he is also just the 29th Horizon League drafted by an MLS team and the 2nd HL GK drafted this year after Cleveland State's Brad Stuver was picked in the 2nd round of the MLS SuperDraft. Looking at FC Dallas' roster, I believe they have just two other keepers. Their website lists three others, but one of them is Kevin Hartman, a noted veteran keeper whose contract expired and no longer appears to be with the club. The other netminders are Richard Sanchez, an 18-year old yet to play an MLS game, and Chris Seitz. Seitz started for the Philadelphia Union in 2010 and backed up Hartman for Dallas the passed two seasons. He sat out the final stages of the past season after donating bone marrow to help someone he had never met before.
While I could find a lot of good background info, I wouldn't call myself an expert on the MLS. However, after looking this stuff up, I like Kyle's chances to make some noise at the next level.
Kevin Hartman is definitely an MLS veteran, and someone I would think we would want back. Seitz would be the obvious replacement, if we don't sign anyone else. I would imagine that Kyle will get a fair shot at making the roster.
Good to see that Stefan found a team in Serbia. The easiest comparison for the Vermont Voltage to MLS would be a single A team to MLB. It looks like his club is in the Serbian top league, so he is probably making a decent living playing there. As he gets more professional experience, hopefully he can advance into some more prominent leagues! I find European football leagues to be intriguing, as you have so many teams in many leagues that are competitive. There are really only 2 solid teams in Serbia (Partizan and Red Star), but that seems to be the same case for many of the smaller countries.
Quote from: valpotx on January 22, 2013, 03:16:35 PM
Kevin Hartman is definitely an MLS veteran, and someone I would think we would want back. Seitz would be the obvious replacement, if we don't sign anyone else. I would imagine that Kyle will get a fair shot at making the roster.
Looking at Hartman, he was eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Draft last month. No one drafted him, and FC Dallas didn't even take him at the end when clubs are allowed to reclaim their own players. Wonder if Hartman's age played a decisive factor. He's 38 I think...
Without knowing how strong the club's faith is in Sanchez, it looks more like Zo should make the club either as the No. 2 or No. 3 depending how he battles with Sanchez. I can't imagine either keeper beating Seitz for the starting job, but it'd be great if Kyle could.
Extra motivation for Kyle to make the roster, a trip to Mexico in training!
http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/01/fc-dallas-opens-2013-preseason-monday-jan-21 (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/01/fc-dallas-opens-2013-preseason-monday-jan-21)
Years ago, even though MLS didn't exist back then or was in its relative infancy, it was a big deal to see a VU guy get picked up by a professional indoor soccer team. Nobody went to Europe. Maybe you played semi-pro and that was it after graduation. And here we now have two who have been drafted at the MLS level. This really shows how far the program has grown and matured.
It looks like Kyle will be battling it out for the number 3 GK spot, as I didn't notice that we signed a Peruvian national team GK. Hopefully Kyle can beat out the 18 year old!
http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/01/chris-seitz-top-form-preseason-begins (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/01/chris-seitz-top-form-preseason-begins)
Then again, this 18 year old appears to be solid in his own right, being the GK for Mexico's U-17 World Cup champion team recently. Hopefully if he plays at the senior national team level, the US can talk him away from Mexico, since he was born in CA, raised in TX.
http://www.fcdallas.com/players/richard-sanchez (http://www.fcdallas.com/players/richard-sanchez)
Quote from: valpotx on January 22, 2013, 01:56:54 PM
Congrats to Kyle, and awesome that I could potentially see a Valpo player on a local professional team :). I watch FC Dallas games on TV, but haven't attended one as of yet. I have been wanting to do so, and if he makes the team, that will give me some added motivation.
I have checked for Stefan since last year, and it seems like he only played in the reserves? Anyone with additional insight into his professional career since last year?
I've been to a couple of games there and would highly recommend going. The atmosphere is terrific, the food and beverages great and the stadium is something to behold. probably seats about 15-20,000 and all are great seats with open air concessions all around.
Congrats to Kyle as this is a tremendous accomplishment.
Nice Q & A with Zobeck from TopDrawerSoccer.com. The blog on this site has one of the most creative names I've seen too, right in line with "The 10th Inning" for baseball fans
http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2013/01/our-interview-with-mls-draftee-kyle-zobeck-features-laughs-no-hair-gel/ (http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2013/01/our-interview-with-mls-draftee-kyle-zobeck-features-laughs-no-hair-gel/)
Quote from: KL31NY on January 28, 2013, 09:08:39 PMNice Q & A with Zobeck from TopDrawerSoccer.com. The blog on this site has one of the most creative names I've seen too, right in line with "The 10th Inning" for baseball fans http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2013/01/our-interview-with-mls-draftee-kyle-zobeck-features-laughs-no-hair-gel/ (http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2013/01/our-interview-with-mls-draftee-kyle-zobeck-features-laughs-no-hair-gel/)
Really good article. I learned a lot about Zobeck. It also does a great job of promoting Valpo and how Valpo goes beyond the playing field for Valpo STUDENT/athletes.
I wonder how training camp works out with classes?
I read somewhere that he was to have reported... this week, more or less? I wonder if he has a way to make this work out so he still graduates?
Or, since he was a redshirt... did he already graduate?
Quote from: agibson on January 28, 2013, 10:17:35 PM
I wonder how training camp works out with classes?
I read somewhere that he was to have reported... this week, more or less? I wonder if he has a way to make this work out so he still graduates?
Or, since he was a redshirt... did he already graduate?
Scheduled to graduate December 2012 according to this article: http://www.valpo.edu/engineering/highlights/Kyle_Zobeck.php (http://www.valpo.edu/engineering/highlights/Kyle_Zobeck.php)
Speaking out of experience with Stefan, I know that he needed classes to graduate and he talked with his professors to try to finish up online. He needed to leave as soon as he could after the draft to get to camp. Valpo's got a decent system where you can put class materials and assignments online for students. Of course, there's email and all that, too if needed.
If anyone wants to check out the May 20, 2012 graduation ceremony you can check the end of the engineering dept parade of grads. I'm pretty sure Kyle would be the last one.
Valparaiso University May 2012 Commencement Time Lapse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etheWz9UMuU#ws)
Quote from: bbtds on January 29, 2013, 09:54:51 AMI'm pretty sure Kyle would be the last one.
Well, not if didn't graduate until December!
Did not walk in May. Check the mechanical engineering grads around 1:40:00 2012 Commencement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DarxkU7GccA#) At this point the only proof would be in the 2012 December Commencement video, but one has not been uploaded to YouTube on the valpo channel... yet
While we are on the subject of posting a lot of Zobeck material, I found his article in the Valpo Magazine which is worth a post. It also mentions near the end that he was expected to graduate in December. http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/90fba97d#/90fba97d/41 (http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/90fba97d#/90fba97d/41)
Speaking of FC Dallas & MLS, here's a sign that MLS is very much a minor league to the European leagues.
http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/01/fc-dallas-and-mls-reach-agreement-stoke-city-brek-shea-transfer (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/01/fc-dallas-and-mls-reach-agreement-stoke-city-brek-shea-transfer)
Yeah, the MLS is sometimes thought of as "up and coming". But it's got a ways to go.
Top Americans on their way up and out, with sometimes back on their way to retirement. Top internationals on their way out to pasture (or sometimes as one stop on a sort of out-to-pasture tour of the world, apparently).
I couldn't quickly find a credible ranking of the top leagues in the world. Not sure if we'd be top 20?
Zobeck was used in the second half against the University of Memphis in a scrimmage:
http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-fc-dallas-2-memphis-1 (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-fc-dallas-2-memphis-1)
The MLS would be considered top 20, but more towards the bottom of that number. It is usually in the following order:
1) England Premiership
2) Spain La Liga
3) Itay Serie A
4) German Bundesliga
5) France Ligue 1
6) Holland Eredivise
7) Brazil Serie A
8.) Argentina Primera Division
9) Portugal Liga Sagres
10) Turkey SuperLeague
11) Russia Premier League
12) Scotland Premier League (before Rangers bankruptcy)
13) Mexico Primera
14) USA MLS
15) Denmark Superliga
Though Zo did give up a goal, it was fun to see this paragraph:
QuoteFollowing the scoreless first half, Memphis' Sherrod tested FC Dallas' Supplemental Draft pick Kyle Zobeck at the near post in the 57th minute. The former Valparaiso goalkeeper positioned himself well at the near post and was able to catch and hold the shot without allowing a rebound.
Also, how good is this "Michel?" I'm assuming, like with most one-name Brazilian soccer players, that he can bring it ;)
He is good for a Brazilian in MLS lol. Not one of their top players by a long shot.
Zobeck played the second half again in playing in Mexico vs. a second division Merida team. No goals were scored against FC Dallas, and this article doesn't mention if we were tested or not in regards to shots on goal. He is at least being given a chance to make the team!
http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-merida-0-fc-dallas-3 (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-merida-0-fc-dallas-3)
Zobeck played again against Atlante, and is mentioned as making a solid save late in the game to preserve the win. It seems that he is doing well against some pretty good competition, so let's hope he keeps it up and makes the team!
http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-atlante-2-fc-dallas-3 (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-atlante-2-fc-dallas-3)
Thanks for the updates, tx. Glad we got a correspondent close to the scene giving us some updates :-) :thumbsup:
Schelles (our coach) mentioned earlier in the week that they were looking at the possibility of keeping 4 GKs on the roster this year, as the U-20 Mexican GK (Richard Sanchez) will be away at tournaments often. This would leave Seitz, the Peruvian GK (Raul Fernandez), and Zobeck, when Richard is away on national team duty. Apparently, Zobeck's strong play has kept this under strong consideration.
Quote from: valpotx on February 11, 2013, 11:05:28 AMSchelles (our coach) mentioned earlier in the week that they were looking at the possibility of keeping 4 GKs on the roster this year. Apparently, Zobeck's strong play has kept this under strong consideration.
That is real good news. Hopefully Zobeck makes a strong showing in MLS.
Looks like this next week will be huge for Kyle:
http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/portland-preseason-trip-make-or-break-trialists (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/portland-preseason-trip-make-or-break-trialists)
http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-aik-0-fc-dallas-0 (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-aik-0-fc-dallas-0)
Looks like Zobeck didn't play in this one.
2nd match of 3 in Portland for FC Dallas tonight. The host team, the Timbers, will be the opponent tonight at 7:30 local time (PST), so 9:30 central and 10:30 eastern. Here are links to watch live tonight: http://www.fcdallas.com/content/watch-live-timbers-vs-fc-dallas (http://www.fcdallas.com/content/watch-live-timbers-vs-fc-dallas) & http://www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-live (http://www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-live)
Also while going through some other stories, I found a review on Sunday's game in which Zobeck did not play. http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/hyndman-defense-strong-work-do-offense. (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/hyndman-defense-strong-work-do-offense.) The gist, defense playing very well (including GKs Chris Seitz and Raul Fernandez), offense not productive enough, team adjusting to 4-4-2 formation. Also, I noticed that one of FC's main center backs is former Butler Bulldog and North Carolina Tar Heel Matt Hedges. Horizon League represent!
FC Dallas 1-0 Portland. Attendance 10,000+. No Zobeck again. If Seitz and Fernandez are battling for the No. 1 spot in net, they'll probably continue to get live action over Zo.
Fernandez was good in the 1st half w/ few challenges to worry about. Dallas scored in that half off a corner immediately after a deflection by Portland's D. GK screened by a lot of bodies, making for an easy goal from just inside the 18. Seitz had a lot more work in the 2nd but was solid, had an aggressive play getting a punch on a dangerous free kick. The back line as a whole looking pretty good for Dallas, definitely the strong point in this game and possibly for the season
In some actual Zobeck news though, I found this website that covers FC Dallas called "3rd Degree" (www.3rddegree.net (http://www.3rddegree.net)). They had an update about a week ago on the remaining Supplemental picks and had some quotes from the head coach
QuoteOn Ben Zobeck [sic]
Hyndman: Quite honestly, he surprised me. There were expectations but you really don't know what those expectations are. You're not looking at a No. 1, so what are you looking for? You're looking for a keeper that's going to make your roster. You're looking for a keeper that is going to be training hard and improving. And you're looking for a keeper that has the qualities of character and leadership like all goalies have and he's bringing all those things in the locker room. But the one thing you hope for is that if you pick this young man up that he has a future in the MLS to not just be a No. 3 or not to be just on the roster but a player that you hope one day will be a starting keeper. Right now, he's on that path. I think this environment will bring the best out of him. I think Drew Keeshan, our goalkeeping coach will push him to help him develop not only his strengths but to diminish those weaknesses that we all have. I think he's in the right place in the right time in his career.
That's really good to hear, and it sounds like he should make the roster based on those comments. He is only 22 I believe? That is very young for a GK, so it would be rare that he would get a chance to start. He needs to learn over his first few years, before he is given an opportunity. Hopefully by 24/25, he is given more possibilities.
Wow. In what other sport would you hear the HC make such candid, forthright observations/compliments?
I mean, wow! Any of us hearing that from our bosses would immediately make Clarke W. Griswold Pool Plans.
Schelles is a good guy who understands the college player mentality, as he coached at soccer powerhouse SMU for around 20 years, I believe. He is not going to BS these guys on what they need to do to play in MLS, which has become a lot more competitive over the last 5 years especially. We get a lot more international players that play for their national teams, and get some of the better players in the world now when they are 32-33, instead of what used to be 36-37 (still get this occasionally though).
Zobeck was the only available substitute not used yesterday by FC Dallas: http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-portland-timbers-0-fc-dallas-1 (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/02/match-recap-portland-timbers-0-fc-dallas-1)
Like I said earlier though, if Dallas is still looking for its #1 keeper, Raul and Chris will get time above Zo. And I'd guess you wouldn't see 3 keepers all in one match anyway.
It has been a battle between Raul and Chris from the start. The 18 year old GK won't get much consideration, as he has to develop more, and will be with Mexico's U-20 group for a lot of time during the season. Raul is one of the Peruvian national team GKs, and I think that he has taken the lead on Seitz. There aren't many true GK battles in MLS often, so this is kind of neat to see someone that wasn't handed the job, but earned it.
One more game on this Portland trip. FC Dallas playing San Jose tomorrow at 4:30pm CT. Live stream should be available on both teams' websites, and there's a chance that a chat window will accompany video on SJ's site. I checked out the Earthquakes' match with AIK before FC Dallas played Portland and they had chat for that game.
HE MADE IT!
http://www.fcdallas.com/players/kyle-zobeck (http://www.fcdallas.com/players/kyle-zobeck)
That is awesome news! It is quite the achievement to make the MLS roster as a supplemental round pick, as more often than not, those picks don't make it (Stefan as an example). This makes him the first major US league professional player since Bryce and Marlous were in the NBA and WNBA.
Ole, Ole, Ole.... Ole!
Outstanding!
:thumbsup: :lol: ;D and for good measure: :o
Zobeck has officially signed a contract: http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/03/fc-dallas-signs-former-valparaiso-goalkeeper-kyle-zobeck (http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/03/fc-dallas-signs-former-valparaiso-goalkeeper-kyle-zobeck)
The Valpo release as well:
http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/news/2012-13/12489/former-crusader-zobeck-signs-with-fc-dallas/ (http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/news/2012-13/12489/former-crusader-zobeck-signs-with-fc-dallas/)
Quote
Per league and team policy, the terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.
MLS salaries are public, right? But maybe the length etc. of the contract is not?
And, perhaps we have to wait until the next year's release to see the number?
According to MLS Roster Compensation rules, Zobeck should be making at least $35,125. Plus, it turns out he's the club's only Supplemental Draft pick to be signed. One had knee troubles, and the other two just didn't make it.
So he is the backup goally??
Back-up to the back-up to the back-up.
Raul Fernandez appears to be the #1 over Chris Seitz. Richard Sanchez is the #3, but he will also be competing on the Mexican U-20 team. That leaves Zo waiting in the wings
Not many GKs start at 23, it is usually about 25-26 that they get some first team looks. This is why you see good GKs still playing until they are 40
Story from FC's website posted Thursday about Zobeck: http://www.fcdallas.com/blog/post/2013/03/07/kyle-zobeck-gets-congrats-hyndman-having-four-goalkeepers (http://www.fcdallas.com/blog/post/2013/03/07/kyle-zobeck-gets-congrats-hyndman-having-four-goalkeepers)
Quote"Let's say Raul is our No. 1. He's gone for the [World Cup] qualification games. That puts Chris at No. 2. Who is No. 3? Richard? He's going to be gone a lot too," Hyndman said.
...
"The more and more pressure we put on him the more he did well," Hyndman said. "We knew we had to pick up another keeper and we thought Kyle could do good enough and continue to develop for us to be that player."
Also, here's some Reserve League details for a possible chance to catch Zo in action
http://www.fcdallas.com/2013-reserve-league-schedule (http://www.fcdallas.com/2013-reserve-league-schedule)
Interesting! Wednesday May 1, 10 AM, Toyota Park Practice field is the Chicago game. Probably not going to happen for me.
(Though I do hope that Jay Demerit recovers, and I eventually get a chance to watch him in Chicago.)
Quote from: KL31NY on March 09, 2013, 08:11:37 PM
Story from FC's website posted Thursday about Zobeck: http://www.fcdallas.com/blog/post/2013/03/07/kyle-zobeck-gets-congrats-hyndman-having-four-goalkeepers (http://www.fcdallas.com/blog/post/2013/03/07/kyle-zobeck-gets-congrats-hyndman-having-four-goalkeepers)
Quote"Let's say Raul is our No. 1. He's gone for the [World Cup] qualification games. That puts Chris at No. 2. Who is No. 3? Richard? He's going to be gone a lot too," Hyndman said.
...
"The more and more pressure we put on him the more he did well," Hyndman said. "We knew we had to pick up another keeper and we thought Kyle could do good enough and continue to develop for us to be that player."
Also, here's some Reserve League details for a possible chance to catch Zo in action
http://www.fcdallas.com/2013-reserve-league-schedule (http://www.fcdallas.com/2013-reserve-league-schedule)
Yep, 10:00 a.m. on a Wed morning isn't exactly optimal fan viewing time.
Story from 3rd Degree about GK Chris Seitz mentioning Zobeck: http://soccerblog.dallasnews.com/2013/03/catching-up-with-fc-dallas-keeper-chris-seitz.html/ (http://soccerblog.dallasnews.com/2013/03/catching-up-with-fc-dallas-keeper-chris-seitz.html/)
QuoteHow much of a mentoring role have you been playing with FCD's newest keeper, Kyle Zobeck?
Seitz: Yeah, I think it's good. We have good communication, between him and I, Richard and even Raul a bit where we kind of level each other out. If someone's having a bad day, someone's kind of frustrated or really not understanding what's going on we kind of slow it down and play it out for them. And the thing with Kyle is Kyle's a really good goalkeeper, a really athletic goalkeeper who can make some big saves. So for us, it's just kind of keeping it positive because at times it's frustrating. No one wants to be in that role of that far down on the depth chart and he's handling it well and he's improved a lot from first day here to now and I've been able to see all of it.
There are athletes who do really well at a certain level but can't transition to the next (the athletic version of the Peter Principle). And there are others who do well, but not necessarily spectacular, at one level, move to the next and are good enough there (but not spectacular) to move up another rung of the ladder, and continue to do that without flaming out. They are smart, figure out what it takes, and go about doing what is necessary to advance. It's part of their DNA. Kyle impresses me as that kind of athlete.
FC Dallas finished in a 3-3 draw with the LA Galaxy tonight and Zobeck appeared to be the backup keeper. Richard Sanchez has been away for activities with Mexico and is currently on loan with the NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers (Stefan Antonijevic is here, too). Raul Fernandez has been the #1 and even started in the MLS All-Star Game, but did not appear in the online box score as a member of the team's 18-man roster while Zobeck did. Do not now for sure why Fernandez was inactive, but it was a fun match to watch (especially at the end) and good to know how close "Zo" was to making his MLS debut. Not bad for his first time on the 18 for a regular season match...
Fernandez was called in by Peru for their friendly this week.
Quote from: KL31NY on August 11, 2013, 09:48:28 PMFC Dallas finished in a 3-3 draw with the LA Galaxy tonight and Zobeck appeared to be the backup keeper. Richard Sanchez has been away for activities with Mexico and is currently on loan with the NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers (Stefan Antonijevic is here, too). Raul Fernandez has been the #1 and even started in the MLS All-Star Game, but did not appear in the online box score as a member of the team's 18-man roster while Zobeck did. Do not now for sure why Fernandez was inactive, but it was a fun match to watch (especially at the end) and good to know how close "Zo" was to making his MLS debut. Not bad for his first time on the 18 for a regular season match...
When you think about the fact that Clint Dempsey, an American, is getting $24 million for 3.5 years to play in the MLS for the Seattle Sounders, you know that it is no longer a small accomplishment to start a game for an MLS team.
Kyle will find a way to make it to the next level.
Good to see Zobeck on the roster again this week, against Vancouver. He'll get some minutes one of these days.
(I do check on Kyle every once in a while, but was actually checking on Vancouver. My boy Jay Demerit was back in the 18-man roster today! First time since going down injured in the first game of the season.)
Looks like Kyle has gotten a couple of starts for the reserves, while more often being on their bench. I've not looked closely at the results.
Not to do with the MLS, but did someone post Zobeck's Coleman award?
http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/zobeck-schmit-named-2012-13-cecil-n-coleman-award-winners?page=2&sport_id=5 (http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/zobeck-schmit-named-2012-13-cecil-n-coleman-award-winners?page=2&sport_id=5)
QuoteThe Horizon League's highest individual honor, the Coleman Award is presented annually to the League's top male and female student-athletes who best exemplify the dignity and high purpose of the League and its membership. The individuals demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.
Valpo's second honoree (Jackie Kondratko, 2010).
With Raul Fernandez returning from international duty, Zobeck was no longer on the game day roster yesterday.
Was Fernandez Peru's first choice keeper? He started their last friendly, and the first of the two matches of this last international "break" (no break for MLS, of course). He may have missed the second with yellow card accumulation.
Unfortunately, perhaps, for Kyle Peru also got knocked out of the qualifying. Otherwise, the World Cup next summer might have been a good chance for Zobeck.
Anyhow, Peru will still play their last two qualifiers - so there's a decent chance we'll see Zobeck making the roster again in October.
Odds are FC Dallas won't make a deep enough playoff run for the November international break to matter for Kyle. If, indeed, they qualify for the playoffs at all. But, who knows?
Shall we make this the Jay Demerit thread as well? Why not! ;)
Great to see him come on at the 31' mark as an injury sub. Vancouver held on for a scoreless draw on the road. Jay took the captain's arm band in the second half, and was named Man of the Match. Huzzah!
FC Dallas was on fire for the first half of the season, but cooled off considerably since then. They are fighting for the last playoff spot, and hopefully get it together to at least make the playoffs. The same can be said for my Rangers, who are 3-12 in their last 15, clinging to the first WC playoff spot. We just try to blow huge leads in this area :)
It looks like Zobeck made the active game roster again this past weekend:
http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/359463/gamecast.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901 (http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/359463/gamecast.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901)
Nice! And not even an international break. I wonder what the story is?
Fishing around a bit, it may be something like "Seitz often starts for the reserves, sometimes Zobeck does." This time, it seems like Seitz started for the reserves on September 25, and then the senior team played a few days after (September 29), so that may have been enough to "rest" Seitz and give Zobeck the nod. Who knows. Maybe we'll see him make the bench in similar situations in the future.
Some more random details, below. Including my review of Dallas' goalie depth chart
It seems, at least, that Zobeck's cementing himself as their third place option.
Fishing around a little bit for the Columbus game: Fernandez starting, Zobeck bench.
Zobeck's three appearances on the bench: August 11, September 7, September 29.
He also started for the reserves September 30? Got fairly good reviews in the appearance, some credit for Dallas' goal, but left the game with an injury in the 70th minute. Not completely clear if he was implicated in any of Columbus' reserves three goals.
Raul Fernandez an MLS All-Star (starter), Peruvian international, and former substitute in France's Ligue 1. Was on the bench May 11, but seems to basically always start unless he's on international duty.
Started September 29.
Chris Seitz seems to have been the starting goalie for Philadelphia Union in 2010-2011. Played for the US U23 when younger. Started for Dallas, 1, 5, and 4 times in the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2012-2013 seasons. His last two starts were Zobeck's Aug 11 and September 7 trips up to the bench. Also started May 11, March 23. Wasn't on the bench September 29.
Victor Ulloa on the bench four times, March 23 (two substitute goalies? with Sanchez), May 8 (two again? with Seitz), Jul 20 (two again? with Seitz), August 24 (two substitute goalies? with Seitz). Has appeared for Peru U20, but not for a couple of years. Did see time in a game once, as a sub, for FC Dallas in the 2011-2012 season.
Richard Sanchez on the bench once, March 23 (and plays for Mexico U20).
Another bench appearance for Zobeck:
http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/359455/gamecast.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901 (http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/359455/gamecast.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901)
Yeah, I saw that. One of these days, he's going to get into a senior team game! And, conventionally, it takes goalkeepers a good while to mature. If he keeps getting regular time in the reserves there's every chance he has a bright future ahead of him.
This one surprised me. It seems entirely likely that Fernandez will get called up for Peru, despite the fact that they're eliminated from qualifying. But, last I heard, while Peru had announced most of their roster they hadn't yet announced their goalies (maybe they have by now...).
But, even if he _was_ getting called up, why couldn't he play Saturday? Several US internationals played even on Sunday. Even in Europe. Before reporting to camp.
But, anyhow, Seitz started and Zobeck was on the bench. Good for him.
With three games to play... it seems entirely possible that they'll be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with at least a game left to play. (They'd need to win out, and get some help, to make the playoff. A draw or loss in their next game, or a variety of other scenarios, would eliminate them.)
I wonder if the manager will experiment with the roster if they have games left after they're eliminated?
(I notice that Antonijevic's team won, and is not yet mathematically eliminated from their Soccer Bowl. But, they'd need some help down the stretch. He started at center back in their last win, probably a regular thing?)
Fernandez... not called up. So, I'm not sure what the deal was with the last game. Just resting maybe.
It does seem to hurt Zobeck's chances, but we'll see what happens in Chicago tomorrow - Dallas kicking off at about the same time as Valpo hosts league-leading Milwaukee.
Dallas... still not eliminated from the playoffs. But only three teams are, I think.
Yeah, we aren't going to be making the playoffs. Same thing as the Rangers, completely blew the second half of the season!
Quote from: agibson on October 11, 2013, 02:55:09 PMIt does seem to hurt Zobeck's chances, but we'll see what happens in Chicago tomorrow - Dallas kicking off at about the same time as Valpo hosts league-leading Milwaukee.
In Chicago... Fernandez still didn't appear! Not sure what's going on. Seitz gets the second start in a row while Fernandez is presumably available. And Zobeck on the bench for a second game in a row, as well. Good for him, at least. Zobeck started for the reserves in Chicago, and got a strong match report, and I think his first clean sheet. So, things continue to look bright for him, from my perspective.
Quote
Dallas... still not eliminated from the playoffs. But only three teams are, I think.
Dallas now eliminated from the playoffs. Are they ready to start to think about the future a little, and maybe give Zobeck a chance between the pipes with the first team?
Not sure what's up with Fernandez. It's Seitz again today, with Zobeck on the bench. Maybe we can manage at least a sighting of him on TV, on the bench? On NBC right now, against Seattle.
Head coach is resigning after this season, so we will see if this changes anything next year!