Soccer By Ives

MLS Combine Spotlight: Robert Warzycha

MLS Spotlight: Future bright for RSL's Gil

 Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

Luis Gil is well aware of the hype. As a 17-year-old whose uncanny skill and composure on the ball has drawn the attention of such European titans as Arsenal and Real Madrid, it would be hard not to be.

But he's not buying into it. Not yet.

While some pundits have pegged Gil as the U.S. national team's most enticing prospect in some time -- a true No. 10 -- the Real Salt Lake midfielder is quick to say he's not prepared, downplaying the idea of making his senior international debut in the near future. As he puts it, "I'm not trying to rush myself."

Yet for much of the 2011 season, Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis has put his trust in the unassuming 5-foot-8 teenager with vision, touch and technical poise that belie his age.

Gil hasn't disappointed. Starting 14 of the 25 matches in which he's appeared while scoring two goals, the Mexican-American from Garden Grove, Calif., has blossomed in his second MLS campaign for a Salt Lake squad that went 15-11-8 to secure the league's third-best record.

"He could be a player that we eventually build a national team around," said Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman, a U.S. national team regular. "I think he's that good. The future is bright, and as a U.S. Soccer fan, it's exciting to see a player like that come and be committed to the U.S."

MLS Spotlight: Durable Parke embracing heavy workload for Sounders

Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

It's not terribly often that Jeff Parke contributes on the offensive end. The industrious Seattle Sounders defender, in fact, is quick to acknowledge as much.

In his seven MLS seasons, Parke has been one of the more durable commodities the league has to offer, starting at least 20 games each campaign. The 6-foot-1 centerback, however, has just two career goals and a handful of assists.

So as a Sounders squad loaded with attacking talent faced the Chicago Fire on Oct. 4 in the U.S. Open Cup final, it's doubtful anyone figured Parke would end up facilitating the match's opening goal. But when the 29-year-old steered Erik Friberg's corner kick on goal in the 77th minute, the shot forced a save from Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson, and Fredy Montero was on the doorstep to fire home the rebound.

"I don't get too many chances," Parke said. "But I definitely love to contribute in any way I can."

MLS Spotlight: Dunivant quietly enjoying career year for Galaxy

 Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

Todd Dunivant has gotten used to flying under the radar.

Not hearing his name called throughout a match tends to be a good thing. While he does like to get forward and provide service from the flank, the 30-year-old is cautious when choosing his overlapping runs. And of course, finding enough spotlight to go around can be a challenge for anyone on the Los Angeles Galaxy not named David Beckham, Landon Donovan or Robbie Keane.

But as far as left backs are concerned, Dunivant is about as steady as they come. Since rejoining the Galaxy in 2009, the Colorado native has started 80 out of a possible 90 league fixtures. Until being rested for last weekend's trip to Columbus, he had played every minute of every MLS match this season for the league's top defense.

"I tend not to get the headlines, I tend not to have the flashiest style," Dunivant acknowledged. "Maybe it's just the way I play, but a lot of the things I do just don't get noticed. At the end of the day, we've had the best defense in the league the past two years. So that is really what's important, and I'm happy with that. But it's never the worst thing to get recognition every now and then."

MLS Spotlight: Cameron thriving for Houston since return from major injury

 Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

In April 2010, Geoff Cameron's flourishing career stumbled upon the most unwelcome of roadblocks.

The Houston Dynamo defender-midfielder ruptured the PCL in his right knee during a match at the Chicago Fire and was promptly ruled out for the season. For a promising player coming off his first U.S. national team cap two months earlier and an MLS Best XI selection the previous campaign, the injury seemed to be a tragic blow.

Turns out it was more of a speed bump. Cameron remarkably cut a projected eight-month recovery in half. By early August, he was back on the field, revved and ready to contribute for the season's final two and a half months.

"It was tough," Cameron said of his rehabilitation. "I'm just very, very thankful to be able to run on the field again and kick a ball."

Cameron, of course, has done that and much more. This season, he has missed just one league match, going the full 90 minutes in all 29 of his starts while notching four goals and five assists. In July, he was named to his second MLS All-Star team. Last week's 2-2 draw with Columbus marked his 100th start in all competitions for the Dynamo since being selected in the third round of the 2008 SuperDraft out of the University of Rhode Island.

MLS Spotlight: Zusi relishing breakthrough season for Sporting KC

 

 Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

If Graham Zusi has taken one lesson away from the first three years of his MLS career, it's been understanding the value of patience.

After being selected by the Kansas City Wizards in the second round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, the attacking midfielder made just nine starts and scored one goal in his first two seasons. But Zusi said he simply kept his head down and continued his hard work, learning whatever he could from veterans such as Jimmy Conrad, Josh Wolff and Davy Arnaud, hoping his time would come.

Sure enough, it did. The 25-year-old has been one of the league's top breakout players of 2011 for rebranded Sporting Kansas City, notching five goals and a team-leading six assists while starting 20 of 26 matches.

"It's a very common thing for a young player to come into the league and have to bide his time," Zusi said. "Everyone wants to be on the field. So you can't let it get to you if you're not starting, if you're not getting the chances you might want."