Tracking MLS Home Growns: Week 2

Tracking MLS Home Growns: Week 2
by J.R. Eskilson & Travis Clark
August 29, 2012

MLS Academies continue to supply talent to the college ranks every year. Here's a look at some of the best performances across the country by MLS Academy alumni:

Tracking Home Grown Players

F Brandon Allen, Georgetown (New York Red Bulls, Freshman): The hulking forward started both games for the Hoyas over the last week, and opened his account on Monday, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win against Florida Gulf Coast(m).

D Michael Ambrose, Maryland (FC Dallas, Freshman): Started and played a quality 90 minutes at right back for the Terps in a 3-0 defeat of Louisville. Looked very much the quality player he is.

F Bradlee Baladez, South Carolina (FC Dallas, Junior): Played 81 minutes in the 1-0 win over College of Charleston on Friday.

D Chad Barson, Akron (Columbus Crew, Senior): The stout center back logged 90 minutes in Akron’s 4-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast(m).

MF Scott Caldwell, Akron (New England Revolution, Senior): Started and played 87 minutes for the Zips, adding a goal in their 4-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast(m).

college soccer player Wake Forest Sean OkoliWake Forest's Sean Okoli

GK Keith Cardona, Maryland (New York Red Bulls, Sophomore): Cardona got the starting nod and shut out a strong Louisville side over the weekend. Moving forward, he could still juggle time in goal.

MF Ian Christianson, Georgetown (Chicago Fire, Senior): Very strong in the center of the park as the Hoyas picked up two wins, beating Virginia(m) 2-1 and Florida Gulf Coast(m) 1-0. Linked up the defense and attack very well, offered a strong physical presence and covered a lot of ground.

MF Bryan Ciesiulka, Marquette (Chicago Fire, Junior): Started and played every minute in Marquette’s two wins over the weekend against Milwaukee and Green Bay. Ciesiulka also scored a goal in the thrilling 3-2 victory over Milwaukee.

F Cole Denormandie, Cincinnati (New England Revolution, Sophomore): Scored the game-winner against Dayton on Friday, but only managed one shot on goal against Indiana on Sunday.

MF Peabo Doue, West Virginia (D.C. United, Senior): After scoring a goal and picking up assist in a 2-1 win against Hartford, Doue played 86 minutes but didn’t get on the score sheet against Stetson.

MF Uwem Etuk, West Virginia (D.C. United, Senior): The midfielder notched an assist and started both of WVU’s games over the past week.

D Bryan Gallego, Akron (New York Red Bulls, Sophomore): The defender played 85 minutes and helped his side keep a clean sheet in a 4-0 win.

MF Daniel Garcia, North Carolina (FC Dallas, Freshman): The U20 MNT forward didn’t get the start in his college debut against Gardner-Webb but he made his impact from the bench, coming in to set up two goals in a 4-0 win for the Tar Heels.

F Chris Hegngi, Ohio State (D.C. United, Senior): The tall target man didn’t find the back of the net in two games, as the Buckeyes fell 3-2 to Dayton and 2-0 to UIC. It wasn’t for a lack of effort, as Hegngi managed 9 shots across the two games, only getting 3 on target.

D Brendan Hines-Ike, Creighton (Chivas USA, Freshman): The center back made his debut and played 33 minutes in the 3-1 win over Northern Illinois.

MF Aaron Kovar, Stanford (Seattle Sounders, Freshman): Starting his first collegiate game, Kovar popped up to score the game winning goal against San Francisco, helping the Cardinal win their first game under new head coach Jeremy Gunn.

MF Dan Metzger, Maryland (New York Red Bulls, Sophomore): The midfielder came off the bench and scored a first-half goal in Maryland’s opening day win against Louisville. He’ll be hard pressed to earn a starting role this year but is going to provide valuable depth.

F Sean Okoli, Wake Forest (Seattle Sounders, Sophomore): Started the game and played 61 minutes in all in Wake Forest’s 1-0 win over Wofford.

D Boyd Okwuonu, North Carolina (FC Dallas, Sophomore): The center back put in a tidy 90 minute shift as the defending champions beat Gardner Webb 4-0 to open their campaign.

F Nick Palodichuk, Duke (Seattle Sounders, Sophomore): The forward played 85 minutes in his first game without Andrew Wenger, failing to find the back of the net in a 1-0 loss against Notre Dame.

MF Travis Pittman, West Virginia (D.C. United, Senior): The defensive midfielder started two games, scoring a goal in WVU’s win over Hartford, and setting up another in the 1-0 win over Stetson.

F Jordan Rideout, UMKC(m) (Sporting Kansas City, Sophomore): Rideout had three shots in the 0-4 defeat against Tulsa to start the season.

D Tyler Rudy, Georgetown (D.C. United, Sophomore): After starting and playing a full 90 minutes + overtime in a 2-1 win over Virginia(m), Rudy came off the bench in Monday’s 1-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast(m) and played on the right side of the midfield.

F Harry Shipp, Notre Dame (Chicago Fire, Junior): While Shipp didn’t earn the start in Notre Dame’s 1-0 win over Duke, he played 69 minutes off the bench and helped the team look dangerous.

D Jalen Robinson, Wake Forest (D.C. United, Freshman): The first-year center back started for the Demon Deacons, going 90 minutes and scoring the game winner against Wofford.

MF Wil Trapp, Akron (Columbus Crew, Sophomore): The defensive midfielder did his job, protecting the back line and linking play well in the Zips’ 4-0 win.

D Matt Wiet, UCLA (Columbus Crew, Senior): Not an ideal start to the season for the Crew Academy product. Wiet struggled against the physical forwards from New Mexico and let in a couple of soft goals.

D London Woodberry, Maryland (FC Dallas, Senior): The fourth year defender put in a monster performance in 90 minutes against Louisville. Woodberry was all over the place, winning balls and even storming forward to join the attack on a few occasions.

D DeAndre Yedlin, Akron (Seattle Sounders, Sophomore): The Sounders Academy product played 90 minutes and set up a goal in Akron’s big win.

F Gyasi Zardes, CSU Bakersfield (LA Galaxy, Junior): Zardes had moments on Tuesday when it looked like he would skate past four or five defenders then score a great goal. But UC Davis did a great job surrounding him on the ball and kept him away from the net. 

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