(Editorial) – This article is Part 4 of a series that investigates the Saint Louis FC off season and the potential decisions and changes that could be made. It also seeks to predict what will occur and give an idea of what the team will look like next year, as well as what role the retained players will have.
For Part 1 of this series on goalkeepers and the coaching staff, click here.
For Part 2 of this series on defenders, click here.
For Part 3 of this series on forwards, click here.
Saint Louis FC Off Season Part 4: Midfielders
Injuries and inconsistent play plagued the team in 2015, especially in the attack. The club must improve and get healthy in the off season to make the playoffs in 2016. There is room for optimism though. Here are some thoughts on the men in the middle.
Unlike the other three positions, there’s no distinct stats for quantifying how well the midfield performed. The eye test clearly showed that the midfield was disjointed at times. They had trouble contributing to the attack. They were also partially at fault for the club’s distinct flaw in conceding goals. I’ve elaborated on this in the past, here and here.
In short, a quick turnover occurs in the midfield. The opposing team strings together one or two quick passes. No Saint Louis FC player steps up to apply pressure. Before they know it, the opposing forwards are off to the races with the center backs outnumbered. An opponent finishes the chance off 1-v-1 against a keeper, who’s been hung out to dry.
While defensive gap control and a high line are at fault here, that issue never gets exposed if the midfielders: 1) keep possession and 2) step up to pressure the ball carrier, preventing the quick build up. The holding midfielders committed several of these mistakes that led to goals in 2015. The wide players did not always provide support or an outlet for a pass to keep the ball. The attacking midfielders did not provide a good outlet when the others were under pressure.
There’s plenty of blame to go around and changes that could be made this off season.
One of the big issues with the holding midfielder play was the absence of Brandon Barklage. Barklage was one of the club’s key acquisitions, having spent six years in MLS. The Saint Louis native came home to be a leader on this club. He often wore the Captain’s Armband when starting. His season was hampered with injuries and he made only 11 appearances.
A healthy Barklage could have changed the narrative for Saint Louis FC this year. He’s only 28-years-old and has a good track record fitness wise going back to his New York Red Bulls days. I can’t see a situation where the club doesn’t bring him back. With a full off season to get healthy and fit, expect Barklage to be a veteran leader and possible captain. He will provide some much needed midfield bite.
The other veterans on this team are Mike Ambersley and Kentaro Takada (both 32-years-old). Ambersley played in various positions this year, primarily as an attacker even in a midfield position. As I argued in Part 3 of this series, I expect Ambersley to be back next year. He is a good component to the attack.
Takada is naturally an attacking midfielder. While he wears #10, he was forced into a deep-lying midfielder role due to injuries. He played primarily as a bench option (18 appearances, 8 starts). Takada performed admirably in this role, but it was clearly not his forte. The front office could move on from him in favor of younger talent. If he does return to Saint Louis FC, he’s best served as a central attacker off the bench and a veteran mentor to the likes of Jamiel Hardware.
Possibly the greatest enigma of the midfield was where to play Bryan Gaul. Like Barklage, Gaul came in as one of the more significant off season pick ups. Originally drafted by the LA Galaxy, Gaul had been plagued by being played out of position as a professional. In college, he played as a forward and midfielder. With LA, he was pushed to left and central defense.
Head Coach Dale Schilly started him off at striker. Gaul led the team in goals with 6 in all competition. He scored 4 of them on PKs and another came from this. Gaul was moved to the midfield less than half way through the season and never found a home at an particular position or role.
Gaul’s great flaw is that he is decent at several positions but he not great at any one of them. He’s like that utility infielder who’s great for that 7th inning double switch, but doesn’t start.
If Gaul returns to Saint Louis FC in 2016, the coaching staff needs to have a clear role defined for him. He was asked to move around too much this year and he was never able to settle into his role. That’s not entirely his fault. It’s clear that role will not be as a striker. I would not be surprised if he did not return to the club, if for no other reason he can’t easily fit somewhere specific on the field.
Three pleasant surprises were the youngsters Bryan Ciesiulka, Jacob Bushie, and Parker Maher. Ciesiulka and Bushue were both solid off the bench and as starters this year. They were rarely spectacular, but they were reliable and made very few mistakes. Both play primarily as deep lying midfielders, but can also play as a central box-to-box midfielder. Bushue has also played at right back.
Maher was the club’s most dynamic wide presence this year. He might be the fastest player on the roster and he can stretch the field as both a midfielder and full back. The natural left back played mostly at left midfield in 2015 and showed potential as a wide play maker.
Like Sam Fink, all three of these players were in their first year of professional soccer and impressed. All three should return. Ciesiulka and Bushue can learn from Barklage. Maher could be the starting left back next season.
Charles Renken provided a wide and central play making presence for the club. He was primarily a late game attacking super sub, and did well in that role. Renken was once regarded as a top prospect. It’s a bit disconcerting that he only made 10 starts especially when the attack was so anemic at times and considering all the injuries. Still, I think the coaching staff will bring him back unless they’re able to aquire a different player with the same potential who is more consistent.
Lastly, are Peter Kelly and Jack Mathis. Kelly played only 173 minutes while Mathis played a sparse 7 minutes. It’s not a good sign when the midfield is struggling and riddled with injuries and a player cannot make the 18. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if neither of these players returned in 2016.
Disagree with my thoughts on the midfield or any individual players? What changes do you think this Saint Louis FC off season hold? Who would you bring back next year? Hit me up on twitter or comment below.
