Mark-Anthony Kaye

[apbsmith 1,152]

Yeeee and Bradley is my #1 choice to replace Herdman one day anyways. Not saying he ever would even take it and not saying Herdman will be let go, but ya Bradley still my top choice... Grass is not always greener on the other side. Let Kaye keep rolling at LaFc he is doing just fine!

[baulderdash77 1,799]

Kaye should definitely replace Hutch IMO.  He’s so athletic and his technical performance has come so far.

As much as Osorio has played very well for us I think a midfield of Arfield, Kaye and Piette would look super sharp going forward.

 

[Chad_Impact 1,033]

17 hours ago, Reign said:

Does anyone think he mite be attracting some Europe interest ? He won’t be sold cheap so would probably have to be a club with money if he is.

He's definitely getting some interest and if he keeps this up for the rest of the year, wouldn't be surprised to start seeing some solid rumors coming out. He's the type of player clubs love to have and the type that goes for a lot of $$$. 

I would personally love to seem him at a club like Lyon.

Edited July 11 by Chad_Impact

[Shway 1,621]

16 hours ago, baulderdash77 said:

Kaye should definitely replace Hutch IMO.  He’s so athletic and his technical performance has come so far.

As much as Osorio has played very well for us I think a midfield of Arfield, Kaye and Piette would look super sharp going forward.

 

Kaye does everything Piette  does plus more. Swap Osorio for Piette. 

 

[Chad_Impact 1,033]

38 minutes ago, Shway said:

Kaye does everything Piette  does plus more. Swap Osorio for Piette. 

 

Idk about that, Piette is a stay at home CDM. He plays a very simple game and he does it well. Kaye, from what I've seen at least and correct me if I'm wrong, is MUCH more of a box to box CM. He's better suited with the freedom of going forward and coming back when he needs to. Osorio is in competition with Arfield and Kaye, while Piette's competition will be more with Eustaquio I believe.

[Shway 1,621]

10 hours ago, Chad_Impact said:

Idk about that, Piette is a stay at home CDM. He plays a very simple game and he does it well. Kaye, from what I've seen at least and correct me if I'm wrong, is MUCH more of a box to box CM. He's better suited with the freedom of going forward and coming back when he needs to. Osorio is in competition with Arfield and Kaye, while Piette's competition will be more with Eustaquio I believe.

Check the opta stats, and get back to me. 

Duels, interceptions, clearances.... He does it all plus more. 

The CDM role has evolved into more than just staying at home. 

[TOcanadafan 53]

Yes, Kaye does seem to do it all... he needs to start.

[maccaliam 371]

I feel like it depends on the opponent and player availability. It is a beautiful thing that we should be able to change our midfield shape if we need to based on matchups and/or injuries, and still put out what should be a strong midfield/attack. 

28 minutes ago, Shway said:

Check the opta stats, and get back to me. 

Duels, interceptions, clearances.... He does it all plus more. 

The CDM role has evolved into more than just staying at home. 

I feel like it is less about whether Kaye can get the job done, than it is about him feeling restricted and worrying about our fragile backline being exposed if he pushes forward while playing without a more defensive minded player beside him. IMO Piette as the specialist 6 protects our d better and gives more freedom to the rest of the midfield/attack, meaning the rest of Kaye’s strengths are being utilized alongside the stats you are talking about. 

[BearcatSA 204]

14 hours ago, Chad_Impact said:

Idk about that, Piette is a stay at home CDM. He plays a very simple game and he does it well. Kaye, from what I've seen at least and correct me if I'm wrong, is MUCH more of a box to box CM. He's better suited with the freedom of going forward and coming back when he needs to. Osorio is in competition with Arfield and Kaye, while Piette's competition will be more with Eustaquio I believe.

Kaye is a box to box guy, I guess what you would call an "8."  I like Piette's ball winning skills and his distribution is steady but he has to pass himself out of pressure and against co-ordinated pressing from the opposition, that pass usually goes to a weaker possession player like one of our guys in the back line or the keeper, so then our ability to maintain a possession rhythm may get disrupted. The big strength of watching Hutch, JDG, and then Bernier in the autumn of his career in MLS is that those three had more confidence to dribble/turn out of trouble under pressure and release a more incisive pass.  I'm not sure about Piette's first touch and skill in that area.

Having said that, I could see Kaye and Piette working as a tandem and playing to each other's strengths and doing well together.  I've never seen Eustaquio play so if I get to see him once he's healthy, maybe he becomes the lead guy ahead of Piette.

Kaye's the kind of mid the Whitecaps need to go with Erice and Inboem.  They are not going to get him but that's the kind of two way mid that would complement the other two.

[Macksam 1,496]

On 7/7/2019 at 9:24 AM, apbsmith said:

https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2019-07-06-los-angeles-football-club-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/recap

Min 2:07 for those that might have missed it.

Min 3:25 Montero's red card for his tackle on Kaye, Montero piece of ****.

I like this new crop of Canadian players making bustling Pavel Nedved like runs before driving thunderous shots home. I see this with Kaye and a few guys in Can PL as well.

Edited July 13 by Macksam

[Bison44 4,023]

Another interview from MLS on Kaye.  They really love telling his story.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/07/29/extratime-behind-lafcs-success-w-mark-anthony-kaye-easts-best-team

[canta15 1,736]

9 hours ago, Bison44 said:

Another interview from MLS on Kaye.  They really love telling his story.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/07/29/extratime-behind-lafcs-success-w-mark-anthony-kaye-easts-best-team

Yea he says that he is trying to be the bigger man about the Toronto FC situation and that perhaps it is his attitude that was lacking. He also said that if it weren't for Louisville he wouldn't be in the position he is in today.

About the CMNT, he stated that the Gold Cup was unfortunate but our team has developed so well in terms of talent because of all of our players developing at the same time

Edited July 30 by canta15

[nolando 1,004]

1 hour ago, canta15 said:

Yea he says that he is trying to be the bigger man about the Toronto FC situation and that perhaps it is his attitude that was lacking. He also said that if it weren't for Louisville he wouldn't be in the position he is in today.

About the CMNT, he stated that the Gold Cup was unfortunate but our team has developed so well in terms of talent because of all of our players developing at the same time

Classy...so freakin classy. Love this guy.

[Kent 4,029]

https://www.tsn.ca/the-five-best-canadians-currently-playing-in-mls-1.1343581

[Kadenge 1,391]

another strong game at CM for MAK who went 86' in a 4-2 win over NYRB. He had a goal called back by VAR....seems to move from right to left CM during the game and as usual was involved in most of LAFC attacking plays and also breaking up plays on defense. Massive box to box player. I hope we never see him at LB for the CMNT again

[Obinna 5,356]

35 minutes ago, Kadenge said:

another strong game at CM for MAK who went 86' in a 4-2 win over NYRB. He had a goal called back by VAR....seems to move from right to left CM during the game and as usual was involved in most of LAFC attacking plays and also breaking up plays on defense. Massive box to box player. I hope we never see him at LB for the CMNT again

With Miller putting in good performances for Orlando, you may get your wish.

I hope Miller and Adekugbe show enough consistency and quality to secure the position, with Davies slotting in when necessary but otherwise playing further forward.

That would be a great scenario, because two of those 3 players can feature in multiple positions. We would only have to call a single out-and-out left back in Adekugbe.

Morgan can be the guy on the outside of the team looking in, along with De Jong possibly when he finally recovers.

Then moving forward the young players coming up through the CPL, such as Langwa, can push our veteran left backs.

*Davies

Adekugbe

Miller

------------------------

Morgan

De Jong

New challengers

[TOcanadafan 53]

6 hours ago, Kadenge said:

another strong game at CM for MAK who went 86' in a 4-2 win over NYRB. He had a goal called back by VAR....seems to move from right to left CM during the game and as usual was involved in most of LAFC attacking plays and also breaking up plays on defense. Massive box to box player. I hope we never see him at LB for the CMNT again

There’s so much to like about MAK’s game right now, and I agree, he needs to be a part of our midfield and not as a LB.  I also like that he is playing with so many other quality players in an LAFC team that moves the ball around so quickly and efficiently... and because of this I do see him occasionally lose concentration,  getting caught flat footed at times - a touch late making an attacking run, making an errant short pass, or a tad slow in reading potential dangers / defensive responsibilities when his teammates turn the ball over.  These are just minor criticisms but overall there’s just so many positives and enough talent and athletic ability that I could see him definitely moving on (and up) from MLS in the future.

[Kadenge 1,391]

1 hour ago, TOcanadafan said:

There’s so much to like about MAK’s game right now, and I agree, he needs to be a part of our midfield and not as a LB.  I also like that he is playing with so many other quality players in an LAFC team that moves the ball around so quickly and efficiently... and because of this I do see him occasionally lose concentration,  getting caught flat footed at times - a touch late making an attacking run, making an errant short pass, or a tad slow in reading potential dangers / defensive responsibilities when his teammates turn the ball over.  These are just minor criticisms but overall there’s just so many positives and enough talent and athletic ability that I could see him definitely moving on (and up) from MLS in the future.

Astute observations  and agree there are gaps in his game,  but keep in mind that MAK only played 1/2 season last year his first in MLS and had to rehab from a horrendous injury; so about 1 season of MLS  experience.

[Aird25 548]

1 hour ago, TOcanadafan said:

I do see him occasionally lose concentration,  getting caught flat footed at times - a touch late making an attacking run, making an errant short pass, or a tad slow in reading potential dangers / defensive responsibilities when his teammates turn the ball over.

I imagine a critical eye could find similar errors with any player on the planet. The key is to compare positive contributions vs negative contributions, and I would say MAK is undoubtedly in the green this season. I've been quite impressed with his overall performances and consistency this season

[red card 613]

The real question is with MAK & Davies in the midfield, which midfielders are you then going to sit.

Besides beeing weak on the backline, the other reason MAK & Davies played in the back was to get all our top players in the starting 11. Basically, you're playing Miller or Adekugbe instead of...Hoilett, Piette, Hutchinson, Eustaquio or Osorio.

Edited August 13 by red card

[Kadenge 1,391]

3 minutes ago, red card said:

The real question is with MAK & Davies in the midfield, which midfielders are you then going to sit.

Besides beeing weak on the backline, the other reason MAK & Davies played in the back was to get all our top players in the starting 11. Basically, you're playing Miller or Adekugbe instead of...Hoilett, Piette, Hutchinson, Eustaquio or Osorio.

Depending on club form  and a 4 3 3, Davies Cav and David up front  MAK Arfield and Atiba or Eustaquio in midfield with a back 4 of Adekugbe Henry James and ZBG/Cordova. national teams have quality players on the bench and that's what you need to win games....bring on a Hoilett or Osorio at  60 min if we need a goal. Adekugbe is probably the best defensive left back we have. He started every game last year  for Valerenga and doing the same this season. That should be a priority to shore up our weak back 4.

[An Observer 332]

1 hour ago, Kadenge said:

Depending on club form  and a 4 3 3, Davies Cav and David up front  MAK Arfield and Atiba or Eustaquio in midfield with a back 4 of Adekugbe Henry James and ZBG/Cordova. national teams have quality players on the bench and that's what you need to win games....bring on a Hoilett or Osorio at  60 min if we need a goal. Adekugbe is probably the best defensive left back we have. He started every game last year  for Valerenga and doing the same this season. That should be a priority to shore up our weak back 4.

I think Adekugbe should get a match or two there to see what he does.  I am not against Davies playing there if we cant get anyone up to scratch in that position especially if he continues to get time there at Bayern (I recognise the downside to this but it is what it is).  Also, hopefully Bassong gets time at Cercle Brugges and pushes into the picture (and switches to Canada). I am more concerned about the right back position as none of the options seem to be great at this point.  Hopefully, in the next year or so one of Cordova, ZBG or Godinho steps up to claim the position.  Or someone else emerges.

[Obinna 5,356]

1 hour ago, red card said:

The real question is with MAK & Davies in the midfield, which midfielders are you then going to sit.

Besides beeing weak on the backline, the other reason MAK & Davies played in the back was to get all our top players in the starting 11. Basically, you're playing Miller or Adekugbe instead of...Hoilett, Piette, Hutchinson, Eustaquio or Osorio.

Even more precisely put: who is a better left back, Kaye or Adekugbe? Davies or Adekugbe?

Kaye and Davies are better players overall, which makes them more effective at left back than Adekugbe (or Miller)  - or so the logic goes.

I would like to see an Adekugbe or Miller there though..just to see how they do.

[Bertuzzi44 1,476]

3 hours ago, red card said:

The real question is with MAK & Davies in the midfield, which midfielders are you then going to sit.

Besides beeing weak on the backline, the other reason MAK & Davies played in the back was to get all our top players in the starting 11. Basically, you're playing Miller or Adekugbe instead of...Hoilett, Piette, Hutchinson, Eustaquio or Osorio.

Yeah, that didn't work and I think has to end. If there is competition at certain positions, that is great. Bending over backwards to get everyone on at once turned out not to be the best idea.

We should have a formation, and proper competition at each position. So for instance at CM, it is either Kaye or Osorio or Eustáquio, or whoever is on top form. Yes, good players will have to sit, but that will give us great depth and flexibility. And then play proper LBs and LB and RBs at RB, etc.

 

[Obinna 5,356]

40 minutes ago, Bertuzzi44 said:

Yeah, that didn't work and I think has to end. If there is competition at certain positions, that is great. Bending over backwards to get everyone on at once turned out not to be the best idea.

We should have a formation, and proper competition at each position. So for instance at CM, it is either Kaye or Osorio or Eustáquio, or whoever is on top form. Yes, good players will have to sit, but that will give us great depth and flexibility. And then play proper LBs and LB and RBs at RB, etc.

 

I suspect that Herdman goes out of his way to keep his star players happy. If they buy in, the team buys in. Forcing square pegs in round holes helps him avoid some very uncomfortable discussions, I bet.

All speculation of course, but I can't help but wonder...