11-16-2014, 08:37 PM
It's hard for me to imagine too many conferences are better* than the Pac-12. I've been very impressed by OSU's Shelton whenever I've seen him (as well as the 59ers' Seth Casiple), and for those guys to pilot teams that are near the middle-to-bottom of the conference ... well, it speaks to some highly impressive depth. Which, of course, bodes well for Stanford's chances.
Also speaks well to Gunn's abilities that his old team, Charlotte, is still in fine fettle after his leaving the school.
One last thing: hoping the team takes advantage *now* of the chance. There's a worst-case scenario in terms of departures. Besides the seniors (Bateer and Meyer...who both strike me as more "valued contributors" than "absolutely essential), you have a number of guys with conceivable pro prospects:
Morris: already covered ad nauseam before. Could get a big-money offer if he wanted it.
Corey Baird: not ready to get big minutes in MLS yet. But, Salt Lake have his homegrown rights and they've started up a third-divison reserve teams. Presumably they want to stock up that team with high-level, young prospects; indeed, they've already signed a Stanford prospect: Justen Glad was supposed to be at Stanford next year but instead took cash to play for Salt Lake. Is it likely he'd leave? Dunno, but it seems at least plausible that he'd leave.
Brandon Vincent: he is a smart, reasonably athletic left back with some passing skill (albeit...inconsistent...crossing). Do you know how rare those are? Again, plausible he could get an MLS offer (which would subsidize his college education, should he choose to return to school at some point.)
So, better to seize your opportunities now rather than later; things can get scrambled.
* (you caught me, CompSci.)
Also speaks well to Gunn's abilities that his old team, Charlotte, is still in fine fettle after his leaving the school.
One last thing: hoping the team takes advantage *now* of the chance. There's a worst-case scenario in terms of departures. Besides the seniors (Bateer and Meyer...who both strike me as more "valued contributors" than "absolutely essential), you have a number of guys with conceivable pro prospects:
Morris: already covered ad nauseam before. Could get a big-money offer if he wanted it.
Corey Baird: not ready to get big minutes in MLS yet. But, Salt Lake have his homegrown rights and they've started up a third-divison reserve teams. Presumably they want to stock up that team with high-level, young prospects; indeed, they've already signed a Stanford prospect: Justen Glad was supposed to be at Stanford next year but instead took cash to play for Salt Lake. Is it likely he'd leave? Dunno, but it seems at least plausible that he'd leave.
Brandon Vincent: he is a smart, reasonably athletic left back with some passing skill (albeit...inconsistent...crossing). Do you know how rare those are? Again, plausible he could get an MLS offer (which would subsidize his college education, should he choose to return to school at some point.)
So, better to seize your opportunities now rather than later; things can get scrambled.
* (you caught me, CompSci.)