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Jamaican MLS duo capitalising on speed
Published: Monday | August 13, 2012 1 Comment
Vancouver Whitecaps' Dane Richards (left) of Jamaica and Lee Young-Pyo, of South Korea celebrate Richards' goal against Real Salt Lake during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday. - AP
Vancouver Whitecaps' Darren Mattocks - AP
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[COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Gordon [COLOR=blue !important]Williams[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], Gleaner Writer Darren Mattocks wrapped himself in pride as he watched [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Jamaica's[/COLOR][/COLOR] performance at the Olympic Games. The dominance of the sprinters, particularly "the Big Man", satisfied the rookie striker from Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer (MLS).
"Usain Bolt proved that he's the best Olympian of all time," said Mattocks in admiration of the repeat 100, 200 and 4x100-metre champion. "He's the fastest ever."
Although the 21-year-old showed no interest in track at school - not at Bridgeport High in Jamaica or the University of Akron in the United States - he knows the value of speed. It's the main weapon in Mattocks' own arsenal, helping him become an immediate impact player in North America's top professional football league. He has scored seven goals in 14 appearances - 11 as a starter - placing him in contention for MLS 'Rookie of the Year' honours.
"Most of the goals I have scored are because of my runs behind the defence," Mattocks explained yesterday, the day before leaving his Canada base to join Jamaica's squad for his [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Reggae [COLOR=blue !important]Boyz[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] debut in a friendly international against El Salvador on August 15 in the US "The opponents can't figure out speed."
The Whitecaps embraced the formula when they made Mattocks the second overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. The club recently traded for another fleet-footed Jamaican attacker, sixth-year MLS midfielder Dane Richards, and the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Reggae[/COLOR][/COLOR] Boyz turbo tandem has the Whitecaps purring.
"Richards is a speedy player and very dangerous down the wing," coach Martin Rennie said after the mid-July trade with New York Red Bulls.
Richards scored against the San José Earthquakes not long after the trade, bursting behind the defence to latch on to a pass.
"It was a goal that comes from the speed that (Richards) has and the concern that provides to defenders," Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi told the media.
The rest of the MLS is already worried about Vancouver's speed combo of Richards and Mattocks.
"Both of them are really, really fast," former Reggae Boy Andy Williams, now head scout at Real Salt Lake, told his club's website ahead of the teams' clash late last month, a game Mattocks and Richards started with the rookie scoring in a losing effort. "ÉVancouver really likes to use their speed a lot."
When the teams met again on Saturday, August 11, Richards, also in Jamaica's squad for El Salvador, scored in the Whitecaps' 2-1 win. It was his second goal since joining the club. Vancouver are tied on points for third in MLS Western Conference and in contention for a play-off spot.
The Jamaican duo - Mattocks as a central attacker, Richards on the flank - is relishing the way their speed complements Vancouver's strategy and each other.
"With my pace and his, he's going to reach up there with me in the box," Richards said describing his role to the Canadian media. "So hopefully I can supply good crosses for him to finish."
Mattocks senses opponents' dilemma when Richards is on the field.
"When it was me alone, it was already tough for defenders," he explained. "Now we have Dane, I have more space. They still double-team me, but they have to worry about Dane now.
"Unless they buy Bolt or Blake (world 100-metre champion and 100/200 Olympic silver medallist Yohan) I don't see how they can counter our speed. It's going to be really tough for defenders."
It appears the Whitecaps are offering opponents a chance to pick their poison.
"If they double team me and Dane, it means our midfielders will have a lot more chances," said Mattocks.
Mattocks believes the presence of another Jamaican makes his life easier. Richards has fit in well with Vancouver's system, he said. On the field, the pair has a unique advantage.
"We talk Jamaican creole during the games," said Mattocks. "Anytime we communicate, it's in Patois. (Opposing defenders) don't understand."
It's even harder for them to catch up.
Published: Monday | August 13, 2012 1 Comment
Vancouver Whitecaps' Dane Richards (left) of Jamaica and Lee Young-Pyo, of South Korea celebrate Richards' goal against Real Salt Lake during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday. - AP
Vancouver Whitecaps' Darren Mattocks - AP
1 2 >
[COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Gordon [COLOR=blue !important]Williams[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], Gleaner Writer Darren Mattocks wrapped himself in pride as he watched [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Jamaica's[/COLOR][/COLOR] performance at the Olympic Games. The dominance of the sprinters, particularly "the Big Man", satisfied the rookie striker from Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer (MLS).
"Usain Bolt proved that he's the best Olympian of all time," said Mattocks in admiration of the repeat 100, 200 and 4x100-metre champion. "He's the fastest ever."
Although the 21-year-old showed no interest in track at school - not at Bridgeport High in Jamaica or the University of Akron in the United States - he knows the value of speed. It's the main weapon in Mattocks' own arsenal, helping him become an immediate impact player in North America's top professional football league. He has scored seven goals in 14 appearances - 11 as a starter - placing him in contention for MLS 'Rookie of the Year' honours.
"Most of the goals I have scored are because of my runs behind the defence," Mattocks explained yesterday, the day before leaving his Canada base to join Jamaica's squad for his [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Reggae [COLOR=blue !important]Boyz[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] debut in a friendly international against El Salvador on August 15 in the US "The opponents can't figure out speed."
The Whitecaps embraced the formula when they made Mattocks the second overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. The club recently traded for another fleet-footed Jamaican attacker, sixth-year MLS midfielder Dane Richards, and the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Reggae[/COLOR][/COLOR] Boyz turbo tandem has the Whitecaps purring.
"Richards is a speedy player and very dangerous down the wing," coach Martin Rennie said after the mid-July trade with New York Red Bulls.
Richards scored against the San José Earthquakes not long after the trade, bursting behind the defence to latch on to a pass.
"It was a goal that comes from the speed that (Richards) has and the concern that provides to defenders," Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi told the media.
The rest of the MLS is already worried about Vancouver's speed combo of Richards and Mattocks.
"Both of them are really, really fast," former Reggae Boy Andy Williams, now head scout at Real Salt Lake, told his club's website ahead of the teams' clash late last month, a game Mattocks and Richards started with the rookie scoring in a losing effort. "ÉVancouver really likes to use their speed a lot."
When the teams met again on Saturday, August 11, Richards, also in Jamaica's squad for El Salvador, scored in the Whitecaps' 2-1 win. It was his second goal since joining the club. Vancouver are tied on points for third in MLS Western Conference and in contention for a play-off spot.
The Jamaican duo - Mattocks as a central attacker, Richards on the flank - is relishing the way their speed complements Vancouver's strategy and each other.
"With my pace and his, he's going to reach up there with me in the box," Richards said describing his role to the Canadian media. "So hopefully I can supply good crosses for him to finish."
Mattocks senses opponents' dilemma when Richards is on the field.
"When it was me alone, it was already tough for defenders," he explained. "Now we have Dane, I have more space. They still double-team me, but they have to worry about Dane now.
"Unless they buy Bolt or Blake (world 100-metre champion and 100/200 Olympic silver medallist Yohan) I don't see how they can counter our speed. It's going to be really tough for defenders."
It appears the Whitecaps are offering opponents a chance to pick their poison.
"If they double team me and Dane, it means our midfielders will have a lot more chances," said Mattocks.
Mattocks believes the presence of another Jamaican makes his life easier. Richards has fit in well with Vancouver's system, he said. On the field, the pair has a unique advantage.
"We talk Jamaican creole during the games," said Mattocks. "Anytime we communicate, it's in Patois. (Opposing defenders) don't understand."
It's even harder for them to catch up.