Photo: Michael Long
Well, that didn’t take long.
Last week, the last time Jack Mac won this award, I said both that Jack would win it again soon, and that it wasn’t unreasonable to expect him to stay near the top of the MLS scoring chart. Well, done and done, so far.
With six goals on the season, Union Jack is alone atop that scorers chart, and the goals showed the full breadth of his game. His first, far from a simple tap-in, required him to carry the ball forward from the center circle, split two defenders, and finish across the keeper with his weaker left foot (all three Union goals were left-footers, incidentally).
Jack’s second goal, yet another game-winner, was fox-in-the-box gold. Taking a swiftly dipping ball out of the air, deadening it with one touch, Jack finished again before the defense knew where the ball had gone. The touch and finish—and the speed of thought and calmness required to execute them—were of the highest quality.
Simply put, Jack’s striking performance on Sunday was elite. With the ideal partner beside him in Conor Casey, Union fans may soon find themselves cheering for one of the best forward tandems in MLS. McInerney’s play must also put him square in national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s sights. If he continues producing at this rate, a spot on the Gold Cup roster this summer seems a certainty.
Of course, any time a young player starts showing flashes of fulfilling his potential, the murmurs start: When will he outgrow MLS and move on to greener (usually European) pastures?
Well, to that I say, Who’s got two thumbs and doesn’t give a flying [censored]? This guy. Because Jack McInerney bleeds Union blue, and will give his heart and soul for this team from now until he moves on, whether that be next year or ten years from now.
And that’s why Jack McInerney is, yet again, PSP’s Player of the Week.
Due to some technical problems while we changed PSP’s hosting, the 12 comments on this post were unfortunately lost.
“Once the U-17 international fills out some, improves his finishing technique, and acclimatizes to the adult world of professional soccer, he has the potential to be one of the most devastating assassins the U.S. has ever produced. . . . He has the potential to be a world-class striker. No doubt. Just not next year. Or the one after that. He needs time.” Greg Lalas, 2010 Draft.
Prophetic
Okay, where are you all? Where are the muppets who were bemoaning Jack and how he, and I quote “runs around like a chicken with his head cut off”? I almost feel like searching back through the archives to name and shame, but you know who you are. NOW can you finally see what everyone else could – i.e. that a forward relies on crafty movement OFF the ball and he needs a good supply of service to reward that movement. It was always evident that Jack has quality – you just needed to know where to look.
That was me Richie and at that point he was. A lot of movement, with nothing to show for it. I am impressed with his form so far, but there is still work to be done. His first goal, on Saturday, was excellent. He is showing quality in his game. Hopefully, he builds from it.
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Save the insults. No need for it. Jack left lots to be desired, last year. Stating that makes no one a “muppet”.
…and I feel no shame for my comments. Nor do I feel no shame in saying that; much of McInerney’s current shine can be attributed to the large, bald, very good striker that he is paired with. Jack is not doing this all on his own. While Jack Mac is rounding into a very good striker, Conor Casey is showing equal prowess. It is a very good pairing!
I am one of those who was hard on Mac and my comment was lost. I congratulate him on his brace but especially the first goal which was what we all wanted to see him do, not know he could, but actually do it. That is take a half chance, an ok pass and make a goal happen. Not tap in a great pass or catch a rebound or head in a good cross. Make a goal happen. He showed it so now I give him his due. If all players were praised on what we thought they could or should do Freddy adu would be above Christiano Ronaldo on the depth chart at real. It’s what you do.
Also many of my concern with Mac was that I have higher expectations of him than le toux or others because of his ability.
Well done Mac and may many more find the back of the net.
Okay, maybe calling people names is a little churlish, but isn’t reactionary nonesense de rigeur for internet comments? (smirk)
In all seriousness I was just sick of hearing constant negativity about Jack and I thought it was ill-informed. If somebody (not talking about any one individual here, just the general masses) is talking as if they know everything about football and they are in fact talking complete bollocks then it winds me up and I might react a little harshly. I was really just sticking up for Jack and trying to help people see what they were missing.
I get it. I was way harsh on the kid. I have to temper my uber-critical nature, when it comes to evaluating our club. I was wrong with the extent of my Jack lashing. He has proven me to be mistaken. Now if The Farfans and Carroll can do the same, we will be in business.