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Soccer Goals: When one thinks of the top goal scorers in Major League Soccer, Landon Donovan, Fredy Montero, Conor Casey, and Guillermo Barros Schelotto come to mind. Robbie Findley has climbed to the top, achieving this status with a two goal performance against Chivas USA.

 

 The Oregon State forward has catapulted up the MLS scoring charts and now sits at second place with ten goal with the aforementioned strikers. So why has Robbie Findley gone under the radar for the entire 2009 season? The RSL speedster possesses speed, efficient finishing, athleticism, and has improved his vision with five assists in 2008 and two in 2009.

After watching Robbie Findley in preseason in Tampa, Florida, I became a believer as his play rose above the rest of the squad, playing at the same or better level than Kyle Beckerman, a consumate professional. Whether he was terrorizing his opponents with his speed or deceptive finishing, one thing was certain during his preseason training: Robbie Findley was and is for real.

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Click here to view: These soccer videos feature highlight of Findley's soccer goals against Chivas USA.

These soccer videos feature his hat trick against Columbus and rookie season goals.

 

 

 

After a failed trial with Danish club Brondby IF, the US international has produced his best season ever, scoring 10 goals and two assists in 20 appearances and 15 starts. Averaging a goal every 139 minutes leaves him in  an elite category in goals per minute, as Freddy Montero(164), Guillermo Barros Schelotto(140), and Landon Donovan(157) trail him: Only Conor Casey(119) and Jeff Cunningham(133) have have produced better numbers. After witnessing Kljestan struggle after his failed trial with Celtic, the lightning-bolt forward has overcome adversity, producing at the highest level in MLS.

 

So what makes me think that Robbie Findley can produce at the top level? Charlie Davies and the USMNT proved that speed kills against international competition. Charlie Davies proved that his speed unraveled opposing defenses and created space for his strike partner and midfield. Without his inclusion in the Egypt game at the Confederations Cup, Coach Bradley would have never discovered the impact that Davies could make on the next level.  Possessing similar attributes to Charlie Davies just needing additional refinement, Robbie Findley offers the skills to translate to the international game. On the international level, speed kills, and Findley can exploit back lines with his improved technical game.

 

Besides his improvement in scoring and assists, Robbie Findley has demonstrated improvements in his dribble-penetration 1v1, a softer touch, decent hold-up play, passing, improved crossing, and astute off-the-ball runs. Although recovering from an injury and returning to full fitness during the Gold Cup, Coach Bradley excluded, the cousin of Mike Bibby, instead opting for Brad Evans, Santino Quaranta, and Davy Arnoux. I suggested in a previous Gold Cup article  that the US lacked speed and extra dimension stating:

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" So, where did Coach Bradley go wrong? His selection allowed for an abundance of analogous players, ignoring the element of speed. Eddie Johnson (a glaring omission) and other speed players (Robbie Findley, Jeremiah White, or Jemal Johnson) would have added the extra threat that would have complimented his target forwards Brian Ching and Kenny Cooper."

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Now that you know that I did not jump on the Findley bandwagon after his two goal performance against Chivas USA last night,  it was apparent that the feisty forward deserves a look after he wreaked havoc during Week 22 against the Dynamo defense in fist half stoppage time, where he was taken down inside the box on three separate occassions within a 20 second period. This play resulted in Mathis receiving his second card for dissent, showing his frustration and demonstration by spiking the ball. The non-call proved erroneous as the Dynamo maintained the draw and the RSL forward remained dangerous.

 

So where would Robbie Findley fit in with the USMNT? His position could be as a sub role at forward or right wing where his pace would create another facet of danger. For Real Salt Lake and the U-23 MNT he has played in both a 4-4-2 and 4-3-3, which emphasizes crisp passing and movement without the ball.Although he lacks the experience on the international scene, entering as a late-game substitute in Switzerland, he definitely boasts the attributes that have proven successful at the international level. Several call ups for qualifiers, friendlies, and the January Camp could provide the opportunity and platform to excel at the international level.

 

A camp invitation or a call up would be a start. It's in Coach Bradley's hands now.

 

What did you think of his two goal performance? Should Findley be considered for the USMNT? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals and soccer videos: Making a Case - Robbie Findley

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