Stumptown Footy Community Protected List: Kalif Alhassan Edition
by Ryan Gates on Oct 31, 2011 6:01 AM PDT
Email
PrintIt is time for a new vote on our community protected list.
How it works:
- For each player we will post a front page article highlighting a specific players pros/cons and any stats (if available)
- Vote by posting a Yes (to Protect) or No (don't Protect) in the subject of a comment, then explain why in the message
- We (the editors) will keep track of all the yes/no votes for each player
- At the end of the whole roster we will total up the results and post the community's Protected list
- Your list will be compared to the list of each contributing editor
- The only player we will not be voting on is Darlington Nagbe as he is automatically protected based on his Generations Adidas Status.
Kalif Alhassan
Info
21 years old with a contract of around $69,000 and counts as an international player. This was his first year in the MLS and second in the United States.
Stats
| Year | Club | GP | GS | G | MIN | A | SHT | SOG | FC | OFF | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Portland Timbers | 32 | 27 | 0 | 2337 | 6 | 58 | 14 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Career Totals | 32 | 27 | 0 | 2337 | 6 | 58 | 14 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
|
Pros
As with all the wings that saw major playing time for the Timbers he is young and has a lot of potential. He has great footskills and the ability to some great passes.
Cons
Inconsistent and young. Started strong during the 2011 season but faded over the course of the year. Took the second most shots on the team and yet had 0 goals to show for it.
Notes
Was Gavin Wilkinson's first signing with the intent to bring him up to the MLS.
So should do we Protect him or do we leave him unprotected? Remember vote with Yes or No in the subject line.
77 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Yes
This is a hard game… we are only allowed 11 right? Wow… I think this guy has a huge upside. He is getting the chances and coming close, he can turn it around.
Yes
Too much potential and talent to let go. Sure, there some groaners during last season, but there were also plenty of flashes of brilliance, despite the zero goals.
Yes
People point to the low percentage of shots he had on target this year, but it’s not like a lot of them were blasted 30 feet off the frame. He saw more than his fair share of shots miss by mere inches. A lot of that’s just bad luck, and I have to think that luck is going to balance out at some point. When it does he’s going to be scoring goals like it’s a bodily function.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
Yes
(by the way, you know you can set up a poll on these posts, right?)
by pdb on Oct 31, 2011 8:05 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Polls
I know I can post polls but I figured this way we could get some of the “lurkers” to comment. =
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Yes
Still very young and oozes potential. Few teams in the league wouldn’t want someone with his potential on their roster.
Yes
He played a role in some of our most creative passing combinations throughout the year, and had been more consistent overall, he could have easily doubled his assist count. I think keeping him at least one more season to see how he matures is worth the international spot and the protection.
Yes
Sky is the limit for this kid. Arguably the most skilled player on the team, just needs to settle his head. I believe the goals will come and that he will freak the MLS out.
Yes
Kalif scored some screamers in practice games so I really believe the goals will come. I just hope it is sooner rather than later as the Timbers really need some production on the wings.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Oct 31, 2011 9:06 AM PDT reply actions
Yes!
I think he’s going to develop into a really good player. Throughout the season, we all saw flashes of brilliant ball movement and passing. And he hit the woodwork more than anyone else on the team.
No
Besides him being the most frustrating player to watch, there is too much talent elsewhere on this team to protect.
by Colthusker on Oct 31, 2011 9:38 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I’d have 14 or 15 guys protected before him. I’d list them but I don’t think that’s the point of this thread. Obviously everyone at this point disagrees with me, but to answer the question if he’d be in MY protected 11, absolutely not.
Yea, your in the minority, but its more interesting to hear more from you than everyone else repeating similar opinions. If you listed the 14 or 15, I could change my opinion. Just interested to hear more.
To be Honest
He is not in Mine either (I was trying to leave mine a secret until we compare the Communities list against the Editors lists).
I would say we have 4-5 wings that can play at a decent level, they are in no particular order: Wallace, Zizzo, Nagbe, Alexander, Wallace ( I really think he is a Mid not a Defender) and Alhassan.
Since we only have 11 spots I would put Nagbe and Alexander as the to Protect and Alhassan has to battle it out for a spot.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Yay, now there's room for Alhassan.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 31, 2011 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
But you only think he's a midfielder once.
Interesting…
by thehemogoblin on Oct 31, 2011 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Just weird phrasing
it is reflected in our master list of who we would protect.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Oct 31, 2011 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Really?
Alexander over Alhassan? Wow, I think you’re a little quick to pull the hook on Kalif. And I really don’t see how Alexander is an upgrade over Alhassan. I’m as frustrated as anybody with Kalif’s famous missed shots but he still has more on the ball skill than anybody on the team and has generated assists. He will do more.
Not pulling the hook
We only get to protect 11 out of 29. If we put our normal starting 11 straight on the protected list we would then possible lose the following players: Jake Gleeson, Eddie Johnson, James Marcelin, and Eric Alexander. Everyone assumes Jake Gleeson will could be on the list and I would say Eddie Johnson (who has a nose for goal) should be on the list. So who out of our starting 11 do you take off? Our defensive wings who we have no replacements for? Or one of our stock piled young wings? I say one of the wings and the only reason it is Kalif is because of the fact that defensively he is poorer than the others, although it could be Zizzo instead of Kalif.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
We may lose none at all, depending on what Impact needs -- there are 17 other teams after all
But it’s fun to talk about it — we could invent all kinds of unlikely scenarios after this one …
Ok, you’re stuck on a lifeboat with Alhassan, Alexander, and Zizzo. Who do you eat first? Go.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Nov 1, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Zizzo
All that Italian food stuffed into one person has got to make him taste good.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Correct!
Ok, which combination of 4 current Timbers would best increase your chances of survival if you were stranded on a desert island? Go!
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Nov 1, 2011 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Good one
Horst just flat is a beast and therefore will go all primal if anything attacks.
Cooper cause he is Kenny Fing Cooper and therefore like Chuck Norris.
Gleeson cause he will keep you sane with his humor
And Zizzo cause you could eat him.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Hmmm
I think I’d start with Palmer and Marcelin, because they’ve got island experience — important for a guy who grew up pretty close to the North American pole of inaccessibility.
Then I’d add Perkins because he’s cool under stress. Plus, he can cook.
And then I’d have Zizzo. I mean, include Zizzo. In the group.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Nov 1, 2011 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
Great footwork, flashes of brilliance in his passing, easily capable of putting in 4-6 goals with some off season work and another year under his belt. Perfect young winger to build a team with, while not hurting your budget.
Yes
because my jersey has his name and number on it. Also because when he played well (see the beginning of the year) he really creates some good stuff for us.
However, someone needs to teach him how to take a shot that is not to the far post, upper-v. That was one of the most frustrating things all season. Every single time he got the ball with some space on his side at the top of the 18, he tried to make that shot. Give. It. Up. Khalif.
Has to be a keeper.
There’s waywaywaywayway too much potential here, and even when he’s not scoring goals, he still has the ability to feed others with creative passes.
I’d love nothing more than for him and Darlington Nagbe to get on the same page.
method you are using
The method you are using to chose keepers and unprotected seems to be less than ideal. Wouldn’t a single thread forcing people to look at the team as a whole and decide on a protected 11 work better? Otherwise you can have people voting to protect everyone, and people not making the right calculations in terms of protecting too many of one position or not enough, etc…
Do not get me wrong, I like a focused discussion on each player but I think the vote should done all at once.
You might want to check with SAH...
to see how they did the keep 11 poll. keep that as a locked article on top and then have the individual articles for each player.
Yes there are flaws
However this method is getting people to actually comment. We are trying to generate more comments and therefore more interaction and then we get that cyclical motion of it driving more activity on the site. :)
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Oh and...
We don’t always want to be doing what SAH is doing it makes us look bad :)
I loved the way they did it though, pretty sleek.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
by Ryan Gates on Oct 31, 2011 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Makes sense, and good goal.
I think it could be accomplished with both your approach and theirs together though. But your site your call. Thanks for listening.
Appreciate feedback
I truly appreciate any feedback but I also like people to understand the methods to my madness
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Yes
Kalif was very unlucky not to have several goals this season. He had several shots that took a bad bounce off the woodwork or were saved miraculously by the keeper. I think with another year of seasoning he’ll be a dynamic player on our side. Spenny and Gavin must think so, as they had him in the starting XI for most of the season…
Not to mention he’s about the most humble person I’ve ever met. Ever.
Blazers win!
This one
the very definition of unlucky.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 31, 2011 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
not really
That one is not so much unlucky as good goal keeping. I’d point to the curlers off the cross bars instead. In addition one goal that Rodney Wallace scored was really Kalif’s.
True -- perhaps he was unlucky to be going up against such a good goal keeper.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 31, 2011 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Kalif Alhassan frustration highlight reel
Hits woodwork at New England
Hits woodwork against Chicago
Saved against RSL
Hits woodwork against Vancouver
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 31, 2011 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions
as much as we want to put it out of our head
Let’s not forget that killer shot against NYRB before being ejected for that phantom handball shortly after
I did want to forget
but that was another heartbreaker, no question.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 31, 2011 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
YES
Kalif is my fucking boy, hes got feet of a jaguar. spend the next 6 months on accuracy and vision …..and……you’l have Europe knocking on our door.
besides trying to remember who i said yes and no to its easier just to pick 11 guys i would protect.
11 Players I would protect: Perkins, Chara, brunner, futty, zizzo, chabala, dike, palmer, marcalin, alexander, horst
Notable players left out of list:
Nagbe: If i remember right Adidas generation players are automatically safe right? if im wrong then he takes horst spot.
Cooper: Big contract, and probably not the answer up front. If we keep him alright, if someone takes him then thats okay too.
Jewsbury: Love the guy and he added great leadership to the team. But hes getting up in age, and honestly i was pretty impressed with marcalin and chara as midfielders together.
I understand that sentiment
However I don’t care if you vote yes to all of them I am going to take the 11 who receive the most votes. Kalif is Currently on top with 16 Yes (out of 2 players hehe)
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
They are
In fact they aren’t even on the list, they are exempt from the whole process. Meaning they don’t take up one of the 11 spots.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Yes
Great young player to develop at a nice cost and if we get any other players from ganna (sp?) it will be a nice geographical pocket of players
Yes
Had a great start to the year. Improved at tracking back (Zizzo did not improve). Showed he can get out of tough spaces with the ball. Goals will come. Spenny should tell him no shots at the upper V until he scores.
Yes
Third most shots on goal on the team, that’s a dangerous player even if none went in (worst luck ever, imo). I’m expecting him to be the most improved player next year, and him with Nagbe up front is going to slice teams apart. Keep for sure
The more I hear Spencer talk...
the less likely I think it is that we will see Nagbe get significant minutes at forward next year. Spencer and Gavin both seem very high on Perlaza and keep emphasizing that he was not dropped but held out due to injury, and I don’t see him lining up with Nagbe.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Oct 31, 2011 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
We could see
A 4-3-3 with Nagbe serving as that other forward like player but dropping back to help on D, Almost like a CAM.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
I think there's a chance we might see Perlaza on the wing next year
and Nagbe up front in the striker role.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 31, 2011 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Ryan I was able to find it actually.....
“Generation adidas players and Homegrown Players on the team’s Off-budget Roster are automatically protected, without counting as one of the team’s 11 protected spots.”
Nope
Not even going to vote on him
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Exactly
As a complete thread jack, Meritt says there are going to be 3 Home Grown players next year. (1 from the area and 2 from the 2010 PDL team.)
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
The Almighty Twitter
Here is his Tweet from Oct 19th
@Finn_aka_Jeremy @maofootball will have HGP next yr and have 2 guys from ’10 PDL on current roster. make of that what u will. game focus now
I would assume either we are cutting 2 of our current players or those 2 from the ’10 PDL are Home Grown also.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Makes me wonder, is Gleeson considered Home Grown because he's been in our U23 program?
Blazers win!
No
Because he already had a professional contract in New Zealand.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
In case you missed it...
here is where you vote on Eric Alexander:
http://www.stumptownfooty.com/2011/10/28/2522216/stumptown-footy-community-protected-list-eric-alexander
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
No
Yes he has speed but he is lacking in other attributes that I consider important. He is not a two-way player. As offensively aggressive as Spencer wants this team, midfield defense is important in my book.
I don’t think he brings anything that we don’t have in other wingers (i.e. Zizzo).
Finally, he takes too many bad shots. I have seen him kill possession after possession rocketing balls into the crowd from 30 yards outside the box.
Ps my wife disagrees with me but her argument is based on his purple shoes.
by Zotzo on Nov 1, 2011 4:32 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Something to be said about shoes though
great points
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Yes
He has a lot of room for growth.
by ByWayOfAlbuquerque on Nov 2, 2011 3:06 AM PDT via iPhone app reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
