Not often is the occasion that rookie talent translates into instant impact in MLS, but only three weeks into the '09 season that optimistic scenario has already "been borne out on the field," as ESPN Soccernet's Ives Galarcep points out that "a total of 15 MLS draft picks have already earned starts for their teams, while "10 MLS rookies have started multiple matches and four have played every minute of every game."
It's those kinds of "promising numbers" that bode well "for a league desperate for an infusion of talent as it looks to expand to 18 teams by 2011." Another positive sign is that these rookie starts aren't "simply a product of injuries or weak teams' filling gaps," but rather "due in large part to young players who are stepping up and beating out veterans for starting jobs."
Leading the rookie class are No. 1 overall pick Steve Zakuani, who has "provided a major spark to an already dangerous Seattle attack" and five University of Maryland players who are seeing "considerable playing time early on, leaving little doubt why the Terrapins won the 2008 NCAA title." And while those transitions might have been expected, other have not, including New England defender Darrius Barnes, who "has earned enough confidence from Coach Steve Nicol to play every minute in central defense for an unbeaten Revs team."