Watching Asad

Shaker Asad is a member of the New England Revolution Football Club. You may or may not know this due to his lack of playing time last year. His selection at pick 39 in the third round of the 2000 Superdraft raised some eyebrows. He was said to be "too small" for MLS at 5'7", 140 lbs. He had an off year at N.C. State in 1999 registering only 6 goals and 7 assists after being touted as a preseason Hermann Trophy candidate. He came into his first MLS season with little fanfare, but after his exploits in Argentina this off-season, much more will be expected of this little dynamo.

His skills are unquestionable. Shaker's ball skills are above average. His vision is good for a midfielder. Asad can hit a good cross, while his shot has decent pace. He only saw action in 8 games in 2000, starting 2. He compiled 246 minutes in the process. Shaker saw no time in any of the three playoff games this year. The point of contention is his durability. Can he withstand a full season of MLS play on his lithe frame? That is the major question mark on Asad going into 2001.

One favorable point in Shaker Asad's favor is that he is a member of Project-40 and therefore does not count against the roster or salary cap. This designation also allowed him to take part in a special trip abroad to Argentina during the off-season. His play down there was a true revelation. He finished the trip with four goals in four games. It was an eye-opening trip for Revolution fans, as Asad was at the crux of the most important offensive plays during trip. Pitchside has profiled Asad's trip to the land of Maradona, and it is located below.

Game 1
Pro 40 3-River Plate Reserves 1

The Pro-40 squad got off to a hot start in this match, with Marvin Quijano (LA Galaxy) and Shaker Asad at the center of the attack. Quijano set up Esmundo Rodriguez (Dallas Burn) in the 4th minute to start the game off on the right note. Asad doubled the advantage in the 14th minute off of another Quijano pass. Esmundo Rodriguez finished the scoring off of a DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire) pass in the 59th minute. P-40 stepped off the gas a bit after the third goal, and despite the sending off of defender Demichelis in the 67th minute, they failed to score again in the match. Asad was withdrawn in the 60th minute to be replaced by Columbus Crew midfielder Mario Longo. This result gave coach Alfonso Mondelo the result his squad needed to build momentum for the rest of the trip.

Game 2
P-40 2----Huracan Reserves 1

Shaker Asad scored the winner in this physical match. Four players were sent off in the match, two from each side. The teams traded penalties late in the first half. P-40 got on the board from Francisco Gomez in the 37th minute off of a handball call while Steve Shak was ejected for his role in the 47th minute converted by Cellay to level the scores at ones at half. The second half continued in the first half's theme. Two Huracan players were ejected for their part in the match. The 2nd half also gave the game a winner. Nick Garcia set DaMarcus Beasley free to cross to a wide-open Shaker Asad at the back post. Asad tapped the ball home in the 79th minute.

Game 3
P-40 2------Estudiantes de La Plata Reserves 4

The American starlets started the game off brightly. Wes Hart banked in his first goal of the trip on 13 minutes off of a feed from Francisco Gomez. It stayed that way until the 35th minute when P-40 keeper was beaten by a deflected shot to draw Estudiantes level. Shaker Asad put the visitors in front on 43 minutes off of another feed from Gomez. The teams headed to the locker room with the Americans up a goal.

Game 4
P-40 1------Lanus 3

This was the only first side P-40 faced on their trip to Argentina. Lanus' experienced showed as they took a close game late and made it into a comfortable win. Homestanding Lanus scored in the 33rd minute via Lopez, but Project 40 battled back after the intermission with a fine strike from Shaker Asad to nod it up at ones. Lanus killed off the game with two goals in five minutes. The first goal was the stuff dreams are made of: a long distance volley by Gonzales; the second goal, merely normal play as Lopez finished off a fine day with his second of the match.

Shaker Asad has come a long way from benchwarmer to star among his peers. It's confusing to see why such a precocious talent is laid to waste on a metal bench for the better part of a season. Hopefully, this Argentinean voyage will only foster more playing time and more development from the little Asad. Remember the little man we all grew to love? No, it's not Antony de Avila. Joe-Max Moore is not a man of enormous stature. He's a scrappy fighter from Tulsa. If Asad can bring success to this beleaguered franchise like Joe-Max did, the people will follow.