As the winter season starts to fall upon us here in the States, it will also fall upon those who support those clubs in Europe as well as those American players who got training stints courtesy of Jurgen Klinsmann or on their own.
One of those players that is in England at the moment is New York Red Bulls center back Tim Ream who made two stops at West Bromwich Albion and then to Bolton Wanderers. Already finished with West Brom, Ream has moved on to his next stint at Bolton.
But something caught the eye of manager Roy Hodgson that would like to keep the young American center back for a certain period of time through a loan deal. “He has done very well. He has made a good impression on everybody and we think he’s going to be a good player.”
While Ream had a stellar rookie season and has admitted to the local press that his sophomore slump brought him down this past season, there is still plenty of quality coming from Ream that he can improve on his form and be that solid center back that caught the eye of Bob Bradley, before Klinsmann took over the National Team.
Since his 2010 Super Draft, Tim Ream has been a good defender for the New York Red Bulls, tracking back and clearing balls from the net. Especially those two attempts this past season at the Home Depot Center just on the goal line and at Red Bull Arena early in the first half against DC United.
Sadly in his second season he’s had two bad clearances to his opponents that were converted for goals, when they visited the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park. It was a bad tap that gave the Union a free shot and scored the only goal in the match, then the home game at Red Bull Arena late in the season against Real Salt Lake.
But just as you weigh the good with the bad, I still believe that Tim Ream is capable to play in the English Premier League, but I believe the timing of this loan deal is a bit early. Only a professional after two seasons in Major League Soccer, I believe he needs another season or two to stay and help the Red Bulls attempt to win a title.
While I believe Hodgson would be a good manager for Ream to get through a tough Premiership season, I’m not sure if he can handle it and might get overwhelmed very quickly. But to be fair on Ream he has adapted himself very well to MLS and showed to have a strong personality to handle what comes his way.
He has stood up many times when things go right and when things go wrong. He has handled himself well when the Rafa Marquez incident popped up where Marquez described Ream’s play as “infantile mistakes”. But once again this opportunity is up to the Red Bulls if they wish to allow the loan to go through.
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Racashaun
December 19, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Tim Ream is highly, HIGHLY overrated. He’s not even ready for the
USMNT. We have actual talent in our pool (George John, Omar
Gonzalez, Sacir Hot, and Alfredo Morales) who have much better
potential than Ream. Along with Ream, Agudelo is blown out of
proportion too. He scores a goal in his first game for the senior
side, and everybody claims Messiah. Let’s get out of our RBNY bag
for a minute, and look at real talent. Brek Shea is probably one of
the only players from the MLS called to the national side that has
played well in every appearance. Tim Ream is full of mishaps, even
at club level. To the point, Ream isn’t ready for the EPL. And in
all seriousness, he’s barely ready for MLS. He’s prone to mistakes
time and time again. At international level he’s a huge failure,
and at club level he’s had sparks of potential followed by
nightmarish mistakes. There’s not one team in the EPL he would
start on, and he wouldn’t probably come off the bench for most of
them either.
Daniel
December 17, 2011 at 1:57 pm
For one, I’ve been puzzled by Klinsi continued inclusion of Ream
with national team; when others continued to get over looked
(Gonzo, Cameron). Hopefully one or both will get looked at during
January friendlies. As for Ream, I would love to see him get a go
in EPL; not sure Bolton would be good as they look as to be
relegated after this season. But with a good situation; why not? I
agree with earlier post, who will he learn from on Red Bulls; it’s
not like he has a veteran like a Berhalter or even Heduk back
there. Rafa is a @#$%. Backe is clueless (Aguedelo needs more
minutes). Ream prove us naysayers wrong and I would love it; as
long as it helps the red, white and blue in terms of USMNT and
national pride in general we need more Americans making there mark
in top tier leagues (EPL, Serie A, La Liga). Rossi is a BENEDICT
ARNOLD!!!!!!
CTBlues
December 15, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Guess what Landon Donavon is going to be playing for Everton this
winter again.
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/soccer/news/story?id=7357358
Charles
December 15, 2011 at 10:04 am
The Bolton coach still wants him, I just don’t think he is eligible
to play for them…oh yeah and he is under contract with NY still.
Most likely Ream signs the contract extension he has been reluctant
to sign and stays in NY. Of course knowing NY, they will most
likely get rid of him and the fans will watch another year of NY
not coming close…………………I think it is really telling
that Ream, who would NOT be my, or many others, first pick for a
center back is getting interest. Good times for soccer in this
country, no matter what the hater trolls spew.
Alex
December 14, 2011 at 9:12 pm
TIM Ream is overhyped I think. He’s had a bad season with the
energy drinks I think and he’s cost new jersey several games. On
the national side he’s alittle better but nothing to praise about.
I think he should stay at mls for a while. Even with bottom feeder
clubs in the epl I don’t think Ream will last. One player I would
love to see over seas is gonzales. I think he is very capable of
playing overseas and getting some valuable experience
@theakinet
December 14, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Speaking of the transfer market!
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/suedamerkia/suedamerika/wettbewerbe.html:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/europa/europa/wettbewerbe.html:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/asien/asien/wettbewerbe.html So
MLS is 2nd tier Americas, 1st/2nd tier Asia (no China data),
3rd/4th tier Europe.
patrick starr
December 14, 2011 at 6:56 pm
MLS is 1st Tier Americas. NASL is 2nd Tier
Charles
December 14, 2011 at 2:31 pm
He is not going anyway, Stoler said in no uncertain terms he would
play for NY next year. Plus I don’t think he would be eligible
anyway. I like how the players are training over there, it can only
help, but it is very annoying having the EPL lovers pray and
convince themselves that every American will go over there. Look at
Landon, he was already gone twenty times now. There are still some
that actually still think he would go over and play for Everton.
Alex
December 14, 2011 at 9:16 pm
According to you I’m a epl lover but I don’t think Ream should go
to epl. Mls better suits him. And Landon will probably never go
back to everton not because he can’t play there but because mls
can’t let go of their treasure boy till his value is used up. What
I find annoying is that you seem to be Mr.right about soccer and
everybody else is a euro snob idiot.
Clampdown
December 14, 2011 at 1:54 pm
My only issue with Tim staying with the Red Bulls is the question
of who he learns from. Who do you see on the Red Bulls roster or
staff that will make a proper mentor for Tim? It sure as hell isn’t
Marquez. It isn’t Backe. He’s already a better player than Petke
ever was. So why should he stay?
CTBlues
December 14, 2011 at 10:36 am
I don’t really see the down side to a short loan spell in the EPL
similar to what Landon Donovan did with Everton. The only questions
are how much playing time will he get and will he actually be in
the starting XI.