Talent Train From Georgia: April Recap

MLS

• Alec Kann (Sporting Kansas City): Kann, and his epic mustache, finally got a start in the first team against Vancouver Whitecaps in which Sporting KC tied 1-1. Kann made one save on the night and
• Chris Duvall (New York Red Bulls): Duvall made five appearances, starting in three, in the Red Bulls six matches in April. The Red Bulls lost their first four games in April but have won their last two, beating Orlando City SC 3-2 and thwarting FC Dallas 4-0 where Duvall played the full 90 minutes. Duvall was at fault in Colorado's late goal to take the lead when he let Dominique Badji run past him unopposed in the 2-1 defeat on the 16th. After a rough start, New York Red Bulls sit in 8th place in the Eastern Conference.
• Chris Klute (Portland Timbers): Klute has started at outside back in Portland's last five games in which they have only lost one. Klute seems to be fitting in well with his new team and has played a decisive role in a defense that has only let in seven goals in five games. Portland remain in 7th place in the Western Conference.
• Jack McInerney (Portland Timbers): McInerney started two games and came on as a sub twice in Portland's six games in April. McInerney scored two goals, increasing his tally to three for the season. The Portland striker showed great effort win the ball back and score the opening goal against San Jose and was a goal of the week nominee.
• Joe Bendik (Orlando City SC): Bendik has kept the starting role at goalkeeper but can't seem to stop letting goals in. The Orlando defense let in 10 goals across five games during April, only managing to win one game during the period. Bendik made a couple good saves, including denying a Mike Grella volley, but got little defensive help on many of the goals they conceded. Against the Portland Timbers on April 3rd, Bendik made a crucial penalty save just before halftime to keep the Timbers goalless going into the break. Orlando City remain in 4th place after ten points in eight games.
• Jordan McCrary (New England Revolution): McCrary was assigned to USL Pro affiliate, Rochester Rhinos, where he played one match against the Richmond Kickers. McCrary has since been recalled to the Revolution but has yet to make an appearance. New England are 7th in Eastern Conference.
• Kwadwo Poku (New York City FC): Poku only saw action in three of New York City's five games in April. Poku started and played 59 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Philadelphia Union on April 23, he did not make much of an impact. As Poku fails to see consistent playing time and has little influence when he does play, the midfielder has been suggested to be traded last week in an article on sbisoccer.com. NYCFC are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with ten points in nine games.
• Mark Bloom (Toronto FC): Bloom finally made it back into the match day squad for Toronto after missing the last season due to injury. Hopefully he will be fit enough to make an appearance within the coming weeks. Toronto are in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.
• Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo): Clark continues to start every game for Houston but after a promising start to the season, the team hasn't won a game since the second week of the season. Clark has no trouble keeping his spot in the starting XI but Houston can't seem to get out of the worst form in MLS. The Dynamo lag behind in 10th place in the Western Conference.
• Sam Cronin (Colorado Rapids): Cronin has started in all of Colorado's games this season and he assisted Kevin Doyle's goal in the 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders. Cronin stands firm in front of the resolute Rapids defense that has only let in eight goals in nine games this season. Colorado Rapids sit atop the Western Conference with 17 points and leading on goal difference.
• Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire): Johnson has still yet to make an appearance for Chicago this season having seemed to have fallen out of favor with their new manager and dealing with small injuries. Chicago Fire have dropped to 10th place in the Eastern Conference, averaging just one point a game.
• Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas): Zimmerman started four games and was a unused sub twice for FC Dallas in April. Dallas conceded seven goals in Zimmerman's four starts but the defender seems to be the best performing of the bunch. FC Dallas are in 3rd place in the Western Conference.
• Warren Creavalle (Philadephia Union): Creavalle started three games in April, against Chicago, Seattle, and San Jose. Philadelphia lost two and drew one of those games. Creavalle was also subbed on late in the 2-0 win over NYCFC to help grind out the result. Despite not making much of an impact on the stat sheet, Creavalle has excelled in an holding midfield role and helps protect the Union back line. Philadelphia have surged to 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, just one point off first.

NWSL

• Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns): Sonnett started all three of the Portland Thorns first matches in which they are undefeated. Portland defeated Orlando Pride and Boston Breakers and tied FC Kansas City. The Thorns kept a clean sheet against Boston Breakers and are in 2nd place.
• Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC): O'Hara started the first three games for Sky Blue FC and assisted in the win against Seattle Reign FC. Sky Blue FC are in fourth place after three games.
• Michelle Betos (Portland Thorns): Betos played two of three games for Portland in the net. She played against Orlando Pride, winning 2-1, and FC Kansas City, drawing 1-1.
• Morgan Brian (Houston Dash): Brian played in one game of Houston's opening three games. She played 65 minutes in the 3-1 loss to Orlando Pride. Brian remained on the bench in the other two games. Houston Dash are in third place.

NASL

• Jimmy Maurer (New York Cosmos): Maurer started four of five Cosmos matches in April. The goalkeeper made 3 clean sheets and only let in one goal. Maurer made a pair of huge saves to ensure three points in the most recent win over Carolina RailHawks. The Cosmos rest in third place with nine points from five matches.
• Tyler Ruthven (Jacksonville Armada FC): Ruthven started and played the full 90 minutes in each of Jacksonville's three games in April. The defender averaged one tackle a game and was a part of the defense that allowed four goals in three games. Jacksonville sit in 7th place in NASL with a game-in-hand.

USL

• Bilal Duckett (Charlotte Independence): Duckett started and played 90 minutes in five matches in April. He recorded two assists in two matches, one against Harrisburg City Islanders and the other against FC Cincinnati. Charlotte sit in a cool 2nd place in the Eastern Conference with 12 points in six games. They will move into first if they win their next match against FC Montreal.
• Cody Mizell (Charlotte Independence): Mizell also started all five games for Charlotte, letting in seven goals. He had one clean sheet against NY Red Bulls II.

Abroad

• Cody Cropper (Milton Keynes Dons): Cropper played in five of seven of the Dons' games in April, letting in eleven goals during the stretch. Milton Keynes Dons is guaranteed to be relegated to League I after having a rough season.

Talent Train Player of the Month for March: Jack McInerney