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SBI MLS Rookie of the Week: Michael Farfan

MichaelFarfan3 (Getty)

There were 22 players selected ahead of Michael Farfan in the 2011 MLS Draft. For the second straight week, the Philadelphia Union midfielder/defender showed many of those teams that passed on him just what a mistake they made.

Farfan's brilliant game-winning goal against D.C. United, where he hurdled a defender before unleashing a left-footed blast, as well as another quality performance against Chivas USA on Sunday, earned him SBI MLS Rookie of the Week honors for a second straight week and third time this season.

The North Carolina product has begun to settled in nicely into the Philly lineup, showing off the attacking qualities that made him such a highly-regarded prospect before a weak performance at the 2011 MLS Combine scared some teams off. The Union grabbed him with a second-round pick and are now beginning to reap the rewards.

Farfan beat out a strong field of candidates for Rookie of the Week, including teammate Zac MacMath and Sporting Kansas City striker C.J. Sapong.

What did you think of Farfan's performance? Who was your Rookie of the Week pick?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Interesting the differences between the twins (Yoda syntax). Gabriel seems more extroverted, and speaks with a characteristic California Mexican American accent. Michael is more reserved, and doesn’t have that lilt to his voice. Nowak says that Gabriel has more “bite” to his defensive game. Philly is exploiting some inefficiencies right now–with John Hackworth they are really tapped into US youth development and have made some great signings based upon that knowledge (especially Sheanon Williams and the Farfans). At some point those inefficiencies will dry up, but we’ll enjoy them as long as they last.

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  2. This kid is dynamic; anyone attending a game at PPL Park knows that. It seems like every time he touches the ball there are oohs and ahhs from the crowd. Definitely USMNT material. Star in the making.

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  3. excellent point about why he merits a callup now, but I don’t want to see this guy become another Jonathan Spector, an incredibly gifted midfielder who is relegated down the pecking order because he can also play fullback… he has the potential of become a true number 10 type player if given time to slow-play his hand.

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  4. I’m usually first in line to shoot down ridiculous fan demand for player call ups, but I think the Farfans are at least worth a look sooner than later.

    One of our best young fullbacks (Lichaj) has a long term injury right now, and Chandler can’t play on both sides. Plus, the Farfans are too old to train with the U23s. If Agudelo is worth a call up (and I think he is) despite not starting for the Red Bulls, I think we can at least bring one or both of the Farfans into camp.

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  5. Love Marfan and his brother Garfan is doing ok as well although he was thrust into a defensive position. I would say lets hold on and let Michael develop a little more before we call him to the MNT.

    What is great about Michael is that he seems to do the unexpected very calmly. IMO he has a big upside.

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