The Future is Bright For Doran
By Arnold Irish St. Louis Post-Dispatch
High-scoring Don Ebert of the Steamers and Coach Dave Clements haven't always seen eye-to eye on soccer matters.
But they're in total agreement that the projected development of midfielder Daryl Doran is the Steamers' most promising feature as the team prepares for the Major Indoor Soccer League season that will begin next month.
Clements and Ebert, bearded prophets if ever there were two, are on record as predicting MISL stardom for the 20-year-old ballhandling whiz.
"I take it as a complement, but I don't know if they'll be right, " Doran said. "I've got a lot to learn, but I'm learning it from players like Eebs, Steve Pecher, and Tony Bellinger. And from Ty Keough. Especially from Ty, because he's a midfielder. I've learned a lot already."
Drafted by the Steamers out of Christian Brothers College High School, Doran played at St. Louis University briefly two years ago before signing with the Steamers last season. And despite scoring only three goals in limited play, he displayed a sense of flow that is rare in players so inexperienced.
Doran has a combination of rugged defensive play with deft ballhandling that many a veteran would envy.
He said he had developed his ballhandling while playing against brothers Dan and Don, a former Steamer, now with the Los Angeles Lazers. "Playing against bigger, older players makes you better," Doran said. "Ball control is especially valuable to a midfielder because it gives you time to set up goals for your teammates."
Doran's college career was finished almost before it began. After playing six games for St. Louis University, he spent six weeks representing the United States on its National Youth Team in Australia.
"I turned pro because I wanted to become a better soccer player as early as I could," he said.
Doran's decision was motivated in part because he was concerned about arthritis in his feet - specifically the big toe of each foot.
"Calcium had formed in the joints, "Doran explained. "I had surgery on my right foot in 1980 and on my left foot last April."
What irony could be greater than a soccer player with sore dogs?
"When I had trouble with my feet, it slowed me down and limited my maneuverability," Doran said. "It hurt to run, but it hurt even more to kick the ball."
Doran said his arthritis "was part of the reason" why he had given up on college so soon. "I wasn't much of a scholar, either," he said.
Doran, whose "Popeye" muscles set him apart from most soccer players in appearance, credits his physique and strength to time spent in the weight room. "I've worked with weights for years," he said.
Doran says it's too early in his career to set objectives of so many goals or assists in a season.
"I have only two goals," he said. "First is for our team to win the MISL championship. Second is for me to become the best player I can be."
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