LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has urged fans to manage their expectations of U.S. national team attacker Gyasi Zardes.
The LA Galaxy youngster, without a cap before the year began, has made 12 starts for the national team in 2015, including an impressive performance in the 2-1 friendly win over Peru.
#INSERT type:image caption:LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena urged fans to not over-hype Gyasi Zardes. END#
Although he did not get on the score sheet, he was probably the team's most effective player with almost every attack going through him on the left wing.
But Arena, speaking before the Galaxy's home clash against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, urged caution.
"For all of these young players, everyone in our country overreacts, because we've not had enough good players. When there's a hint someone will be good, everyone overreacts," the former U.S. national team manager, told MLSSoccer.com.
"Gyasi's making progress, yeah, but a game, a season, is not a career.
"So I'd say in the case of Gyasi, as would be the case with other players in his category -- where they're young and just kind of starting their professional career -- give it time. Don't draw any conclusions over one season or one game. Let's see what happens over time."
Zardes, who earned his first national team call in January after a breakout 16-goal season as the Galaxy won the MLS Cup title, is also keeping his success in perspective.
"That's what I'm working on: consistency," he said. "I know that as a young player, you have good game, bad game, good game, bad game. But I'm trying to grow and be more consistent."
He said he was taking nothing for granted on the national team either.
"I'm thankful to always get called into the camps," he told the league's website. "I try to take these opportunities seriously and learn as much as I can from the coaches and the players.
"Nothing's guaranteed. Another person could be called up, and another person could have your spot. So I'm just trying to work hard every chance I get."
Zardes signed as a Homegrown Player with LA Galaxy just prior to the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, and was targeted by clubs in Europe during the summer transfer window.
Since the arrival of Giovani dos Santos in Los Angeles he has been playing on the wing more often, but Arena said the best spot for him "remains to be seen."
Arena said the 24-year-old would continue to play both out wide and up front, adding that he needs to be "a little cleaner with his first touch and a little better in the penalty area."
Zardes' comments about how he was trying to work on everything drew support from LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane.
"Once you have that mentality, to keep on [learning], you're only going to get better," Keane said. "Certainly someone like him. He's a good kid, he's always willing to listen, always wants to learn, and he's certainly improved a hell of a lot."
Arena stressed that the process would take time.
"Steven Gerrard did it for 18 years. Robbie Keane did it for 18 years," he said. "Those are guys that you can label as big-time players and successful players. Our young guys need a lot more time and experience."