News: 2013 Fire Roster Speculation

I think we're set at fullback. We have 4 RBs and Hunter Jumper seems adequate at backup LB. We will definitely need CBs. With Anibaba at RB, we have 2 CBs when we should have at least 5. Thompson also has backup LM locked up probably.

We didn't lose anyone to the waiver draft, but we still could lose players to the re-entry draft.

 

Waiver draft and re-entry draft are separate drafts. The list of players exposed to the re-entry draft will be announced after MLS Cup.

 

If we bring him back I'm jumping from the upper deck.

 

Chicago calls Katsouranis! Kostas Katsouranis?

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.tvkosmos.gr/details.aspx?id=883090

 

Pardo replacement? Can't imagine we need a fourth d-mid...

 

It doesnt look like Kostas is interested, at least from the translation.

 

I think right now its a longshot but Kudos to Frank for seeing an opportunity and at least looking into it.Kostas is a DM, but more like Pardo then Pause.He would give us some real depth and versatility in the middle.The Fire were a different team without Pardo on the field, who knows how much he has left.But he is still a player that should be considered for some sort of role.I know some are going to go into a hysteric over anohter DM, but the team should at least entertain the idea of a player of Katsouranis' calibre.

 

Puppo maybe if there's an I slot open. Robayo no

 

"Coach is Frank theft." Klopas = Theft in Greek?

 

Klopas is derived from a name in the new testament.Google translate just mistakes it for klopi ,which is Greek for theft.d

 

Out of the guys who have been cut, the two that pop out to me are Toni Tchani and Ike Opara. Both I think still have a lot of potential but have been injured too often. They were making pretty good salaries by MLS standards (120-150k I think). If both of those guys are healthy in the off season, I would sign them for maybe 1/2 the price of their old deals. It could be a low risk/high reward signing. Both are 23 years old.

Tim Ward was also cut, he had a decent season with us and probably could still come on as a back up LB on a minimum contract. Only 25 years old.

 

Players picked up in first stage of the re-entry draft retain their salary levels.If a player is still availible the team that cut them have the opportunity to offer a new contract prior to the second stage.I think Opara is a better fit for the Fire, but I would bet if he isnt picked up in the first stage San Jose has an offer already worked out to present to him.I dont see him falling to the Fire for a reduced salary, someone will gamble on him in the first or San Jose will bring him back.They were facing having to pay all of his $185,000 GA salary for someone who hasnt been a big part of their success.

 

Benny had his contract declined from Revs. He is making 400k a year but is not a DP somehow. I'm not sure if anyone in the league would take him at that price. Maybe Galaxy might since he is a local guy and I think Galaxy gets a bunch of allocation money from winning the cup. If he doesn't get chosen and we can get him at about 1/2 that price, I would take him.

Also, how about Le Toux? He is out of contract at the end of the year, and RB new GM was talking about investing more time into the draft. They don't have a pick now, so maybe they would switch LeToux rights for our SuperDraft pick?

FW - Le Toux
FW - Rolfe
LM - Flaco
CM - Benny
CM - Alex
RM - Nyarko
LB - Segares
CB - Fredrich
CB - Berry
RB - Anibaba
GK - Johnson

If McDonald leaves it would mean we would still have a DP slot to fill in the summer. Looks like a strong squad.

 

Benny isn't awful in defense. In reality what you'd probably see is Rolfe move more into the MF and Alex probably be switched out for someone like Pause. But I do think that Benny and LeToux are good pick ups for us if we can get them at a good price (under 250k). They are at a good age and they both have shown great ability but are both undervalued at this point because they didn't fit in well at their clubs. LeToux was one of the best in the league at Philly. They also have lots of MLS experience.

 

Benny is not a starter on this team unless pardo is done.while I'm of the opinion that its crucial they find a succesor this year for Pavel, I don't think benny is the answer.also I think macdonald is here for at least 2013.I don't see letoux filling his role, he could be an option off the bench ,but I think mac gets the start.

 

If we can get Le Toux I'm all for it.

 

I really like the idea of LeToux and Rolfe together. I think they are very similar players and could play well off each other. Neither of them are target guys, but they both play well between a forward and the MF. He was also on a very similar contract to Rolfe (170k). I'm not sure how you wouldn't be interested in a 28 year old who was a top 5 player in the league 2 years ago, who makes about the same as Bone. Benny I think could start on this team I think the question would be how much his contract gets negotiated to. There is no way he is worth 400k in MLS, at least not for us. Like I said I think Galaxy gets a bunch of allocation funds so they might just use it on him to try to fill the Beckham void, but for us, if we get him in at a reasonable amount (Segares level contract) I think he would be really useful. He isn't a great holding MF, but has played it and can get forward and play on the RM. Maybe being in Chicago he could get some of that Gold Cup 07' magic back.