Smart move. The season finale was just a tiny sample of Klute but I really liked what I saw. Calmly defended and cool with the ball at his feet. Tall and slender for an outside but looks to have a nice physique. Call me crazy but could he lock down the LB spot??? Or do most see him rotating in due to injuries, suspensions, and rest of others??
No idea about locking down any spot this season, but even for a game vs second stringers, he seemed to show enough upside to keep around to see how he develops. It would not surprise me if he grew into a starting role. But since we've seen so little of him, it also would not surprise me if it turns out he can't cut it.
No surprise here, but good news anyway. I'm a little worried that we haven't heard any contract related news about Marvell and Smith though.
Hinchey tweeted at one point that Marvell was re-signed. Haven't heard a word about Smith so my guess is that he's gone.
Smith was brought into Oscar's office for 40 seconds where Oscar told him he didn't have a place on the team. This was after asking him to stick around and promising him playing time.
Last I heard the team was still considering what to do with Smith, and whether or not they end up signing Eric Avila (who might as well be a younger Smith with much more upside) is probably going to have a lot to do with it.
wynalda is incredibly high on him... has said multiple times he believe chris can and will be the next eddie pope
If what Hinchey says is true, they've yet to officially announce it, and MLSsoccer.com still shows him as "option declined" and in the "out" column.
They also haven't officially announced Thomas IIRC. Not to mention Calderon being signed weeks before the announcement.