I agree - if Kovalenko plays and Kirovski is on the bench we win the cup. That is unless Jovan is used as a late sub and finds a way to give up a penalty, which I wouldn't put past him!
Still Donovan should of made that shot. He is the captain it all falls upon him once he places the armband on.
I won't dispute that he never lived up to expectations, but I feel I have to point out why he never made an appearance for Man United's first team. The club were genuinely excited about him, but he was just on a youth contract during his teens (hence not an "employee") which prohibited him from first team action. As soon as he became too old for such a contract, he required a Work Permit and back then the UK was notoriously stingy about that. With no work permit and nothing in place to work around it, the club effectively had to release him. I don't know if the upheaval of having to find a different club at that stage of his development was a factor in how he ended up, or if he was always going to plateau regardless. However, the loss of him, along with the failure to land a couple of non-EU prospects led to the connection with Royal Antwerp (where United sends non-WP eligible youngsters to rack up the caps or secure EU citizenship, as well as getting playing time).
Another one gone: Dear Family, Friends, and Fans, I am writing to let you all know that I have officially retired from professional soccer. It was not an easy From Dasan Robinson twitter.
And with this retirement our Allocation money increases yet again. I really wonder how much of it we have? I believe that if we wanted to we could technically bring in a DP level guy and pay dang near DP level money and stay within the cap. We need to go shopping.
Arena said that the Galaxy have the most allocation money ever since he's been here. Of course, with allocation money, use it or lose it.
So what would you all say is the shopping list? I'd say this: 1. Central defender. We are thin, thin, thin. Buying someone experienced would really help. 2. Striker. Still need someone better than Barrett to pair with Keane. 3. Central midfield. We've basically got only 2 central midfielders with Beckham and Sarvas. Birchall (if he re-signs) can help although I think he's been more effective on the wing, but other than that....eeks. Need some midfield cover. That's the order I'd be looking at things if I was Il Bruce.
I agree with this 100%. If we don't bring in a Center-Back in this offseason, I'd say hold onto the flexibility until mid-season and bring back Buddle for the 1/2 the money (because only 1/2 the season will be left), we should be able to cover it with the allocation money saved. Bring him back just in time for CCL group games, US Open Cup final, push for Supporters Shield, and MLS Cup Playoffs.
I don't think striker is as much of a liability. With 7 goals and 5 assists, Barrett's not exactly the disaster he's been made out to be up top. I think replacing the key components we've lost (Juni and Omar) is critical, where as improving our striker situation is a nice-to-have.
True this. And remember that Sarvas is cup-tied during the knockout round of CCL, so if we can get by Toronto (won't be as easy as some people think) then we'll be expected to defeat Santos Laguna (most likely) with a midfield pairing of Stephens and Birchall? Not gonna happen. Stephens and Beckham? Still doubtful.
Exactly. Just thinking about our midfield against Santos is hurting right now. We have to hope they don't take us seriously but with that game being the CCL semis, good luck with that. Hopefully we are able to either switch around our lineup because the center of the park is looking like a slight weakness in CCL.
Ever the optimist, I'm looking for Stephens to step up. He seemed to have a good U-23 camp and this his time to mark out his place on the team.
The problem with this is that we HAVE replaced Juninho, and it doesn't make sense to replace him twice just because Sarvas is cap-tied. And then, even assuming you are ok with Barrett being a starter (I'm not) then look at the depth at forward. When Robbie is gone for international games or, heaven forbid, goes down with a knock, we're starting Barrett and..uh...Noonan? McBean? That new rookie kid whose name I can't9 spell? Cristman? We need another quality forward. We have no one vaguely threatening off the bench or for injury cover. You can only do so much of pushing midfielders up to play quasi-striker. We need midfield depth, but we're even thinner up top.
Ladies and Gents Edson Buddle has returned. Let the Hate for LA continue http://www.lagalaxy.com/buddle
Now THAT is awesome news. Way awesome. Free transfer? Probably used our Ricketts allocation money to afford him? Thank you Bruce, it wasn't even my birthday! Buddle and Keane up top with Becks and Donovan feeding them balls? Oh my. Now we just better hope that Everton doesn't use money from selling Saha to buy Donovan, which is frankly a "must do" move for them if they can pull it off.
Three things: Saha went on a free. Nikica Jelavic just signed for 8m. The transfer window is closed. Their transfer situation is no different than before and unless his status as an Everton loan player allows for him to be signed outside the window (not sure on this), they won't be allowed to sign him anyway.
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2012/02/union-trade-midfielder-nakazawa-galaxy Here are the Kyle Nakazawa trade details: LA gets - Nakazawa, 2013 2nd Round SuperDraft pick (likely the lower of Philly's pick or the one that they got from FC Dallas) Philly gets - international roster spot (no mention as to the number of seasons that it gets the spot)
The trade compensation makes a lot more sense. WE get the second round pick, rather than giving it up. The Int'l player slot is more valuable than just Kyle Nakazawa (although he's a nice player).
Wow, Saha on a free? That's pretty crazy. Deal's dead then. I'm pretty sure the loan status allows him to be signed, however. I think that's how it worked with Beckham before---he was loaned during the transfer window so extension is fine. Kinda moot though, with Saha leaving on the free.
LA Galaxy Player Update RE-SIGNED Sean Franklin DF (Contract Renegotiated) Bryan Jordan DF (Contract Renegotiated) Adam Cristman F (Contract Renegotiated) David Beckham M (2 year contract extension) Leonardo D (extended Loan ) IN Marcelo Sarvas M (Free - LD Alajuelense) Jose Villareal M (HG Player) Pat Noonan F (Re-entry Draft Rd2 - SSFC) Nick Noble GK (Free - Ljungskile SK) Andrew Boyens D/M (Re-entry Draft Rd2 - CHV) Jovan Kirovski New assistant Coach Edson Buddle (Free ) Kyle Nakazawa (Trade with Union) Draft picks -pending contract agreement Tommy Meyer D (19th draft pick ) Kenney Walker DM (38th Draft pick ) Bryan Gaul FW/D (19th Supplemental pick) Rafael Garcia M (38th Supplemental pick) Steven Posa FW (62nd Supplemental pick) Justin Davies D (76th Supplemental pick) OUT Gregg Berhalter D (Retired) Donovan Ricketts GK (Trade to Montreal Impact) Juninho M (Loan ended) Jon Conway GK (Retired picked in re-entry draft) Miguel Lopez M (Loan ended) Frankie Hejduk (Out of contract) re picked in Re-entry draft Yuri Gorentzvaig FW (57th Supplemental pick) Release Dasan Robinson D(Option decline ) Retired Chris Leitch D (Re-entry Draft Rd2 - SJE) Retired Sean Alvarado UNKNOWN Chris Birchall M (Out of contract) Trialists Bill Gaudette J.T. Murray