2013-14 Sporting Kansas City Offseason Thread (Now Comes with Spring Transfer Window!)

Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen retires
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/09/3808960/sporting-kc-goalkeeper-jimmy-nielsen.html#morer

 

there's some discussion on his retirement in the "offseason movement" thread.

 

Apparently Jorge Claros is being allowed to explore options including MLS. Dmid that we were linked to him in the summer.
http://www.diez.hn/Inicio/Ediciones...-podria-volver-a-Europa-o-la-MLS#.Uqh0RRY3-uo

 

Enriquez ain't got time for your already existing threads.

 

Were Sporting to sign him, would he contend with Uri or Paolo for a spot?

 

He's not specifically linked to SKC in that article, but if he came here I would hope he could contend for either dmid or box to box. We have more depth at dmid with Uri and Olumn than we do at box to box role, especially if HX is unavailable.

 

I only mention Sporting as plausible since he was in serious talks with KC in the last window. I still think he is someone the ownership is looking at.

I like his pedigree and would like to see him in a box to box role. Problem is, I've grown to love Paolo and I don't really think I want to see either sitting around on the bench most of the time. I guess all this "who gets whose position" talk is silly, since it's entirely possible we might ship off any of the players in question.

 

I definitely think we need to pick up a solid keeper. Kronberg has put in his time but is still unproven and when you have a team good enough to win hardware, you cannot be taking that gamble. Kempin is hopefully our future but very rarely are keepers playing at a high level at that age. Many keepers do not even start peaking until close to 30 or in their 30s.

We need depth, depth, and more depth. If anyone that was a starter throughout the season that leaves needs replaced. I watched the MLS Cup last night and when looking at our available subs, I was thinking about how thin our bench is and with departures, it will get thinner.

I think Bunbury will be gone this offseason. Collin is obviously a risk. Zusi and Besler will likely have offers coming in during the winter window and each subsequent window so that is always a threat.

We still need to fix our scoring woes. With our stingy defense, we could have cakewalked our way to the SS and MLS Cup with just a tad bit more scoring. We are still missing that guy who can create chances and put the ball on frame regularly. Maybe Bieler can be that guy but that will definitely require some work put in during the offseason to figure out how to get that to work.

 

http://www.infovera.com.ar/2013/12/el-campeon-vuelve-al-club-de-sus-amores/

Interesting article regarding Claudio Bieler. I can't read Spanish too well, but google helped me out a bit. There were some parts I didn't quite understand, but after reading it through I think Claudio sounds like a great guy. First off he returned home and then is going to play in a charity match with his friends and people from around the town. He was humble about the fact that he was benched and stated that he's a professional and has to respect his coach. Sounds like the penalty shootout and winning it all made the struggle worth it. Can anybody with a better grasp on the original language provide a better analysis?

I think he wants to stay if he can play and he doesn't sound like someone who would step down from a challenge. If I had to guess, I would say he's back.

 

Kyle Miller and Brendan Ruiz were waived today.

 

I would take Eddie Johnson in a heartbeat. Perfect Vermes forward.

 

As far as skill set, yes.

 

Off the field, not so much

 

I don't even think on the field either. He doesn't have the defensive hustle or team mentality Peter wants. He's one of those forwards who wants to sit at the front line and be fed balls so he can try to score. Those forwards have their place, but that isn't a Vermes squad.

 

What was Teal when he got here? What I meant by this is he has all the athletic abilities that PV likes in a forward. Knowing PV he can turn EJ into a more defensive forward that fits the system.

 

Teal was 20 years old when he came to KC, Johnson turns 30 in March.

Something about an old dog and new tricks.

 

We talking about the same Eddie Johnson?

 

Benny certainly learned some new tricks....

 

Except Teal was young and willing to learn. EJ seems... finalized.

 

And Benny, for all his flaws, doesn't have the attitude Johnson has.

 

Yea I get it... Sure EJ has his problems on and off the field. He's not perfect but who is? Especially for this system. Benny came in and after time adjusted his game to fit us. Last year you don't see Benny sprinting towards goal every time he gets the ball or making 40 yard defensive runs.

Yea EJ needs Some work but if there's a manager in the league that can change him it's PV. With a little work with EJ we could have the 15-18 goal system fitting forward that we dream of.

 

What attitude does he have? Is there anywhere it's been mentioned?

 

Sme people mature at later ages, and you could say that Collin, Benny and Eddie all have their detractors about things on the pitch at least. The only way I see EJ here is if he comes hat in hand and buys in after learning a few things. Kind of feels like Vermes had to break Benny with regards to conditioning, at least, and then his strengths found a venue to shine through. Is EJ that self aware, or beyond redemption? I listened to his brief reflection on his USOC PK miss in Overlap magazine, and he seemed more rational than I would have expected given how he is portrayed.

 

I'm having flashbacks. 2007: The year Eddie Johnson was offside.

 

Sparks27, I believe you are not seeing what everyone else sees. Eddie Johnson is a headcase. Always has been. Has his moments of brilliance, and many more lengthy periods of frustrating ineffectiveness.

At least three "attitude" displays that I can think of -- the whole original GAM answer, the pointing to his name after he scored in Dallas after a lengthy absence from the USMNT, and the "pay me" brouhaha last season. There are others. He has flamed out of one club after another over the course of his career.

He is most assuredly NOT a "perfect Vermes forward", and I absolutely do not want him back in Kansas City.