2013-2014 Columbus Crew Offseason Roster Thread

If we cant afford Valeri then we can't afford GBS

 

Portland paid a $3 million fee IIRC.

 

HSG certainly wasn't going to pay 3 mil for a second DP. We got Higuain for less than 1 mil. Valeri makes 400K according to the union while Higuain makes more than that. It's a bit odd that the transfer fee would be such a large multiple of his annual pay. Either that or it was poor negotiating by Paulsen. Maybe Portland was happy to get him on loan then found him indispensable.

In any event the Crew should be able to afford a second DP in 2014 if they want one.

 

Actually, there's an element of class to the whole thing when both sides demonstrate the ability to keep private matters out of the media.

 

It's way to early for that. If this hire goes south and we suck, or are even mediocre, this will not die.

 

Wasn't sure where to put it, but did you guys see this picture of Pipa with hair?? lol

http://instagram.com/p/gWLosNEN0z/

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that Tony Tchani is going to be on the Crew again next year, and that he might even compete for a starting spot. He's got all the physical tools to succeed, and new coaches tend to think they can be the spark to change a guy's mental habits.

The other day he mentioned, "There’s technical players, there’s players with speed, there’s players with strength. It’s a good mix." Unfortunately, though, there aren't many players on this team that I would classify as "strong" besides Tchani (and Marshall I suppose). Obviously this is totally anecdotal, so all I'm saying is... it's a hunch.

 

NECC, are you trying to make me go fully grey before I turn 42?

 

Who thinks the Crew will have a Swedish player on the roster next year?

 

Wilhemsson worked out great for LA last year.

 

@Captain Splarg??

 

If they are as good, relatively speaking, as the one I had on my co-rec team a number of years ago, I won't complain.

 

Peter Forsberg turned out to be a hall of famer.

 

Johan Elmander or Josefine Öqvist. Take your pick.

 

Zlatan or nothing

 

O'Rourke wants to return. At his age and salary I'm sure he does.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/covering-the-crew/2013/11/orourke.html

 

I'm sure if you asked anyone on the team, they'd all say they want to return. Easier to get resigned by the same team than picked up in the cold by another.

 

I like Danny--but not at that price with his history of injury. But it's always good to have some local players.

 

Would you take him back with a paycut and the understanding that he's essentially a full-time sub? Is his leadership on and off the field worth the roster spot and cap hit?

 

No.

 

Absolutely. As a defender, he can really help this team's depth. Don't think he should be making any more than about 120k- a significant paycut but he isn't worth much more than that. That should clear room to sign Oduro without dipping into our other funds.

 

I was thinking more like 90-100k. With the health issues we seem to always have in defense he would be good to have on the bench.

 

Sure, but I think soccer teams in general and MLS teams in particular, overvalue youth. O'Rourke isn't worth his current contract though. I think to get him to take a paycut they have to waive him, letting another team pick up his current deal. If he isn't claimed then he and the team are free to strike a new deal. I wouldn't offer more than 75-80K however. He's a backup player now and would only start in someone else's absence.

 

Well according to MLSTransfers on that there twitter.....Berhalter has reached out to Luke Rodgers to see if he wants to come back to MLS......

 

Gregg Berhalter press conference... once again no live video feed... sack the communication team.