Off-Season Player Rumors & Movement 2013

I can't tell from the 2012 Roster Rules. You might be right.

Seems likely that they will blow up the team after this year, unless Backe wins the Cup, which won't happen. PCNJ has a poor road goal differential, and will not survive a single round elimination away game against a strong side. I think Le Toux or Cooper would be strong possibilities for off season signings, unless "head spinning" moves mean SackHack does nothing again.

Just found the phone Gomez is still Kansas City property based on what I know and have heard(left on free transfer) so a trade would be acquired. Speaking of USMNT pool players in the Mexican League who may join MLS sooner than Gomez, Michael Orozco Fiscal recently expressed an interest in coming back to MLS. Whether Philly still has his MLS rights remains to be determined - even if MOF is not a roster fit here assuming Soumare's knee injury does not keep him on the sidelines - MOF would be decent trade bait especially for a team like Chivas which is weak on defense. On the positive side - while the fact that he was in MLS on a loan, I believe that it would mean that Philly has his rights (in Expansion Drafts - teams had to protect players on loan if they wanted to retain them). On the negative side, it sounded like MOF may not have gotten a qualifying offer in 2011 given the Nowak bung story (MOF was making $200K in 2010 - then Nowak supposedly only offered him a $120K contract in 2011 with a transfer fee kickback to bridge the contract $ cut - that reduced contract offer in 2011 would mean that Philly no longer has his MLS rights).

I have been in the same boat as others who think that NY will look to shed some payroll, espsecially given the GM and likely coaching changes. Le Toux has been a sub more often than a starter as of late so he seems like a prime candidate although the new French Connection in the NYRB front office may like a fellow countryman. Cooper is the other one who may not fit their mold for an ideal striker partner with Henry - although Cooper is not a target forward, he does have a track record of being able to score in the air (unfortunately remember Cooper's goals in the U's game at Red Bull Arena back in July).

As long as these guys are willing to play for $40,000 Nick will move heaven and earth to sign them.

Tidied

It's not a rumor, but aside from wanting Cooper/Bruin/Hassli/Herculez (pretty please), there are a couple of other MLS players that I would like to see the Union go out and get. For LB, Roy Miller and Chris Wingert are going to be out of contract at the end of this year. Neither guy makes more than $150k. I'd be more interested in Wingert, as he's played for good RSL teams, and he'd bring some much needed experience to the backline. I'd also like to see us try to get Will Hesmer as a challenger to MacMath. Hesmer's out of contract at the end of the year, as well, and I don't think Columbus is going to re-sign him, even though they do have a club option on him for 2013. (I think Columbus is going to stick with the cheaper Greunebaum, and let Hesmer walk.) He's only earning $180k this year. He's won an MLS Cup, and two Supporters Shields, and coming off of an injury, he could be looking to make himself a starter. It would be nice to have him. I would also like to see us make a play for Omar Cummings because he's relatively inexpensive, and I'm sure Colorado is looking to make serious changes after this season. Cummings is contracted until 2014, though, so we would have to wait and see.

I think we could find some good buys in free agency during the offseason for players with MLS experience. If we can keep our quality young players, and surround them with more MLS-experienced players, I think we could quickly turn things around in the way San Jose did this year.

I remember thinking that we should have taken Hartman, as well. The guy was a machine for FC Dallas that year, and he took them to the Cup Final. He may very well be a better fit as a backup than Hesmer, but I think he'll still want to be a starter. If he decides that he would like to continue his career as a guy who challenges for starting spots, and as an aid to a younger keeper, then I'd love to have him. However, after these last three years in Dallas, I think someone's going to snag him as a starter. Truth be told, I think the Red Bulls, after all their troubles between the sticks the last few years, might take a crack at him.

Keeper, to me, is a little further down on the list of needs. While MacMath has had some shaky goals allowed, he still shows a lot of promise and has made some spectacular saves this year. While an aging keeper who would be fine as a backup could definitely benefit MacMath, I would worry about someone who would come in expecting to start having an adverse effect on Zac. I think he has the tools to become a quality keeper in MLS. He is still young and very athletic so he has not reached his ceiling, hopefully not even close. I had really hoped that Mondragon was here for this last year to share starting duties to help MacMath grow but that shipped sailed and from what little was said by him, Fayrd wanted out for a specific reason.

Brad Friedel is on his way down and out at Tottenham, sounds like a good mentoring gig.

For a team that has never spent any money on a backup keeper and has had very good results with Harrison and Konopka at league minimum prices this year, do you really think the team is going to make a backup GK a priority this offseason?

I agree, however there are a bunch here that seem to think cheap yet serviceable keepers aren't good enough. Every team needs three, and if you can mitigate cap cost on your backups why not do it? If there is a true mentoring issue, then someone that has tons of experience but may be on his last season or two professionally may be a good fit.

I agree in theory, but in reality, paying $150k or $200k for a backup GK when Harrison and Konopka have been fine at less than $50k each may be a waste of money.

Caveat #1: I see some value in having Albright around this year and I believe he falls into the "mentor" role.

Caveat #2: If the team doesn't spend every penny of cap amount, it's worth it to have all the "mentors" that are available.

I'm not saying it should be a priority, but I think MacMath needs to be pushed, and if he regresses (because he certainly doesn't seem like he's improved as the season has gone along) then I would like to see someone replace him, even if only to light a fire under his ass. Right now, only he Williams and Valdes seem like the only locks on this team for next year, and I don't think he's earned that locked up spot this year. Going into next year, I would like to see someone challenge him for his spot, and make him earn it. I think having it handed to him after Mondragon left may not have been the best thing for his progression.

THIS.
I think often some people, including myself forget that he couldn't even drink legally until a month and two days ago. He's very young. I mean the situation is different but De Gea for Man United. Very young, makes a lot of mistakes, still a good GK. (Proportion for all you math nerds like me...)

De Gea ......... MacMath

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Man United (EPL) ...... Union (MLS)

I'm honestly not too worried about MacMath. I think there would be value in having a guy like Friedel set an example, but in all seriousness, Friedel would cost quite a bit, I'm sure there would be allocation/returning national team issues with getting him, and he's also a better keeper than MacMath, even at 42 years old so there's the potential of doing as much harm as good. MacMath needs to play. His mistakes will be magnified, but the kid needs to play. I look at a guy like Guzan and the reason he's where he is is because Chivas USA stuck with him. He had some awful moments and I'm sure shell shocked more often than not on those early Chivas teams, but that experience really paid off for him.

I wouldn't say so. McInerney's spot shouldn't be given if we can bring in a more proven goalscorer who can play alone up top should Hackworth continue to play the 4-3-3. Gaddis has a roster spot, but I wouldn't say he's a starter. Okugo will be battling with Soumare at the start of next year. Although he's been good for the Union, I wouldn't just hand him that other center back spot if Soumare can show he's the better of the two. Although Michael Farfan was an All-Star, I'm still not incredibly sold on him as a starter. If my choices were bringing in a better LM/LW and moving Freddy to AM, or keeping Adu out on the left, and Michael in the AM role, then I'm going with the former.

While these four players you mentioned should be on the roster, I don't think they should be handed an automatic starting spot on next year's team.

I don't think that there should be locks at any position. I think that players should be brought in to push every player at every position so everyone is looking over his shoulder at all times.

Oh wait. We tried that method. And it failed miserably.

Do you feel that this team is good as it is, and we shouldn't push players? How many would you say deserve to be locks at their position, based on what you saw as a whole from this season and past seasons? Do you think that 9 of the same players in their current positions would be good enough to challenge for a playoff spot next year? How about 7?

Maybe that should have been in red. It was really just a dig at Nowak.

To answer your question, I think that MacMath, Williams and Valdes (assuming he doesn't flee to greener pastures; his stock may never be higher than it will be this offseason and he's not getting any younger) are locks at their positions. I think that Okugo and Marfan should be starters but not necessarily at the positions that they played this year. Everything else should be reevaluated.

If Soumare is still on the roster next year, I would be surprised if he was even fit to compete for a starting spot. Okugo and Valdes are pretty much locks for me at CB.

Mac is the best striker on the roster right now, although that's not saying much. His game has improved with the consistent minutes he's been given this year, especially his passing and crossing, which was downright dreadful when he was first handed the job. I would not consider him a lock for a starting spot, but if a veteran forward was brought in, he could be paired up top with him. If he is played consistently, he will probably reach double digits next year.

I'm also not sold on Marfan. It seems to me he was better suited on the wing. He was more productive in fewer minutes last year when played there. He struggled when played centrally the first half of this season. FWIW, Freddy Adu has had more goals and assists in fewer minutes, even though he's been played mostly out of his preferred position. This is not to say I necessarily endorse the idea of turning over the keys to Adu as CAM, it's just to point out that Marfan's production has been surprisingly low considering the praise heaped on him.

Dare I say that Gaddis brings more to the attack than Williams does? He is not as strong defensively as Williams, but his speed and crossing especially are superior. In a system where you are playing your wide defenders as wingbacks, you need someone that can put in good crosses like Gaddis can. I would not consider Williams a lock at RB.