If Nowak is still here d mid. With this team I would almost go best available after you weed out keeper and d mid.
Caleb Porter If we do get a top 2 draft pick, I think we just take whoever is best on the board. Yes we have a ton of midfielders, but I think we need to improve in most positions
who are we kidding.. With the 1st selection in the 2013 MLS draft, the Philadelphia Union........trade there #1 overall pick to (insert random team here) for 2 2014 2nd round picks, Allocation Money, and a groundskeeping to be named later.
I think that the first page (and that Brotherly Game article) may be over-stating the salary cap hit from Freddy Adu. Born in 1989, doesn't he still count as 21-23?
You are correct - Adu's salary budget hit is at that young DP $ amount (we will soon be updating the original post with all of the latest info). The issue with Adu was that he was not a DP last season per all reports (Adu being on a pro-rated salary for half a season - the Union likely just bought down his salary budget hit via allocation $ to avoid him being a DP) - the MLS press box release was the first time, IIRC, that there has been any official mention as to Adu's DP status in 2012.
I thought at the time when the announced the new Young DP rule they said it is not retroactive so Adu would could as a full DP not a Young DP? Or was that never really answered previously?
What's the deal with Jack McInerney? Is he really below Hoffman and Hoppenot on the depth chart? Has he offended Piotr like Seba and Danny did? Clearly, he's not injured because he played (and scored twice) in the last reserve game. I requested that Hackworth be asked that question last night but I don't believe it was asked.
The problem I think with Jack is he is regressing. He isn't getting playing time which impacts his play. And then when he does get a couple minutes he is trying too hard to do anything. I just don't know if he has the talent at this level, too often he seems to just run around and when the ball is at his feet almost doesn't know what to do with it. Maybe I'm wrong, he WAS a high draft pick just like Danny and both look to be withering on the vine, before we give up on both of them I would love to see a different approach taken with them. (with a new coaching staff)
He's still only 19 yrs old. Young players often go through difficult patches in their careers. It also needs to be noted that there is more competition for spots in the match day 18, then there was the past 2 seasons. Fwd is one of the positions on our team that has the most promising young talent and potential with JM9, DM10, Hoffman, Martinez, and Hoppenot. That's not including Hernandez, & Adu who can play in the MF and up top. Pajoy and Herdling add more experience to that group as well. Even though to us it may look like he's regressing, but maybe it's the guys he's competing with for a spot are just better then him at this point in time.
But McInerney was invited to the Olympic camp and (as far as I know) Hoffman and Hoppenot were not even considered for the team. Clearly, Porter saw him as more valuable than Nowak does.
I think it is unfair to judge what these guys do that are getting substitue minutes.... Nowak, Hack, or whoever is making these dicisions, subs in the 78-83rd minute weather it is JacMac or Martienz. Both of those sub minute strikers are playing well in the reserve matches, where they are getting starts and enough time to get a rythem. Prime example, Martienz plays pretty well off bench, however great game starting yesterday and in last few reserve matches.... to the point.... either give them a first team start or at the minimum sub them into the match between 60-70 min mark
But it only took Torres less than a minute to score against the Pink Cows last year so 5-10 minutes should be more then enough time! I get making a defensive sub late in the game but I totally agree that attacking subs should get more time. Let them get there legs and a feel for the game.
Apparently Gomez has torn his vastus medialis which is in his thigh. He is probably only going to miss a game with Panama so no time missed with us so let's hope for the best.
What happened to McInerney? He seems to score in the latest reserve league matches but cant get onto the roster for MLS or Open Cup. Is he in the dog house or is he injured?
Vast difference between reserve matches and first team play. I just wonder if McInerney has the physical tools to compete. He is an intelligent player and can put the ball on goal when he gets the chance. But, might not be enough - at least for now.
OP updated with latest movement - both player and staff. Sorry for the delay, Zman. But I'll tell ya, this new BigSoccer really makes it easier to update with all the WYSIWYG formatting.