Anderson. love your thoughts! I would guess though that Defensive depth is likely number one on the list, falling to number two if Carr is unable to go. I think there was some hope that Giles would provide that offensive central attack role so I would guess they still have some thinking to do on how to handle that role moving forward.
I like Kandji as a starter out wide if we're going 4-3-3, I don't think he slots in especially well as a true striker in a 4-4-2. Totally agree that a pure striker is now #1 on the shopping list. Beat me to it but I was thinking the same thing. Giles seems like he could fit into the CAM spot really well, I don't know if he never quite got to full Texas-climate fitness but I've seen some brilliant flashes from him. Hopeful that he can really mesh with the team through a full preseason and do some good things for us next season.
Frankly I am torn on the guy. He is exceptionally skilled and has great vision. He appears to move in slow motion on defense, but it could be he is just smarter than I am. I am not sure where Dom slots him right now either. Not good enough to take Moffat off the filed and go more traditional in the midfield with personnel but enough he is a first option off the bench in attacking situations. I think depending on his salary number that may be a tough decision.
Great. MLS is gonna send Carr's mom to "sensitivity training" for using the politically incorrect word "retarded."
Let me sort of put it another way - if we were going to dick around with Kandji for say a $15K salary difference annually, maybe we don't do that with Carr on the shelf for a while. I don't think we'll "overpay" but maybe you soften a bit around the edges. At the same time, we let Ngwenya walk, let Oduro shop around, Ashe, etc. I think we seldom end up overpaying guys compared to what they would get elsewhere in MLS.
He's 28 so he's still at that age we can consider him, but we're looking for a player that can score double digit figures to keep some pressure off of Bruin. I don't think he fits that mold.
Who is available that fits that mold??? Anyone know anyone from Central or South America that we could be looking at?
I think of Santos as a playmaker/supporter though. And he can play in the middle. He's no DeRo, but still. But he's also a forward that can score some when in the right system. And if Dom gets a hold of him, who know what he can do for his scoring...
I don't know much about Eric Brunner other than he's the tallest person on our team. Does anybody expect him to challenge Boswell or Taylor for a CB spot?
N not next year. I think the chemistry is there between Taylor and bobby so it'll be tough for Bruner to step in and get a spot. Probably see him more in CCL and US open cup and reserve leagues, and the occasional start to spell the other two. 2014? that's a different question.
Honestly, guys, I look at that list and I don't see any starters worth having. Some depth, sure, but not what we need. Going to have to look elsewhere for that.
Darrell Lovell has an article at dynamo.com indicating we made the bona fide or qualifying offers to Hainault and Kandji but they are going to test the waters elsewhere. Implications are we made the offers just to retain their rights if they leave and if they actually return, the contracts might be different. Also said Weaver is a decent shot to return. But no info on others whose options may have been declined.
It was kind of expected that Andre would leave since we signed Brunner. I gathered from these forums that we either needed Kandji or Weaver but not both due to salary cap, so now we know which one we're keeping. lol