Reason for the lack of real depth

Depth? We don't even have bodies in certain positions, much less "depth", since that implies a degree of quality.

Here's Chicago's bench from Saturday:

Baggio Husidic, Patrick Nyarko, Mike Banner, Calen Carr, Andrew Dykstra, Justin Mapp, Austin Washington

Here's our bench from Saturday:

Nico Colaluca, Amaechi Igwe, Brad Knighton, Chris Tierney, Mauricio Castro, Wells Thompson, Pat Phelan

Chicago had 3 attacking options and an A-mid (Husidic).

We had not a single, solitary attacking option off the bench or even a player you could consider an a-mid in the most important game of our season.

How is that possible?

Can you imagine any professional team anywhere not having a forward to bring in off the bench in the most important game of that team's season?

All because ONE of our forwards couldn't play this year?

The mismanagement of personnel is borderline criminal considering they're taking people's money at the gate for this.

Cant really argue with this though some will pipe up and say drafting is a crap shoot and Nicol has a good track record. One other thing to mention is that 3 of the international spots are held by players under 21 years old. Yes Nyassi and Mansally have potential but with limited roster space and money MLS teams can not really afford the luxury of having players on their roster that can not contribute from day one. I question why assengue was even signed when their was an obvious lack of quality players on the current roster

Is the reason for lack of talent that they haven't drafted well...or that they rely on the draft? I'm going with the latter. The draft is becoming less and less relevant year after year.

Of course we have argued this before in this forum, and some people disagree with these assessments, but I think the teams steady decline into mediocrity is pretty good evidence.

Sadly, until we see some changes, there is nothing to indicate that they are going to change their out dated MLS philosophy.

drafting is a crap shoot, which is why relying on it, is a road to ruin.

Hell, Houston had a 26 year old Mexican international forward DP on their bench along with Ashe and Weaver, Chivas two guys that combined for 12 goals, LA had Lewis, Gordon and Kirovski and a U23 international in Jordan. Seattle had Leveque, LeTaux and Nyassi. Crew had Rogers, Lenhart and Garvey and RSL had Mathis, Campos and Movsisyan. Every playoff team had a more attacking options off the bench than the Revs

and he is back!!!!!! Hola!

Ssshh. MLS is designed for parity, all teams are equal, we had injuries, BKIASBM

...aaaaand that about sums it up. Another season, another first-round exit in the playoffs to a hated rival. A playoff appearance gifted to us from the Gods Of Soccer (who had RBNY winning at home against TFC?) no less.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohRbJJohv6Y]Something better change.[/ame]

Parkhurst was a defender of the year and earned a few US caps during his tenure here.

The 2009 draft has up to this point been succesful. I can't see why Barnes and Alston would dip in form, but considering what they've given us so far I would consider 2009 a good draft.

Also consider supplemental picks on the roster in Dube and Tierney in 08, and Larentowicz in 05.

I wouldn't say we're drafting poorly, but rather we're relying too heavily on the draft to replace guys like Dorman, Noonan, Dempsey, Parkhurst, and the injuries to Ralston and Twellman.

If we were to make the one or two off-season acquisitions in addition to grabbing guys like Barnes and Alston, I can't see how the off-season is considered a failure. With that said, it's far too big a gamble to rely on drafted rookies from day 1 as we did this season.

The off-season is a failure, because you a no better off than you were the year before.

I am sure Steve has already called Wake Forest to find out who to draft

Yes, Nicol's missed on many draft picks the past 4 years. However, you do have to give him credit for drafting Barnes and Alston this season otherwise it's not really a fair assessment of Nicol's drafts 2005-9. Parkhurst going to Europe after 4 All-Star caliber seasons and entering the US Nats conversation is also a feather in Nicol's cap. Before you attack me as an apologist or whatnot, all I'm suggesting is be fair when you compare Nicol's drafting to other teams.

I think what magnifies the unsuccessful drafts of the recent era (2005-now) are the lack of bonafide international talent to go with it. No one hits on every draft pick obviously, but the reliance on the draft by the Revs is comparatively heavier to other teams in the league so it's a bigger shortfall of depth when our draft picks don't pan out.

Is the team better than it was last year....two years ago...4 years ago....?

We also continually sign then jettison international players (Abundis, Fernandez, and one would imagine Jankauskas). Some of these guys get a decent runout, some of them don't--but the point is that every year we're hoping that they'll integrate with the team with almost no playing time to do it. Doesn't help with continuity, and it certainly doesn't help to cover our various losses (Dorman, Noonan, Parkhurst, Dempsey, Ralston, Twellman) or draft whiffs.

Right, which means Nicol/Kraft/Gulati/Burns/Whoever are at fault, for believing they could restock talent through the draft, which has a miniscule amount of quality players

Yep - agreed

I have been happy with Alston and Barnes - in that order. But one key thing that neither of these rookies had to really do is deal with competition for their starting slots ALL SEASON LONG. That makes it pretty darn easy for a rookie.

So, it will be interesting to see how these guys do next year with what might be some competition (that's if the Revs do anything in the offseason, and I am not talking about drafting more defenders) for their slots and the mental toll, as well as physical plays into their performance. (I am thinking of Videira right now)

Fair enough, agree with that. I think the general premise is identical - the Revs just don't do enough acquiring talent outside the draft to supplement their picks.

I'm not arguing that they are - you're missing my point. I'm just saying Parkhurst was a huge hole to fill in the back and Nicol drafted someone who filled it. Albright went down with injury and one of Nicol's draft picks filled in admirably.

Nicol has overall failed on drafting forwards and mids since 2005 but gets a pass on defenders. To borrow your term, when it comes to amids he gets a "Jokeefe80 Epic FAILFAILFAILFAILFAILFAIL"

LOLOLOLOLOL TOODLES

I read this and for some reason, Chico Marx was in my head.

The team is not better than it was in years past, and has regressed for 4 straight seasons, so their player acquisition record can't be looked at as successful just because they have added a couple good players. they have brought in more crappy players than quality players over this time. heck, Redbulltardz have drafted a few decent players, too. They are still a joke of a club.

You are what your record says you are.

PS Glad you are back. Couldn't get used to Boston Red!

boston red was a dick

Absolutely. Don't forget Richie Baker.