Revs Offseason News, 2013

Well, the way this seems to generally unfold is

1. We run through January in hopes that a BIG name will be signed from one of the bigger European leagues. But, this does not happen. Most of us lose hope of a big DP for the year but someone will point out that there are still a handful of big names that COULD sign on a free transfer so we shouldn't be upset that the REVs let the January window close. Also there will be discussion about how these teams can't transfer in after January (maybe it's Feb 2 this year or something), they could, theoretically still transfer out.

2. We run through January in hopes that someone (young with potential, old but still useful) will be signed from one of the European leagues to improve the squad. But, this does not happen. Most of us lose hope of a strong foreign signing for the year but someone will point out that there are still other avenues (South/Cenral America, take the Columbian example from last year). Again there will be arguments that there are still sources the REVS can tap.

3. Time will run on and on, the team will head out and return from their first pre-season trip and the REVs will only be talking about maybe signing someone. Eventually, with camp all but over, they will sign someone who might show up by the 5th game if they are lucky.

4. We start the season with guys, whom everyone agreed at the end of the prior season were inadequate, starting and racking up the minutes.

5. The late signings finally arrive only to suffer the dreaded abductor strain leaving Chris Tierney to pile on another 6 starts to his resume (or Ryan Guy or AJ Soares or ...).

6. Rinse, lather repeat in August...

I know it's a negative post. However, the positive note is that they did more in Nov/Dec than we've seen in a while. Unfortunately, they still need help on defense AND they need to find someone who has both Feilhaber's skill AND the impact/effectiveness we all expected from him. Have we seen them simply pile a full off-season of activity into the period before Christmas? Or, have they really changed enough that we'll see them break the pattern I described above in January?

Maybe negative but that's been the narrative for at least 3 years now.

Jerry Bengtson is playing in Copa UNCAF for Honduras starting in a couple weeks, a meaningless money-making tournament in Central America where he may play 4 games in 9 days.

Did we know that?

http://www.teletica.com/teleticadeportes/detalle.php?id=155229

Both the 3rd-4th place match and the final are on January 27th. Before that, two group games for Honduras and a semi-final.

With Sene out, this is about it for us up top unless you want to see an Imbongo-Barrett strike force, so please pray to whatever deity or object is your choice for Jerry's continued good health throughout this utterly...meaningless...tournament.

I have no problem with this, though I would hope a coach wouldn't play players in all 4 matches. People would be thrilled if Klinsmann called in Nguyen. Not much difference.

3 years? That's been the situation with the Revs for as long as I can remember.

That's because US soccer fans are idiots.

My point is only that US Soccer fans focus too much on meaningless caps and camps

Then, I guess you didn't remember when we drafted Dempsey, signed Twellman, Joseph, Noonan, Reis, Parkhurst, Ginger and Grabbed Ralston.

Other than Ralston, who came in the dispersal draft, the rest were all draft picks. How is that any different than the current modus operandi?

Ok, Point taken. Maybe, then, because we made good draft picks back then and the team had success on the field, my eyes were diverted from the ancillary stuff. Which, if you tell me was crappy then, because I'm sure you paid more attention, I'll take your word for it.

Well, in fairness, they made the team better. Sure, it was only through one main method, and they seemed to fail in other methods, but they did improve the team. My only point, and rkanes as well, is that the more things change around here, the more they stay the same.

I was speaking of Revs fans. I don't think US fans would care in the slightest about Nguyen.

Funny you say that, because I was just thinking about this.

Take the top 5 players in the history of each MLS team. How many teams, other than the Revs, don't have a single international signing on that list? I can't think of one, except maybe Houston.

I'm wondering if the Martinez signing hit a roadblock because of potential negotiation issues with a Chinese League team - I believe that's fairly uncharted territory for MLS teams when it comes to transfer negotiations. You'd hope Martinez's connection to Bengtson would help with it - or he'll be this offseason's Jamal Gay.

I wouldn't be surprised if Barrett and Freeman are weighing offers from Norway vs. MLS. I also wouldn't care if Barrett didn't sign since his ridiculous original contract means he'd be a significant cap hit even at a substantial discount.

Are Revs fans not US Soccer fans?

This link is from November, and was posted in the previous thread, but I thought it worth repeating now that Camp is two weeks away.

Revs Pre-season Schedule 2013
http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/2012/12/revs-announce-2013-preseason-plans

Jan 17 - Training Camp Opens - Foxboro
Jan 17 - SuperDraft 2013
Jan 21 - Training at Grande Sports World (Casa Grande, AZ)
Jan 25 - Match vs SKC
Jan 29 - Match vs VAN
Jan 30 - Return to Foxboro
Feb 9 - Training at Kino Sports Complex (Tucson, AZ)
Feb 13 - Match vs SEA
Feb 16 - Match vs NY
Feb 20 - Match vs RSL
Feb 23 - Championsip/Consolation Match
Feb 24 - Return to Foxboro
Mar 9 - First Kick, at Chicago
Mar 23 - Home Opener, vs Dallas

Not all of them. I'll work on a Venn diagram for you.