While losing Sabo would obviously suck, there is no way this team could compete in the current league status without a DP or two. If you lost both Javi ans Sabo (or at least removed their DP status) do you think Garson would be open to getting another DP or two? I have a hunch that if Javi is gone after this season (or even if he signs for less) the team is going to be on the search for someone to be a DP. Not a big name by any means, but you would think with how well Javi and Sabo worked out, they would be open to finding a guy in that 400K-1million range at the right position (read attacking mid/forward)
Yep. I'd be surprised if they could effectively replace Morales without someone who commands a DP salary.
I remember Checketts was on "On Frame" in like early oct. and was saying that if ticket sales continued to do so well, it is possible that RSL could bring in a 3rd DP. He did clarify that it wouldn't be a David Beckham kind of DP but a DP none the less.
there is a tax for having 3 DP's. Those without 3, get the money that those with 3 pay to the league. I guarantee you that RSL, at least in the next few years, will not have 3 designated players on their roster.
Rimando wins Save of the Year, and accepts the award with this awesome quote: "“Saves are never planned but when you have a chance to help your team it feels great,” Rimando said. “It’s always an honor to be recognized. I also have to thank RSL DF Nat Borchers for losing his man and allowing me to make the save for this year’s award.”
RSL won't have 3 DP's because it would violate the Team is the Star philosophy. I think you'll see them either try to replace Javier at Center mid or possibly switch attacking philosophy. At the start of this season, the press office told me Sabo wasn't a DP according to MLS anymore... it was just the buyout fee would took his contract up for 1 season. MLS Pressbox tells a different story, though they may be overstating it. Not sure on Morales. He's been at DP-money for quite awhile now, though I think they bought that down with allocation money rather than use the DP tag.
Another funny moment in the Save of the Year saga this morning: Kei Kamara (author of the header Rimando saved) tweeted Rimando and asked for half the prize money.
Is it just me or was having a bye week before the MLS cup idiotic. The NFL does it to build the hype and promote it more. MLS isn't exactly big enough for that. With the end of college football season and important games, the extra week made me forget there was even a game till last night. MLS doesn't get enough coverage for an extra week to do anything but let us forget about the game IMO.
Playing over Thanksgiving weekend would've been a much worse option. And having that week off with the new format is better since it gives the hosting stadium and traveling fans more time to be able to make it to the game.
Just can't wait for Toronto, SLC or Denver to host on Dec 2 without such pleasant weather. And the opponent will be Dallas, LA or Houston.
Not to mention that the possibility gives additional ammunition to conspiracy theorists everywhere who will say that MLS will do everything in its power to make sure that does not happen.
Global warming may not make this such a big deal, and may facilitate MLS switching to the European calendar! Toronto for yesterday was temps in the low 40s and cloudy. Salt Lake (as y'all know) was mid 50s and a bit of rain. Denver was 65 and partly cloudy (friend in Boulder posted Facebook status about eating breakfast in her t-tshirt on their patio). Chicago was 60 and partly cloudy. Columbus was 60 and partly cloudy. Philly was upper 40s and cloudy. New York was lower 40s and cloudy. Washington was lower 50s and partly cloudy. Montreal was mid 20s and very light snow. Boston was lower 30s with a bit of snow. Kansas City was mid 60s with a trace of rain. Vancouver was lower 50s and a bit of rain. Seattle was mid 50s and rain. Portland was mid 50s and a good bit of rain. No city likely to have 'winter weather problems' had weather that would have made hosting the cup final a bad idea yesterday. Blame global warming!
And so it begins... http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12...rtland-as-rsl-prepare-to-shake-up-roster.html
Espindola is the only surprise for me....In Garson I Trust... We need a fast forward and more creativity on the wings pronto
So here is where we think we are: Steele & Paulo, out (contract not renewed/declined) Espindola, Olave to NY (allocation) Johnson to Portland (allocation) Ned Grabavoy to Liverpool for large transfer... okay I made that up.