Defender Search.

[JMMUSA8]

We all know about our defensive problems. 3 of our defenders are now injured, 2 in which are starters (and the most valuable in my opinion). We also know about Nicol going after his former player, Avery John, and the proposed trade to acquire two defenders (JMM and Kam for Mastroleni and Borchers). So I have to believe that Nicol is looking for whatever good deal he can get to bolster that back line.

Well we can cross Reyes off the list (although I never thought he was on the list).

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20040429&content_id=1287&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

The status of John is pending. Quote from today's Boston Herald column:
Team technical director Joe Cummings said the Revs should know for certain within a day or two whether Trinidadian defender Avery John will sign a contract with the Revs.

``We're still discussing the possibility of signing him,'' said Cummings. ``It would be accurate to say, yes, we want him. Whether the two sides can reach agreement is where we are right now.'' Cummings said visa paperwork could further delay John's arrival if and when a deal is consummated. . . .


Please add new news about defenders in our everlasting quest for a rock solid defense.

[Rodan]

``We're still discussing the possibility of signing him,'' said Cummings. ``It would be accurate to say, yes, we want him. Whether the two sides can reach agreement is where we are right now.'' Cummings said visa paperwork could further delay John's arrival if and when a deal is consummated. . . .

The Revs quest for "consumation" in this respect is vaguely reminscent of Mr. Roper's in the immortal sitcom "Three's Company".

[panicfc]

Why not get Ezra Hendrickson?

[JMMUSA8]

I believe Erza was signed by another team (non-MLS), but that wouldn't have mattered because Nicol wants nothing to do with him. Revs Management went to Nicol about maybe dealing to get Erza but Nicol declined. (Reported by Bergin)

*** EDIT ***

After a little research, I found that Erza has joined former Dallas Burn Chad Deering with the Austin Posse. Here is his bio.

http://www.austinposse.com/spotlight/hendrickson.html

[panicfc]

He's with the Austin Posse, but I don't think that matters

[Jambon]

Now that we have Reyes, how about Matt Behnke for a backup midfielder?

He's useless going forward, but he's played 90 all three games for us so far this season at LB and we've only given up one goal. He's versatile too as his primary position is CB. He'll most likely be playing there as the patch in our patchwork defense against Columbus. If he plays respectably again you might want to give him a look.

[goussoccer]

I would imagine that SN views central defense as not suitable for Ezra. That is the only conclusion I can make....

[panicfc]

EZ came up as a CD, and he can't be any worse than what they have now. Plus he's a winner. At least take a look at him.

[Elninho]

If you're looking for defenders, why not give OTC another chance? Especially now that he comes in a somewhat more mobile incarnation...

I posted this in USA Men earlier:

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994932

[mrknowitall]

i don't see what it would hurt...we are terrible in the back...we bring him in, look at him for a week, if we like what we see we sign him...if not, we don't...it would cost us nothing...and we won't have to deal with visa problems and him abandoning the club...better yet, sigi will be in town maybe SN should ask him what he thinks about EZ at center back...he played for him for 5 years in l.a. he would know first hand if he could play that position or not...either way, somethings needs to be done soon...rumor has it that EZ is close to signing with charleston battery...apparently the posse maybe folding...saw on their(posse) website that chad deering "parted ways" with the posse...in any case, one more 3 goal game and we have to do something...

[JMMUSA8]

Ok, for the last time, Erza is out of the question.

[terp fan]

Now that we have Reyes, how about Matt Behnke for a backup midfielder?

He's useless going forward, but he's played 90 all three games for us so far this season at LB and we've only given up one goal. He's versatile too as his primary position is CB. He'll most likely be playing there as the patch in our patchwork defense against Columbus. If he plays respectably again you might want to give him a look.

If a team were looking for a proven player who has experience in the back and midfield I would think Carey Talley would get strong consideration. He's caught in a log jam of defenders in Dallas but he owns championship rings form DC & KC and would bring leadership and discipline to any backline. BTW, congratulations to the Talley's on the birth of their son last week.

[Rodan]

If a team were looking for a proven player who has experience in the back and midfield I would think Carey Talley would get strong consideration. He's caught in a log jam of defenders in Dallas but he owns championship rings form DC & KC and would bring leadership and discipline to any backline.
Given the Burn's recent signing of Reyes (man, at least on paper, this is one scary team in the back) this seems reasonable. They certainly seem deep in back. To bad Joe Max dinged himself up - Dallas might have been able to use him.

I'm no big Talley fan (to be honest, I've haven't watched him play much) can't be choosers right now - they're outright beggars. Kamler must have played with Talley in DC I assume - maybe Coach Nicol will get his view on the situation.

And of course, if the nasty rumor about Pierce's injury is true....

[John Lewis]

I wouldn't be looking for central defenders. In my mind, good ones are hard to come by, and the Revs already have some good ones. Their names are Shalrie Joseph and Brian Kamler. They're both big, good with the ball at their feet and have strong distribution skills. I'd use Rusty and Carlos as back up and/or slot Rusty in (when he's healthy) as a right back.

As far as bringing players in, I think they need better cover for Ralston and I'd look at getting another DMF and a young left-sided midfielder.

[The Magpie]

Left-sided defender?

For my money, we need more depth on the right, as Heaps' only real back-up is Pierce and his availability is often questionable considering his injury issues. In terms of the left Franchino already has a young, capable back-up in Leonard.

[Jon Martin]

As far as bringing players in, I think they need better cover for Ralston and I'd look at getting another DMF and a young left-sided midfielder. Is this a no confidence vote for Baker and Dorman? Brilliant would seem to be cover for Ralston if he were actually on the team.

For my money, we need more depth on the right, as Heaps' only real back-up is Pierce and his availability is often questionable considering his injury issues. In terms of the left Franchino already has a young, capable back-up in Leonard. Didn't Leonard play for Heaps toward the end of last year (and do reasonably well?)

[John Lewis]

Is this a no confidence vote for Baker and Dorman? Brilliant would seem to be cover for Ralston if he were actually on the team.

Didn't Leonard play for Heaps toward the end of last year (and do reasonably well?)

It's not a no confidence vote on my part. I haven't seen enough of either player to judge, but if the coaching staff had more faith in either player, then I think we might have seen them a bit more, given the team's injury situation.

I think this season's bench is much weaker than last season's.

Also, if you think of Leonard and Franchino as your left backs/midfielders and throw Kamler into the mix, you still don't have enough left-sided players. At least, I don't think you do.

One last thing on the topic of defense. It isn't always the case that you improve your defense by adding defenders. Thus far, the Revs haven't done a very good job of keeping the ball in midfield. Last week they did alright, but in general, when you cede the midfield battle your defense has to cope with a lot more pressure.

I think Joseph and Kamler are a good central defensive pairing. I'd bring in midfielders.

[crash2772]

I think Joseph and Kamler are a good central defensive pairing. I'd bring in midfielders.

I agree that there is a big upside to Kamler and Shalrie in the center... but will Kam be able to maintain a high level of play throughout a whole season? Its not like he's played there 'a lot' previously.

for the record... i really liked how they played (see the post game thread for my opinion)....

As for midfielders.... a left sided mid in Stephen Armstrong opened up thanks to KC's signing of a new CB. I always liked his play, plus he is rumored to make 31k!!! surely we could fit that under the salary cap.....

also, Gaven Glinton has apparently been cut from the Burn. I always liked him as well, speed at a low cost--- can play right mid and fwd..........

[Jim Dow]

John Lewis makes a very, very interesting point. Boiled down, what we all presumed was the Revs strength, the midfield, is actually a source of our difficulties. particularly when you remove two of the four starters (Kamler and Joseph) and possibly even three (Pepe last week).

At this point, pre-LA which w. Herzog feeding the Fish and Kirovski will be a very, very tough examination, Kamler and Joseph as the central two are better than what we had in the first pair of games. It is just possible that they may become the starting duo should they do well in the next couple of matches and that wouldn't be a bad thing. Certainly Ruiz & Co. will be tougher than the Mutts, although Galvan Rey, etc. aren't too shabby and will be much better after they play together. But a good performance tomorrow will mean a great deal in terms of planning.

Along those lines, the emergence of Dempsey may prove to be a huge asset, almost like drafting a defender if Joseph ends up starring and the Texan provides little dropoff. But the real issue is whether the midfield can pressure LA in the same way they pressed the Mutts. If they can and also serve balls to Twellman and Noonan, we should be alright. If they can't, then we are in for trouble.

Tomorrow is a crucial match in terms of the future of the team as Nicol has constructed it. While I agree that the bench depth isn't as good as last year towards the end of the season (Cullen, Brown, etc, etc) we still don't know about this group. By the end of this season it may well prove to be better.

JIM DOW

[JMMUSA8]

Well hopefully Baker can impress and take that Left Mid spot so Kamler can settle in as the CB. I much rather have Kam back there instead of Kante because of how much experience he has. He played a brilliant game against the Mutts, especially for his first CB game in awhile.