Player Turnover (Cuts) [N&A]

[DCU]

So, the last game got me thinking that Nowak's going to have to make a decision soon and cut or trade some players. The team just isn't good enough as is. From what I understand, player salaries are guaranteed for the season as of June. Is that correct? If that's so, the team will soon be restricted to trades.

I say the team has two glaring weaknesses and two clearly overpaid players at those positions, GK and Forward. The players are Rimando and Cerritos. I say Nowak needs to immediately cut both. No one will take them in a trade. Bring in A-League players or a metro-style 'discovery' to replace them. I'd suggest the GK Sutton of Montreal and for Forward, McKinley Tennyson of Portland.

Yes, Cerritos scored a great goal, but he was otherwise useless. The bottom line is that he is simple not the answer up front. Rimando has made it clear that he isn't an MLS caliber GK. Neither, imho, is Warren. So bring someone in.

Am I overreacting? Is there no need for Nowak to change the roster? Will everything be fine when Thiago, Q1, and Q2 get back? Is there a need to change the roster, but a better alternative than cutting Cerritos and Rimando?

[Th4119]

What is Cerritos' goals to minutes played ratio? I know a lot of people don't like stats, and you can't completely base decisions on them, but he has only started twice and played in another couple games, yet he is still tied for the team lead in goals. I really don't think that he's the problem.

Using him, or another forward, in a trade for a defender could work wonders for the team though.

[Footer Phooter]

I say the team has two glaring weaknesses and two clearly overpaid players at those positions, GK and Forward. The players are Rimando and Cerritos. I say Nowak needs to immediately cut both. No one will take them in a trade. Bring in A-League players or a metro-style 'discovery' to replace them. I'd suggest the GK Sutton of Montreal and for Forward, McKinley Tennyson of Portland.






McKinley Tennyson is not going to be the answer. Really, A-League forwards aren't going to solve our problems.

[Knave]

So, the last game got me thinking that Nowak's going to have to make a decision soon and cut or trade some players. The team just isn't good enough as is. From what I understand, player salaries are guaranteed for the season as of June. Is that correct? If that's so, the team will soon be restricted to trades.
According to my understanding that sounds correct.
I say the team has two glaring weaknesses and two clearly overpaid players at those positions, GK and Forward. The players are Rimando and Cerritos. I say Nowak needs to immediately cut both. No one will take them in a trade.
Well, yeah, nobody will take Cerritos, and Rimando's trade value is very low. You've gotta be a national team contender at goalkeeper to get much value. Still, I actually think Rimando is good to keep around while the future of Chivas USA is still undecided.

But I don't really think it's worth dwelling on your particular suggestions for trades, acquisitions and cuts. Doing that will just detract from the more general question - the question that I think you've gotta ask before you can really get to the specifics. That's this:
Is there no need for Nowak to change the roster? Will everything be fine when Thiago, Q1, and Q2 get back?
Once you got that answered then the Rimando, Cerritos question becomes clearer. And, truth be told, that's really how you're framing the question here. It's just that folks are getting far too hung up on your specifics.

So let's tackle that general question: Have we really got the guys we need to be a top caliber MLS team, or do we absolutely have to bring someone in? If we do then how?

My own 2 cents - Yeah, the goalkeeping situation isn't ideal. But changing goalkeepers really isn't gonna help us that much. Indeed, any goalkeeping change (even starting Warren) is gonna entail a transition period and there'll be considerable pain in the interim. I just don't think it's worth it.

The problem is up front. I don't think you can get around that, and the Qs and Martins ... well, it's not like any of them lit of the scoreboard that much in the past. None of them are proven. Q1, to me, is nothing but frustration. Q2 is a converted midfielder who occasionally (very occasionally) has multi-goal games but usually amounts to nothing. Thiago ... that's our best hope. But there's no telling what he'll really be capable of. If you wanted to bring someone in ... well, there are all these islands south of Florida. Quite a few teams in MLS have found forwards there. I say we go island hopping and if we find someone we've got discovery picks.

The problem is gonna be paying for the guy. To make cap room we'd have to make a trade, and who can we really trade (I mean realistically trade for enough cash to pay a new forward) that we don't absolutely need? As demonstrated by the LA game, our bench is pretty thin.

I think we're stuck. We've gotta make a move, but I don't think there's any way for us to do it without potentially causing more harm than good.

That said, I know exactly who I'd take the risk on. The guy who's really overpaid is Kovalenko. If there was a way to unload his outrageously high salary that would really open things up for DC United. I think we've got people who could play in his place. Sure, at times he's our most dangerous player. (He's also pretty awful at other times.) But what if we got a legitimate goal-scorer in his place? I'd take that deal. No question about it.

[Th4119]

Sorry Knave, there's no way that Dema goes with his play so far this year and his connection with Nowak. Even if he hadn't put 100% of his shots on goal and played a more disciplined role, I'd still have been surprised to see that, and this year he is off to one of his best starts ever.

[Knave]

Thamlin19 - Like with the responses to DCU's post, I think you're too hung up on the specifics I offered. If you notice, the great bulk of my post isn't about Kovalenko at all. Indeed, that suggestion was basically an afterthought - what gamble would I take if I were to take one. I do stand by it, and I gave my reasons and - frankly - your post, if anything, suggests why it might actually be a very resonable thing to do. Plus, Nowak already shopped him earlier in the year without any takers so I wouldn't read too much into that "connection" with Nowak. But that's all beside the point of my post and DCU's opening questions. I think those things are worth discussing.

As I asked: Have we really got the guys we need to be a top caliber MLS team, or do we absolutely have to bring someone in? If we do then how?

[Sundevil9]

I don't think it's fair to look at United's performance against LA and say that we're not good enough, and changes need to be made.

The players that trotted out for that match was a bare-bones team. I think that the available subs were: Adu, Stokes, Warren.....and any number of partially injured players....like Q2. Of all the subs available, Doug Warren was the most experienced guy on the bench in terms of MLS minutes played.

I think Nowak needs to consider his whole compliment of players, including the hurt ones: Bobby, Benny, Nellie just recently went down, but Martins and Quintanilla are waiting in the wings, and should both be back in a month or so. And maybe Tino will come back. That's 6 guys who could at least compete for a starting job on any MLS team. So part of what Nowak needs to calculate is if these forwards can contribute if when they come back.

Personally, I would like to see Quintanilla settle back into midfield as a depth player this year. With National Team call ups (Earnie, Bobby, and maybe Ben), potential suspentions (Dema, and Ben), potential injuries (Bobby, and Ben), and possible overseas transfers (just Bobby), I would feel better having Quintanilla step in there and let Jamie worry about being a forward, and next year's midfield would have less uncertainty.

As Knave said though, any striker upgrade is severly hampered by the salary cap. Unless you do can orchestrate some freaky 7 team 74 player deal, I don't think they'll be any players changing jerseys this year. The only solution is to cut a player and sign somebody, and I don't think United can just run out to Strikers R Us and just pick up a quality striker.

I think you just let the players come back to the field healthy and let them just figure out how to play together. Sure we'll be frustrated at times, but the any true overhaul of this team will come in the offseason.

[DCU]

The thing is, DC doesn't have to run out to Strikers R Us - even if the Metros seem to have the place on speed dial. Cerritos's money is over 100k of dead weight that the team is carrying. That could be used to upgrade any number of positions immediately. With 2 strikers coming back from injury, why not make a move now? A move is necessary in my eyes because this team just isn't good enough to compete for MLS Cup. That's an assessment based on the entire season, not just the LA game.

I agree with Knave that the team may keep Rimando around just so they can leave him unprotected during expansion. If I take an end of season perspective on this, I see several overpaid players on the roster. None of Petke, Rimando, Dema, Stewart, Cerritos, or Q1 are worth their cap figures. In order for DC United to be an outstanding team, all of those salaries will have to be addressed. For whatever reason, Nowak doesn't seem to have a sense of urgency about improving the roster.

[isaac101]

Am I the only person who is more worried about our defenders than with the midfield or forwards?

Here is the way that I look at it. We have depth at forward (especially when Martins and Q1 come back), although we are still looking for the magical combination there. We have depth at midfield, which will be helped with Q2's return.

But we have very little depth at the back. Nelsen's injury (and pending call-ups) leave us with only four defenders: Namoff, Petke, Prideaux, and Stokes (who now has played in only 2 games). I guess we can use Bobby there in a pinch, but he will likely be called up at the same time as Nelsen, which only makes the situation worse.

Is everyone really comfortable with just those four defenders for the next few weeks? What if one of them gets hurt?

[monster]

Less than a third of the season gone, we're one point out of first place and people want changes?

Do we have problems? Sure. Does that mean changes [b[have[/b] to be made? No way.

We lost a midweek game on a night when three of our most influential players were out. It sucked. I hated watching it. I never want it to happen again. But I would hope that the people in charge don't run out to make changes too soon. The biggest change this team needs to a reminder that you can't pass the ball into the net.

[IntheNet]

DCU said:

"I say the team has two glaring weaknesses and two clearly overpaid players at those positions, GK and Forward. The players are Rimando and Cerritos"

I agree... sort of... but favor an optional dump... Stewart instead of Cerritos, and Rimando (IF A SUCCESSFUL KEEPER IS FOUND) but not until. Inasmuch as Rimando is concerned, he comes off the line to compensate for his short height, which is understandable. However, Nickie tries to make every catch and stop look like a Kodak moment, and what DCU needs is a boring but DEPENDABLE keeper. Yes, let's can Rimando but not until a replacement is found. As far as Cerritos, I think there is potential here... DCU should dump someone who has demonstrated futility, and Stewart has done that in spades! He repeatedly kicks to high on goal shots, on set pieces (like corners) he kicks too far, and he is out of position far too much. Keep Rimando until a long-term replacement is secured, but dump Stewart now. Cerritos can be a clutch player that the Coach may need!

IntheNet

[BudWiser]

I agree... sort of... but favor an optional dump... Stewart instead of Cerritos, and Rimando (IF A SUCCESSFUL KEEPER IS FOUND) but not until

I agree w/ya holmes.

Stewart makes more than Rimando and Cerritos combined (http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562134198). No DC United cut debate (and we SHOULD be talking about cutting good topic) IMO can be made without including Stewart, someone who we can't find one person on the entire BigSoccer board who thinks he deserves his salary. And I don't think we can find one person who doesn't think the team would barely miss a beat w/a replacement of his on the field, either.

Cutting Stewart puts a nice big chunk of change-$285,000-on the board to spend with.

Cutting Rimando and Cerritos would put a big chunk of change too-$248,000-on the board.

That said, I don't think the DC brass has the guts and/or will be allowed to cut anybody by the June deadline. Not only that-Nowak is on record saying we have enough talent. Maybe-maybe not-we'll see.

[fatbastard]

Stewart, someone who we can't find one person on the entire BigSoccer board who thinks he deserves his salary. And I don't think we can find one person who doesn't think the team would barely miss a beat w/a replacement of his on the field, either.You can count me as one on both parts. I think he's one of the most important guys out there, especially with injuries and with a young Freddy on the team.
Even though by MLS' paltry standards he makes alot of money, I bet he took one hell of a paycut to come here.
I do see the point of the thread tho, I just think some folks let their judgment get clouded.

[Cantankerous]

And I don't think we can find one person who doesn't think the team would barely miss a beat w/a replacement of his on the field, either.
Me, me, me!

[BudWiser]

Me, me, me!

Serious? OK, I was wrong then.

Do you-or fatbastard-think we should cut anyone? If so, who?

[fatbastard]

Do you-or fatbastard-think we should cut anyone? If so, who?See, that's why the coaches, and theoretically Kasper, get paid the big bucks. I guess if I had to pick someone based on salary and positional coverage, I would pick Cerritos. Hard to cut one of your leading scorers, but he does make the most of the overabundance of forwards we have (on paper).
Now trades, that's different, I'd have to hear who-for-whom to have an opinion.

[BudWiser]

See, that's why the coaches, and theoretically Kasper, get paid the big bucks. I guess if I had to pick someone based on salary and positional coverage, I would pick Cerritos. Hard to cut one of your leading scorers, but he does make the most of the overabundance of forwards we have (on paper).
Now trades, that's different, I'd have to hear who-for-whom to have an opinion.

Allrighty, I give you guts credit for putting a name out there.

I have nothing else to add to this topic........I'm outta here carry on

[doneshufflin]

My own 2 cents - Yeah, the goalkeeping situation isn't ideal. But changing goalkeepers really isn't gonna help us that much. Indeed, any goalkeeping change (even starting Warren) is gonna entail a transition period and there'll be considerable pain in the interim. I just don't think it's worth it.


That said, I know exactly who I'd take the risk on. The guy who's really overpaid is Kovalenko. If there was a way to unload his outrageously high salary that would really open things up for DC United. I think we've got people who could play in his place. Sure, at times he's our most dangerous player. (He's also pretty awful at other times.) But what if we got a legitimate goal-scorer in his place? I'd take that deal. No question about it.

First off you are dead wrong about Rimando and switching him with another keeper. He is god awful. His distribution, size, and positioning suck. Also Dema may be overpaid, but he is the hardest worker out there next to Olsen. If we lose him we lose alot of our tenacity. I really think we are over reacting about the Galaxy loss. We did have our best MF (Olsen) and our best defender (Nellie). That and the fact that Rimando sucks is the reason we lost. We could have at least tied if that idiot did not flub the corner and did not give up the soft goal near post against Moreno. There are no reasons for whole sale changes. We need one or two players to improve the defense and goal scoring.

[Cantankerous]

Serious? OK, I was wrong then.

Do you-or fatbastard-think we should cut anyone? If so, who?
If I were to make any cuts, it'd be from the corp of forwards.

We haven't seen Q1 or Thiago, so they're immune for now.

Freddy's safe, as is Jaime. I believe we need Esky.

The music stops, and the only one left standing is Cerritos.

[monster]

If I were to make any cuts, it'd be from the corp of forwards.

We haven't seen Q1 or Thiago, so they're immune for now.

Freddy's safe, as is Jaime. I believe we need Esky.

The music stops, and the only one left standing is Cerritos.
I agree, but only if we get solid cover on defense. If we're gonna take away a guy who has scored twice, we damn well better get someone who can stop the other team.