Possible Waiver Pickup?

[JoeW]

Chicago has just waived rookie striker/midfielder Sumed Ibrahim from U.of Maryland. While I always found him to be wildly inconsistent as a player, I think he'd be worth a pickup to fill our last roster spot. He's young, cheap, local and has potential.

Obviously not a "difference maker" but still a decent guy to add to the roster, especially for down the road. Thoughts anyone?

[Knave]

Already suggested this here: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3193236&postcount=80

He didn't get much playing time in Chicago, but he's local, he impressed in college and I thought he impressed at the combine. It's late in the season, we can get him off the waiver draft, we've got the roster space, and I doubt we're going to find anyone else this late in the game. I don't see the downside to picking him up.

[JoeW]

Knave, also if we were to look at picking up someone outside of the US, even a fast workpermit will take 10 days or so. So I see a lot of upside in picking up Ibrahim.

I know he wasn't very impressive with Chicago. But for some reason, their entire rookie crop has been distinctly unimpressive this year. Plus, just as dealing Mapp was perhaps a bit of a wakeup call for him, being cut for Ibrahim may indeed be a shock to his system. And I figure we'll see a lot of turnover with our roster in the offseason--very few players are on this current team that I think are indispensible and/or highly valued and therefore locks to return. So to add some deep depth and youth is not a bad thing.

[DutchFootballRulez]

How many former UofMD players has DC ever had?

[terp fan]

Sumed will be a SI next season but is working on his green card. He has never been consisitent over 90 minutes but has pace and quickness that can make a difference late in a game. He would be a geat pick up and this point and DCU loses nothing if he doesn't work out.

[gocaps]

Very high-skill player - but yes, wildly inconsistent. Almost maddeningly so. The guy has a world of technical ability and there's simply no excuse for him to not be a contributor to an MLS team. None.

I would have to believe that Chicago just gave up on him for some reason, and that's never a good sign for a player so young and so talented. What is Sumed's foreign player status, anyway? Is this something they have to do to sign Caballero?

That said, if we have a slot available, this wouldn't be the worst pickup for us. If he's a headcase, we'd have so little invested in him that we could dump him easily. From the United perspective, he'd give the team a low-risk, potentially very high-return development player - and could even provide a little midfield depth right now. For Sumed's own career, he needs a fire lit under him - which I think Nowak can do. He'd be united with fellow Ghanans Adu and Kuffour, and he'd be back in the area where he starred in college. A good fit for someone who would need to show well or head to the A-League.

[gocaps]

How many former UofMD players has DC ever had?
Judah Cooks. Can't think of anyone else off the top of my head.

[newXgate]

Sumed will be a SI next season but is working on his green card.
These days, Green cards are currently taking years, not months, to be processed. So the chances are that he will still be an SI next year, which may be a factor as to why he was waived and hasn't yet been picked up.

[terp fan]

These days, Green cards are currently taking years, not months, to be processed. So the chances are that he will still be an SI next year, which may be a factor as to why he was waived and hasn't yet been picked up.

Correct but he didn't just apply, although I'm not certain when he started the process and he has good legal assistance. We will see but perhaps he can stay active in the A League until it's resolved unless he takes some Euro trials.

[JayRockers!]

Knave, also if we were to look at picking up someone outside of the US, even a fast workpermit will take 10 days or so. So I see a lot of upside in picking up Sumed.Fixed your post :)

MEDIA NOTE - (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20040910&content_id=14196&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp) When second referencing Sumed Ibrahim's name, it is incorrect according to his culture to use only Ibrahim. In order to show respect and preserve the integrity of his heritage, it is correct to second reference his name by using his full name or by using only his primary name (Sumed), as it is the surname he will pass on in his culture.


Thx,

Jay!

[Th4119]

Maybe the UMD guys haven't been contributing that well because they aren't used to actually being coached rather than being repeatadly snapped at by the high strung psycho that is Cirovski.

[Zman Gunner]

If it is not going to be Sumed Ibrahim, could it be Richmond Kicker midfielder/defender Joey Worthen who gets the last roster spot (discussed last night on The Soccer Show)?

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3208811&postcount=2

[beltwayrob]

All I am going to say about this, is we already have one David Stokes, do we need any more? I'd almost rather say we could leave the spot empty for what the remaining 5 reg. season games.

[DP_elyanqui]

All I am going to say about this, is we already have one David Stokes, do we need any more? I'd almost rather say we could leave the spot empty for what the remaining 5 reg. season games.

They are two completely different players that play different positions. I don't quite understand the comparison you are trying to make...

[gocaps]

All I am going to say about this, is we already have one David Stokes, do we need any more? I'd almost rather say we could leave the spot empty for what the remaining 5 reg. season games.
Totally different problems. Stokes has great athleticism, but is showing a lack of ability to translate that into being a good soccer player. Sumed is already a good soccer player, he just shows maddening inconsistency in terms of his effectiveness.

[Sandon Mibut]

How many former UofMD players has DC ever had?

Judah Cooks. Can't think of anyone else off the top of my head

Maybe the UMD guys haven't been contributing that well because they aren't used to actually being coached rather than being repeatadly snapped at by the high strung psycho that is Cirovski.

Former Maryland players who have played for DC United:
Judah Cooks

Former Maryland players currently in MLS:
Scott Buete, Chicago
Dan Califf, Los Angeles
Clarence Goodson, Dallas
Phil Salyer, Dallas
Seth Stammler, Metros
Taylor Twellman, New England

Former Maryland players who once played in MLS for teams besides United:
Steve Armas, Columbus
Keith Beach, Miami (drafted by, but never played for, United)
Jason Bent, Colorado
Judah Cooks, Miami
Leo Cullen, Miami, New England
Nick Downing, New England
John Garvey, Los Angeles*
Sumed Ibrahim, Chicago
Andy Kirk, San Jose & Tampa Bay
Randy Merkel, Miami
R.T. Moore, Tampa Bay
Russell Payne, Colorado, Metros

* Played at Maryland before Cirovski took over.

And, of course, current United lap dog, er, technical director Dave "whatever you say, Mr. Payne" Kasper played at Maryland in the 80's.

Of all of them, my favorite is Moore, because he quit MLS midway thru his second season... to go to dental school. Guy is probably making mad cash now, certainly more than he'd have made as a soccer player, but it still makes me chuckle that a guy would give up pro sports to go to, of all things, dental school.

[Th4119]

It's pretty sad that almost that entire list is made up of complete busts or unkowns at this point.

The only true star obviously is Twellman, and he ditched UMD early for Germany. Runner up would be Califf, who is a decent player.

[dcajedi]

Cullen's half-decent (I think he got capped by the USMNT once), but otherwise, yeah.

[Detective40oz]

It's pretty sad that almost that entire list is made up of complete busts or unkowns at this point.

The only true star obviously is Twellman, and he ditched UMD early for Germany. Runner up would be Califf, who is a decent player.

Jason Bent wasn't a bad MLS player either...didn't he also have lots of caps for Canada?

anyways i say we take a shot at Sumed..I remember he was having a pretty good preseason with chitcago.