Goff's Sunday Oct 27 Wash Post article

[BudWiser]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24898-2002Oct26.html

Includes news that United is looking at:
-Kucharski, 30-yr-old forward in Poland
-Unidentifield 24-yr-old midfielder in Argentina

[DigitalTron]

Kuharski. Go to this page and click on his name.
http://www.polishsoccer.com/polishsoccer/squad/squad.html

I doubt he is, but I really hope the Argentinian midfielder is an Hmid rather than yet another central attacking midfielder. I was very much hoping that the Argentinian would be a forward, as there are a lot of good ones that could help us immediately.

United has 10 midfielders and a couple of forwards that play like they're midfielders. All but a couple of them think they're attacking midfielders. Wow, Sormun must be happy, as it looks like Ray's cleaning house in the midfield. Of course, Sormun's not going to like the new midfielders either, heh.

-Tron

[Red&Black]

yeah i guess the attacking mid thing would mean he is moving one or both bolivians. but i have to agree with you, we need a nose-for-the-goal scorer who bring some punch in. i agree we have a buttload of mids but we need a scorer. i think we need a two-way playing dmid with size most of all and a proven scorer. i'd also like to see a younger forward and a veteran dmid.

i also agree that the argentine league has lots of guys who could do that. i like this guy from river maxi lopez who is a very athletic forward and i think could do well in mls. there seems to be a multitude of good young frontrunners, not all of whom would be out of reach for MLS.

i am sure our guy sorum would want to shake me for saying this, but i really feel convey has come into his own as a player--whether on the flank or in the middle. since about midseason he has really become a force, he plays much better defense, can dribble and pass as well as almost any player and has a new confidence and authority in his game. i think it is time to let him run the show.

[Eastern Bear]

I'm glad to see we're looking in Argentina. I keep thinking that with the bad economic situation down there, it should be a good time to pick up some players.

[ursula]

Well at least Kuharski is a forward as I understand we had problems scoring goals last year (sic).

BTW thanks Stephen for putting in the dates/deadlines for player decisions. Of course we can trade players after December 1, and we probably will, but it looks like we'll be seeing the first players to leave within a month.

[Th4119]

I think Kuharski would fill the target forward role that RH is looking for nicely.

[Topo]

It's good to know the timeline and dates for making these decisions.

It's also good to see that we're looking at a forward and a midfielder. (One hopes that means a defensive midfielder.)

While people look at what salary relief one can get for the Bolivians, I would think that Richie Williams probably earns a nice chunk of change that could go toward another holding/defensive midfielder if that position is to be replaced.

In that case, Reyes and the new guy could team up behind the creative midfielder and allow the 3-man back line Hudson so desires.

[doctorjim]

The bad news in the Post article is that management is considering trading the first round draft pick because the team already has some young players.

Kevin/Dave/Ray/John -- every morning, repeat at least three times -- you can never have too many young talented American players. Say and mean it.

If you can find places on the roster for the likes of Zambrano, Lassiter, Alvanja and so on, you can find a place for a promising American youngster who, in a season or two, may end up being Edson Buddle or Kelly Gray or DeMarcus Beasley.

[JoeW]

I asked around and here is what I got on Kucharski...

"I don't know if he will leave Legia for DC United. He would be a great addition, hes a very telented player and can also play midfield. I don't think hes too good in the air though. He creates alot of plays and he can finish. Hes played in 17 matches for Poland and has 3 goals. He is 30 years old, but hes still a very telented player which is why I dont think he willl leave Legia. He has 4 goals this season so far for Legia, but i think he mostly plays central or attacking midfield. He can definetly put the ball in the back of the net, esspicially vs not so great defenders like in MLS.

If he does come to USA though, i would not be suprised if he goes to Chicago Fire. Kucharski from what i understand is freinds with Piotr Nowak.

But he would be a excellent addition if DC could pull this deal off."

[Jose L. Couso]

Originally posted by JoeW
He can definetly put the ball in the back of the net, esspicially vs not so great defenders like in MLS.

A common european fallacy!

The "not so great defenders like in MLS" held the powerhouse Germans to one goal in the World Cup quarterfinals.

[Th4119]

Originally posted by Jose L. Couso


A common european fallacy!

The "not so great defenders like in MLS" held the powerhouse Germans to one goal in the World Cup quarterfinals.

And shut out some of the best forwards of all time 2 weeks ago in Tottenham.

Let them disrespect us, we know how stupid it makes them look.

Thanks for the info JoeW, I can't tell you how much the knowledgeable people on these boards help the rest of us die-hards out with info we'd never hear otherwise.

[JoeW]

To be fair to the person I quoted on that particular line, I don't think it was so much a slam on Americans as a way of saying, "you've got the world's best defenders in Spain, Italy, Premiership and maybe the Bundesliga" and then the not-so-great defenders elsewhere. That was my take on it anyway.

Bottom line: I'd assumed that Kucharski was more of a Bob Latchford/Mick Jones/Klaus Fischer kind of player--strong in the air, good with their back to the goal, good finisher but maybe not particular artistic. Examples closer to home might be: David Robb (NASL days) Miklos Molnar or Brian McBride. It appears that Kucharski is really more of a tough, hard running creative front-runner. Maybe not a gifted guy, but someone who's good with the ball at his feet, will take advantage of mistakes, can run all day, will track back and defend, still has a lot of miles in the gas tank, and would fit very well into an attacking side that like possession and ball movement.

[Th4119]

Sorry JoeW, didn't mean to be insulting your friend individually, just annoyed at the general lack of respect to the league by eurosnobs.

[JoeW]

Originally posted by Thamlin19
Sorry JoeW, didn't mean to be insulting your friend individually, just annoyed at the general lack of respect to the league by eurosnobs.

Not a problem--no insult taken (at least by me).