Goff: Erpen Is Anxious To Take the Field

[Lanky134]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/AR2005081901564.html

"We're not going to hand him anything; he will have to earn it," Nowak said. "He will have a chance to show what he's capable of and what he can contribute."

Said Erpen: "I can be a good organizer in the back, someone who can be vocal and let everyone know where they need to be. This is a team that has very good midfielders who are good with the ball at their feet and good forwards who know what to do with the ball. I can bring that stability in the back and the support that the rest of the team needs."

[NattyBo]

He came at least partially through the Boca Jrs. youth team. Impressive.

Hope to see him as a late game sub tommorow.

[Marco10]

Not sure I really care much about the Boca Youth system. The Metros had a couple usless donkeys from the Boca youth system last year, and we played some of Boca's vaunted youth to a hideously boring 0-0 tie a few years ago.

I think I'll wait to assess when I've seen the poor sod actually play against MLS competition.

[DoctorD]

Not sure I really care much about the Boca Youth system. The Metros had a couple usless donkeys from the Boca youth system last year, and we played some of Boca's vaunted youth to a hideously boring 0-0 tie a few years ago.

I think I'll wait to assess when I've seen the poor sod actually play against MLS competition.

Too true. Especially when we play a team tomorrow with one guy who came partially through the ManU youth system and another who partially came through the Bayer Leverkusen youth system. :)

[GUTuna]

This gets me excited about this guy reading these quotes. He's really got his a head on his shoulders. He seems to have realistic expectations of MLS and is motivated to take on a new challenge. Clearly, as Goff says, we'll need his depth in the coming months.

[tmas]

Wow, I was suprised to see he's only making $75,000.

[Lanky134]

Not sure I really care much about the Boca Youth system. The Metros had a couple usless donkeys from the Boca youth system last year, and we played some of Boca's vaunted youth to a hideously boring 0-0 tie a few years ago.

I think I'll wait to assess when I've seen the poor sod actually play against MLS competition.
The difference is that Galvan and Forchetti were still in Boca's system when loaned out to the Metros (apart from the obvious fact that they played for the Metros) without much chance of breaking into their squad. Erpen, on the other hand, came out of their system and got first team experience elsewhere.

[Lanky134]

Wow, I was suprised to see he's only making $75,000.
Gomez to Erpen: "So you won't be making that much, but the checks clear here!"

[tmas]

Gomez to Erpen: "So you won't be making that much, but the checks clear here!"

Yeah, I thought the samething. Anyway, I really liked Erpen's 'tude and I hope he can be the last piece for us to repeat. 5 in '05.

[Knave]

Wow, I was suprised to see he's only making $75,000.
And the fee was only $200,000!

If he plays like he's supposed to play then he'll be one hell of a bargain.

[Doctor Woo]

If he takes that $75K straight back to Argie, it'll look like a million.

[gnat]

If he takes that $75K straight back to Argie, it'll look like a million.
Yeah but Gomez forgot to tell him the commute is a killer :D

-dave

[Eastern Bear]

I belive Jaime played w/ Boca as well. It's a quality system, but there's no doubt some duds will make it through.

[dsheon]

I like the way United top brass is positioning Erpster - added depth when we need it, give him a while to adjust, not a huge transfer fee nor a huge salary. But it does remind me that they're paying around $250K more for him than they're paying for Boswell. Of course the league absorbs most of that. Still, we have to have the bargain of the year in Boswell.

Now the biggest whole is filling that left by Esky. We need someone to step up play toward the end of the season. I would like to see us add a striker to bring the same depth up top that we now have in the back line and have had at midfield.

[DCFAN96]

Well it seems that Erpen plays only CB and RB, so there goes the idea of him replacing Brandon. I just can't see Erpen displacing Namoff or even wanting him to take Boswell's spot. Has Namoff ever played LB?

[Theseofam]

"It's a fast-paced league, very similar to the English game. In Argentina, it's a little more possession and players taking on players. It's going to take me a little bit of time to get adjusted to that rhythm, but I hope to be on the field and contributing soon."

I thought that, pacewise, the Argentinian game is at least as fast/slow as MLS even with more of plyayers taking on players.

[NSG-1]

I'm surprised that nobody's really flinched at that $200k figure. I've always heard that MLS shys away from paying transfer fees. If that is the case then $200k is pretty substantial. I'm not so sure that it's an accurate guage of how good he is but it is Certainly a statement about how much the DC brass wanted him.

Oh, and as per the $75k going far in Argentina, not after you factor in living costs and taxes here in DC. Don't forget, unlike foreign leagues he's likely responsible for paying his own housing, food and car. Also, the last article said that he's married so he's supporting two on his salary until/if his wife finds a job. I'd bet he's living quite frugally if he's taking home $10-$20k at the end of the year.

[Bootsy Collins]

The thing about that article I found most interesting (and depressing) is that we likely won't have Olsen today.

[Hedbal]

Well it seems that Erpen plays only CB and RB, so there goes the idea of him replacing Brandon. I just can't see Erpen displacing Namoff or even wanting him to take Boswell's spot. Has Namoff ever played LB?

Yep. I believe it was in his second year, after riding the pine the first year, that he split time between Richmond and DCU. I remember him going 90 in Richmond, driving up to RFK and playing an excellent 90 minutes at left back for United. That's why I was surprised when he became exclusively a right-side player under Nowak.

That said, I would find it hard to replace either Namoff, who I consider our finest defender, or Boswell, who has done little wrong and a lot right. Maybe moving Namoff to the left side would be the only way to get Erpen on the field in a three-man back line. And I would feel bad for Prideaux, who has played well lately. And then there is Wilson....

[gnat]

That said, I would find it hard to replace either Namoff, who I consider our finest defender, or Boswell, who has done little wrong and a lot right. Maybe moving Namoff to the left side would be the only way to get Erpen on the field in a three-man back line. And I would feel bad for Prideaux, who has played well lately. And then there is Wilson....
Actually I think this is great. As you point out, we now have at least 2 options for all 3 positions before you even have to think about the reserves or Gros. Unless he comes on and shows to be a monster back there, I don't see anyone getting displaced anytime soon.

I see it as:

Game going our way, but want to shore up the defense - bring in Erpen.

Game needs an extra spark - bring in Wilson.

-dave