DC United MLS East rivals make moves

[Jose L. Couso]

The New Engleand Revolution has picked up Joe-Max Moore. MLS (www.mlsnet.com)

Bob Bradley has waived Andy Williams, Marcelo Balboa and Ross Paule. (according to SoccerAmerica Confidential)

Another link: Metrostars (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/story/55120p-51635c.html)

[Cweedchop]

Wow..

The JMM move was expected but the housecleaning in Tardland was a big suprise..

[JAnderson14]

Apparently Williams, Paule, and Balboa all disappeared from the metro roster yesterday. Williams was always on the way out but I wasn't expecting Paule or Balboa to also get the boot.

The Revs will be interesting to watch. They've now got a ton of attacking talent, combined with an awful defense (Heaps-Kante-Pierce-Franchino? That's miserable.). I guess they'll continue to bunker every single game to cover for it?

[ursula]

Originally posted by JAnderson14
Apparently Williams, Paule, and Balboa all disappeared from the metro roster yesterday. Williams was always on the way out but I wasn't expecting Paule or Balboa to also get the boot.

The Revs will be interesting to watch. They've now got a ton of attacking talent, combined with an awful defense (Heaps-Kante-Pierce-Franchino? That's miserable.). I guess they'll continue to bunker every single game to cover for it?

it's interesting to read Jeff Bradley's latest in MLSnet about the Revs. Well I guess it's interesting to me as I agree with his viewpoint: that the Revs are much like the 97/98 Rapids. To me the revs this year have too choices:

1) Continue to play bunker-ball, which is gonna make it hard to actually win on a consistent basis and will be harder to do with more offensively minded players on the field or,

2) Open up the attack since they now have Nowak and JMM to go with Ralston and Twellman. The problem here is that as JAnderson said that defense is not very good if they aren't packed in.

I expect Nicol to play conservatively for the most part. Games will be hard fought, low scoring. Opposing teams will enter the games understanding these tactics and will make an effort not to give up many counters. All season the Revs will walk a very fine margin of error.



As for the metros, the cuts were not that unexpected, Chris! Just like Hudson, Bradley is tearing a bad team apart to make a team he wants. He had to get rid of more salaries to complete the job he started by getting Moreno and Pope (and Richie Williams).

[DigitalTron]

Well I think just about every team has improved except Chicago and San Jose, who have taken major steps backwards talent-wise because of the salary cap. This probably means the west is about as talented overall as last season, but I expect the Galaxy and Burn to fight for the top spot.

In the east every team has a chance. Columbus was only a defender or four away from breaking through, but passing on Shavar Thomas is mind-boggling. He is a Bonseu type player and exactly what they need in back. While Diego Walsh is a very good player, if they intend to play him as a Dmid he's going to be weak defensively, which is not comforting when looking at their shaky back line.

I seem to be in the minority, but I expect the Metros to be quite good next season. They're not strong on the flanks, but have solid defenders that I'm sure Bradley will keep organized in front of Howard. While they don't have a true creative midfielder, both Moreno and Mathis are good enough to create for one another and Magee can some as well. All three are capable of becoming goal machines, so I'm expecting a very potent offense from the Metros.

I think the Revolution looks dynamite. Last season they did it with smoke, mirrors and solid defending. This season they have big, fast, athletic, technically and tactically strong defenders at every position. Shalrie Joseph is good, and everyone is forgetting about him. He can play wing or anywhere along the back. Kante obviously is good. Pierce and Franchino are solid players defensively, but at least one will be on the bench. With Noonan as the 3rd winger to sub both Kamler and Ralston, they have another big fast player who is solid on both sides of the ball. Adding Nowak and Moore increases their offensive ability ten-fold. With Hernandez to start the attack in the deep midfield, these guys could go all the way.

While I'm happy that United has increased it's talent level, I'm not happy about the high number of injury-prone players we added, as we will surely be stung by injuries once again. Hopefully our offense improves and defense can come somewhere close to last season. If not, the other teams may have improved close to as much as we have. :(

-Tron

[JoeW]

1. I'm not that high on the Revs. At one point they were in last place in MLS last year (behind us). And then they got hot at EXACTLY the right moment. And they bunkered in and countered. Nicols is a fine coach, they added more talent and I wouldn't be shocked if they won it all. But to do that they either need to get hot again at the right time, Twellman needs to take a very big step forward (to carry the team even more) or Nowak needs to stay healthy. I don't think any of those 3 will happen. Their defense is worse, Adin Brown is injury prone and without Nowak and don't think they'll have an attack that threatens people.

Let me give you a comparision: Imagine if DCU had gotten a hot attacker in the last month. We'd have made the playoffs too. And given MLS playoffs last year, it was the hot teams that advanced (well, plus LA who was the best team). The Revs could have just as easily spend the playoffs off the field. We confuse their second place finish with their team play (which was very team based but limited). That's an extremely young defense back there and I'd like to see who's the central organizer with Llamosa gone. And for what it's worth--this team has probably more key players with a history of injury problems than does DCU.

2.SoS--that is the team that could "potentially" be the one that scares me...if Moreno stays healthy and if Mathis rebounds (I think "no" to #1 and "yes" to #2). No surprise at ditching Paule, Balboa and Andy Williams--they had cap problems and everyone knew A. Williams wasn't the answer and they needed cap room for an A-mid (who they'll use their allocation on). Ultimately, this team has no depth hower. I also think Ricardo Clark will play outside mid or outside back this year (a waste of his talent) b/c that is where this team has no bodies.

3. Chicago has given up a lot. But Chicago gave up players who didn't stay healthy. Their problem right now is: no depth (like SoS) and no A-mid. They renounced Daiv. If they can get a discount A-mid and avoid injuries, a lineup with Razov, Faria, Bocanegra, Gray, Armas, Marsch, CJ Brown, Thornton, Curtin, Perez and an A-mid ain't a bad one.

4. Sorry--just not that high on Dallas. Maybe the deepest team in the league. But unless EJ or Vaca steps up and improves a lot, their starting 11 is probably weaker this year than last. I don't think Kreis or Pareja or Morrow got better. I think they're a bunch of solid players but no-one who can take over a match or win with individual brilliance (Chivas is maybe the closest on their roster to that). They're probably losing Matt Jordan, cut Zarco (who didn't start but provided really deep depth at D-mid and defense last year).

5. I think the book is still out on Columbus. I agree they could have used Shavar Thomas. But I think they get Hejduk, lose McBride, maybe another young defender (McCarty or Dunseth), maybe Dante Washington, probably add one more player. This team is too unsettled at too many key positions (like SJ) for me to guess what they'll look like and how'll they'll do.

Finally Dtron--your point about DCU acquiring injury-prone players: my sense is that Quaranta is a starter who has had injury problems. But Stoichkov is being counted on to be a reserve. Kovalenko and Stewart both have good track records as hardy players who stay on the field. Ditto with Ivanov. And I'm not convinced Harkes will end up here--I think Hudson will sniff around the waiver list first and also consider foreign options (Dalglish, nonroster invitees) then choose Harkes as his 18th man only if he sees nothing better.

[entropy]

More news from Tardland...looks like they're pursuing a #10 from Spain.

http://www.metrofanatic.com/mf/story.jsp?ID=1061

[ONE]

Originally posted by entropy
More news from Tardland...looks like they're pursuing a #10 from Spain.

http://www.metrofanatic.com/mf/story.jsp?ID=1061

lets see how amazing he is on the ball after Reyes/Petke/Ivanov/Kovalenko/Olsen break his dainty spanish ankles. hell...he's only 5'6" we could have Convey chip in too....

[argo0]

From the mlsnet article on the JMM acquisition (http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/ne0128jmm.html):
"In order for Moore to fall to the Revs, the teams holding allocations passed, meaning that the "reverse-order-of-finish" process described by MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis prior to the Earnie Stewart signing was instituted. With New England holding the ninth slot, it can be inferred that the eight teams besides New England and Los Angeles passed on Moore, either because of salary budget constraints or competitive chemistry reasons within their squad."

Does anyone really believe this garbage? From what I've read elsewhere, JMM was only willing to play for NE. Talk about your contortions to stay within the league's "rules."

[JoeW]

Originally posted by argo0
From the mlsnet article on the JMM acquisition (http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/ne0128jmm.html):
"In order for Moore to fall to the Revs, the teams holding allocations passed, meaning that the "reverse-order-of-finish" process described by MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis prior to the Earnie Stewart signing was instituted. With New England holding the ninth slot, it can be inferred that the eight teams besides New England and Los Angeles passed on Moore, either because of salary budget constraints or competitive chemistry reasons within their squad."

Does anyone really believe this garbage? From what I've read elsewhere, JMM was only willing to play for NE. Talk about your contortions to stay within the league's "rules."

I think that is what happened. Prior to all of this, only 3 teams have shown interest in Joe Max Moore: KC (who had cap room at the time and then acquired Wolff--eating up their available cap space), DCU (who acquired Stewart--AFTER talking to JMM who's first priority was England and thought he had an offer on the table from an English club) and NE (who's interest grew after they ditched 2 forwards: APC and Serna). No-one else was ever interested.

It's not that JMM is a bad player, but look at the teams--anyone interested has to clear cap space and also need a forward:
--SoS (an allocation and 2nd worst team): totally capped out, has Mathis and Moreno, needs a pure A-mid (not a converted forward there)--dumb to claim him.
--Columbus: forward city (and mids to-boot!), it's defenders they need.
--Dallas: could have used a forward but to clear cap room they would have had to have given up a lot (either renounce about 2-4 reserves or 1-2 starters. They would do it for Stewart but not JMM. Still, I think they should have done this--it would have made them a serious contender).
--Colorado: Carrieri and Spencer, they need an A-mid.
--Chicago: Faria and Razov but no A-mid, that's what they need.
--DCU: we need D-mid depth. If we get a forward, it needs to be a target man as a role player.
--SJ: they could use JMM but could use mids and defenders even more.

I know, I know, we could "claim him than force NE to trade for him" in hopes of extorting a 2nd or 3rd round pick! Except that NE wants him but isn't dying to get him. What if they said "no thanks"? Than we're stuck with him and Stewart on the frontline (not a bad pair but neither is good with their back to goal). AND, we'd need to have cap room to get him--that would mean passing on Ivanov. Or cutting a couple of players (Prideaux, Nelsen) to clear cap room. All that for a second or 3rd round pick?

[Haig]

Originally posted by ONE
lets see how amazing he is on the ball after Reyes/Petke/Ivanov/Kovalenko/Olsen break his dainty spanish ankles. hell...he's only 5'6" we could have Convey chip in too....

Let's see how many games DC wins with 9 men.

Makes me miss the old days, when DC fans ripped other teams as cheap shot artists and hacks, and held up their side as the only team playing clean, attractive soccer.

Mario Rosas isn't much smaller than LD, Vaca, and other attacking players who have done fine in MLS.

Joe, by the way, Clark will be playing right behind Rosas, not on the outside. There are a couple decent outside prospects on the way for the Metros.

[GoDC]

Originally posted by Haig
Let's see how many games DC wins with 9 men.

Makes me miss the old days, when DC fans ripped other teams as cheap shot artists and hacks, and held up their side as the only team playing clean, attractive soccer.

Mario Rosas isn't much smaller than LD, Vaca, and other attacking players who have done fine in MLS.

Joe, by the way, Clark will be playing right behind Rosas, not on the outside. There are a couple decent outside prospects on the way for the Metros.

Any names on who you plan on picking up??

I think we will be less dirty :) than last year with McKinley and Williams out.

[Haig]

Keep in mind Bob Bradley, in Chicago, had only had one wide midfielder who was regarded as a notable player, and Bradley won a couple trophies before Beasley showed up in town. So the fact that the names I've heard as possibilities wouldn't, ahem, knock your socks off, doesn't really say much about how they would fit into the team. Just keep in mind that wide midfielders-- even Beasley-- on Bradley's teams play lots of defense.

[GoDC]

I guess we will have to wait on the announcements then but I hear what you are saying. In MLS you need some guys who are just going to work hard out there and do their job.

[Atouk]

Originally posted by entropy
More news from Tardland...looks like they're pursuing a #10 from Spain.

http://www.metrofanatic.com/mf/story.jsp?ID=1061 He's 5'6, has made seven appearances in La Liga, but none since '00-'01, played in the Spanish Second in '01-'02, with no info on how often or how well, and has been out of contract since last spring? On paper, there are better resumes, but this game isn't played on paper, of course. It's not like Bradley doesn't know what he's doing, but here's hoping this kid is another Metro flop.

[DigitalTron]

DC United lost McKinley and Alavanja, but replaced them with Petke and Kovalenko. I'd say that's a significant improvement in skill with an equal dose of grit. IMHO, the only thing lost there was McKinley's long passing and ability to cover at Dmid. Kovalenko is immenently more capable than Alavanja on offense and probably in the same range defensively when he's not pushing forward.

I don't know about Mario, but he sounds a lot like Andy Williams, which is ironic. I have faith in Bradley's talent assessment, so I'm guessing he'll be a good addition. Knowing Vaca, and that Bradley wanted him, I'll assume that Mario is less of a passer and more of a dribbler than Vaca. I rate Vaca quite highly BTW, so that's not a backhanded compliment.

-Tron

[Haig]

Williams never let the ball do the work, which puts him distinctly on the wrong side of Bob Bradley. Rosas is much more of a passer. I'm also told he is very disciplined, on- and off-field, which also is in stark contrast to Williams.

Bob Bradley has taken the same approach to bringing Rosas into his team as he took with Peter Nowak. I think that's the more apt comparison than to a litany of the Metro disappointments who were recruited by the feeble minds who used to run the team. This is a Bob Bradley player all the way, and I think the chances that Rosas is going to disappoint are remote.

[GoDC]

Originally posted by Haig
Williams never let the ball do the work, which puts him distinctly on the wrong side of Bob Bradley. Rosas is much more of a passer. I'm also told he is very disciplined, on- and off-field, which also is in stark contrast to Williams.

Bob Bradley has taken the same approach to bringing Rosas into his team as he took with Peter Nowak. I think that's the more apt comparison than to a litany of the Metro disappointments who were recruited by the feeble minds who used to run the team. This is a Bob Bradley player all the way, and I think the chances that Rosas is going to disappoint are remote.

I hate to say this but that sounds good to me. As long as he sucks in the 4 games against us, if he can play then he makes the league better.

[DCU]

Originally posted by argo0
From the mlsnet article on the JMM acquisition (http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/ne0128jmm.html):
"In order for Moore to fall to the Revs, the teams holding allocations passed, meaning that the "reverse-order-of-finish" process described by MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis prior to the Earnie Stewart signing was instituted. With New England holding the ninth slot, it can be inferred that the eight teams besides New England and Los Angeles passed on Moore, either because of salary budget constraints or competitive chemistry reasons within their squad."

Does anyone really believe this garbage? From what I've read elsewhere, JMM was only willing to play for NE. Talk about your contortions to stay within the league's "rules." Just to add to the farce...In the original press release, MLS didn't bother to mention how Moore miraculously landed in Rev land. That paragraph on how "Moore fell to the Revs" was added shortly after I posted a mocking comment about the article on the main MLS board here on bigsoccer. Coincidence? :rolleyes:

[Knave]

Originally posted by DCU
Just to add to the farce...In the original press release, MLS didn't bother to mention how Moore miraculously landed in Rev land. That paragraph on how "Moore fell to the Revs" was added shortly after I posted a mocking comment about the article on the main MLS board here on bigsoccer. Coincidence? :rolleyes:
Behold! The power of BigSoccer.com! :)