WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks; United interested in Palermo

[geordienation]

From Goff . . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/15/AR2006121500913.html


also:

Meantime, as it continues its pursuit of South American talent, United has expressed interest in Boca Juniors star forward Martin Palermo and appear close to signing a right-side midfielder from Brazil, two sources said late last night.

Palermo, 33, is among the most popular players in Latin America and was once one of the world's top scorers. He has also played for Villarreal, Real Betis and Alaves in Spain and made seven appearances for Argentina's national team. It's unclear how much interest he has in MLS.

[DC_Gunner]

Yeah, Martin Palermo would be a funny pickup, he's still pretty good, but he's old and his name recognition whcih we might be paying for wouldn't be worth so much here.

[Diablo10]

Can't say that this is a surprise as Brandon really wasn't getting much playing time after his injury. Anyway, goodluck BP! Say hello to Petke! :D

[Amores Perros]

Who is DC so interested in from this years (2007) draft? What draft pick numbers did Colorado give up?

[writered21]

I doubt they'll get him, but Palermo could be quite effective in MLS for 2 years.

[sch2383]

I always felt good knowing Prideaux was one our bench, a good defender that could be pluged in on either side. But he is too good and paid too much to be a reserve player.

And as for the other news, :D

[Riz]

Yep, just got my MLS-sponsored DC United text message - 2 third-round SuperDraft Picks from the Crapids, one in 2007 and one in 2008, for Prideaux - or as Blondie calls him, Preducks.

Another bites the dust, it seems.

[Knave]

So does this mean the Hudson era is officially over?

[JoeW]

Interesting. It seems like the Payne-Kasper-Nowak philosophy is to give players or a team 2 years to get it together. After 2 years, you either have shown enough promise to justify a contract (if you're a junior/reserve player) or if you're a team, worthy of being kept together.

Last season, people were bemoaning about how TFKAM and others were making moves and we were standing pat. Nowak and Payne's response was "we like our team."

The evidence now seems to be that our braintrust has decided to remake the team. Not just dump one player for a good deal. But in dealing Rimando and Prideaux, releasing Donnet, it says that they concluded that last year's team did as well as it could do.

Given this, I wouldn't be surprised to see us move Eskandarian (who Arena covets) if the right offer is made.

[ZoomZip]

So does this mean the Hudson era is officially over?

We still have Christian Gomez... or is that not what meant? :D

[Knave]

Gomez may have been scouted by Hudson, but he never played for Hudson.

But it just seems to me that Nowak is systematically trading/cutting loose the veteran players Hudson brought in.

[JRstriker12]

What style of soccer does Palmero play and how big is he?

Is he similar to Jaime or Gomez?

Would he do anything about our lack of threat in the air?

[Autogolazo]

I'm confused about the backline being "set".

Erpen is getting the boot, right? Or was that just a rumor?

[chessplayer]

Yep, just got my MLS-sponsored DC United text message - 2 third-round SuperDraft Picks from the Crapids, one in 2007 and one in 2008, for Prideaux - or as Blondie calls him, Preducks.

Another bites the dust, it seems.

So, who will be our reserve defender(s) then? I read that John Wilson may be done for good or for a long time with his injury, and David Stokes is looking to Europe, and personally he doesn't seem to have come along to MLS level yet. I guess we'll be picking up the next Boswell in the draft (or skipping the draft entirely, as in Boswell's case). I think we need more speed in the back.

[MeridianFC]

I haven't seen Palermo play for a while now, but if he's fit and anywhere near his old form, I'd take him.

[Riz]

You can look to Europe, but that doesn't mean Europe is REALLY looking back at you. ;)

[Autogolazo]

What style of soccer does Palmero play and how big is he?

Is he similar to Jaime or Gomez?

Would he do anything about our lack of threat in the air?

He's almost all "air"--he brought a Bolton feel to Boca :D

Seriously, for what he does, he's very good, but he dyes and frosts his hair.

On a sad note, his wife lost a baby in the ninth month recently (a couple months ago) and I'm not sure how much she would want to up and move that far away. You have to consider all the factors here.

[ZoomZip]

Gomez may have been scouted by Hudson, but he never played for Hudson.

But it just seems to me that Nowak is systematically trading/cutting loose the veteran players Hudson brought in.

Just joking, but that's an interesting overall interpretation you have there. Let me offer another: These are moves in anticipation of new ownership. It seems to me that DC is looking to a system of trying to be the most efficient team in terms of salary $ spent. Think of it as imposing a "performance based pay" concept. If you're not an everyday starter, then we don't want to pay you much above the league minimums. We're clearing out salary in exchange for using $ on players we think will either have big impact, or for cheap options (draft picks and the like) where we can get value.

As a result, this team is more attractive in the balance books. If I'm right, then Alecko Eskandarian may be the next to move from a "production to salary" standpoint. Ives shot down the Esky-NYRB rumor, but the idea that Esky might be shopped around, and DC would move him for things that seemed cheap in comparison. Just a thought.

[bigredfutbol]

Erpen is getting the boot, right? Or was that just a rumor?

I hope so. I haven't been on this forum much the past few weeks.

I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I want Erpen to stay.

[ZoomZip]

I think we need more speed in the back.

It would not shock me to learn that Josh Gros is being pretty much fully converted to an outside defender.