The Pre-Season Near News and Rumors Thread :: Part IX

[The Cold Sea]

1. Your word choice "I"m not wearing..." implies that sometimes you do but your currently are not wearing that undergarment at the moment. Much like saying "ignore the man behind the curtain" this now encourages all of us to reflect upon what indeed you are wearing (or if you are going commando) if you are not wearing panties. Let me just say that not only does this conjure up a horrifying image that I can't erase from my head (much like Donovan in a sports bra) but this is also a case of TMI on your part.

2. I also agree that Casal (and maybe Coleman) felt that bench time in MLS was better than reserve time with Fulham. ManU has always used clubs in Belgium. Maybe Coleman feels that MLS is better prep ground for the kind of player he's looking for.


Somehow I feel Casal is not aiming for the bench at DCU....or at least I would hope his ambition is to show some of our current starters what the view from the bench looks like.

[SavannahFan]

Somehow I feel Casal is not aiming for the bench at DCU....or at least I would hope his ambition is to show some of our current starters what the view from the bench looks like.Agreed, and I think Fulham wants the same thing too,This might not be a "loan" per se, but I think they have many of the same expectations that he is able to pick up some decent playing time and seasoning.

If he improves greatly, then he can return and contribute, if not, then they have not loss a thing.

[seahawkdad]

It would be interesting to know whether Fulham's having four Yanks who grew up in MLS had anything to do with him coming to MLS. Are the terms of his contract year-to-year?

This would be an interesting twist for the EPL...send your promising reserve players to the US for development.

[JeremyEritrea]

It would be interesting to know whether Fulham's having four Yanks who grew up in MLS had anything to do with him coming to MLS. Are the terms of his contract year-to-year?

This would be an interesting twist for the EPL...send your promising reserve players to the US for development.

I'm not sure how likely that is. I think the American "system" is very good at developing athleticism, and very bad at developing soccer skills.

[Th4119]

But you've gotta admit Ziadie had a great game that day!

Oh, definitely. My club team was ball boys that day so I was right there to see it.

I also got a nice view of Convey's dislocated finger that day and after Lisi finished the winner against Meola with a few minutes to go the entire team came and celebrated next to where I was. That was a fun game.

[elconejito]

I'm not sure how likely that is. I think the American "system" is very good at developing athleticism, and very bad at developing soccer skills.
I think Coleman sees *something* he likes about US trained players. maybe not all US trained players, but hes had mcbride and bocanegra who are regular starters and I'm sure Dempsey will become a regular soon (@seahawkdad, who's the fourth?)

It wouldn't surprise me if there was some sort of buy-back clause, or something where they get a piece of the transfer fee if he gets sold later.

If Casal comes here and plays reserves exclusively I don't think him nor DC nor Fulham have benefitted. But if he gets at least some 1st team minutes, or even better becomes a regular starter then everybody wins.

[JeremyEritrea]

I think Coleman sees *something* he likes about US trained players. maybe not all US trained players, but hes had mcbride and bocanegra who are regular starters and I'm sure Dempsey will become a regular soon (@seahawkdad, who's the fourth?)

It wouldn't surprise me if there was some sort of buy-back clause, or something where they get a piece of the transfer fee if he gets sold later.

If Casal comes here and plays reserves exclusively I don't think him nor DC nor Fulham have benefitted. But if he gets at least some 1st team minutes, or even better becomes a regular starter then everybody wins.

I'm talking about American development in general - McBride, Bocanegra, Dempsey, a few others, are the exceptions that prove the rule. At least IMHO.

American players are great at running real fast. When it comes to dribbling, crossing, corners, whatever, the skill set seems to break down.

[elconejito]

I'm talking about American development in general - McBride, Bocanegra, Dempsey, a few others, are the exceptions that prove the rule. At least IMHO.

American players are great at running real fast. When it comes to dribbling, crossing, corners, whatever, the skill set seems to break down.
I'd agree with that in a general sense.

Which makes it all the more intruiging as to why Coleman would send (if he indeed "sent") Casal over stateside

[Godalfree]

I think Coleman sees *something* he likes about US trained players. maybe not all US trained players, but hes had mcbride and bocanegra who are regular starters and I'm sure Dempsey will become a regular soon (@seahawkdad, who's the fourth?)

It wouldn't surprise me if there was some sort of buy-back clause, or something where they get a piece of the transfer fee if he gets sold later.

If Casal comes here and plays reserves exclusively I don't think him nor DC nor Fulham have benefitted. But if he gets at least some 1st team minutes, or even better becomes a regular starter then everybody wins.

Crew favorite Simon Elliot would be my guess. He is the only other guy I can think of on Fulham with mls ties.

[nobletea]

I think Coleman sees *something* he likes about US trained players.

I think he likes the relative bargain prices.

[MattMathai]

Crew favorite Simon Elliot would be my guess. He is the only other guy I can think of on Fulham with mls ties.


Didn't Eddie Lewis have a brush w/ Fulham too?

[The Cold Sea]

Didn't Eddie Lewis have a brush w/ Fulham too?

Yes, he did. When Jean Tigana, the manager of Fulham at the time, wouldn't release him for an international, I believe Bruce called him a "jerk." Thing is, Lewis didn't play much and may have played one game that season. He only made like 18 or so first team appearances at Fulham.

[MattMathai]

Yes, he did. When Jean Tigana, the manager of Fulham at the time, wouldn't release him for an international, I believe Bruce called him a "jerk." Thing is, Lewis didn't play much and may have played one game that season. He only made like 18 or so first team appearances at Fulham.

That's right. Thanks. It seems so long ago I watched Lewis in his horrid blue striped Clash jersey...

[seahawkdad]

(@seahawkdad, who's the fourth?)thanks for the kindness guys, but it's not Elliot.

I believe that's called a brain fart...there is no fourth Yank.

[Martin Fischer]

Didn't Eddie Lewis have a brush w/ Fulham too?

Marcus Hahnemann too.

[Th4119]

I'm talking about American development in general - McBride, Bocanegra, Dempsey, a few others, are the exceptions that prove the rule. At least IMHO.

American players are great at running real fast. When it comes to dribbling, crossing, corners, whatever, the skill set seems to break down.

I think this is more of a youth development issue than something that is a flaw with MLS.

Supposing that it's Fulham's goal to get Casal first-team minutes in a pro environment, then this is a good idea. Of course, we're all assuming that Fulham is doing all of this with the direct intention of getting him back at some point. Maybe he lacks some technical skills so the manager pointed him towards MLS where he can succeed with raw ability and a medium at best level of talent a la Josh Gros.

[JeremyEritrea]

I think this is more of a youth development issue than something that is a flaw with MLS.

Supposing that it's Fulham's goal to get Casal first-team minutes in a pro environment, then this is a good idea. Of course, we're all assuming that Fulham is doing all of this with the direct intention of getting him back at some point. Maybe he lacks some technical skills so the manager pointed him towards MLS where he can succeed with raw ability and a medium at best level of talent a la Josh Gros.

IMHO it's a problem with the entire amateurish approach to soccer that is endemic at all levels of the US Soccer Federation.

I think it's an issue through college. Most players drafted into MLS from the NCAA are not ready to play professionally. MLS itself does a great job, mostly because they aren't run by USSF.

However, my beef with the federation is more appropriate for another forum.

[The Cold Sea]

IMHO it's a problem with the entire amateurish approach to soccer that is endemic at all levels of the US Soccer Federation.

I think it's an issue through college. Most players drafted into MLS from the NCAA are not ready to play professionally. MLS itself does a great job, mostly because they aren't run by USSF.

However, my beef with the federation is more appropriate for another forum.

...but it's a good point and like to add to it. College soccer doesn't even play by the rules of football as set down by FIFA. The substitution rule has me at times head scratchy; the time is kept differently, too; and they don't play enough games. They give MLS athletes. A league full of Heaps and such.

[JeremyEritrea]

...but it's a good point and like to add to it. College soccer doesn't even play by the rules of football as set down by FIFA. The substitution rule has me at times head scratchy; the time is kept differently, too; and they don't play enough games. They give MLS athletes. A league full of Heaps and such.

I really don't pay attention to NCAA soccer, so correct me if I'm wrong. Doesn't USSF sanction the rules of soccer played in NCAA?

I do know that USSF doesn't even use standard substitution rules for the US Open Cup.

[JoeSoccerFan]

I really don't pay attention to NCAA soccer, so correct me if I'm wrong. Doesn't USSF sanction the rules of soccer played in NCAA?

I do know that USSF doesn't even use standard substitution rules for the US Open Cup.

Not sure what you mean by sanction.

I'd be totally shocked if USSF sanctioned the rules given the changes (subs coming back in, game clock). However, MLS refs ref college games.