Red Bulls sign Angel? (Last Night's MLS [R] as well)

[Matrim55]

From the always excellent BigAppleSoccer. (http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=9278)


The Manchester Guardian reported in its Friday editions that the Colombian international striker was going to join the MLS team.

There was no confirmation from the Red Bulls that the deal was finalized.

The Red Bulls were hoping to get all the paperwork in order to complete a deal that would bring Angel over from Aston Villa before the weekend, according to a source in the league.

A salary has been agreed to between the two parties, but the league and Aston Villa still were apart on agreeing on a transfer fee Thursday, according to another source. One estimate had the gap as high as $800,000.

In another player acquisiton development, the Red Bulls have been talking to the represenatives of Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse for about a week, a source said. Liverpool's asking price for Cisse, however, might be too high and he is considered to be a long shot to join the team, a source said.
Not exactly the Beckham signing, but Angel is the kind of quality pro a year or two past his prime that MLS can make use of. I'd be happy to see him wear the colors.

As for the game last night I will say this: for all the good work Eric Wynalda does - and yeah, it's nice to have an announcer who feels free to criticize the players - he does a lot of lousy work, too. This was largely glossed over during the USMNT broadcasts because he was paired with Arena, who did such a good job of catching and explaining the nuances. There was, obviously, no Arena last night, and as such Waldo missed a number of things:

1) Dallas were putting LD on the ground every chance they got.
2) LA had no one retalliate except... Kyle Martino. Kyle f'ing Martino? When did they chop Tyrone Marshall's balls off?
3) Steve Morrow, who I obviously didn't give enough credit, had Dax McCarty abandon his zonal responsibilities to man-mark Donovan when he dropped back into the final third, ensuring that Landycakes (it's ok to call him that again after last night's turd) was the one Gal who always received with his back to the goal. Classic case of not letting the star beat you. EDIT: This is what the U-20s did a few years ago with Feilhaber man-marking Leo Messi.
4) LA switched formations at half time, pushing Martino to the inside-left while Sturgis (who was awful) and the new Canadian kid (who wasn't half bad) both played as two-way mids. It worked, as LA played a bit better.
5) Ian Russell and Ante Jazic killed the Galaxy in the first half, outside of Jazic's one great cross.
6) Alex Yi started at right back with Drew Moor in the center, but they switched at some point when it became clear that all LA could think to do was pump in cross after cross after cross.
7) Someone had to have mentioned how much ground Pitchkolan covered. It's a shame the guy has less skill than me, because his brain is among the best in the league.
8) Congrats, Dallas, on your first HDC win against the Galaxy. It was well earned.

[Skurwiel007]

WTF with you man? we have Mathis he is The Angel.:D

[texgator]

1) Dallas were putting LD on the ground every chance they got.
4) LA switched formations at half time, pushing Martino to the inside-left while Sturgis (who was awful) and the new Canadian kid (who wasn't half bad) both played as two-way mids. It worked, as LA played a bit better.


These were both mentioned by Wynalda....but everything else you pointed out was missed and are dead on.

[Matrim55]

These were both mentioned by Wynalda....but everything else you pointed out was missed and are dead on.
For the first, I believe he said something like "if you foul Landon Donovan there, you're going to get called," which isn't exactly the same as saying that it was part of FCD's gameplan to knock him around.

As for the second, he said that Martino and Cobi switched sides at the half, which isn't accurate because Martino played centrally in the first half. So IMHO the tactical nuance and actual import of the switch went way, way over Waldo's head.

[pr0ner]

What I'd like to know is where NYRB has the salary cap room to sign Angel. Surely he's not coming cheap. And Mathis can't be cheap, either.

[texgator]

For the first, I believe he said something like "if you foul Landon Donovan there, you're going to get called," which isn't exactly the same as saying that it was part of FCD's gameplan to knock him around.No, towards the end of the game he mentioned how they kept Donovan on the ground for much of the night.

As for the second, he said that Martino and Cobi switched sides at the half, which isn't accurate because Martino played centrally in the first half. So IMHO the tactical nuance and actual import of the switch went way, way over Waldo's head.Well, he said that the formation was changed, not just that those two players switched sides. But you are correct, he didn't get into the deep details of the tactical differences. Nor would I expect him to on a national broadcast. And if you really think that stuff goes over Wynalda's head you are ridiculous.

[texgator]

What I'd like to know is where NYRB has the salary cap room to sign Angel. Surely he's not coming cheap. And Mathis can't be cheap, either.He'll be a DP, so only $400k of his salary counts towards the cap. Mathis is a lot cheaper than you think.

[stucknutah]

He'll be a DP, so only $400k of his salary counts towards the cap. Mathis is a lot cheaper than you think.

Especially seeing that RSL (for sure) and the Crapids (maybe) are paying most of his salary.

[onefineesq]

No, towards the end of the game he mentioned how they kept Donovan on the ground for much of the night.

Well, he said that the formation was changed, not just that those two players switched sides. But you are correct, he didn't get into the deep details of the tactical differences. Nor would I expect him to on a national broadcast. And if you really think that stuff goes over Wynalda's head you are ridiculous. I'm with you. the idea that someone should say everything that comes to mind during the game is ridiculous. he mentioned several of the items in a more general sense. it's quite funny that when the guys talk a lot, we complain about them ruining flow, but when they talk less we rip them for not understanding the game. Bruce's boring style in the booth is not a cure-all and if spent time picking apart his performances, I could name a ton of things that he mistated or didn't comment on while he was in the booth as well. however, i choose to not be as anal as most others appear to be about the broadcasting teams. damn people, just watch the darn game.

[Matrim55]

No, towards the end of the game he mentioned how they kept Donovan on the ground for much of the night.
Hmm, I missed it.

Well, he said that the formation was changed, not just that those two players switched sides. But you are correct, he didn't get into the deep details of the tactical differences. Nor would I expect him to on a national broadcast.
"LA have brought Harmse in for a stronger defensive presence in the middle of the midfield. This also allows Jones and Martino to pinch in more and encourages the fullbacks, Albright and Jazic to get deeper into the attack and put Dallas on the back foot."

I'm not sure that level of intricasy would turn viewers off; in fact I think it would enhance the enjoyment of the game for a lot of folks who aren't that technically astute.

And if you really think that stuff goes over Wynalda's head you are ridiculous.
I think that stuff goes over the heads of half the coaches in the league, let alone Wynalda.

[texgator]

I think that stuff goes over the heads of half the coaches in the league, let alone Wynalda.
:rolleyes: You really aren't as smart as you think you are.

[tab5g]

He'll be a DP, so only $400k of his salary counts towards the cap.

actually Reyna costs $400k toward the cap.
Angel (or any second DP a club signs) would only cost $325 toward the cap.

really, all Angel has to do is be better than Guevara, as that is who RB shipped to get that DP slot from Chivas USA.

note, i think Guevara will have a more productive 2007 in MLS than Angel (or any second DP who RB can sign).

[Matrim55]

:rolleyes: You really aren't as smart as you think you are.
You, sir, cut me to the quick.

[texgator]

You, sir, cut me to the quick.

That's all right, I'm not even as smart as that.

[Justin O]

Well, Wynalda does speak English correctly and he does not sound as if he's reading off cue cards. That in and of itself is enought to make him better than most US sports announcers.

[ECU_SIMMS]

From the always excellent BigAppleSoccer. (http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=9278)


Not exactly the Beckham signing, but Angel is the kind of quality pro a year or two past his prime that MLS can make use of. I'd be happy to see him wear the colors.

As for the game last night I will say this: for all the good work Eric Wynalda does - and yeah, it's nice to have an announcer who feels free to criticize the players - he does a lot of lousy work, too. This was largely glossed over during the USMNT broadcasts because he was paired with Arena, who did such a good job of catching and explaining the nuances. There was, obviously, no Arena last night, and as such Waldo missed a number of things:

1) Dallas were putting LD on the ground every chance they got.
2) LA had no one retalliate except... Kyle Martino. Kyle f'ing Martino? When did they chop Tyrone Marshall's balls off?
3) Steve Morrow, who I obviously didn't give enough credit, had Dax McCarty abandon his zonal responsibilities to man-mark Donovan when he dropped back into the final third, ensuring that Landycakes (it's ok to call him that again after last night's turd) was the one Gal who always received with his back to the goal. Classic case of not letting the star beat you. EDIT: This is what the U-20s did a few years ago with Feilhaber man-marking Leo Messi.
4) LA switched formations at half time, pushing Martino to the inside-left while Sturgis (who was awful) and the new Canadian kid (who wasn't half bad) both played as two-way mids. It worked, as LA played a bit better.
5) Ian Russell and Ante Jazic killed the Galaxy in the first half, outside of Jazic's one great cross.
6) Alex Yi started at right back with Drew Moor in the center, but they switched at some point when it became clear that all LA could think to do was pump in cross after cross after cross.
7) Someone had to have mentioned how much ground Pitchkolan covered. It's a shame the guy has less skill than me, because his brain is among the best in the league.
8) Congrats, Dallas, on your first HDC win against the Galaxy. It was well earned.

hmmm i didnt realize there was a hockey game last night... retailiate, WTF are you talking about... maybe someone will talk to them, maybe ruiz gets taken down once or twice, but this isnt hockey, and football/soccer coaches usually dont instruct there players to retaliate against a team

[rrodrigues23]

hmmm i didnt realize there was a hockey game last night...


yea...its playoff time!!!! caught the second half of the LA/FCD game last night...imo i like the halftime report that ESPN has with the scroll on the side and the bottomline with info about each teams and european teams with americans...looks to me that ESPN is slowly starting to care more about soccer..but thats imo

[sprovi]

yea...its playoff time!!!! caught the second half of the LA/FCD game last night...imo i like the halftime report that ESPN has with the scroll on the side and the bottomline with info about each teams and european teams with americans...looks to me that ESPN is slowly starting to care more about soccer..but thats imo

Um...hmm..I'm really going to try hard not to sound like a jackass, but they are paying a few million a year to air MLS games, so yea, I'm pretty sure they care a little more now.

Nevertheless, I was very, very pleased with the coverage last night. Watching it in HD was doubly sweet. The graphics are tremendously better, using the skycam made for some very nice shots, especially on several replays, and yes, the halftime report was well done. And, I forget the anchors name during the halftime show, but it's nice to see somebody else beside MLS folk have some passion for the game. I've watched him talk to Tommy Smyth on ESPNNEWS several times, and he really does his best to play the everyday sports guy, but you can tell he likes this game. Hell, how cool was it for this guy (again, somebody from ESPN that's not a so-called soccer guy) say something to the effect of, "Yes, 7-1. Who needs touchdowns, this is real football," during the halftime report.
I do love the NFL, but I couldn't help but a cheer a little when I heard that.

[SP Gunners]

As for the halftime guy - that was a funny comment about 7-1. But I also had to smile when he said, "the UeeeFA Champions League" (not UaaaFA), and his attempted pronunuciation of Inzaghi was equally hilarious.

The game in HD was great, and while I thought ESPN overdid it a bit with all the camera angles (what was up with play going on in the background while they went to Hopkins on the sideline???), I give them props for moving in the right direction. One definite criticism, they need to get rid of the full score box in the middle of the screen. What's wrong with the box in the corner like the world cup?? By season's end, I expect them have worked the bugs out.

[Matrim55]

As for the halftime guy - that was a funny comment about 7-1. But I also had to smile when he said, "the UeeeFA Champions League" (not UaaaFA), and his attempted pronunuciation of Inzaghi was equally hilarious.

The game in HD was great, and while I thought ESPN overdid it a bit with all the camera angles (what was up with play going on in the background while they went to Hopkins on the sideline???), I give them props for moving in the right direction. One definite criticism, they need to get rid of the full score box in the middle of the screen. What's wrong with the box in the corner like the world cup?? By season's end, I expect them have worked the bugs out.
Yar, I had the same complaints and compliments. Overall I'd give ESPN a solid B so far, and expect that their producers/directors will be able to correct both the pronunciation problems and cut-away problems before the season is over. Eventually someone will realize that soccer doesn't lend itself ot cut-aways and an adjustment will be made.