New England/KC trade?

[footiegrrrl]

Just heard this unconfirmed trade info from the KC board...Dario Fabbro (striker) & Chris Brown (mid/forward) to N.E. for Vazquez and Wolde Harris.
Vazquez was an easy swap, no regrets. Wolde has been hot and cold. What do you think? Fabbro has potential, but doesn't get the play time in KC and Chris Brown has come up with some important goals for KC occasionally. Not quite sure what to think about this one.

[Autogolazo]

Fabbro is so miserable he doesn't deserve to be called an Argentine.

Terrible trade for the Revs. (Hope it isn't true)

Wolde much better than Fabbro.

Vazquez at least good cover for Cancela. He set up TT nicely that one game on several occasions.

Brown is strictly a hustle guy. I guess he and Vazquez are about even, in their own ways.

Revs lose out in this trade, unless there are picks or something more to come.

[firstshirt]

hmmm fabbro with a total of 179 minutes played this year does not strike fear into anyone. Brown with a respectable 1189 minutes, 2 goals and 2 assists......overall bad trade for the revs. The revs first need is defenders, then forward. This may not be bad if the Revs intend on making another play for a defender.

[The Magpie]

I'd make this trade:

First off, Vasquez isn't going to be anything more than a reserve at this point, and one that takes up a SI slot at that. Meanwhile you have a player in Chris Brown who's a KC veteran who's proven a work-horse, doesn't get injured much (knock on wood,) and would seem a good fit for the personality of the team.

On the other hand, we'd immediately give up that SI slot in getting Fabbro for Harris, and hasn't seen a great deal of playing time of late.

Maybe we could get a better opinion of his strengths/weaknesses from one of the KC faithful, Sam Pierron perhaps?

The Magpie

[JohnnyRev]

It's time for Wolde to move on. Chris Brown can't be worse.

Vasquez is not much of a loss.

Fabro had a good game against the Revs last year at Gillette, but he seems like an Ian Fuller type with perhaps a bit more skill.

[jdouble]

Fabbro:

Strengths - Tall, descent dribbler, occassionally a good passer.

Weaknesses - Can't shoot, can't head the ball, falls down when a defender gets anywhere near him and almost never sells it well enough to get the call, can't hold the ball up top, and apparently has only two speeds, slow and standing still.

Brown:

1. he is not fast. he can not shoot. he will stand around for long stretches of the game, and just when you want to take him out - look dangerous as hell. he has it in him to score some great goals... its what he does the other 99.9% of the time he is on the field that sucks so bad.

[firstshirt]

Fabro had 6 goals and 3 assists in 16 games last year, his first in MLS, he seemed promising.....how did his stock drop so much?

[JPNutter]

He had some injury problems that kept him on the bench. Also the emergence of Igor Simutankov limited his playing time. Also Gansler had a hard-on for Brown and kept trying to put him at forward even though he sucked. I don’t know much about Vasquez but I know that just getting rid of those losers is a great trade.

[Soccer Doc]

If SN made this trade it's a good one till proven otherwise.
I guess we just have to wait and see.

[Rodan]

Obviously the Revs were on a quest to see if they could become just a little slower. ;)

Hell, who knows. Harris and Vazquez were never going to do anything here (as much as I like Wolde). So worst case (and, seemingly, most likely case), Brown and Fabbor do nothing here also.

Kind of like exchanging some old beta video cassettes for some 8-track tapes.

The Revs needed a defender, but were going to have to pay dear for one. They, unfortunately, used up all their cards for this year. But they've got some pretty good ones for next year. And, who knows, anything can happen.

Good luck to Wolde though. He's a class guy and deserves success. I will for one will never forget his unforgettable bike and led to the goal that never was...

[Danizinho]

WIZARDS ACQUIRE WOLDE HARRIS,
JORGE VAZQUEZ FROM NEW ENGLAND
Kansas City Also Gets Conditional Draft Pick, Sends Dario Fabbro &
Chris Brown to Revolution

KANSAS CITY, MO (Wednesday, August 20, 2003) - Kansas City Wizards
General Manager Curt Johnson announced today the team has acquired
forward Wolde Harris and midfielder Jorge Vázquez from the New England
Revolution in exchange for forwards Chris Brown and Dario Fabbro. The
Wizards also received a conditional draft pick(s) in the deal.

"Wolde has been on our radar screen for a while now," said Head Coach
Bob Gansler. "He is a guy that has always been difficult to defend,
first with the Rapids and now with the Revolution. His combination of
speed and power is always a handful to opposing teams. He gives us one
more scoring opportunity up front as we head into the final third of
the season and look towards the playoffs. We are looking forward to
working with him. I just spoke with him and ask if he had any
questions, and his only question was 'When do I get out of here?' so
he is anxious to join us."

Harris, a 29-year-old native of Kingston, Jamaica, adds another
experienced scoring threat to the Wizards offense and a physical
presence on the front line. In over six season's in Major League
Soccer, he has tallied 50 goals and 31 assists for 131 career points
and is tied for 19th all-time on the MLS scoring charts. He has
appeared in 174 regular season matches and made 19 appearances in the
postseason. Harris, who currently holds a Green Card, has also been a
regular member of the Jamaican National Team.

He began his MLS career with the Colorado Rapids, signing as a
discovery player in 1997 and spending three seasons with the Rapids
before being traded to New England prior to the 2000 campaign. In his
first season with the Revs in 2000, he tied a MLS record scoring a
goal in seven consecutive matches from July 19th to August 26th.

Vázquez, 33, adds depth to the Wizards midfield and brings a wealth of
international experience. Classified as a Senior International, the
Argentinean native signed with the Revolution in June of this year and
has played in four matches, including two starts and registering one
assist. Prior to his short time in MLS, Vázquez was a member of
Atlético Atlanta in Argentina.

"Vázquez is a veteran player and gives us another strategist in the
midfield," added Gansler. "He has shown his wears in a number of
countries. As you go down the stretch, you always look for experience
that can help you and we trust Jorge will fit the bill."

The Argentinean began his professional career with storied Argentinean
club River Plate, rising through the youth system and playing five
seasons for the first team. He has also played with Vélez Sarsfield
(Argentina), Universidad Católica (Chile), Emelec (Ecuador) and
Atlético Morelia (Mexico).

Fabbro heads to New England after a short stint in Kansas City. He
joined the team in May of 2002 and appeared in 24 matches with 18
starts over two seasons. Fabbro, a Senior International, registered
six goals and three assists, all in 2002.

Brown was drafted by the Wizards in 1999 and has spent four seasons in
Kansas City. He has appeared in 123 matches, including 77 starts,
scoring 15 goals and adding 11 assists in his four and a half years
with the Wizards.


Wolde Harris (WOHL-dee)
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Weight: 190
Born: January 26, 1974
Place of Birth: Kingston, Jamaica
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Last Club: New England Revolution
Previous Experience: New England Revolution 2000-2003, Colorado Rapids
1997-1999
Acquired: Acquired from New England along with Jorge Vázquez for Dario
Fabbro and Chris Brown, 8/20/03

Jorge Vázquez (HOR-hay VAZZ-kezz)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160
Born: November 28, 1969
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Last Club: New England Revolution
Previous Experience: River Plate (Argentina), Vélez Sarsfield
(Argentina), Universidad Católica (Chile), Emelec (Ecuador) and
Atlético Morelia (Mexico), Atlético Atlanta (Argentina), New England
Revolution.
Acquired: Acquired from New England along with Jorge Vasquez for Dario
Fabbro and Chris Brown, 8/20/03

TRANSACTION: Wizards acquire forward Wolde Harris, midfielder Jorge
Vázquez and a conditional draft pick(s) from the New England
Revolution in exchange for forward Dario Fabbro and midfielder/forward
Chris Brown.

[The Magpie]

Couple of additional thoughts...

Jorge Vasquez was never the Revolution’s first-choice for the long-standing opening/need the club had in the center of the pitch. It’s pretty well understood that he was brought on board when it seemed highly unlikely the Revolution would be able to land the player they really wanted, Jose Cancela. Turns out the Revolution were able to get Cancela, and through four games has shown a combination of work-rate, skill, and maturity that was last seen round-about when Edwin Gorter was suiting up for the Revolution.

The result: Vasquez has become surplus goods, and it’s been quite clear in recent weeks that his playing time would be minimal at best. To this point he’s only played 197 minutes and to be honest, hasn’t shown much save for one nice assist. He’s a good player, but not good enough to sit on the bench, occupying a SI slot in the process.

That being said I think he’d be a good fit in Kansas City, and at least there would be more or less assured of some quality minutes, playing alongside a player in Preki who’s good enough in both scoring and distribution that Vasquez may play with less of a burden and as a result, could be more productive. If memory serves me correctly he’s also played at forward in the past to some success, and that might provide Gansler with some more flexibility up top.

So what would the Revs get in Chris Brown? Well, for one thing a work-horse of a player who doesn’t have a rep. for missing many games, and like Vasquez, can also play both as a forward and in midfield - a versatile attacking player. So in a sense the Revs get both one player who can come on as a reserve forward or in midfield, even out wide… and this may be something the Rev faithful are over-looking.

Several New England fans would cite our first need as defense, a fair argument. However, if you ask them whether they need a starter or simply better depth I’d offer that many would lay claim to the latter. That being understood, in getting Brown the Revs would now have further cover for Brian Kamler in addition to Jason Moore, meaning - Kamler would be available as a defensive reserve. He has experience in the back from his days in D.C., and he’s also a positive, team player.

In short, if Kamler can provide the depth necessary, “if necessary,” and without the Revs having to go look for a player at the 11th hour who might not be a good fit in terms of skill or personality, the Revs did well here.

The Revs likely don’t see Brown as a starter, but he brings a little bit more to the table than Vasquez and sees the scales tipped in his favor in not being foreign national.

But what about swapping Wolde for Fabbro?

Doesn’t take a lot of effort to see what’s going on here: the Revs are looking for a second strike partner for Taylor Twellman, but a type of player that better compliments his play than Wolde. You think it’s any surprise that the Revs may have looked to Fabbro not long after their efforts to get Diego Serna were for naught? It’s an apples and oranges argument, but their styles are not that different… some might say their personalities aren’t that different either: mercurial talents who can score in bunches, or not at all.

According to any number of things I’ve read it would seem that Fabbro’s in Gansler’s dog-house for one reason or another: only 2 starts from179 minutes in eight total games, ouch! On the other hand you have Harris who’s played more than double that number of games for 856 minutes, but who’s been quite ineffective in comparison to Twellman. Quite simply, Harris has that annoying habit that so many Caribbean players have of holding onto the ball too long, never getting rid of it, only to then try and beat multiple defenders. He’s certainly working harder than he ever has and his attitude’s improved, but he’s not providing anything up top at the moment, and with the Revs also looking to be without Joe-Max Moore for some time (knee injury,) the Revs need someone who can step in, start, and produce.

Fabbro’s in need of a second chance and it seems Nicol’s willing to let him have it. You also can’t discount how he might play in a team with a player of the experience and style of Cancela. Granted much of this is speculative, however…

The Revs would let go Wolde who’s a decent player but has once again underachieved, while getting a forward cut from similar cloth to Serna who’s proven himself a good player in the past, is looking for a chance, and would seemingly step right into the starting line-up.

On the surface it may not look like much, but when you dig a bit deeper it’s good moves for both teams... "another man's trash is another man's treasure."

The Magpie

[johnh00]

Originally posted by Soccer Doc
If SN made this trade it's a good one till proven otherwise.
I guess we just have to wait and see.
I don't know about that. SN doesn't really have a big enough track record(good or bad) to say anything about his trades. I think KC may have gotten the better of this, but let's face it: none of the players involved in this trade are impact guys. The trade is unlikely to turn into a huge loss or benefit for either team.

Lee

[The Magpie]

So, starting line-up?

GK: Brown
RB: Heaps
CB: Pierce
CB: Llamosa
LB: Franchino
RM: Ralston
CB: Joseph
CB: Cancela
LM: Kamler
FW: Twellman
FW: Fabbro

Don't see anything I don't like.

The Magpie

[Rodan]

Originally posted by The Magpie

GK: Brown
RB: Heaps
CB: Pierce
CB: Llamosa
LB: Franchino
RM: Ralston
CB: Joseph
CB: Cancela
LM: Kamler
FW: Twellman
FW: Fabbro

Don't see anything I don't like.
Gadfly: "Until Pierce or Llamosa are injured or can't play, that is".

But hey, you can't look for Mr. Panacea on the last day of trades. Ain't any patsies left in the front offices of MLS teams.

If everyone stays healthy and avoids suspension, sure good things can happen. This year hasn't favored that scenario much. But last year did - so who knows.

What I do like however, is the set up for next year. And to his credit, Nicol hasn't done anything to mar that picture. An allocation (at least one - and hopefully no more), and some decent picks for the first time in memory.

I'll take it.

[JG_Revs]

I don't hate the trade, but I don't really like it. I remember saying out loud after Saturday's game that those were the last minutes Wolde Harris would ever play in a Rev uniform (mostly because of his attitude/reaction). Losing Vasquez is no big deal.

It's a shame we couldn't have gotten someone who plays a little defense... Zavagnin, Armstrong, Talley, even Zotinca. Brown and Fabbro are decent, but they run hot and cold (much like Harris) and I don't prefer either of them to Noonan. I would say, however, the Brown would be an improvement over Jay Moore at outside mid.

[The Magpie]

"I don't hate the trade, but I don't really like it."

Remember, medicine's not suppossed to taste good ;-)

The Magpie

[Dr Jay]

This trade may make more sense if the second shoe drops - Revs trading for a defensive starter. Sit tight, 2 1/2 more hours to go.

[mpruitt]

could be just to shake up the team a little bit. if ever there was a team i need of shaking up... what kind of concerns me though is that you had to really like our depth at the striker position, if you want to use that to leverage for defense then there you go, do that. but why make an essentially lateral trade? at best i'd call this trade a push. we'll see what happens though. unfortunately i think i've gotten a little bit of Brian Daubach syndrome in me for Wolde, i'll be sad to see him go. furthermore, i think he was a pretty crucial cog with JMM beign 1. old and 2. injured pretty much the whole season.

[BigFrank]

Simple trade of I'll send you my rubbish for your rubbish. Maybe one of us will find something worthwhile.

Four guys that hadn't been doing anything changing shirts.
Big deal? No.

Wolde has need a change for awhile.
Vazquez was washed up when he got here, probably for the last few years.

Fabbro, a senior international, has scored as many points as Tony Frias 3 this season.
Brown is surplus at best.

Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnn.