The next six games

[ursula]

Are huge for our team and for individual team members.

If yesterday's game vs the Quakes was an unexpected peak in our playing ability and we proceed to tie and lose the next couple then this offseason will include a huge turnover for this team. The core will get blown apart.

If we manage to make the playoffs than the changes will probably be fairly minor compared to the above scenerio and will be more about evaluating individual players. For instance if Moreno keeps missing shots or gets hurt again, he's likely to be gone, but if he gets it together he's likely to be a starting forward with us next year. The same is true for various other players.

If we make the playoffs and manage to win at least one round than the changes will be pretty minor this offseason with the core left intact.

[GUTuna]

I agree.

If this team continues to show heart, as they have for the past couple games, despite some poor showing, then get everyone healthy and come back for more next year.

If this team gives up, it may need to be blown up.

But really...
Rimando
Pope Prideaux Nelsen Reyes
Olsen Williams Etch Convey
Quaranta Moreno

Subs
Q2
Mapp

Doesn't look too bad to start with. Once again, we need depth in the draft, because, as with the past, we have NONE. Whenever anyone is injured, we're toast.

I'd like to see some heart and a run at the playoffs. Don't underestimate the value of Olsen. Now that he's on the field, being an example, he can become a larger player in the locker room as well.

[nick]

As to the chances of various players sticking with the club next year I'd rate their chances as follows.


Definately Stay
Rimando
Reyas, Nelsen
Convey, Olsen, Mapp
Quranta, Quintanilla

Probably Stay
Pope, Prideaux
Mckinley

On the Bubble
Etcheverry, Moreno, Williams

Probably Go
Alevanja, Alegria, Villages

Definately Go
Amann
Lassiter, Curtis

[GUTuna]

Originally posted by nick
As to the chances of various players sticking with the club next year I'd rate their chances as follows.


Overall I'd agree with you. Just a few changes. I'd move Prideaux into the definitely stay category. He's young, american, and not too expensive. He's been a GREAT pickup from KC.

Also, I think we'll almost definitely see Chino back. Not as much because he's star material. But Ray does like his fire, he's young, he doesn't count against our foreign player limit, and he's cheap.

Also, I think McKinley can stay if he wants, but I think we're likely to see him retire sometime soon. One of our other posters has heard through the grapevine that he may hang them up after this season.

[DigitalTron]

I agree with GUTuna. Nick has a good list, but I don't expect as much turnover this offseason as everyone else does. Remember, every coach guts the roster when he gets there because he wants "his guys" on the team, not people who will compare him to the glory of the previous coach and undermine what he is trying to accomplish. At United the holdovers really are committed to him, so anyone who wasn't committed (i.e. Lisi) is already gone.

This team took a LONG time to be fully assembled. Reyes wasn't added in preseason, and after he arrived he had an adjustment period to the country, the team and the officiating. Pope wasn't focused on MLS until after the World Cup. Neither Etch nor Moreno trained very hard in the offseason either of the last two seasons as they had tuned Rongen out. Now they're onboard with Hudson, and I believe they will train properly this offseason.

Most of the players that have caused United to fare so poorly this season are backups. Many of them are no longer on the team. Also, the youngsters are continuing their maturation process. Nelsen has adjusted to MLS, Convey now plays defense, Santino has become a starter.

The team now knows and understands Ray's system, and Ray has adjusted to fit his personnel (i.e. adding more structure to allow the youngsters to learn quickly). There will be little adjustment needed next season, only refining, which should put us light years ahead in the early stages of next season. New personnel would hinder that.

That said, we need defensive depth ... we have none. 4 great starters on the back line and 2 acceptable Dmids is great, but not enough. Hopefully Namoff will develop, but I have little hope for Lazo. This would be a great place to add SuperDraft picks.

With a healthy Olsen we have depth in midfield. Convey can cover for Etch. Mapp and Eliseo can cover the flanks. With Santino and Moreno up top, we only need one more top flight forward and maybe one other reserve (depending upon where you play Eliseo most of the time).

I'm not a believer in Villegas or Curtis, though I like Curtis' attitude and grit. We need another top forward.

-Tron

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by GUTuna
I agree.

If this team continues to show heart, as they have for the past couple games, despite some poor showing, then get everyone healthy and come back for more next year.

If this team gives up, it may need to be blown up.

But really...
Rimando
Pope Prideaux Nelsen Reyes
Olsen Williams Etch Convey
Quaranta Moreno

Subs
Q2
Mapp

Doesn't look too bad to start with. Once again, we need depth in the draft, because, as with the past, we have NONE. Whenever anyone is injured, we're toast.

I'd like to see some heart and a run at the playoffs. Don't underestimate the value of Olsen. Now that he's on the field, being an example, he can become a larger player in the locker room as well.

[CHICO13]

Out of the rubble that is the 2002 season, one thing I've seen is that this team IS NOT giving up. We've had bad luck, a scoring drought, shtty reffing, injuries galore etc...But the heart is still there. If we take the Metro Pukes out Saturday and get back to RFK with 4 points on two road games, I think it'll do wonders for their confidence. Getting people back healthy for the stretch run is key. It ain't over till the Fat Lady sings....:)