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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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!
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks Who is DC so interested in from this years (2007) draft? What draft pick numbers did Colorado give up?
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks I doubt they'll get him, but Palermo could be quite effective in MLS for 2 years.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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,
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks We still have Christian Gomez... or is that not what meant?
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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?
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks I'm confused about the backline being "set". Erpen is getting the boot, right? Or was that just a rumor?
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks You can look to Europe, but that doesn't mean Europe is REALLY looking back at you.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks He's almost all "air"--he brought a Bolton feel to Boca 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks 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.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks It would not shock me to learn that Josh Gros is being pretty much fully converted to an outside defender.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks DC really needs to pick up some depth on the defensive line. I'm certainly not convinced that trading established players for draft picks is a good move for United based on Nowak's atrocious draft record to this point. Hopefully they do a better job this time around.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks I was starting to view Brandon as the insurance policy for the backline. I wasn't all that concerned about injuries or suspensions to the regular 3, because he was a capable fill in. That said, he was making quite a bit for a reserve.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks Same here. Not only do I actually *gasp* enjoy his playing style (minus about 1-2 stupid plays per game) but if DC is letting him go, thats going to be quite weakened defense we have. Good luck to Prideaux.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks I'm with you on this bigred, I like Erpen. He has brainfarts but he has done well. not sure if Wilosn is much of a backup though. I'd still like to get another defensive guy. Palermo would be wonderful in my mind. Considering he also played for Villarreal I'm all for him. He would work very well with Jaime and Gomez in my opinion, his age hasn't slowed him down too much. He scored a hell of a goal against Estudiantes this past week. Of course he has great service so THAT we would need.
Re: WashPost :: Prideaux to Rapids for picks Exactly, but if you can go out and sign a player of similar or slightly less caliber for half the price, you do it. Prideaux obviously wasn't going to challenge for a first team spot, so why keep him? Bring in the next Boswell that will. And you save $45k on the salary cap.