If I'm thinking of the right guy, Mike Banner had a some games a couple of years ago where he was very involved with the attack for Chicago from the outside back position. I think he'd fit in well with RSL style of play.
Yes, Banner has mostly played in the midfield, but also played some outside back. He's had injury issues however, and I think was out most of last season for that reason. There was a lot of buzz about da Luz when he was drafted, but I don't recall much of him since then.
da Luz was a quality college soccer player that never really got a fair shake at NYRB. I am not sure what happened after he was traded to DC. I thought it would work out for him there. He seemed to have a good soccer mind when he was playing in the college cup, but maybe he isn't fast enough or something for MLS. Maybe he will prove everyone wrong and shine for RSL. Sure, why not, I'll go with that one.
Knight never seemed to be more than a Blake Wagoner to me. Banner on the other hand seemed pretty speedy at least. I wonder if he is 100% from his injury last year. Plus CJ Brown played w/ Banner at Chicago so you have to imagine RSL's defensive coach already has opinion and shared it w/ Garth & Jason.
Good point. Context matters! Color me more intrigued now. Of course, Ellinger coached all of those fellows at Bradenton (Gregorio, Akwari, Cutler, etc.) and look where that got us.
Just read tweets that said we cut Agorsor and Toia. Surprised by the Agorsor move and disappointing we as fans never really got a good look at Toia.
Yep just saw that too, not sure what to think, but i trust their decisions. here's the tweet: Real Salt Lake @RealSaltLake Reply Retweet Favorite · Open First #RSL cuts of spring: Chris Agorsor, Donny Toia and @austindaluz. Big thx to Chris&Donny for your dedication to RSL over the last year.
E-N-Z-OOOOOO (am I the only one who does that every time they read the kids name?) http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/02/10/rsls-martinez-thrilled-begin-professional-journey
Interesting that Banner is starting at left mid in first two periods of scrimmage. I'm wondering if that's where they see him playing. From the bit I've seen of Knight he seems to cross the ball well. Wagner never seemed to do well getting forward. But I also wouldn't rule out Tanaka and Bengelloun.
you could make a good chant out of that. EN-Z-OOOOOOOO (said like Rufio in Hook) The only problem is it's not really phonetic.
I was able to catch Banner in the second period and he looked really good getting up and down the field, being dangerous out on the wing, etc. I didn't catch much of his marking on the defensive end, though, so I can't speak to his strengths/weaknesses there. Wes Knight was playing right fullback in the latter half of the second and all of the third. Wasn't much of a factor and he seemed to hurt his ankle in a challenge about halfway through the last period.
Here are some of my thoughts on the future roster. These are the trialists still remaining: defenders Samir Bengelloun (I) Leone Cruz Diogo de Almeida (I?) Wes Knight Terukazu Tanaka (I) Mike Banner midfield Lewis Neal (I) Jonny Steele (I) Sebastian Velasquez Forwards Emiliano Bonfigli (I) Nico Muniz is a HG but I think he might make it for 2012 (RSL doesn't want to cut 2 HG players I am sure). We also already had some cuts and 2 of them were 2011 players, so those slots are open: DF Toia = DF Leone Cruz? FW Agorsor = FW Emiliano Bonfigli? I think Banner has done well, but since he has played in the back and midfield, I am not sure where he goes. I think Velasquez is a safe project. Bonfigli has done really well, and he is Argentinian. Cruz, de Almeida & Bonfigli have a number on RSL.com, does that mean they are safe? Is de Almeida a domestic player (green card)? From our earlier conversation, RSL has 6 Int'l slots of which 5 are already claimed (Morales, Espy, Sabo, Enzo & Paulo). If Bonfigli gets lucky #6, no way RSL can sign Tanaka, Steele, Neal & Bengelloun (and thats assuming de Almeida has a green card). Now maybe RSL gets lucky, can trade for one/two or maybe Enzo, Javi or Paulo got their Greens, but I'm a glass half empty guy about this. So I think its going to come down to this and if that RSL is stuck on int'ls then Knight and Banner might be shoe ins and all the quality other int'l guys will have to be let go. Bummer.
North Goal fans have already claimed that chant for Rimando. Ri-man-do, Ri-man-do, Ri. Man. DOOOOOOOOH!
Did Banner have a really good showing? I ask this because I doubt RSL would be too happy with the guy jumping ship in the middle of preseason for a trial when he isn't trained on the whole "RSL Way" yet...