I jinxed it, should of said nothing but at least I got to continue my 0-fer, I think 6 drafts now, streak going! Gordon is an intriguing guy, was like a consensus top 3 pick coming into season, had a disaster of a season and fell off everyone's radar.
Sorry, been very busy.....does anyone have any clear idea whom is starting out of all of these new guys?? G-Howard After that I am confused on the formation/fit/subs for a lot of these guys? Maybe a new thread, "Roster and Starting Line Up, 2018"? Toronto is just around the corner. R
I don't think we have enough players to know. Based on stuff Hudson and Padraig have said, I think we know Hudson likes a 3-5-2 and so folks have been speculating. There are still major holes so they have to still be trying to bring others in. So the starting lineup might look something like this: -------Howard ---Ford--Sjoberg?--(New guy?) Hairston--------------Castillo (these are supposed to be wingbacks) -------------Price ----Aigner------Gashi? ---(New guy?)---Badji There are candidates for left-sided centerback (Tommy Smith) and striker (Keseru from Ludogorets) among the rumors. Not sure about the role for Blomberg, the thin Swedish midfielder, and where he's strongest. Is he more the center mid in the 3 or a wider player or both. Then there are other questions, such as is Gashi coming back and if so, what's his role? Are Boateng and Azira backups, getting traded etc.
Now that’s settled, move on and put the full course press on to sign Keserü. The dominos seem to be falling into place. It would have been nice to have Kamara but the more I dig up and read about Keserü’s game, the more I like.
I get the sense Keseru might be a bit of a fighter. Seems to score inside the 18 a lot given the vids I've watched. Good first touches and fast trigger when under pressure. Not sure if the best clips are a mid-20's Keseru but surely he's got some left in him having just turned 31. Smith and Hudson have stated they're looking for fighters and guys with attitude... looks like he's got some of that. Here's to hoping for success on this one.
This article makes it seem Keseru prefers Greece. Things not looking promising. Looks like he is a wanted man. http://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-exter...-este-stadiul-negocierilor-cu-grecii-16938134 This article says he is worth $4Mil Euro https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/fot...ocuitor-lui-keseru-romanul-in-stand-by-373497
I'd be happy with any player who can find the opposing goal without having to look it up on Google Maps. A 15 goal scorer would seem stratospheric.
There’s something to be said about playing in MLS where the check never bounces. You can’t say that about Greece. PAOK are a good side, have recognizable players, fair well in European competition, and are managed by a fellow Romanian. I can see the draw. However, outside of Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, AEK, and POAK, the Superliga is superpar. MLS is better and you don’t have to battle the financial headache of will I or won’t I get paid this week.
I’ve come across several Redit pieces linking Panama defender Roderick Miller to the Rapids and several other MLS clubs.
Roderick Miller to MLS? https://metrolibre.com/index.php/de...de-la-mls-quieren-al-panameno-roderick-miller
I guess they are serious about that back back three. Though with Houston and LAFC also apparently interested it seems he's about as sewn up for us a Keresu... meaning not very, given reports of other Euro clubs hunting him. Tommy Smith seems the only really likely addition at this point.
On the eve of preseason the first of my annual camp tracking lists has been posted. As should shock no long time fan, it appears we did not get all our major signings done by the goal of the start of preseason: http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2018/01/preseason-starts-tomorrow.html
You know, this is why I love soccer. It's not common but occasionally the fans are able to pull something like this off. In the great push to not be a 2nd - or 3rd - tier league I'm afraid too many fans int he US are missing the opportunity to enjoy life. I follow my randomly selected group of Euro teams. They're great for so many reasons but the fan connection - that may have once existed - is a thing of the past, buried under tv contracts and all the money that buries the relationship that old timers reminisce about. Think about that as you follow the Rapids, because success for MLS can be great but we'll lose a lot in the progression. The Euro-snob, never-MLSer, is a sad life because the big money's already taken over and they've denied themselves a part of the ride that local fans to "their teams" had to sadly say good-bye to.
Saw this, not sure how new the info is. 31 years, on loan to Australian A-league from Championship team Aston Villa: "SIMON JONES: LA Galaxy are among the clubs showing interest in Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack as his loan period comes to a close at Melbourne City. McCormack's loan is due to finish this Friday, January 26 and Villa and Melbourne have, so far, been unable to agree on extending his loan arrangement until the end of the season. Steve Bruce has no plans to use McCormack but, as he started the season at Villa and has played for Melbourne, he can't move to another British club under the third club rule. The next best option open to him is to play in the MLS where LA Galaxy, Orlando City and Colorado Rapids have all expressed an interest in signing McCormack for their new season. The 31-year-old Scotland international is open to a move to the States if a deal can't be agreed with Melbourne. McCormack has scored 14 goals in 16 games for Melbourne including seven in his last five games." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5296735/Transfer-News-LIVE-latest-updates.html
Sigh......another name.....another rumor.......I just hope some of these rumors turn into signings. We do need a forward and one that can scroe at a high clip. McCormack is an interesting one. He's a little Robbie Keane-ish albeit at the English Championish level. Nonetheless, it's a very respectable goal scoring record in a reputable and competitive league. No doubt he's a DP-level player. Just based on the limited clips I've seen of Claudiu Keresu, he and McCormack are very similar. Who knows how concrete these two rumors are but it's easy to deduct Hudson definitely has a "style" he's trying to employ.
That was my thought. Rapids and another couple MLS teams interested in a player/striker who hasn't even decided on his options in other leagues yet.
Jason, thanks as always for your list of how the roster stands now. Any chance we see Burling? Did he sign somewhere else? What about Greenspan? Was he picked up by someone?
Greenspan was traded last year, think he just signed with Pittsburgh's USL club. Burling is not under contract
We have another World Cup veteran joining the side. #Rapids96 have acquired center back @tommysmith1990 from @Official_ITFC.📝: https://t.co/p0rkqKHzvQ pic.twitter.com/UhVEUugtOe— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 22, 2018
I get that we have limited international spots but are we really improving the team with the tommy smith signing if we have to trade away Sjoberg? Feels like this signing with out Sjoberg is just a lateral move and puts us right back where we started.