Maybe he has the same knit hat size as Frankie Hejduk. Maybe he'll just gonna run around the Nordecke spilling beer or skateboard around campus throwing out discount tickets. If we are keeping him for on field soccer reasons, it's inexcusable.
#Crew96 2019 MLS SuperDraft fourth-round selection Rafael Mentzingen will be training with the team this week in Columbus. The attacking midfielder was one of the best players for @lansingignite in this year's @USLChampionship League One.— Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) October 20, 2019
Letting Guzman go gives me hope in Porter. Certainly not the roster turnover I expected (or hoped) to see but there isn’t really much of a surprise in a lot of these decisions. Letting Higuain go was the right call. Santos will get an opportunity to show 2019 wasn’t a fluke. I can see us adding one big signing in the offseason then possibly one more in the summer. We’ll end up a mid tier team this season. Hopefully we won’t see a whole lot of injuries next year.
Bezbatchenko confirms Federico Higuain is not returning for #crew96 in 2020— Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) October 21, 2019 Our long sleepy slow play induced nightmare is over. #blessed
Allright. Big day! Options exercised = 6. Santos, Mensah, Trapp, Jimenez, Francis, Argudo. New Contracts = 2. Josh Williams, Kempin. Options declined = 5. Guzman, Crognale, Sosa, Opoku, Lundgaard. Negoiating with: Afful (Out of contract) Undecided on: R. Williams (out of contract), Maloney & Hamilton (options). Out of contract: Higuain & Clark. https://www.massivereport.com/2019/...il-trapp-pedro-santos-hector-jimenez-mls-2020 Hard to do a roster breakdown because we do not know the amounts on some of the new deals (Kempin, Argudo). And a word that players who are out of contract (or even had their options declined) are not necessarily gone, but if they were not the "negotiating" or "undecided" category, then their future here is a long shot. Looks like farewell Pipa. (And I have a sad). Will wait for the post-press conference to do a full update.
Bezbatchenko said conversations are going well with Harrison Afful’s representation. While Bez didn’t want to say for sure a new deal will get done, it sounds like Afful will be back with #Crew96 next year.— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) October 21, 2019
No real surprises. Sounds like the team was willing to re sign Pipa but wouldn't meet his number. He will be missed. Forever Crew. If Afful is willing to accept a backup role, great. Again, likely at a reduced price. A little surprised about Opoku. Not a shock with Crognale. He was given every opportunity in the world to seize a job and just couldnt seem to find his feet. It was clear Porter finally just gave up on him. A bit surprised on Argudo though. Like with Crognale it seemed like CB9K got tired of watching him not produce and nailed.him to the bench, but apparently he showed enough promise to rate another shot. Not a problem with Josh William's. O obviously would want better for a starter but hes clearly a backup and at the going rate hes about average
This is legitimately exciting news. He's been bad for 2 (plus?) years now, and we've been trying to build an offense around a busted old slow playmaker with a bad first touch. And all the people on twitter gnashing their teeth over this-what on earth have you been watching? He had some good years here. He seems like a good guy. Wish him all the best in the future. But this is long overdue, and I can't wait to see whats next.
I do not think anyone wanted us to build the offense around him (I certainly didn't). But was hoping he would accept a sub/spot starter role for a reduced price. Like Afful may be considering. Think the Maestro v2.0.
You don't always get to choose. I didn't, really, with my Open level rec team--and I started it. But I probably played a year too long at that level.
Conjecture on the TBD deals: Sounds like Bez wants Afful to stick around for the transition towards Cadden and is waiting to figure that out situation before making the call on Maloney's option. Tricky situation for Harrison as I'm sure he wants both minutes (as a competitor) and money (Contract years are dwindling) as his playing career enters the twilight. I wouldn't blame him for walking and I don't think it's that bad for the Crew (as long as Cadden is coming over in the Winter window, has anyone confirmed that?) I think the same situation is happening for the backup striker role with Bez preferring to get Romario on a new Contract. If that falls through, then Hamilton's option will be exercised.
OK, assuming everyone who was declined/out of contract is gone save for Afful, Maloney, R. Williams, and Hamilton. And plugging them in at last year's salary/roster placement. Though thos could be off for non-senior roster guys with new deals/options picked up (Argudo, Kempin). And I seriously doubt Cadden is a reserve player next year, that had to be loan related. A. Rules & Regs (2019) Link: https://www.mlssoccer.com/league/official-rules/mls-roster-rules-and-regulations B. General Stuff: 1. Salary Cap = $4,240,000 (2019) A) On Budget: Only Senior Roster Spots count against the Cap B) Players on Season Ending Injury list also count vs. the Cap, though one replacement player may be off cap under certain circumstances. C) Up to 20 Senior Roster spots. 18 must be filled. Min budget charge is made if spots 19 & 20 are not filled. D) Max budget charge is $530,000. Allocation $$ and DP rules can reduce a player's budget charge below their listed salary number. E) Off-Budget: Supplemental (21-24) and Reserve (25-30) Rosters do not count towards the salary cap. II. Estimated Roster Compositions 1. Senior Roster: 21/18-20 Players: A) 20 Player max on Senior Roster, subject to Season Ending Injury List, Disabled List, and Loan exceptions. B) Generally, this is the highest 20 paid players, though HG players and GA players can be on other rosters. Rank, Player, Pos, Age,DOB, HT, WT, Nat, Desig(s), Base $$/Guar $$ 1, Zardes, F, 28, 9/2/91, 6'1", 187, USA, DP, $1,421,667/$1,471,667 2. Mensah, D, 29, 7/13/90, 6'2", 183, Ghana, GC: $800,004/$894,004 3. Santos, M, 31, 4/22/88, 5'6", 139, Portugal, DP, Int#1: $817,560/$864,560 4. Trapp, M, 26, 1/15/93, 5'8", 150, USA, $549,996/$593,746 5. Mokhtar, M, 28, 8/29/91, 5'9", 159, Morocco, Int#2, $459,996/$533,845. 6. de Lima (Artur), M, 23, 3/11/96, 5'11", 154, Brazil, GC: $360,000/$411,633 7. Room, GK, 30, 2/6/89, 6'3", 179, Curacao & Netherlands, Int#3, $300k/$354,694. 8. Diaz, M, 20, 12/6/98, 5'11", 159, Costa Rica, Int#4, YDP, $300k/$333,900. 9. Valenzuela, D, 21, 8/13/98, 5'6", 145, Argentina, GC, Int#5: $290,000/$321,300 10. J. Williams, D, 31, 4/18/88, 6'2", 185, USA: $215,000/$215,000 11. Jimenez, D/M, 30, 11/3/88, 5'9", 145, USA: $200,000/$200,000 12. W. Francis, D, 29, 9/20/90, 5'9", 160, Costa Rica, GC, $160,000/$199,167 13. Abubakar, D, 24, 12/25/94, 6'0", 180, Ghana, GC, $135,000/$144,398 14. Open (Cadden?) 15. Open (Afful?). 16. Open (Kempin?) 17. Open 18. Open 19. Open 20. Open --------------------------------------------------- 2. Supplemental Roster: 5 of 4 Players (21-24) A) Up to 4 players. Do not count vs. salary cap. Subject to SE Injury Replacement, Disabled List, and Loan exceptions. B) May include Senior Minimum Budget Players ($70,250), Generation Adidas players (who may earn more), and Homegrown Players (who may earn more). Rank, Player, Pos, Age,DOB, HT, WT, Nat, Desig(s), Base $$/Guar $$ 21. JJ Williams, F, 21, 1/4/98, 6'3", 200, USA, GA, $95,000/$149,750 22. Kempin, GK, 26, 4/8/93, 6'1", 175, USA: $71,664/$71,664. 23. Open (Argudo?) 24. Open --------------- 3. Reserve Roster (25-28) A) Players must be either earning the Reserve Minimum Salary ($56,250) or be Homegrown Players earning more via the HG Subsidy. B) Players must be 24 or younger during the League YEAR. As determined by Year of birth, not date (I am not sure what this means exactly, is someone who turns 25 during the season eligible or not?). C) Senior Min Players & GA Players cannot occupy these spots. Rank, Player, Pos, Age,DOB, HT, WT, Nat, Desig(s), Base $$/Guar $$ 25. Argudo, M, 23, 12/13/95, 5'9", 150, USA: $57,225/$57,225 26. Cadden, D/M, 23, 9/19/96, 6'0", 168, Scotland, Int#7, $56,250/$56,250 27. Open 28. Open Cadden likely on Senior roster. Argudo had his option picked up, could be Supp or Senior. ----------------------------------------- 4. HomeGrown Reserve Roster (29-30) A) Must be Homegrown Players. B) Same Budget & Age rules as Reserve Roster 25-28 players. Rank, Player, Pos, Age,DOB, HT, WT, Nat, Desig(s), Base $$/Guar $$ 29. Keita, D, 19, 4/6/00, 6'2, 180, USA, HG, $90,000/$110,000 30. Open --------------- 7. Designated Players: 2/3 of 3 Zardes, Santos, Diaz (Young DP, may not count next year). --------------------------- 8. International Roster Spots: 6 of 8. Santos, Valenzuela, Diaz, Room, Mokhtar, Cadden. ------------ 9. Green Card Holders = 4 Mensah, Abubakar, W. Francis, de Lima (Artur). ---------- 10. Negotions/ Decisions pending = 4. 1. Afful, D, 33, 7/24/86, 5'6", 135, Ghana, GC, $288,100/$363,800 2. Hamilton, F, 23, 3/17/96, 6'0", 185, Canada, HGI, $124,992/$137,659 3. R. Williams, F, 25, 8/15/94, 5'11", 170, Jamaica, GC, $78,650/$78,650 4. Maloney, D, 24, 5/18/95, 5'6", 145, USA: $70,250/$70,250 ----------------------------------------- Any corrections, comments, etc are always welcome.
May be waiting to see how Afful's situation shakes out first. Also, if his option number makes him a senior roster player, we may want to keep that spot open for someone higher up the depth chart than the #5/6 FB. The crowding on the Supp/Senior Roster probably meant the end for Opoku & Crognale.
Thank you, Pipa. For everything.#Crew96 | #ThankYouPipa pic.twitter.com/5NbRvscBvq— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) October 21, 2019
I don't think Afful's situation has anything to do with Maloney's situation. Afful is a probable starter (don't know how Cadden will factor in) while Maloney is a last option defender who only got decent playing time down the stretch when our entire back line was hurt.
Those both sound like realistic possibilities but they could have other factors at play . I really want Afful . I also think we should keep both strikers .
I was totally wrong on the contracts way too much inaccurate info. A lot of team options are confusing but clear the source I used did some guessing . I really wish we could find a source that accurately tracks this type of info. next years players expiring contracts and team options would help us fans better speculate roster moves Anyways here is the horrible list I had: Columbus Crew Players under contract GK Room (2021) Lundgaard EC-wrong had option declined Kempin EC - new deal RB Afful (2021) was way wrong EC Maloney EC team has option to keep actually Cadden ?2020 CB Abubakar EC - apparently he is under contract Crognale EC - wrong option declined Keita (2021) Josh Williams EC - correct Mensah (2022) LB Francis EC - wrong had option picked up Jimenez (2022) had option picked up Valenzuela (2021) CDM Guzman EC- correct Trapp (2020) - wrong had option picked up Artur (2021) Clark (2021) - wrong was on EC Outside/Attacking Mid/ Winger Diaz (2021) Santos EC wrong option picked up Opoku (2020) option declined Argudo EC Mokhtar (2021) CAM Higuaín EC - correct Sosa (2021) - contract declined ST Zardes (2021 ) Hamilton (2023) R Williams (2020) Wrong EC JJ Williams (2021)
I think Maloney gets his look for not crashing in late season games. He pretty much held his own, and has a great price/performance balance. If coach likes Williams, okay, but I think there's a reason we never saw much of Hamilton. I think Harry lost a step, but he's still pretty solid, so worth negotiating. I'm a little surprised at Sosa, a young guy earning playing time, but I do think he got more with Gregg than with Caleb. It's funny to me, though, the team missed the playoffs, but many people want their (long time) favorites back for another go-around. When the team is losing, there have to be changes, it's as simple as that. Leadership was lacking, skills wane, Father time is undefeated, and life goes on.
Sad to see how Pipa went out. Guy was a legit #10 and we hadn't had one since GBS. I guess the hunt is on. No real surprises. Will be very weird to see Pipa in another club's MLS kit, unless he wants to go back to Argentina, or overseas somewhere else. Not sure what his family situation is.
I don't view the playmaker spot as one that lends itself well to being a sub. He's not really a game changer guy, he doesn't have a 6th gear or a special shot. He's always been the engine, not the nitro-boost. What do you get from him if he comes off the bench when we're down 1-0 in the 65th minute? Even at $400k, does having him on the gameday 18 taking up that much cap space really do anything for us? All that taken in even before the fact that he's coming back from a serious knee injury. Adding that in it's even more of an unknown as to what he could offer.