[LINEUP-4-4-2]Espy, Sabo, Ned, Javi, Rasta Beckerman, Gil, Tony, Schuler, Olave, Wingert, Rimando [/LINEUP-4-4-2] If Will and Nat are still injured, this is a possibility. I'd say Gil has an edge over any newcomers.
][LINEUP-4-4-2]Espy, Paulo, Ned, Javi*, Beckerman, Gil**, Tony, Schuler, Olave, Wingert, Rimando [/LINEUP-4-4-2] * if Javi isn't fit, then Gil slides up to the top of the diamond and Alvarez goes in the middle. ** Gil seems to be in competition for the Johnson spot with Yordany Alvarez. He is playing on the left currently against LA in the preseason game. And, to be honest, he looks really good out there.
http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/2/26/2827036/i-am-sebastian-velasquez This is a great piece on Sebastian. I'd love to hear more of our players breakout stories.
March 1 is roster compliance day - traditionally speaking of course. So we ought to have all sorts of movement over the next couple of days in terms of signings, trades for international slots, announcements of green cards, and the like. Ought to, no?
Trades for international slots? Really think their are people out there in MLS as stupid as Steve Pastomoron?
Temporary trades for int'l spots occur all the time. In fact, I think there has already been one or two this year. Now permanent trades - we have the exclusive on that. Word out of Tucson is that Garth Lagerwey's cell phone is getting quite a workout.
Do we really expect anything to happen with RSL, though? I think this squad is locked up and the only way to get an international slot or something worthwhile would be to take a rather valuable piece out of the squad. I just don't see us doing anything drastic in the next 48 hours.
After doing so little during the off-season, I would agree that we should expect very little this next 48 hours.
I think it would be worth trading away a first-round draft pick for an international slot for a couple of years. There might be a team out there with unused slots who would bite.
I just don't see teams willing to part with their international slots, even on a short-term basis, for anything less than a player worthy of contributing this year. Are we in a position to give up a player that is sure to contribute this season? I don't think so.
soapbox's predictions on how the roster will turn out: http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/2/28...art-4-the-roster?login=1330454291#add-comment that is a MAJOR assumption that even just one player will get their green card in the next 48 hours. I would think RSL would be ecstatic to receive the news of someone qualifying and thus wouldn't keep it a secret. Therefore, banking on that happening in the next 48 hours is beyond a dream to me
I am sure RSL has some friends in high places and is able to do more on matters like this than you and I would be able to. My guess would be that they have been given some assurances that certain papers have been approved and will be complete within days.
Maybe the MLS will grant us some sort of extension since most will get their green cards eventually. Thus freeing up the international roster spots! Oh wait, we're not the Galaxy...
If the Galaxy had traded away youth international slots then when the change happened of them not being separate (youth and senior), each team would have reset to the equal amount.
Final signings are: FW Emiliano Bonfigli [MLS Supplemental Draft (17th overall pick); last played for Manta FC (Ecuadoran 1st Division)] DF Leone Cruz (acquired rights via trade with Seattle Sounders FC; last played for Southern Methodist Univ.) DF Diogo de Almeida [MLS SuperDraft (24th overall pick), Southern Methodist Univ.] GK Lalo Fernandez [Homegrown Player, RSL-Arizona Academy] MF Enzo Martinez [MLS SuperDraft (17th overall pick), University of North Carolina] MF Jonny Steele [free transfer, Carolina Railhawks (NASL)] DF Terukazu Tanaka [free transfer, Sagan Tosu (Japanese 2nd Division)] MF Sebastian Velasquez [MLS SuperDraft (36th overall pick), Spartanburg Methodist College]
Making the 27 man RSL depth chart for 2012 as follows: GK (3): Rimando, Reynish, Fernandez LB (3): Wingert, Laing, de Almedia CB (4): Olave, Borchers, Schuler, Cruz RB (2): Beltran, Tanaka RM (3): Grabavoy, Muniz, Martinez CDM (2): Beckerman, Alvarez LM (2): Johnson, Steele CAM (3): Morales, Gil, Velasquez FW (5): Saborio, Espindola, Paulo Junior, Arnoux, Bonfigli Internationals: Bonfigli Paulo Junior Espindola Saborio Morales Martinez Tanaka Laing so.... green cards?
I only count 27 there... Edit: I see the issue. There are only 26 and Laing didn't get signed... http://www.realsaltlake.com/sites/saltlake/files/RSL_2012_%20Roster_030112.pdf
6 International Slots, 9 Internationals on the roster: Bonfigli Cruz Espindola Martinez Morales Paulo Jr. Saborio Steele Tanaka Hoping we've got green cards coming very soon...
that or RSL told the league they're sick of their bullshit and to eff off, tired of all the perks LA is getting and we want some now. LOL, i can only imagine if that actually happened.
Don't know anything for sure... but some possibilities: Cruz - grew up in Texas, are we sure he's an international? Martinez is Generation Adidas, does he count as an international spot? Maybe some green cards... Okay, to tell you the truth, I came out of hibernation to say that I'm really glad they signed Tanaka. I think he's going to be a nice player.