Doyle's DP status ~ I'm drawing a blank. Did I miss this being talked about here? " ... Kevin Doyle was recently bought down from DP status using Targeted Allocation Money." (From an article speculating about where Keane might play next year if his contract with LAX doesn't renew).
Sjöberg getting some love in the Swedish media after his 3rd place in MLS best defender of the year. Axel talks about how his route to pro soccer was different, choosing Marquette college soccer after not making the team in Sweden (Djurgården). Axel says he wasn't ready for pro soccer at that age (18), as he was still growing and did not know how to use his size to an advantage. He says he's happy playing in MLS but still dreaming on playing in Europe, preferably in Germany or Italy (Bundesliga or Serie A).
Pablo Mastroeni says Shkëlzen Gashi is doubtful for the first leg against #Sounders. #SEAvCOL #Rapids96— Daniel Boniface (@danielboniface) November 15, 2016
#Rapids96 plan to let Jermaine Jones play on turf vs. #Sounders. "All hands on deck. All horses out of the stables." https://t.co/qriMMFWXOx— Daniel Boniface (@danielboniface) November 16, 2016
Let's go #USMNT! @Jermainejunior gets the start for #USAvCRC.#KeepFighting https://t.co/OmGBVUfTw9— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) November 16, 2016
Thinking about Gashi, if he isn't available for the first leg (after PM said "all hands on deck"), how likely is it he is available a few days later for leg 2? I would think not so much unless the turf has something to do with the decision. Hoping he makes a "magical" recovery and actually plays or at least is on the bench. rod.
I am so tired of teams that give the home field advantage to Seattle like that. When I own an MLS club we are going to have Tijuana style turf and watch other teams donate points.
Agree completely. The home team plays half their games on turf, so it can't be *that* bad. I say it shouldn't be a big deal for an important game. Maybe during the season when you want to find a rest game anyway, but I really hate the excuse or even hearing PM say we are ignoring the turf and playing everyone. What else would we do? Give up the playoff game?
I'm also tired of this debate but I'm on the other side when it comes to injury. Players like Beckham and Henry have no excuse. You're paid to play, play. But if you know the turf has a decent chance of exacerbating an injury then I don't see an issue with minimizing your time on it. Would you rather have Gashi for some or all of Leg 1 and then lose him for Leg 2 and maybe MLS Cup or use him as a late sub in Leg 1 and have him for Leg 2?
It's a silly excuse because getting injured on the turf is not a given. Many players survive 90 minutes on it.
I don't see the reasoning behind it, you are allowed 3 and we were within rules by buying down JJ's contract. So why use this bonus money now (to 2 DPs) when you might need it next year to buy someone down to stay within the 3 DP rule?
Well, we were kind of in the rules. DP's don't count against the total if thy're on full-season loans, but Ramirez went on two different half season loans. So I don't know if that factored in. The other thing is that TAM is lost if its not used. So that might have played into it as well.
There were a few rumors about the RFO pursuing another DP, possibly a defender. They might have bought down Doyle's status hoping they could get away with not counting Ramirez, but the league shot them down for the reason JasonMa points out.
A defender? Seems like there would be better ways to spend DP money - if it were available for the Rapids to use. One candidate would be Daryl Horgan. God, please tell me they weren't thinking of John Terry. (And I am a Chelsea fan.)
TAM doesn't expire this year. http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/...geted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds Besides if your going to buy down a DP per the rules, wouldn't you go with the "cheapest" one which is the said player on loan.
Love MacMath's attitude. He was given a sh*t sandwich and took it all in stride. Irwin was (and still is) one of my favorites, MacMath is quickly joining that list. Would love to see the Rapids figure out a way to keep him on the roster for a post-Howard era (injury, non-league games, etc.). Not sure that is fair to MacMath, but I am being a bit selfish here. Also, really love that the Post has at least *some* Rapids content beyond just a stat line. Source: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/18/zac-macmath-replaces-tim-howard/, Denver Post. rod.
I don't see MacMath being happy sitting on the bench as Howard's backup for the next 3 seasons (Howard is signed through the 2019 season).
Because I like McMath, I'd like to see him move to another team where he can start, maybe MNU or Atlanta in the expansion draft? As for Irwin, my dream scenario is that the Rapids play TFC in the final so we can give Irwin and Moor a proper send off.
ATL would probably be a good option, actually. I am interested to see how many MN Utd retain from their NASL roster. Despite a world famous own goal in a friendly against Bournemouth, they boast Cameroonian international Sammy Ndjock in goal. He's one of the better goalkeepers outside of MLS. But there's a selfish part of me that wants to keep Zack around because Timmy is going to miss games for international duty and quite frankly he needs a rest here and there at 37. But........you can get a cheaper option as a solid backup.