Just got an email saying there will be announcement tomorrow telling us who the first 9 players for the 2017 roster will be. The teaser was all of the players have won championships, it didn't say at what level though.
Dylan Mares won a championship with Zionsville, too. I'm really hoping to see him return (although I'd be happy for him if he got a genuine shot at MLS).
Cardona's back, too. A bit of a surprise. They're kind of dragging this out. Edit: and now Falvey. Good news. Edit #2: now added Level Palmer and Don Smart. Smart is good; Palmer, I guess I'm okay seeing coming back (especially as Franco is missing). The big news here, though, is that Mares is absent. That's not entirely unsurprising, but it's still a disappointment. Edit #3: Ubi's back. With luck, he'll have a healthier season. As they're going in alphabetical order, and we're getting toward the end of the nine players to be announced, I'm guessing Vukovic is coming back.
Ubi and Vuko are back. I am guessing the last is Zayed. Mares and Franco are the obvious ones being left off. I hope it is because they are getting interest from MLS teams. If those options don't work out hopefully they decide to come back. While Ring, Lacroix, and Miller aren't on the list I'm still hoping they all come back.
Well it is official the first nine players of the 2017 roster are: Jon Busch - G Keith Cardona - G Colin Falvey - D Lovel Palmer - D Nemanja Vukovic - D Don Smart - M Sinisa Ubiparipovic - M Justin Braun - F Eamon Zayed - F
I should have known Zayed would be the last one announced. This is a good foundation. I do hope that we get back some of the others: Franco, Ring, Lacroix, and especially Mares. But the reality of minor league soccer is that talented players move on. I just hope that, if they do move on, it's to move up, and not simply to sign with another NASL or USL club.
I agree, and I could see all of the players I mention getting better deals elsewhere. Either because of more guaranteed playing time, or just receiving better offers. I think we would only be willing to go above and beyond to keep Mares. So I assume he is either getting interest from MLS, or getting absurd numbers thrown at him from Miami. Either way Franco and Mares are the only two core players from last year not included today. Palmer isn't a big drop off from Franco.
Read an interview from Coach Hankinson in which he said he still doesn't know if Lacroix or Mares will be back or not. So I'm glad to see Mares is still a possibility to return.
Coach Hankinson mentioned on Soccer Saturday today that Reinoso and Youla won't be back. Likely that Ring will return. Not likely that Mares will return. Mares played his way into a bigger contract elsewhere that the Eleven couldn't match.
It's really going to hurt to see Mares in a different jersey, especially if he stays within the NASL.
With Janicki retiring I assume Miller will be back. Hard to believe Ring doesn't have another season in him.
Very good, only major loss then being Mares. In an interview I read Hankinson seems to think Palmer is an option at center defense, so I wouldn't be surprised if our starting defense is who we have signed currently.
Indy signed Ben Speas, a pretty good addition with us losing Mares. Has played in 40+ MLS games and scored 4 goals in 23 games for Minnesota United last season. Disappointed to lose Mares obviously, but Speas is a great replacement who can play out wide.