I don't expect big signings this year. I expect Gio to purchase value players to increase our depth like last year. He might spend a little more money buying a young U20/U23 striker with the promise of lots of playing time.
but we have a tradition and we have to sign one or two big names even to raise the audience, we are not LI Rough Riders (with all respect for them)
It would be wiser to create a new tradition of putting a team on the field year after year without concern.
I want some MLS level players, some promising youth, some young foreign players from Latin America who can grow up and explode by playing in the Nasl, some Nasl/USL level player and two DP, that's the correct alchemy, 2 players on a 25 roster don't delete or change a policy as you woul like
http://www.thisiscosmoscountry.com/ Lucas Mendes who was the Gatorade POTY in 2016 has left UVA to train with the Cosmos. He's an attacking midfielder with a great deal of skill and promise, not sure if he's signed yet. In my book it's just the kind of player we need to grow with the team. Now we need one more forward with experience at the professional level, and to strengthen the bench. So far I like what I see on paper.
They need to get Pele back on the field. He seems pretty fit and it would maintain the historical prestige of the the club!
Adu has been covered to death on BS so go ahead and read the BS link. Adu probably had his best chance at a 'comeback' with the Rowdies, but he didn't get minutes on that team. He has been on a LOT of teams with little to show for it. He didn't make the 2017 Timbers squad. He doesn't have a good work rate and he is an ok passer. I recall, that Adu had a decent game coming on as a sub in a Gold Cup match in 2011 (I distinctly remember the groans in the bar when Adu came in as a sub.) Adu is still young enough to find a squad and Gio doesn't need a 'reclamation project'. http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/the-freddy-adu-catchall-thread.2000626/page-157
Former Loon Lance Laing might be close to signing with the Cosmos. The Jamaican winger did not have the best of times with Minnesota United, but earned a spot on the NASL 2015 Best XI in his last season with Edmonton. He showed flashes of his ability during the 2016 season including a moonshot goal against Miami FC. Laing trained with the Loons during their preseason trip to Arizona but left before the team headed to Portland. - See more at: http://fiftyfive.one/2017/02/news-b...ayne-shaw-steals-hearts/#sthash.mi3oJ3Sd.dpuf
So, Amauri has come finally, there are rumors about some players who have played in Italian Serie A the likes of Marco Marchionni and Gaby Mundigayi, plus there are serveral trialists like Lucas Mendes, Alex Ramos, Antonio Matarazzo, Filippo Franchi and Kalif Alhassan, and they are talking about taking back some player who already was in the roster and someone from Spain....it seems lots going on
Signing Marquez is big. He's going to be on the left side combining with Ayoze which will be a nice balance to Restrepo on the right side. If Marchionni signs the team will be very in good shape. What I'm really hoping is that these signings are more fiscally prudent while being just as competitive as the previous seasons.