I think it would have to be 7 foreign players on the roster. I think the real question is how is the league going to define "foreign."
I think it would have to be 7 foreign players on the roster. The real question is how the league defines "foreign."
7 players on roster - FIFA requirements, with possible modifications: green card and dual citizenship are likely OK - I believe Canadian may also be OK. 7 international players (?): Robson, Fusilier, Yoshitake, Neto, Pejic, Nishimura and Gonzaga (may have green card). May leave 1 slot for "African" player or Harada. US players (?): Marshall, Teixeira, Healey, Gnatiko, Lader, Vranis (?), Flores, Basso, Chase Harrison, Korey Veeder (U-19), Aduato Neto, Randi Patterson. LIkely gone from last year: Pierce, Rowland, Harkins, Mark, Ughiove, Millwood, Seabrook, Chiles, John Barry Newsome That's about 20 on roster, with a couple questions (e.g., Vranis may still be unable to play; Veeder may be on loan). Missing: backup GK, another (big/physical) defender (or 2), a speedy wing, a strong speedy forward. That makes about 24-25. Check out "new blog" from CP fan - http://www.baltimorepalace.blogspot.com/
Just saw that you all ended up with Nishimura. Hope he finally realizes that dream of scoring a goal for a USL club. god knows he tried... and tried.. and TRIED to score a goal for the Timbers last season only to have them all sail high and wide. In other words, you should all hope he never takes a shot on goal.
Last year's weakness was midfield depth, possession and experience along with a healthy foward to finish. Nishimura and Yoshitake help fill the midfield needs with USL-1 experience (doubt their propensity for scoring was a real factor). Neto and Gonzaga look to help attack from midfield and perhaps scoring. Much of the scoring came from the wings. Fusilier and maybe Patterson should help up top. Healey floats around and gets a few goals. Still looking however, for that big finisher and a few headers from the backs.
For what I been talk you the Palace sing the cuban foward Yaikel Perez, very skillfull and strong player
Crystal Palace Baltimore signs two keepers: http://acstlfanatic.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/crystal-palace-baltimore-sign-two-keepers/
Ha - maybe Palace can train him to shoot low and he might get a couple goals or assists on deflections
This release is on Palace web page and NASL page, as well. Harrison is experienced at several levels and was excceptional in goal for Islanders last year showing quickness and good judgement. He's tall enough to be effective in the air. Burke is showing pretty good development and pedigree for 23 years. Sounds like they will be an effective duo if they stay healthy. Palace have never really had a strong back-up to Rowland. Also, is Perez available? As I recall, he is decent but not the youngest player available. Does he have a green card?
Goalkeepers: Chase Harrison: 25, 6'3" Virginia Tech product. Drafted by in 2006 by Real Salt Lake but soon found himself in USL 1 with Rochester and Portland. Spent last season in USL 2 with Harrisburg. Led USL 2 in shutouts (8 in 16 games) and GAA (0.812). Finished 8-4-4. Evan Bush: 23, 6'2" spent 3 seasons in the PDL before landing in the backup spot at Cleveland (USL 1) last season. Pitched 2 clean sheets in 7 games for a sub-par team. and more on my blog... www.baltimorepalace.blogspot.com
Chase is a quality guy, decent keeper at the Div 2 level. Probably has improved enough over the last 2 years. He was my favorite keeper of the 08 Timbers. That was the year we ran through 4 keepers including 2 loaned from MLS clubs (Knighton and Burse). You should do well with him.
Harada has been trialing with the RailHawks but it seems like there's a chance he could end up back in Baltimore... http://www.indyweekblogs.com/sports/2010/02/20/now-playing-for-the-railhawks-the-trialists/
Here's a video where your new GK (Evan Bush) gets treated like a rookie [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX7_UJ7T3dw"]YouTube- Catchin' Up With the Keepers[/ame]
Since you are here CCS, maybe you can help with a question. Since your guys made the jump from usl-2 to usl-1 how big a difference did it make in the play of your best players who stayed for the switch? There are certain players, Harada and Mbuta, who were with Palace previously, who would need an international roster spot at the expense of a currently signed former USL-1 player to join the team. I'm just wondering if the trigger was pulled on the new additions because they would have been signed by someone else if a quick move wasn't made or whether there is concern about some of our players not being able to make the step up to a new level.
All of our top notch players (and coach, for that matter) went to Carolina. They all did well at Carolina. Our good players (but not spectacular) stayed and did well, but the team just never seemed to gel. CPB will have to strengthen the squad to make the jump. No disrespect, but CPB weren't one of the top teams in USL2. Richmond and Charlotte were both better.
CCSU: Not preaching, but a thought: I can't open the YouTub and can't remember seeing him play, but isn't it expected that the typical 22 year old rookie (or limited experience) keeper gets treated like most 22 year old rookie keepers when they move up to the professional level (unless perhaps they hail from a program like UCLA, MD or Duke? The question is really what is his upside (goalies almost always get better with age and play competently a lot longer than field players) as he gets games under his belt. Does he improve, or does he not. The success of a keeper can often be "good judgment" which comes from experience at the higher levels where the finishers can punish a GK who makes even the slightest mistake. Let's see how he does this year - as a back up most likely but with the potential to see some regular playing time over a long season.
Hahah, when I say he gets treated like a rookie, it wasn't about his playing ability. Jason Hotchkin and Gordon Kljestan just knock Evan over at the end of the video . Bush was a very good keeper for us. He looked strong at the end of last season. He played for a top notch program in Akron. The kid is talented.