It's been ages, but it still feels so sudden anyways! Whatever, the offseason was the offseason. Let's see what all these cats can do.
About time. So are we really going to see Lobato at LB? Will the new trio all start? And Shelton's health? Exciting. Of course, it appears MLSlive is now dead?
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/13/mls-live-be-added-espn-lineup-spring-free-fans-until-espn Looks like mls live is being rolled into an espn product? I'll be interested to see how this develops.
Correct it is being rolled in with ESPM, something that has been in the works for a few years. Reportedly until it is actually ready, the games will be streamed for free
I started out putting together a first 11, but that got confusing. So, instead I offer this: Defense What we know: Melia, Besler, Opara. What we think we know: Zusi will join them on the right (the assumption is that he's fully healthy). What we wonder: Will it be Lobata, Seth or Medranda at right back. Will Amor play an early season role? Midfield What we know: Ilie. Always Ilie. What we think we know: Felipe and Espinoza will join What we wonder: Does Felipe replace Benny at his best? Attack What we know: Nothing. What we think we know: Croizet will start? What we wonder: Is Russell too new to start? Will PV's love of Salloi see him start? Is Shelton healthy? Would he start over Rubio if he was healthy? The bench What we know: It's strong and balanced. What we think we know: It's the strongest we've ever had. What we wonder: Is it?
The first MLS power rankings are out with NYCFC at 2 and SKC at 9. I've always thought the rankings were mostly BS and would like to see them proven wrong on Sunday.
That's pretty close to where we have finished in the table the last several years. This offseason, I'd say we improved slightly while other teams improved dramatically. Until proven otherwise, a mediocre showing of just barely sneaking into the playoffs is probably where we continue to be.
i swear i see this sentiment on here every preseason (just in general, not from any particular poster). i don't think it's ever been correct. naturally, there's going to always be some 'hope springs eternal' with a new season, but you'd think people would learn with this club.
Probably always from me. I think i'm somewhere into the "fool me 22 times" range. I see Evans and Medranda as two very solid players who give our bench great flexibility. I liked Amor in preseason and trust Seth (assuming Lobato starts. In the other case, I still trust Seth and Lobato is a third versatile, solid option). Gerso as a late game speed option is something we've lacked, an actual game changer. Being able to chase goals late with Salloi or Rubio, or Russell or Shelton, gives us options. And Lindsey and Busio look like very promising youth options who might get a few minutes and could impress. We're screwed if we five or six long term injuries to the wrong starters, but I don't count on depth to cover replace our best players with equally good players. We would be okay for five or six of the wong people out at the same time for a short periods, however. Also, do we lose anyone to the WCup? That's not technically a depth thing, but it has tested our depth in the past.
What we know: Sold - our top offensive threat in the middle of what could've been a run for the treble (we were 8-9-4 at the time). Promised - a replacement that would be even better. Died second half of the season and gave up game after game due to no goals. 13 ties, 9 losses overall. Only won 4 games in the last 13 in league play. We got a USOC cup but realistically that is showing up for 3-4 competitive games usually with home field advantage. What we think we know: Obtained a Defender, a Wing and a D-mid. Rest of team aged..... and ...... HUGE GAPING HOLE FOR SCORING STILL REMAINS. Preseason rating from me: Meh - I'll go and drink beer with my friends and have a good time. No real expectations for much other then Meh.
Gutierrez is not a dmid. And that's still ignoring Croizet, whether or not he pans out, and apparently Shelton, whether or not he pans out.
ROFL. Kenwyne Jones might be starting for us tomorrow, guys. And Gerso will be our biggest scoring threat. That's amazing.
I don' disagree but standing there like fools then giving a break away going at you I woulda taken my chances and hoped for anything other than what happened