United better sign Donovan Pines to a homegrown contract if they want to improve their central defense.
If DC acquired anyone that moved today you would have 5 posts today talking about how they were deck chairs.
Some deck chairs are necessary. They can even be used for subsequent trades and to make available in the dispersal draft. Not making a move is also fine. This isn't the time period that quality gets acquired. James
I was watching some story about The Titanic yesterday and they showed an actual preserved deck chair ...... you know this was the first place I thought of
The spate of trade activity has involved 9 or 10 teams, so it isn't like we're alone. Although I admit, I'd like to see us make moves and settle in early for a change, instead of having half a dozen question marks at the start of camp. I think the college draft is useful in keeping most kids focused on their college careers rather than fielding multiple phone calls a month from every team in MLS. Otherwise, drafts of every stripe should be banned like asbestos, especially expansion drafts. They just mess with your acquisition strategy.
Interesting and relevant interview with Kasper on the Mothership from Nov 30 that I haven't seen referenced here. Stuff to glean: Re-opening negotiations with Acosta for an extension. Kasper is going after "impact signings" at centerback and right back, and they are looking at internationals who are talented but can't break through consistently at their clubs. The anticipate international offers for Mattocks, he'd like to leave. No mention of what their strategy might be to replace him. No concrete offers for Durkin yet. They'd like to resign Nicky and Fisher, but they have to be able to justify whatever numbers they arrive at, given their injuries and likelihood of contributing significant minutes in 2019. We're only likely to resign Opare if we can't make another signing. Olsen will likely be coach next season, but it isn't clear if it'll be under a new contract. Loudoun should have a coach sometime around the new year. and "He said the USL side will feature a mix of academy talent, young first-teamers struggling for MLS minutes, international signings and veterans, with an emphasis “heavily shifted towards player development.” " Dane Murphy was hired as TD. And then there's this quote from Kasper, which I found interesting: “We feel that tactically we can continue to take steps forward with this group. We feel that a key point of emphasis next year will be tactical flexibility, now that we have sort of the core and our identity re-established, we can take steps further with having more tactical flexibility to change during the game, to play on the road, play different systems depending on different opponents.”
This. Speaks very loudly to finding a new coach. Benny got lucky that Rooney was a great on the field coach. We need someone with more tactical nuance and understanding... I it's been said before a thousand times. I just can't believe we keep him in the fold, even if he's a DCU legend.
D.C. United unprotected list for MLS expansion draft: Andriuškevičius, Brillant, DeLeon, Ellis, Jeffrey, Kelly, Kemp, Mattocks, Miranda, Odoi-Atsem, Opare, Ousted, Stieber, Worra— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) December 10, 2018
I like Stieber. He is more than a deck chair. Hopefully we can re-sign him at a better deal and get him on the field next season. Maybe that means Arriola playing more of a central role alongside Acosta with Rooney up top. James
I don't think there's anyone surprising on the unprotected list. I'd be disappointed if Cincy picked up Stieber, but I can't see them doing that given his salary.
DCU protected Acosta, Asad, Arriola, Birnbaum, Canouse, Fisher, Hamid, Moreno, Mora, Rooney, Segura.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) December 10, 2018 a different way of looking at it
I'm hoping that Stieber is just too expensive for other teams. Also, Brillant was coming on at the end of the year, but he;s not young and CB is one place Kasper is trying to improve.
If Ben Olsen isn't going to play Steiber than hopefully Cincy takes him. Lot of money for a guy who the coach won't put in the XI.
I would be very sad if Zoltan is taken by some random Ohio team. If they do, it'll be for a trade because some other team wants him. I hope he stays, he's one of my favorite players, and you gotta love his goal celebration. Also, I am a fan of his salary as listed by the MLSPA.
Questions: Asad was said to be released pending renegotiated contract. Now we show him as protected. Does that mean the deal was done? DCU has no free agents out of contract according to MLS website, and shares the exposed list for the expansion draft as including Mattocks. Cinci should snatch him up. The 2018 MLS Expansion Draft will be held at 2 pm ET on Tuesday, December 11, streaming live on MLSsoccer.com. FC Cincinnati may select up to five players from the eligible MLS player pool. Only a single player can be drafted from any one club. D.C. United Vytas Frederic Brillant Nick DeLeon Kevin Ellis Jared Jeffrey Dane Kelly Taylor Kemp Darren Mattocks Bruno Miranda Chris Odoi-Atsem Kofi Opare David Ousted Zoltan Stieber Travis Worra
I think expansion teams, if they are smart, will select defensive quality players in an expansion draft and use international and DP spots and trades for offense. That makes it a bit more unlikely for Zoltan to be chosen
Protecting Segura ( who is a deck chair) and not Stieber (who is not) is a mistake. Plain and simple.
You're both right. Segura is a deck chair because he is an average MLS talent (but, at a below MLS salary). That salary makes him valuable. If 50% of MLS midfielders are average/about the same, you might as well get one on the cheap. Stieber, on the other hand is expensive by MLS standards. I agree that he has a lot to offer, but Olsen doesn't rate him for some reason. Stieber has value as a free kick taker and is pretty good on the wing. He's not super speedy and that will dictate the type of team that wants him. A lot of MLS sides like speed on the wings.