Free up Rochez and Rivas DP slots. Orlando needs to use those DP slots on upgrading this roster. Priority #1 in the offseason.
To be clear, neither is over the $400k+ limit for roster players, and both slots can be freed while keeping the player. IIRC, I believe Rivas was a DP for transfer fee, which should be expiring next year. Rochez was taking advantage of lowering the cap hit by making him a young DP. There is less salary cap savings with a player that is 21 years old being a DP. They could have both been fit under the cap in 2015 if there was another DP worth signing. By now most of the transfer fee should have depreciated off, and both are now 21 yo so the cap savings of the designation goes down. I suspect Rivas is staying, but Rochez could be a goner. Then again, if there will be a switch to the 4-4-2 Rochez might be useful.
I care little for how much fatcat Flavio spends to keep under the cap. Rivas can stay, Rochez I'm not a personal believer but whatever. What is needed is actually star quality which those DP slots can give.
My point is that they don't need to get rid of the two in order to clear the DP slots. They could both stay and the team could still add two DPs with some juggling, maybe not that much juggling. I actually liked what we saw of Rochez last year. Obviously he has some growing up to do, but one would expect it at that age. Twitter rumors say Mateos, Baptista, Boden and Devron Garcia are likely the first wave of cuts.
I heard that the season exit interviews have been completed. We should probably start hearing about players being cut this weekend. Then we can star to see what types of players this team will try to sign.
I hope they keep Baptista. He can be a game changing super sub. I wouldnt mind keeping Boden around as he is generally a good player and can play multiple positions. I dont think he costs much either. Im ok with cutting the rest of them.
Baptista would seem to be a bargain at his current salary. If true, that must either be a personality thing or Kreis thinking he is too slow for what Kreis wants to run. There are "options being considered" for Boden, if the rumors are true. My assumption is that could be anything from a trade to a player/coach position at OCB.
There's talk that Bapista was on sliding contract where he would get much more for 17 than he made in 16.
That makes a lot of sense, both for him when he signed and as a reason why he wouldn't come back. I suppose if he were willing to stay low they could possibly rework that through the re-entry draft process, right?
excellent choice in the addition of Miles Joseph to the coaching staff: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...os-orlando-city-news-0927-20160926-story.html
http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=46577#.WEB_5rujiQk.facebook Ex-Red Bull II defender Carroll signs with Orlando City B
Just bought season tickets to OCB. Only two price points; endzone/supporters' section and east sideline. Both much less expensive 17 games for $221 on General admission sidelines or $153 for supporters.
Its "official". Orlando the greatest city for Soccer fans in the US: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-soccer-fans/14207/
I'm amused that LA is that high. I don't think they belong in the same discussion as Portland, Seattle, Kansas City, or Orlando.
Why not? They are fifth in MLS attendance, arguably the most famous team worldwide. And they have some great college soccer in the area, along with some pretty solid minor league soccer.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...-ahead-of-expansion-draft-20161212-story.html Protected players: GK Joe Bendik D José Aja - International D Rafael Ramos M Cristian Higuita M Kaká - Designated Player, International M Kevin Molino M Antonio Nocerino - International M Matías Pérez García - International M Brek Shea F Cyle Larin F Carlos Rivas - Designated Player, International Automatically protected players: GK Mason Stajduhar - Homegrown D Conor Donovan - Generation adidas D Tommy Redding – Homegrown D Tyler Turner - Homegrown** M Richie Laryea - Generation adidas, International Available for selection: GK Earl Edwards, Jr. D Kevin Alston** D Mikey Ambrose D Luke Boden** D Seb Hines** D David Mateos – International M Servando Carrasco M Devron García – International M Tony Rocha F Júlio Baptista – International** F Hadji Barry F Pedro Ribeiro** F Bryan Róchez - Designated Player, International **Players whose options were not exercised for next year become available for the Expansion Draft, with the exception of Homegrown and Generation adidas players, who are automatically protected.
I think that nails my list of expected players to be protected, with the exception of Nocerino. Not sure why we protected him at his salary. But now that I think about it, maybe he has a no trade clause which would require us to protect him. Same with Shea, for that matter.
1. No one is going to pick Carrasco, bench players in their mid to late 20s aren't getting picked. 2. No on is going to deal with the Alex Morgan dilemma if they do consider picking him.
Ambrose might have more upside, but Toia can give you something better now. Fun fact: He originally was a striker when he came up through the RSL academy, and signed a homegrown contract with Kreis.