Joe Enochs has played for over a decade professionally in Germany. He's 36 now, maybe he's got one more good year left? A Agoos/Baresi/Koeman type of organizer? He was quoted as saying he'd love to play in MLS before his career is over (and he's from NorCal) How about Jamar Beasley? He seems to have "grown up" and is doing real well indoors. Roger Levesque is playing well for Seattle (semi-finalist in the Open Cup) What's Luchi Gonzalez doing these days? Just trying to think of guys who could "fill out" an expansion roster.
How about Julian Nash? He showed some promise for the Quakes in 2005 and is now only on the reserves for the Dynamo - getting 0 minutes in 2007. Frankly, I think he could develop into a Brian Ching-type big forward.
I'd like to see us tryout Julian. He might not be good enough, but he's worth a look. Eric Reed, the GK for the California Victory looks good. I hate to say it, but Josh Wicks of the Portland Timbers also looks good. There may be a few other guys in USL that are worth trying out. Jamil Walker would be cool, if we could get him. Not that I think he'd be a great starter, but he'd be good depth, and he's not getting a lot of minutes with DCU. I haven't been following any US players overseas, but if we could lure some one cool back home, that would be good. I bet the evil, cheating, water-stealing, smog-breathing galactofilth have a fire sale during the off season. There might be someone there (TheJoe!) worth getting! (Alan Gordon, Mike Randolph, Kelly Gray) Anyway, it should be fun! I'm so excited!!!!!! GOOOOO QUAKES!!!!!!! - Mark
Why would someone from the USL come to MLS when they would be expected to sign a developmental contract which could lock them into poverty wages for a couple of years? At least USL1 has a living wage. I think you'll be hard pressed for any USL established players to join the Quakes unless there is a decent offer on the table and I think you'll see those contracts go to current MLS players.
How about some frogs players? Nelson Santana comes to mind and also Dannylo Ayllon. I know Nelson played for the Quakes before and Dannylo was in the Tecos youth system I think, he just recently came back from playing in El Salvador
RE: Frogs They could always try out but I don't think any of them would make the cut to be frank. If I took anyone from that team it would probably be DeGeer as an attacking forward and Weynton as a right back though I think the latter doesn't have enough pace.
Nelson last played for the Frogs in 06. I believe last year he played indoor for the California Cougars. I think he's probably getting a little long in the tooth for the pace of the MLS game, and frankly I think he'd likely be a distraction in the locker room...
I can't see the Galaxy dumping their best player, Joe Cannon. He's been uneven at times, but I think that's because he's been shelled this season. But I'd love to see Joe Cannon back in NorCal. One of my coolest moments as a fan was when Joe Cannon sat in the supporters section at the MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center.
They would not necessarily be given a developmental contract. Plenty of USL players see MLS as a chance to make much bigger bucks, so they go for it. Alan Gordon and Mike Randolph both came from the USL, oh, and that DeRosario guy too. (Ian Russell, Brian Ching, Pat ONstad, lots more.) Some of the "stars" of USL get paid more in USL than they would make in MLS, so we won't get those guys. Still, some of the young guys in USL are making crap all in that league and would certainly jump at the chance for an MLS contract because they see it as a step to bigger contracts later. Remember, all of these guys think that they can and should be starting in MLS if not on the US National team. You need a pretty huge ego to play professional sports. This isn't a criticism at all. I want them to think that they are the best, and play like it. I'm not saying that we should build our team from USL, I'm just saying that we could pick up a few guys from that league. Oh and Ekelund is too old. Maybe we could use him as a coach, but not as a player. Dario Brose is playing (sort of) for Carolina in the USL. He used to be a coach. I could see getting Dario as a coach too. GOOOOO QUAKES!!!!! - Mark
Seriously, instead rumors on BS how come there is no more news about what is happening with the New Quakes? You would think we would hear more rumblings from the front office but I haven't herd anything since June? Shouldn't it be time we started to hear something more? I mean the season opener is only 6-7 months away!
Roger Levesque deserves a look at again. And you already know Adam Frye will be at the tryouts, he was at everyone elses tryouts LOL. Whats Scott Bower & Devin Barclay doing?
Unlike previous stupid owners, our new owners do not go running their mouths off when they have nothing to say. Es tranquilo amigo mio. They need to hire a coach first (I bet they already have some PR guys and gals hired). They need to hire a GM (which may mean no other front office people until they get their GM). Right now, they are busy nailing down the stadium plans!!! Hello! Once they get the stadium all squared away, we'll see more progress on every other front. When we hear news from the New Quakes, it's not going to be "we plan to do such and such," it's going to be announcements that such and such is in progress, that they have completed a goal, that they have hired a coach, signed a big name player. They are not going to say we want to do X, they will say: "We have done X." Es un dia nuevo amigo! GOOOO QUAKES!!!!!! - Mark
I had heard on the news down here that the MVP of the PDL from the Fresno Fuego Pablo Campos was going to be trying out for the Quakes.
These guys sucked five years ago - why would you expect they've improved in the intervening period. Barclay last played for Columbus in 2005, and now appears to be trying out as a placekicker for Ohio State (look for him at the end of the article) http://ohiostate.scout.com/a.z?s=145&p=2&c=671169 As far as Scott Bower goes, he was unremarkable in 2002 when he was released, and I have been unable to dig up anything on any subsequent suckage. All in all - not promising as 'prospects'.
Even though I hated the guy when he was playing in SJ, how about Wynalda for kicks? He would be cool to watch as a part time sub....I think he just signed with a PDL club.
Unless the Quakes want to start a new weekly series "America's wimpiest athletes and most hilarious knee injuries" I think they should take a pass....
Remember when he injured his knee in a "shootout" against (IIRC) Chicago? I thought that was probably one of the most incredible things I'd ever seen. Boy needs more calcium in his diet!
Personally, I always liked Waldo. He had a ton of skill and saw the game better than almost anyone else on the pitch. However, he's a jerk. Eric does not get along at all with Doyle or Baicher, probably not with Dom either. So he'd be a bad choice. We need an '05 style everyone pulling together sort of organization. We need guys who feel that they have something to prove. We need guys who think the Quakes got screwed and will play (or work in the Front Office) with chips on their shoulders. That's one reason I'm keen to see Doyle have some role in the new team. Baicher and Russell would be cool too. We will have a much bigger staff than in previous versions of the team, so there should be plenty of places for various people to help run the club. GOOOOOO QUAAAAAAKEEEEES!!! - Mark
Agree 100%. I'd rep you if I could! I think that the rest of the league is going to expect us to be their bitch for the first couple of seasons, and since the prior incarnation of the quakes was pretty much the league's red-headed stepchild from the beginning, it shouldn't be hard to foster the attitude in any player who was at all associated with the Quakes (as a player, fan or coach) anyway. As far as your suggestions, heck - Russell always seemed to have a chip on his shoulder even when there was no reason!
I met Waldo a few times and he always seemed nice. I'm sure he had an ego but all the big time players do and at the time he was the biggest American player in the country. I'd think he could lend a hand at least as a player coach but as BSMAN mentioned I believe in another thread, I'd think he would be a cancer to the lockerroom. Then again, maybe in his late 30's he has grown mentally..........well maybe not.....
Yeah, he's grown a lot! Mind you I love Waldo for saying that, but the man has very poor impulse control. Here's the full article. I love to hear Eric announce a game because he always says whatever is on his mind, with no filtering at all. But I do not want him associated with our re-born team in any way shape or form. Go Waldo! GOOOOOO QUAAAAAAKES!! - Mark