The club came up just shy in 2013, so who do you want back next season and who has to go? If the club follow its normal practice, then we should know by the end of November which options it is going to pick up for next season. That will give a skeleton of what the side will look like come next season. I tried to piece together what I could find as far as where the players stand contract wise with the Rowdies, but this is soccer, so players could still be cut even if they are signed for 2014. Forwards Lucky - Loaned from Harrisburg (USL). Presumed to heading back Barbara - Contract status unknown Cort - Contract status unknown Del Do - Club option for 2014 Hristov - Club option for 2014 Walker - Signed through 2014 Midfield Jamael Cox - Club holds an option for next year. I would doubt he is in their plans. Clinton - Club holds an option for next year Savage - Signed through 2015 Frimpong - Signed through 2014 Hill - Contract status unknown Campbell - Signed through 2014 Mulholland - Contract status unknown Raphael Cox - Contract status unknown Defenders Gafa - Club holds option for next season Yamada - Free agent Arango - Club option for 2014 Needham - Under contract through 2015 Washington - Signed through 2014 Sanfilippo - Club option for 2014 Scott - Contract status unknown Goalkeepers Restrepo - Club holds option for 2014 Fontein - Free agent I would expect Cort to be gone (too old, too many injuries), maybe both Del Do and Walker upfront. Hristov is coming back I would have to think. Luke's status is the biggest question mark in the midfield (and the squad). I am not sure if they have him under contract beyond this past season. If he is a free agent, then I would think there would be a bidding war for him. I could see just about any NASL club wanting him in their squad. In the back, I suspect that Yamada might be done. He only signed a one year deal last year and he isn't getting any younger. Wholesale changes in the back could be coming. The team might want to retool the whole thing with younger players. Even with a club option for 2014, I would think the Rowdies would try to sign Restrepo to a longer deal. He was one of the top keepers in the league.
The Cosmos carried a 28 man roster this Fall season. I think I'm tired of the Rowdies being cheap and refusing to sign a full team year in and year out. So whatever they do, whoever they sign, let's sign a full team for once.
The Rowdies have shown a knack for getting the most from a smaller squad. Players 24-28 are reserve players for the most part, so I don't necessarily think it affects the club that much.
I completely disagree. Yes, we get alot out of having a smaller sqaud: when they are all healthy. We've struggled a great deal this season with depth, and this has a lot to do with the Rowdies not carrying 28 guys. It hurt us badly in key games this year and IMO is just another sign that the team is cheap. Forcing your coach to get the best out of a short roster and crossing your fingers you don't lose key guys is a dumb strategy.
Jamael Cox didn't even play this season. In previous years there were a couple guys who never saw the field. The guys that far down the bench aren't that good. Hey, I am on the same page as far as their penny pinching. This is a thrifty group, but if it keeps them alive from year to year, so be it. The side has been pretty good since year two. If I am the owner of a second division team, I really can't see dropping another $50,000 so I can fill out the last five spots on my roster. I would much rather them put that dough into game day experience, marketing, or a down payment on a stadium.
I see what you are saying. But I feel like this ownership group CAN spend the extra money and not have to worry about folding in the morning. The whole point of the NASL, of D2 standards, of ownership requiring to be have 20 million in worth, etc. was so that the NASL could raise the level of play, raise the standard, create separation between the USLpro and the second division. An ownership group unwilling to carry a full roster, unwilling to open the checkbook to retain top talent and maintain cohesion in the squad from year to year, and relying on "getting by" by cutting corners isn't going to help accomplish those goals. Part of the game day experience is having a talented, competitive side that doesn't fear a couple of big injuries. The ironic thing is that Ricky Hill has achieved a shit ton despite being given a short deck to work with. We won it all in 2012 and finished 2nd overall in 2013 in points earned between the Spring and Fall season. We were solid in 2011 as well. IMO with a lesser coach, or just a small difference in quality on the field, the picture would be quite different. We've been lucky, and we can't expect that to continue.
Speed, I used to be pretty frustrated as well. Maybe I just got over it. Maybe the Soccer Bowl win last season and Hill putting together a second place (regular season) finish this season makes me not fret so much. What you say about retention is key. This is now a four year old club (oops, my bad, a 38 year old club) and it would be nice to see them hang on to the good ones. A division two team is always going to lose out to foreign clubs (Yoshi) for either monetary or homesick reasons. They are also going to lose players to MLS (Atinella) because of players wanting to play at the highest level. The key will be not to lose players to the Cosmos or other NASL teams. With Indy coming in as a powerhouse off the field from the start, I fear we lose our top players to them as well. Overall, except for the two I mentioned, who else do you wish they had kept?
Some big changes: http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/index.php?id=52&newsid=6059 The club has exercised contract options for midfielders Evans Frimpong, Kyle Clinton and Keith Savage, and defender Jordan Gafa assuring their return for the 2014 season. The Rowdies declined options for team captain Frankie Sanfilippo and forward Carl Cort Players that are now free agents include Raphael Cox, Andrew Fontein, Shane Hill, Luke Mulholland, Daniel Scott, and Takuya Yamada.
I'm supprised that the team released Frankie Sanfilippo,he was one of our best players.However,I'm not supprised that they let Carl Cort go. He was hurt for most of the season.
I believe I read where the Rowdies are still in negotiations with Frankie and Carl. If they could get them at a discount they are both good bench players at this point. Frankie lost a step this past year and yes Cort was injured constantly but still a presence.
Good,I hope the team can retain both players. If Cort can get healthy,he would be one of the best players in the NASL.
Rowdies are loading up for 2014 with the signing of Shriver and renewal of Hristov's contract. http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=6083 http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=6080
Updated Roster status Forwards Lucky - Loaned from Harrisburg (USL). Presumed to heading back to Harrisburg Barbara - Contract status unknown Free Agent - Don't see them bringing him back Cort - Contract status unknown Club option declined, club still negotiating. Del Do - Club option for 2014 declined. Good riddance. Hristov - Club option for 2014 Signed to 4 year deal. Great move Walker - Signed through 2014 Brian Shriver - Late of Carolina - 2013 Golden Boot and local boy. Great pickup Midfield Jamael Cox - Club declined his option for 2014. Would guess he is gone. Clinton - Club holds an option for next year Club picked up his option. - He must be a cheap benchwarmer Savage - Signed through 2015 Frimpong - Signed through 2014 Hill - Contract status unknown Free Agent - Please, pretty please tell me he is gone. Campbell - Signed through 2014 Mulholland - Contract status unknown Free Agent - Would be a disappointment to lose him to anyone but MLS Raphael Cox - Contract status unknown Free Agent Defenders Gafa - Club holds option for next season Had his option picked up for 2014 - Decent contributor Yamada - Free agent Arango - Club option for 2014 declined Needham - Under contract through 2015 Washington - Signed through 2014 Club declined his option. Sanfilippo - Club option for 2014 declined - In discussions for new cheaper deal. Scott - Contract status unknown Free Agent Blake Wagner - Formerly with San Antonio. He is younger than last year's crew. Hope that is an improvement Goalkeepers Restrepo - Club holds option for 2014 Signed new contract. Fontein - Free agent The great news for the club is that we have succeeded in bringing back two of the three standouts on last year's roster. Restrepo had a fantastic year after seizing the number on spot from Fontein and I would suspect that he is secure in that spot going into 2014. Hristov was productive and proved to be a good scorer who will be hopefully maintain his form. The thought of Georgi and new signing Shriver as our strike force is exciting. The missing element is Luke. I would bet that as a free agent he is fielding offers from quite a few clubs. I would guess that he will probably try to catch on with an MLS club. As a DCU fan, I would certainly welcome him to the Black and Red. Hopefully the Rowdies will get him back if he fails to stick in MLS. My worst nightmare is that he signs with the Cosmos. The roster is still pretty up in the air, but I think the tea leaves show that we are going to get younger and not stand pat with a roster that was good but not good enough in 2013.
The Rowdies have acquired Lucky Mkosana from the Harrisburg City Islanders and have signed him to a 1-year contract! http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/index.php?id=52&newsid=6092
Lucky put in some quality minutes for the Rowdies and I think scored on a fairly flashy play against the Cosmos in the shootout they had in NY... Nice pick-up!
Love the Lucky signing. Hate that Luke will be gone. The writing is on the wall. I will miss Luke. (Personally, I think we need to keep him. I've always liked the way the guys hustles.) When/If Luke goes who takes his place creatively? Certain not Hill. Savage is already starting. The Cox brothers? Where does it come from? I am curious.
Captain Frankie Sanfilippo and Shane Hill will return for the Rowdies in 2014: http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/index.php?id=52&newsid=6095
Very good question. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the play making ability of our current midfield without Luke. There are still a TON of empty roster spots, so hopefully we are not done with the big signings. We are still looking to fill holes in the defense and midfield. Our front line is shaping up pretty well, at least.
This sounds like a good signing. It we started signing new players up front, have moved to the mid-field and will ultimately look at the back line. This is starting to look like a very competitive team.
Rowdies Sign Jamaican Goalkeeper Ryan Thompson http://rowdiessoccer.com/index.php?id=52&newsid=6112 Ryan Godda Thompson Highlights .
http://rowdiessoccer.com/index.php?id=52&newsid=6128 Carl Cort and Evans Frimpong have been signed. The roster looks like this according to their website: Goalkeeper: Diego Restrepo, Ryan Thompson Defenders: Jordan Gafa, Jay Needham, Blake Wagner, Frankie Sanfilippo Midfielders: Keith Savage, Evans Frimpong, Kyle Clinton, Shane Hill, Christophe Lallet Forwards: Georgi Hristov, Lucky Mkosana, Brian Shriver, Amani Walker, Carl Cort Looks like we are pretty set at forward now, but obviously need more defenders. The big question mark is if Lallet is man enough to fill Luke's spot in midfield.