With the 5 internationals we already have (Brown, Eloundou, Knight, Sanchez, Torres) plus Sarvas that fills 6 of our 7 slots. We started with 8, got 1 permanently from FSL for Gregorio, and gave 1 up through 2016 for Harris and 1 up through 2031 for Nyassi. Sjoberg would fill that last slot, leaving no room for the Argentines. EDIT: We still have 1 open slot as we acquired one in the Sarvas trade. So room for 1 of the 2 Argentinian players.
I think we got an international slot from LA in addition to Sarvas. EDIT: Jason is faster than I am. How does he get used in the midfield? Did't LA use him and Juninho sort of side by side as DM's? Does he play next to Powers or is he a direct replacement for Jose Mari?
Are the Rapids able to bring more than the allotted number of international slots to pre-season? If so, I could see them bringing in both Argentines and seeing what happens. Maybe Knight doesn't stick if one of the new big guys sticks. Or Eloundou gets dumped to Charlotte (does he still count against us?). Or Maybe Torres really is in PM's doghouse and doesn't make the team. Or the Rapids trade for an open international slot. Lots of options that I could see get worked out in pre-season. rod.
Yes, we only have to be roster-compliant at the beginning of the season, and the rules for how players count in USL hasn't been revealed yet (probably being decided in the CBA negotiations). So there are options, my numbers are based on the 2014 roster rules.
You got a good midfielder in Sarvas. He is the kind of player that can set the tone of a game. I have seen several Galaxy games where the entire pitch would pivot on his play. He won't score a lot of goals, but he will create chaos for opponents, and creativity for his team mates. I am sorry to see him go, but soccer is a business, he isn't cheap, he is getting older and LA have a lot of midfielders.
I'm guessing that both Argentines make it to Rapids and then the Rapids figure out how to keep all the internationals they really want/need. Could be, as mentioned previously, that a couple of guys are eligible for green cards. Or the Rapids are going to get another allocation?
I am wondering with the Sarvas addition as well as Pittinari if they are both going to be deep with Powers more forward? Just trying, as always, to figure out formation/strategy.
------------------------ Pittinari-------------------- ----------Sarvas---------------------Hairston------- -------------------------Powers-------------------- Good question. I see a diamond in the midfield. Sarvas and Powers (and Hairston to some extent) are interchangeable depending on the load and opponent. Essentially you have 3 central mids in an "advanced" role with a D-mid roaming behind them. Flank play is supplied by Harrington and Klute. The problem with this is does not put Serna on the field. Not sure if I like that. Therefore, I'm not sure if a diamond is the way to go. You could go with a 5-man midfield of: ------------Sarvas-----------------pittinarri--------- ---Serna-------------- Powers--------------------Brown-------- It would be a 4-5-1 with Torres up top. Defensively the shape above is what that midfield would look like but as you attack it would morph into: -------------Serna ---------Torres------- Brown---------- Torres would be the pivot player with Serna and Brown running off him. Torres' passing is such that this could work. Powers would be making those late runs a la Lampard or Michael Bradley into the area. Pittinarri would be the anchor in front of the defense and Sarvas could be spraying passes from a deep lying position.
Here is a thought: The Rapids could be killing two birds with one stone. Get the Navy to sponsor the jerseys AND let us have a player. Think about the marketing! rod.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...tional-jozy-altidore-allocation-jermain-defoe But hey, at least we won the superdraft yesterday...
With the addition of Burling, Harrington and Sarvas the team is following the DC United approach of bringing in solid experienced players. They still need a couple of those "difference makers" yet and hope Torres stays and becomes what we all expected.
So, just got the email from C38. Here is what they said about our second DP: Although no official announcement has been made yet by the Rapids front office, Pablo Mastroeni could be seen parading around at this week’s MLS Superdraft with what appears to be our second Designated Player in club history. Keeping in line with what appears to be a current trend with South American players, the Rapids invited this attacking Argentinean player to take part in draft day events while working out transfer and contract details. Described on what appears to be his former clubs website as an attacking player with the positional and playmaking sensibilities of a Zidane and the blood thirsty attacking instinct of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic, midfielder/striker Dulce Bigote should be a nice compliment to the new defensive oriented players that the Rapids have brought in for 2015. Rumors are he will wear the number 38 in honor of the Colorado Rapids supporters group Centennial 38 as a sign of solidarity between the players and fans of the team. Transfer fees wit h his former club Vello Facial are undisclosed at this point, but team execs are understood to have been reluctant to see him go as he is a very promising new player on the Argentinean soccer scene. As my role on this board seems to be little knowledge and to poke Jason in the eye, anyone have insight? I will grab the FIFA rankings shortly for posting. rod
This is a sick , twisted, cruel joke. Whoever got my hopes up must be flogged, or at least trolled into oblivion. Just. Not. Nice.
This is a joke. Google 'Dulce Bigote translate.' I'm surprised whoever does facebook/twitter for C38 fell for it or started it.
Agreed. Was hoping my Fifa reference added to the fun. Although not a happy joke, too much pain still.....