Interesting interview with the Rapids new "Moneyball" guy Padraig Smith. Says they identified Sarvas, Harrington, Burling, and Cronin as the guys they wanted to go get with their new philosophy. Also Sjoberg from the draft. http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2015/02/qa-colorado-rapids-sporting-director-padraig-smith
Individuals such as Burling and Cronin were sought after as core pieces? Oh my. You guys might get the Wooden Spoon this fall.
He's good and was rumored to be moving to FC Twente of the Erdevise , who owns Jesus Corona (MEX) .. Although I'm expecting him to stay for a little while and later move on to Europe as he has the Potential (21) .. Thank you RSL , you guys got fleeced but it's all good in my book .
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/source-toronto-fc-loan-gilberto-to-vasco/ Gilberto supposedly loaned to Vasco
Sjoberg is probably the next Birnbaum. Young and strong, he represents the new era of US soccer player as we take advantage of taller stronger players.
I'll take 50% of his rights and enough Garberbux to get Elias Vazquez onto the team. With an openly pouting Salcedo demanding out with one year left on his contract - and having left the team a la Camilo from Vancouver a year earlier - there wasn't much win there for the having. And since I like Vazquez a whole lot - captain of a resurgent Guatemala team with 25 caps at age 22 - I am quite pleased with the exchange.
The other option was to have some pouty brat sit on our bench all year. He didn't leave on good terms, and it was pretty much all his fault. This prima donna wasn't going to stick around, and at least we got something.
Rapids draftee Brandon Fricke signs with Charlotte, the Rapids USL partner. Out of the 6 players currently under contract with Charlotte one (Fricke) is a Rapids draftee and three others are currently trialing in Rapids camp. Also Rapids Sr. Director of Soccer Development Brian Crookham is currently serving as Charlotte's Technical Director. The two teams have agreed to play the same style of soccer and work with the planned 4-2-3-1 formation the Rapids will be using this year. Its starting to look like the Charlotte Independence are actually Colorado Rapids II in all but name. http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/...ependence-signs-rapids-draftee-brandon-fricke
Gilberto on loan to Vasco da Gama the drama doesn't stop at TFC http://www.wakingthered.com/2015/2/...ama-gilberto-loan-signing-toronto-fc-official
Robb Heineman dropping SKC rumors per normal. First, Van Der Vaart: Keep hearing rvdv rumor....definitely on the radar. Not imminent...— Robb Heineman (@RobbHeineman) February 12, 2015 Then this: Trips 2 frankfurt and milan in the works next week? Who might we be interested in there?— Robb Heineman (@RobbHeineman) February 20, 2015
While I still love my Ohio (& jax/mn/wny/some of dfw) roots, this is exactly why I moved here after my military travels, along with a pretty good young medium sized city/metro (decent tech and sports options) and craft brew scene. Such an amazing area, and I've been to at least every major metro (~top 40) for things, outside of Portland, Phoenix, & Indianapolis. I have a few other places that are high on my list, but Denver/Colorado is the place to be IMO for all those activities, and everything else (weather, people, etc). And this is where the natives tell me to be quiet.... And looking forward to seeing him @ DSGP....I have no idea what to expect with this guy, nor how our formation will look, or more appropriately, who will fill the slots in a likely 4-2-3-1....lol. Also, interesting to see some of the NASL pick ups.... Someone mentioned the Cosmos additions earlier, Jax has a couple of decent foreigners, and Minnesota seems to be stocking up on some attacking players, including a couple of decent former MLSers.... Kalif Alhassan coming in from Portland (after already signing Jonny Steele and having some other decent forwards/mids) http://thelooncall.com/2015/02/17/minnesota-have-most-likely-signed/ Might this mean they are preparing to sell Miguel Ibarra to a MLS or Liga MX team?
Van Der Vaart has been at or near the top of my "FC Dallas unrealistic DP targets that I can dream about but never expect" list. I figured someone in MLS would at least take a look there. Milan could be a number of players. Essien, possibly. Podolski is at Inter on loan. DeJong has been looming out of contract (at least recently).
Interesting. I was thinking they were heading over to look for a veteran CB as that seems to be the biggest weakness in the squad at this point. Anibaba and Opare may be able to start at CB but I feel there needs to be more quality back there to really compete in the west.
Zambrano's name has been thrown around by fans, but I would think getting him would possibly require a max or DP salary, and that was the hesitation in re-signing Collin, having so much cap tied up in your starting CBs.
A lot of fans agree with you, but I doubt Vermes does. There seems to be a surplus of usable defenders and defensive midfielders on the team now, so even if Sporting wanted to upgrade, they'd still have to drop a player or two. I doubt Vermes would do that now. Only place that definitely is low on players is forwards. If, as is often suggested, Nemeth plays out on the wing with Dwyer in the middle, then there are no more actual forwards on the team (Peterson does not count).