I could see B Smith getting offered a job if he can get healthy. I believe Odoi-Atsem and Guediri are gone. I doubt Rooney rates them as skilled enough. They both are athletic enough but putting in consistent crosses seems to elude them.
Plus we have the new left back... I watch Hammarby when they are on ESPN+ (Forza Bajen!!!) but honestly the left back never stood out. He is serviceable I guess. Now if we could get Ludwigson...
Pairs up well with how the decent crosses seem to be actively eluded by those on the other end of the call. Go team!
This is one of the things that separates good teams from bad teams. If your crosses are all over the place, the strikers never know where to run to actually attack them. So they end up just playing more conservative or just guessing where the ball might go. Same works on defense, where a great team, the defenders and keeper understand who is covering what angle...
Rumors of Martin Rodriguez's sale forthcoming ... https://bolavip.com/cl/colocolo/Regresa-Martin-Rodriguez-Gustavo-Quinteros-juega-al-misterio-sobre-si-el-delantero-esta-en-cay prefrpeta-de-refuerzos-para-Colo-Colo-en-2023-20221026-0073.html Not a fan of the idea. There might be faster guys, but he's shown a high work rate, good speed, a grasp & ability to play in this league, and a willingness to die for the shirt which can't be said for a TON of guys who have cycled through DCU in the last 5 years.
Callens please! From the MLS website regarding NYCFC off-season moves: “We'll see what happens, but Callens and Johnson are eligible for free agency and will likely be two of the three most-coveted players on the market.” Oh wait, we’re set. We have Birnbaum and Pines.
DC gets $50,000 2023 GAM from Austin and the 26th pick in this year's re-entry draft for the 1st pick in the re-entry draft, which Austin then used on Sofiane Djeffal.
I disagree. In a system where he doesn't have to cover for a terrible central defensive set-up (and an often otherwise uninterested midfield) I think he could thrive. He has good instincts and can be patient - when he's asked to not be patient with the ball, he makes mistakes, but he's young and can be coached.
I think the saga of Djeffal is a warning regarding European players who opt for US colleges. While @fatbastard is right that Djeffal is "coachable", he is also heading into his mid-twenties. By that point, a soccer player should largely be a finished product. That fact that a European citizen comes to the US to play 4 years of college ball indicates either: 1) a player who is just wanting a US college education (maybe?) or 2) a player not "good enough" in the European system to merit a serious pro offer who then figures he can ply his trade in the US for 4 years of scholarship education. I think #2 is generally the case. These guys are "OK" as players, but they aren't going to move the needle and their international roster spots make them prime candidates to get cut.
1 assist in 14 matches. They need better than that from a winger who takes an international spot. I hope they replace him, but even if they don't they should play Ravel there and back him up with kids. They don't need two non-productive international wingers, and Ravel is probably staying, so...
Rodriguez was actually second on the entire team (which includes Gressel) in key passes. He's plenty useful if players could finish the chances he sets up for them. Also, Ravel isn't a winger, so the team can't sell Rodriguez and expect Ravel to give the same production out wide.
This came out of nowhere. Sources: D.C. United and free agent defender Pedro Santos have agreed to a deal. Left back slots into D.C.'s rebuild under Wayne Rooney. DC remain active on FA market after Santos.Santos, 34, made 155 appearances with the Columbus Crew over 6 seasons, winning MLS Cup in 2020. pic.twitter.com/EJFCSHBieE— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) November 18, 2022
Goff confirms the Santos signing, adds that DC is eyeing Tyler Miller as a free agent GK, which would signal the end of David Ochoa in DC. D.C. United agrees to deal with free agent Pedro Santos (Columbus), per sources. DCU also eyeing free agent goalkeeper Tyler Miller (Minnesota), a deal that would likely end talks with David Ochoa. #mls— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) November 18, 2022
Of course he can, Rodriguez didn't produce anything. Key passes is a trash stat because it implies he's setting up teammates to score, which just wasn't the case with Rodriguez. Ravel has played wing with DC already (SLC and Orlando, a draw and a win) so of course he can play there. If DC doesn't sign an attacking midfielder, first off, shame on them, then he can play in the middle but if not he can play wide and he should at his price point as opposed to being on the bench or starting Fletcher or somebody else not ready. Now, he plays exclusively on the right when he plays wing, so I guess that's an issue. I just don't see the need for two internationals that don't produce when you have an opportunity to lose one and fill that spot with someone else who can potentially be productive. Rodriguez isn't a bad player at all. He was really one of United's better players, but he's a TAM player and he has to produce. He's not the kind of winger that gets to the endline and creates havoc, he cuts inside every time. I will say he has potential to be more productive with a better team, no doubt. I'd rather get someone else who is more sure to be productive, as we've seen Martin and are left wanting. For example, Kimarni Smith is half the player but more dangerous from the wing. Martin just doesn't factor into the attack. 3 shots all season, none on target. 21 key passes? I need to see those passes, I can't remember 21 instances of him setting guys up. He connected on 10 out of 40 crosses, so I assume that's half of the key passes. I could be wrong of course, but that stat does nothing to assure me he's a factor in the offense.
Santos was great last season when I saw him play. This can work out great, hopefully he's still at that level this season as he's getting old now. Miller is a good keeper, I'd be happy with him.