Losing Matt Jordan hurt - no 2 ways about it. It hurt more than I imagine Swift or Jefferies would have predicted. I believe its not the athleticism we missed so much (DJ has that) as the leadership in the back. No doubt, DJ is a talented and athletic keeper. But he is young and still has a lot of learning to do. He made some outstanding saves and committed some incredible blunders. Not being a "keeper expert" I did not see a noticeable improvement from Game 1 to 30 in his play. My point: It looks like Scott Garlick is going to be available. He is being benched tonight and has since sold his house in Denver. Do we go after Garlick and get a proven, solid keeper now and become a better team in 2004 OR do we give DJ another year in SUCKLACK since no one will be there to see it anyway?
I'm not a big DJ fan, but I say let him stick around for another year. He made mistakes, but his defense wasn't helping. Let Garlick retire and save the cap money for a playmaker. BTW, Jordan hasn't played a league game since he signed for Odense BK. Consider him for 2005 if DJ doesn't shape up.
HELL NO. Are you kidding me? With a proper defense, DJ will be one of the best keepers in the league next season and into 2005. As for Garlick, I never thought he was a decent keeper becuase evertime he has come to town in the past 2 years we've schooled him. The keeper area isn't for worry, we should start a thread on what the forward picture will look like next season.
I agree, give DJ another year of "seasoning" to see if he can't develop. With his raw skill, athleticism and instincts, if he can avoid the mistakes he will be more then a solid keeper. Whats one more year, particularly at the suckhole.
Great insight on all these posts. DJ made mistakes, sometimes that cost the Burn games. Vide New York. I agree that it was a mistake not to give Flash Jordan a reason to stay. And, even considering Garlick's play in the games agianst the Burn, he is a quality 'keeper. Still, I agree that DJ must stay and start. I cannot agree that he has not improved, thought I grant his inexpereince. This year, the defense was terrible; so bad, it would hardly be possible to be worse next year. He will be better for this expereince. Besides, the chicks did him.
I don't think Cassar will stay necessarily. But I think DJ will be fine with a defense that does not go stupid at the worst possible time. Let me say it this way...DJ proved he's got the moves and the toughness to make it in MLS. He's a baby by keeper standards, so his place on the roster is secure. Gbandi on the other hand has a season to prove he's worth something, or he's going to be trade bait, and he may be already under a new coach.
If you stick Matt Jordan behind the 2003 defense, he would have given up just as many goals. DJ is quality, and I don't say that in a "build for the future" kind of way. Building for the future is a pipe dream in MLS. I mean that if I had them both to choose from for a single game I'd take DJ. Jefferies was the one who effectively chose DJ over Jordan, and I think he got that one right. But to address the latter part of this thread, Jefferies also effectively chose Gbandi over Broome. I think that has backfired bigtime. I thought it was a good idea at the time, but hey, nobody pays me for this. Gbandi is not exactly, um, solid on defense. Broome wasn't flashy, but he did have a ruidmentary grasp of of the "marking" concept.
I think with Garlick falling out of favor in Colorado, solid money would say the new coach gets him to come here and at least compete with young Countess. Competition at the GK position is always a good thing.
Colorado has Garlick and Cannon. A former MLS Cup Winner and the 2002 Goalkeeper of the year. We has a rookie (for all intents and purposes) and an A-League and MLS journeyman. Now I like Countess, Jordan and Cassar. But if you have a chance to improve your teeam - I say you try and do that.
Goalies Mature Later Goalies mature later than most players. The top goalies in the EPL are near or past 30 when their physical skills are declining, but their decision making and leadership skills are maturing. DJ clearly has the physical skills to play at this level, he also appears to have the decision making skills, except on the rare occasion. Does he have the leadership skills? That's what truely makes or breaks a goalie at this level. From what I've read, he is a bit of a jokester, not the most serious guy. Jordan was a very serious guy. There have been ocasions this year where Jordan would have ripped the defense a new one, (sadly, far too many), where DJ didn't appear to provide the defense either instruction or modivation (sp) Had Morrow stayed healthy and been able to provide the needed instruction, it would not have been so critical for DJ to provide the leadership. Can DJ be successful here next year? Yes, if he takes the goalie's leadership role seriously or if the team trades for a senior center back that can provide the leadership for the defense. If however, either DJ doesn't step up to the leadership role or the team can't find a replacement for Morrow's role, Garlick may be a better choice. Jordan was allowed to learn the leadership role as a backup for Dodd. When he stepped in everyone was a little nervious. It wasn't until his second full season that everyone was comfortable and wasn't it his third full season that he had all the shutouts?
Jordan had his best year, and all the shutouts, in 1999, the year after he got drafted, his second year in the league. In 1998, he learned as Dodd's backup. This year was also DJ's second year in the league, having served as Jordan's backup the year before. Granted, Flash was a few years older since he went to college all four years, while DJ was drafted out of the U-20's. But Tim Howard started for Metro as a twenty year old, and look where he is now.
Leadership ? Countess has it! DJ had one mistake that cost the burn a game, a rebound aginst Metros and the burn loses. What does he do, he steps up and apologizes to everyone he can see (fans included) and takes ownership of his mistake. His role model example at his age is amazing. Apparently DJ trains an hour and a half every day outside of practice. He has his own trainer as he has professed his goal to be the best keeper in the world. Ask anyone in US Soccer and they will tell you about DJ (DJ has played in more than 60 International Games and in crowds and facilities where the fans are throwing things at you.) DJ loves the fans chanting things against him during the games and applauds them after the game for their enthusiasm for their spirit for the game (See numerous fans posts in Big Soccer regarding their amazement and respect for his professional conduct) DJ is a leader and there are rumors Celtic is trying to get him in to train with them. I hope he sticks around for awhile in the MLS to improve on his four blocked PK's in a row.
I firmly believe that DJ is the Burn goalie of the future and if we're just going to punt '04 and build towards Frisco then stick him back there every game and let what comes come. However, in MLS one good offseason can radically change a teams ability to compete, and one thing that would help is have a steady veteran keeper like Garlick. If Dallas wants to bring him in for a few years to help get Countess used to being the man on a competitive team, I wouldn't have a problem with it either. Bottom line Dallas needs to decide if we're aiming for next year or '05 and act accordingly.
Garlick said he wants to try his luck in Europe so I don't think he'll be an option... ...unless he has to come back to MLS with his tail between his legs.