It's not putting the cart before the horse to suggest possible replacements for Timmy - if this thing actually goes down before the start of the EPL season, we will need a keeper sooner rather than later. I don't expect us to use our allocation (or most of the salary we'd save) on a keeper. More likely we'd go for someone like Presthus, a decent backup MLS keeper. Grafer IMO is better than any A-League keeper out there. Looking at some of the Reading fan boards, it seems Hahnemman is pretty settled there even though they didn't make it to the Premiership. The two foreign-based keepers that do look somewhat intriguing are Schmeichel and Johnny Walker, the latter if for no other reason than Johnny Walker is an official Metro sponsor this year (I should know from getting loaded on the stuff on opening day). If Schmeichel wanted to come here to retire, I'd take him at max salary + allocation in an instant.
The interesting name out there for me is Jon Conway. Local boy, (went to Rutgers) who suffered a bad break, I believe breaking his ankle in the pre-season and ultimately leading to Pat Onstad going to San Jose and having a great start to the year. San Jose is not really a rival, with no real depth, so there is a chance that maybe a deal could be worked out. San Jose was counting on him stepping in for Cannon and I would be interested in seeing him do the same for us. This way he could compete with Grafer and we could still keep the cap room.
Regarind Howard getting a work permit, he wont need one if he is entitled to a Hungarian passport. Even though Hungary will not join the EU until next year, the UK has already said that these 5 or 6 countries who are applying, can forego the waiting period for allowing it's citizens to work in the UK. In other words, Hungarians can work in the UK right now, no permit required.
Cullen was actually the Sounders' backup GK until Preston Burpo was injured (broken jaw) in our season opener. I don't know if Burpo'd be healthy in time for you guys to sign him should Howard go to Man U., but I figured I'd better give Burpo his props.
Hope you are right because if they have to trade to acquire a keeper the Metros will probably get shaken down for quality in return.
Here's a bit of a pie-in-the-sky name to throw out, but it might be an interesting option. MLS should look into signing Espen Baardsen. He's a Norwegian international who started for Tottenham a few years back, and more recently with Watford, and he's currently a free agent (at least as far as I can tell). I remember him to be pretty good, he's relatively young (only 25), and the best part is that he was born and raised in California, so he wouldn't count as an SI. I figure since he hasn't had a permanent team for a while, he might actually play for the relative peanuts MLS pays. Also interesting is that he has a personal website (from the same people that Grimandi had a site with), it hasn't been updated in months, but the last entry from January discusses how he was on a short term contract with Everton, and became good friends with McBride, maybe that would help with an MLS link. Anyway, here's the link to Baardsen's website: http://www.icons.com/baardsen/?playerbyclub=/baardsen/ (it may require you to log-in, if so, just use the time honored username/password of bigsoccer/bigsoccer)
Re: Timmy's Hungarian passport As a first generation Hungarian, I can tell that there is zero chance of Tim getting a Hungarian passport. Love these boards! There was this thing they call Communism that went down in East-Central Europe (thanks comrade Lenin) In fact, I doubt his mother has Hungarian citizenship anymore, unless she was a diplomat under the Iron Curtain. Viva Metro!
In the event of Howard going abroad to Europe, I think the Metrostars should make a move for DC United's Doug Warren, who played at Clemson. He shares time with DJ Countess on the US U-23 team, is going to the olympics, and is not getting any playing time playing behind Nick Rimando (even though he is much better than Rimando). Since the metros have a young squad, I think this would be another good move. Get somebody who is young and talented. I think this would be facilitated by the fact that Warren can't be happy in the role he has at DC. DJ is getting a lot of attention at Dallas and he wants to make up ground with the U-23's.
First of all, Mike Petke was a much to blame, if not more for that debacle in Foxboro last year. Octavio could also be blamed. Now, is your memory really that short that you don't recall Grafer winning both games against Dallas in the 2000 playoffs? He is, to this day, the only Metros goalkeeper to win a playoff series. Not a bad accomplishment. We'll see how well Grafer can play soon enough. Howard leaves for Confed Cup after the K.C. game. Grafer will be in goal for Bob Bradley's reunion with the Fire.
Are you a Hungarian diplomat? I have never heard of people losing their citizenship because of the fall of a communist government. Also, I don't think communism went down because of comrade Lenin, but it did arise with his help.
YES.......and I declare no passport for you, you bourgouise MANC scum! "I ................. swear that I shall regard Hungary as my country. I shall be a loyal citizen of the Republic of Hungary. I shall respect and obey her Constitution and laws. I shall protect my country as my strength allows and serve it to the best of my ability. So help me God!"
Re: Re: Who will replace Howard if he leaves? Man, that was three seasons ago. Have you seen the few times Grafer has played since?
Re: Re: Re: Who will replace Howard if he leaves? That last game against the Revs doesn't count...at all......the entire team cashed it in and he had absolutely no help......We will be fine with Grafer in goal.....Tim might have carried this team in the past but, this team is not live or die without him. Now, don't get me wrong, he will be missed but, I believe he is replaceable at this point....now, if Eddie Pope leaves too....we could very well be f-ed.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Who will replace Howard if he leaves? He might be but not with Grafer. And unless we get another top MLS keeper I dont see any up and comers that can replace him. the only thing we can hope for is a decent keeper and thats what Grafer is. Im not expecting him to make the same saves Timmy made anyone who does will be in for a surprise. He 's gunna make some dumb mistakes and he's gunna let a few in from time to time. The sooner everyone realizes that the better we'll all be in the long run.
Re: Re: Timmy's Hungarian passport According to a NYTimes article (no jokes please), he already has his passport.
Re: Re: Timmy's Hungarian passport This is a bit off topic but what a shame what happened to Hungarian soccer, once the greatest in the world with 3 of the greatest players in the world at the time, Puskas, Koscic and Hidegkuti. (both my parents were born and raised in Debrecen)
Re: Re: Re: Timmy's Hungarian passport A few papers have written that but as of a month ago he didn't have one. Either he got one in the past month or people are assuming incorrectly that if Man. U. is ready to sign him it must be resolved.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Timmy's Hungarian passport now this is a good topic for the MLS Wrap Show, lets see some reporters with balls go up and ask him face to face what is the deal here. Now that would make for an interesting Show.