You know, we can all get giddy about these deals and incoming talent. But the proof is in the performance on the field. It's too early to say for sure, but my personal take is that we'll bomb out of the CCC early and start the season slowly. We will miss Olsen a lot--the least of the value he provides this team is being an outside right mid. The entire team is being remade and so not only is there an issue of cohesion but team culture and clubhouse atmosphere. We took it for granted that United is a team that works hard, plays with pride and doesn't quit. But with the roster remake, there is no telling what kind of team culture we'll end up with. Finally, I think a lot of our new incoming talent will tend to take MLS just a little bit lightly--which is natural. That's not an issue when you only have one guy coming in. But realistically, we're likely to start 5-6 new players come opening day--guys brand new to the team. And we're likely to have 7-9 guys starting on opening day who weren't considered likely starters on opening day in 2007. Good for the front office. But that doesn't mean a lot if we don't get it done on the field.
I'll take that bet. How early? Like Harbor View early? I would be red faced pissed if we bombed out of CCC because so many of these moves are for that tournament....plus we either have or would have every second leg of the CCC at home. That's the luck of the draw that we cannot let slip by.
Well, you may "get something" for Needham but it wont be anything worth a salt. As for Kirk i find it a bunch of crap that Kirk is the same age or older than Jozy and has played in a similar amount of MLS games since he's been in the league and he's still GA and Jozy isn't. And don't take my compliment of their apporach as suggesting they are all that, their moves could end up being really bad, i was just commenting on the timing and preperation of the moves.
33 games over three seasons (most as a sub) isn't really on par with Altidore. http://web.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=kirk_q&playerId=kir349214&statType=career
And if NY signs Ricky Schram, they'll owe us something as well. However, I doubt either deal would amount to much more than a couple of low or supplemental picks.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/soccer_america/02/12/us.fielhaber/index.html Couple rumors here (and lots of other notes. Good read): * Benny Fielhaber on loan to Houston or Chivas * Bofo Bautista to Chivas Don't know if either of these are new, but thought I'd share the source.
Jozy has about the same over two seasons split between starting and sub apperances. Both we US youth team internationals. Sure Jozy "has made it" considering his hype and skills and Kirk hasn't, but there really needs to be some guidlines on this program....in fact does anyone even know for sure who has graduated and who hasn't?
It's based on minutes played, so a GA player who becomes a regular starter would graduate sooner than a player who has been around for a few years but rarely gets any playing time.
1. I don't think it's accurate to say we constructed our team for CCC. That's just one of several tournaments: SuperLiga and Concacaf Champions League are two others that I think DCU is taking very seriously in terms of international play. 2. Officially, if we beat Harbor View and lose in the next round it will be identical to last season. But last season (to me) was a strong performance. We weren't as deep at the time, Olimpia was a tougher initial matchup and it was no shame to lose to Chivas. I guess the sense I get (and it's just a sense--I haven't even seen the current team play as a team and they certainly haven't played in a meaningful game) is that we're not likely to be as focused, in shape, sharp and hard-working as we have been in past seasons. And I think that will show in CCC and perhaps the first month or so of MLS. I think we've got great talent. But I question how good the TEAM is and that remains to be seen--it hasn't been determined yet.
I think you copied the wrong link. That link only discusses Feilhaber's lack of playing time with Derby, nothing else.
Fox Soccer reports that Dutch/DR Congo left-sided midfielder, Kiki Musampa, formerly with AZ Alkmaar, is in Toronto FC's camp as a trialist.
If they ask for anything at all, Schramm won't even get a pitiful developmental contract. He's not in the least bit a commodity. Any price is too high a price. This isn't a repeat of the Needham situation, where a player turned down a developmental deal for USL1. Schramm didn't even get a minimal contract offer from DC. He was cut from training camp and played USL2 before moving back home to live with his parents in Westchester. I'm actually surprised that DC might still have the rights to him, as he was actually cut from the team before a contract could be tendered. This isn't potential value that DC needs to exploit, and if they do still have the rights to a player they rejected, to ask for anything in return for allowing him to pursue a paycheck that will barely cover gasoline and the tolls for the GW Bridge would be not only greedy, but malicious as it'll just mean the kid will be told that he's not worth the price to be a practice signing.
Whoops! http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jonah_freedman/02/14/insider/index.html The former one happened to be linked in that one, and I copied the wrong tab.
Ricken to Crew deal dead: http://www.derwesten.de/nachrichten/sport/lokalsport/dortmund/2008/2/15/news-23865212/detail.html Say's he told Sigi his reasons (did not want to play out of position, did not feel right, etc) and got back on a plane to Germany. Will rejoin the Amateur Squad for Dortmund and continue his Front Office Training this coming week.
Masampa's trial with TFC has been confirmed (read last line): http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2008/02/16/edu_tfc_preseason/
Ives reporting that Toronto is--SHOCKINGLY!--looking outside of the UK for players! http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/02/toronto-fc-to-l.html#more Colombian international Johnnier Montano.
Didn't see this anywhere: http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080216&content_id=139211&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp Steve Marlet trial with the Fire. [youtube]DVprZ2lOcHQ[/youtube]
As reported by Freedman on SI and discussed on the SJ'Quakes board: "GM John Doyle ... told me the team is set to sign Argentine attacker Federico Arias this week." http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/155084 Paul.
Montano is actually in a very tricky situation right now. He signed for two teams in Peru, was suspended by the league and is facing a defamation lawsuit by the team that didn't get him. He is pretty talented but don't know what kind of problems the legal issues will present.
The trial is now confirmed by the Globe and Mail: http://www.globesports.com/servlet/...-exhibition-16/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home You're right...there is some question of whether he's even eligible to play in MLS (or anywhere for the next six months). Toronto kind of needs to roll the dice a bit, so it could be a worthwhile risk for Mo's crew...
Two possible incoming from Queensland Roar: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23235346-10389,00.html and
^^So now MLS has to compete with MLB teams. They really should look into raising the salary cap in light of this new competition.