I agree, only so long as they stay healthy. There doesn't look to be great depth as of yet, so even a mild rash of injuries could drop us out of playoff contention.
I see us as a bottom half of the league team next season if we don't make some major signings. We're losing 3 of our top 5 players. The young guys who would need to emerge look more like solid role players to me than emerging stars. But we'll see.
RSL were in the bottom half of the league. (Actually, they were smack in the middle, before you point it out...but only due to goal difference. But it works better as a one-liner if I fudge the truth.)
Agreed. This is a line-up that can compete in MLS, but is not (or should not) be good enough to win the MLS Cup. The second thing I notice is that the Fire is an incredibly thin team. With Brown, Ward, and Woolard in the starting line-up, that leaves only Dasan as a back-up defender. With Thorrington, Pause, Banner and Pappa (assuming Pappa stays), that leaves Mapp, Lowry and Husidic as midfielders. If Pappa goes, Mapp probably moves back into the starting line-up. With McBride and Nyarko that leaves (gulp!) Calen Carr as the only experienced reserve forward. The only other field players signed are Washington and Dimitrov. Assuming no signings of note, three questions about the offseason: 1) How healthy will McBride and Brown be for next season? 2) Does Blanco and Hamlett leaving allow Logan Pause to move forward occasionally? 3) Is Baggio Husidic ready to be "given the keys to the car" and become the CAM that the Fire have missed since Andy Williams was let go?
If we assume that the players noted above all are here next year, that is not a bad lineup except that, as some have noted, BMB will have to find the fountain of youth to be productive the entire season, IMO. He does not have Blanco's creativity nor is he necessarily a strong scorer without the proper service (of course, that can be said of all target forwards). The ultimate issue will be his ability to again play enough minutes to be effective. However, I do think that with the right coach, this can be a very positive lineup. I tend to believe that with the right coach who knows how to develop players and can develop tactics that utilizes their strengths, the core players will have a different attitude. Players who want to play for a coach will play better and have a desire to improve. I think there were a number of players on the team this past season who did not feel that way--right or wrong. I know the crap argument that they are professionals and shouldn't react that way but they are human beings and they do.
Is my memory correct that Busch has never saved a PK while with the Fire, including Eastern Final and Superliga final?
Why not GBS for DB? Seems like he fits the bill: 1) plays CAM/FW 2) still good 3) Is willing to play in MLS 4) Won't want a ton of money But no one is talking about the Fire as being an interested team.
The problem is that, unlike some free agent DP, we'd have to compensate the Crew for GBS. I'm guessing that if anybody trades for GBS, they'll end up overpaying.
GBS can be had for non DP money, especially since we have allocation cash. Given that Smolarek has been thrown out there: I am pretty damn excited about the possibility of Smolarek- McBride up front with GBS in the midfield with Thor, Mapp and Pappa. That would be a damn good offense.
That would be good soccer, very good. I'd like to see Nyarko be one the first options off the bench or even start a few because I really like his creativity.
Given Superliga, US Open Cup, and McBrides inevitable injuries coupled with the fact that Nyarko would probably move up top and Smolarek would move in as a winger at times to either give Mapp or Pappa a rest, or because of injury, I think the guy will see plenty of action in any scenario.
With Smolarek, you really open up the formation possibilities. Here's what I would do (think Barca but with Smol playing Henry's position on the right) ----McBride (target fw)--- Pappa ----------------Smolarek ------Thorring----Pause----- -------------Conde------------ --Woolard---Robinson---Brown---Ward or ---McBride----Nyarko Pappa---Thor---Smolarek --------Pause-------- -Wool--Conde--Brown--Ward or ----McBride-------Nyarko ---------Smolarek---- Pappa----Pause-----Thor Wool-Conde-Brown-Ward Basically he would fill every major hole the Fire have (assuming we sign Pappa and Conde) A right footed attacking mid with speed (sorry Baggio) would really be fantastic and it would really relieve the pressure on Nyarko next year. Strong Buy.
One of our main drawback *striker*....we need a great striker .... Woolard and Ward both mediocre players coming out of injury is another big concern ....
Absolutely. Blanco's play in the playoff run was markedly better that the majority of the season. His passion and desire were there to see. I personally would love to see him back with the Men in Red next year. But not for the DP money. As much as I respect his game...we could use that allocation of money to help fill out the roster some.
And his hustle. The kid gives it his all. Our winning goal against the Revs in play-off game 2 was 95% Nyarko's hustle and refusal to give up on a ball that should have gone out of bounds. Man oh man, I wish he could take shots and finish them!!
SuperLiga is not a given for next year at all. Could be 1 less tournament the guys will have to play in. Just sayin'
It looks like the Polish media have picked up Sams suggestion: http://sport.onet.pl/74318,1248685,2086449,wybredny_smolarek_zostanie_strazakiem,wiadomosc.html http://www.futbolnews.pl/informacje/futbol-news/art,1023,smolarka-chca-w-chicago-fire.html Smolarek to Chicago Fire?
800k to 1 million Euros seems to have been his demands to other teams, so $1.2 million to $1.5 million.