Simpson hired, Perea waved from DC United, Mark Simpson returns to DC United as an assistant coach and Trevor Perea was waived.
Good news for Warren and Rimando. Sucks for Perea though, being released by two teams. Although, that means we have a roster limit of 24 players now.
It's also very good news for all the draftees not named Freddy Adu. With Perea on a developmental contract we had the maximum allowable for roster protected spots - one developmental and five P-40s. So his departure means we've still got one roster protected spot left. And tmas is right - we're back down to 24 on our pre-season roster. I'd have double check this but I'm pretty sure we've got one of the smallest pre-season rosters in MLS right now. Chicago drafted something like 10 or 11 players and will have to make some major cuts. We've got 24 right now and we've got two discovery slots. I don't know exactly what to think of it but our roster is relatively compact already.
True. And I'm also going to be surprised if we don't move at least a few more players (and I don't mean guys on the margin like Alegria). I think we'll make a run at a striker and maybe a D-mid. That means openning up some more cap room.
Well, we've got two SI slots open, right? So, I'd imagine we'd look to fill at least one of those this pre-season... maybe the other one midway through the season, let's say, after Bobby Convey runs off to follow achieve his dreams.
I have no inside info on this. But I actually think that Convey may just be sticking around for a few years. Obviously, a great offer could come through that would just be impossible to turn down. But... 1. He's been burned once by the foreign transfer market. And DCU as well (not to mention the Olsen fiasco). I think the next team that comes a-calling we're going to demand some iron-clad guarantees from. 2. I think that Bobby has refocused. I think he's now looking intently at WC qualifying. True, guys on overseas rosters get callups. But Arena doesn't want to alienate foreign coaches and put players on foreign teams in precarious positions. I think Arena has told Convey that he's a lock for every US camp from now until 2006 WC. And Convey is viewing the next 2 years as the time to cement his international reputation, earn more MLS money AND show enough of a performance on the world stage (ie: the WC) that no-one will turn him down and he'll be offered substantially more money. I think it's more likely we'll lose Nelsen than Convey come the summer. Just my guess but that's what I think.
I agree. I'm quite excited to have Simpson back, IMHO, he deserves to be here and it left a bad taste in my mouth when we cut him loose. Obviously he's brought the best out of Rimando, so hopefully he can do the same with Warren as well. Perea just didn't have the talent, unfortunately, that's just the reality of it. I actually think its good that he got his chance and its good that he didn't waste too much time afterwards. Best of luck Trevor. I think Joe is right, I definitely think Nowak is going to move some strikers and midfielders once he gets a good look at everybody in camp. I think he's probably going to look at guys like Esky and Devin and see what other teams are offering while they're still P-40. Guys like Stewart and Cerritos are going to have to show some good finishing or they may find themselves casualties of bringing in a new striker. Someone like Martins may not be in the best situation. What's his status? Is he currently unsigned? If so, I wouldn't be surprised if he went unsigned until he returns to health. But there definitely will be some change along our forward line. And we will not start the season with so many midfielders, especially since all we drafted was midfielders. I actually think our back line will stay pretty much as is. Ditto for our twin keeper situation, although I can see adding a third keeper as a developmental player. We'll need a third keeper while Warren is with the Olympic Team. I think Nowak will trade players away now for draft picks in 2005. Then, maybe make one significant acquisition/trade for a forward. So, while we drafted 3 big midfielders (plus one small but talented Freddy), it isn't unrealistic that they all have a shot at making the team. Probably only Freddy and Ara, but who knows. I don't know whether Gros can handle forward at this level or not, so he may be another midfield cancidate. -Digital
How will it work when they cut the players they do? Does Chicago retain the rights to these players for the next few years?
DC United stuff Hey United guys, I'm wondering if anyone can spare a pocket scheduel from last sMLS eason ? Were there any stadium give aways ... (cards, magnets etc.) Please help me out ... cheers
I think it's difficult to compare rosters (and cap) at this point. Some teams have almost everyone returning (at least on paper) and under contract--that's us. Other teams have lots of open contracts and players up in the air so their cap looks smaller. None of the discoveries or allocations have been used yet. No-one (other than the P-40's) really knows which draftees will decide to play MLS or go overseas or give up soccer completely for grad school or a job (as Casey Schmidt just did). I think every team in MLS has a lot more moves up their sleeve. In some cases, it's a Clarke or Andrulis or Schmid figuring they need to change the mix b/c of last season. In other cases, its a team that needs to create cap room or has key holes to fill.
Where exactly have you read those reports? They contradict MLS's regulations. http://www.mlsnet.com/about/regulations/
I don't think the regs have been updated for 2K4. http://www.metrostars.com/metronews/submissions/2004/january/01072004v1.shtml "... the three Discovery mechanisms the League grants each team in 2004 ..." http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/7734501.htm "The Burn still have two allocations and three discovery picks to use ..." http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansa...gsoccer.com&KRD_RM=0hmjgkhkoipggggggggggghohg|Karl|Y "In addition, MLS is giving all 10 teams in the league three additional discovery picks this year ..." It's also mentioned in today's Columbus Dispatch story that is n the MLS N&A news thread.
Monster - That's very interesting. I wonder if they upped the cash available for fees etc. too. But maybe we should let this thread get back on topic and continue that discussion here: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=2043969#post2043969
I'm fairly sure I read that Martins was given a full contract. It does hurt him, though, that he'll be injured while everyone else is proving to Nowak whether they should stay or go. But by the end of our season he was playing for us on what seemed to be a contract basis, rather than being MLS's keeper du jour. From his profile on dcunited.com: