Re: Rafa Marquez Signs for Red Bulls (Official) Why, if a limite of International that the team can have (8), What can happen is, that we only will see second class USA players, because will not be enough money to contract the good ones.... Saying that now that Rafa is signed, they will keep the cheapest ones like Sassano $40K and let go Stammler or Boyens because cost to much and the next Drafts they will only sign the ones who sign for 40K and players like Hall 124K, Tchani that cost 179K will be not signed.... But I hope they send packing Nielsen or Salou or both this time...
Ok, thanks. I was actually wondering if they presented Henry because I didn't hear anything. I'll just see him in one of the games. They should present players to the public tho. I agree that Beckham was a media overload but presenting new players is a good way to create fan loyalty for the team.
not a RBNY fan, but i like this move for Rafa. he wants to play a meaningful role on a championship-quality team, and i'm sure living in NY is a bonus for him, not to mention how lucrative the deal likely was. Agreed that he's displayed a bit of a short fuse in the past, but i always chalked that up to him being a warrior. Doesn't excuse that sort of behavior, but he's definitely a competitor, and at 31, still has loads of quality, imo. in addition to his service from the back, he's an accurate header of the ball on set pieces, and could possibly also add a free kick threat now and again. happy for him that he might now be in a better place to showcase his talents. suerte, rafa!
Re: Rafa Marquez Signs for Red Bulls (Official) I feel bad for Mendes, who it appears would have the most to lose if Marquez plays in central-D. Mendes has been a STANDOUT, since taking over for Petke, except for the Houston game (hats off to Mullan for a nice header). For whatever reason, he got blackballed by Osorio. If Marques plays as a defensive midfielder, then a guy like Stammler loses out, although he played wide left the last game....where he does not belong anyway. The addition of Henry doesn't slow down progress of US players on the team since Chinn seems to need a lot of work to be a regular MLS starter, regardless of his performance in the US Open Cup games.
Re: Rafa Marquez Signs for Red Bulls (Official) There has already been a message posted that Rafa was going to play d-mid in a diamond midfield.
Re: Rafa Marquez Signs for Red Bulls (Official) I saw the postings but thought it was based solely on speculation and not anything that Backe has said. If he's going to be a defensive-mid, then great.
Re: Rafa Marquez Signs for Red Bulls (Official) It was on the NYRB website. I don't think there was Backe quotes, but the article mentions that Rafa wants to play further up the field in his older years. as anyone knows who's seen him play, he's got excellent passing and shooting abilities. Still, it'd be great to have Geovanni in the center of the pitch, with Rafa behind him, and Lindpere and Kandji/Richards on the wings. I don't think the back four is as bad as others think. They just need to work a bit better as a team. They gave up one (very difficult to defend) goal against Houston; the other one was a PK. In fact, there was two PKs, and I think they were just a bit clumsy and unlucky on those plays. Otherwise, good defending.
Here's a great compilation on Rafa: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aoY78G0Awo"]YouTube- Rafael Marquez Compilation Barcelona ~ Mexico[/ame] NYRBs are lucky to have him. Like Henry, he makes his teammates better. He might also make the refs better. That's right, the refs. They'll have to get used to his hard-tackling ways. They might have to watch videos on how to (correctly) conduct a hard tackle WITHOUT committing a foul. I can't think of anyone in MLS who tackles like Rafa. In fact, I would list him as the third hardest tackler in the sport, behind Van Bommel and De Jong. He'll definitely get carded in MLS, but opposing teams will fear him.
How much will Marques make? Is there some money going under the table? Salary cap anyone? Other than that great move by NEW YORk! "The current salary cap in MLS is $2.55 million as of 2010. This does not include the Designated Player Rule" " the rule was amended to allow each team to have two designated players who will be exempt from the cap" Does this mean he can make as much as they will give him, since his exempt from the salary cap? >UNO<
Re: Rafa Marquez Signs for Red Bulls (Official) If we start winning I'm sure they will find space to play our kids, at lease I hope for that, because the future of MLS and Red Bulls is with this rookies and the futures ones, that every year are coming upgraded, more Strong, skillfully and pro-minded...
Understood but we've had so much more trouble with him as the enemy. I may have hated him but always had respect. It'll be nice to have him fighting for us!
Re: Rafa Marquez Signs for Red Bulls (Official) the good thing about the 3 DP rule is that it allows a club like redbull to go for the title short term, without totally ruining the future prospects in the team. 3 DP players is not a lot, but it could be just enough to make enough of a difference to win the title. Once we have a title, things change. Meanwhile, players like Tcani/Ream/Kandji will elarn an immense ampount from Henry/Rafa/Angel, so that they will lead this team in 2 or 3 years.
Re: Rafa Marquez Signs for Red Bulls (Official) In all honesty, i think the DP rule might even force the teams signing DPs to focus on youth. Why? You need a lot of very cheap players to round out the roster. You'll discover a few diamonds in the rough that never would have made a roster otherwise. You will however, also have a few bums in the mix. I doubt many (if any other teams) outside of is and Philly brought in 5+ rookies this year that all made the final roster.
Two quick points...Does anyone see a parallel between Henry-Marquez and Lebron-Bosh? Have we become the Miami heat of MLS? Is this team going to be automatically hated outside of NYC? If so that's fine I guess. Could even be fun. I know this, if another team did what we're doing I would HATE them. Also everyone seems to just be assuming that we're going to roll through Columbus like shit through a goose now. I mean they are back to back shield holders and they're in first place in the East this year. I don't see them fading away quietly.
I don't care for Marquez because of his antics against the USMNT. It will be fun to cheer against him. But Henry is pure class. There are haters because of the hand ball against Ireland, but that was all on the refs. You can't blame Henry for a blown call. Lebron is yet another reason I HATE the NBA.
This team became the league's automatic target the moment Red Bull purchased them. Before that we were slightly more significant than the Rapids. Once the corporate shirts went on, they became a target of hate.
Cup competitions are a great way to bleed the young guys. That's the way a lot of teams work. Perform in a Cup and get some action with the first team. I have no problem with that and I sure as hell don't want our first 11 playing every game of the season. Initially I will too. He'll have to win me over with his play. I've hated him for so long it's gonna take a while. If he does well for us though that can heal all wounds as they say. I think we're becoming the Yankees of the MLS. Building a boss stadium, throwing around money like a drunken sailor, signing stars, and signing guys everyone hates (A-Rod/Marquez). Personally I don't like it, but at least we're operating under a salary cap? I highly doubt we will roll through anyone, but I DO think we will become wildly more consistant once these 2 guys are settled in with the team.
In basketball, Lebron/Bosh/Wade= 3/5 of the starting lineup. In soccer, 2 guys, as good as they may be, are just that.....2 guys out of 11. Nothing is a definite since the Crew have been practicing as a team since the winter and the core group has been around a few seasons while Red Bulls are getting key players during the year. Before there was no reason to hate the team. It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out on road games.