Great goal from Ned today. I feel that Grabavoy is going to be a very important piece to our team this season. I think he is underrated (maybe not by our board) in just about every category (i.e. passing, defending, shooting, etc). I also think a large portion of how successful this team is this year, is if Ned can stay healthy and play the way he has the past couple of seasons.
I found it humorous that Saunders defeated the club that he went to 2 MLS Cups for with the club that last defeated them in the MLS Cup. Head hurt?
So we've talked a lot about new guys. Ned's kind of started the conversation about existing roster players that could emerge and have a strong year (may he stay healthy). Who else do you see rising up? For my part I've kind of got my eye on Mansally. If he can solidify his defense - he goes forward really well. It's fun to have all this 'new' to look forward too, speculate about, overhype and whine about.
We keep talking about whether it will be Gil or Sebas starting in place of Morales while he's injured. I think Ned is the best option filling in for Morales at this point.
I agree, but I still think it will be Gil or Seba manning the #10 because Grabs is a better defender than either of those two.
I am not sure if you meant potential MLS vets, but I like what I have seen/read about Stephensen, I liked him even before we started trialing. He could be a good match. Also I am intrugued with Lovel Palmer. I actually thought he was pretty good at both Houston and Portland, wasn't sure why he keeps getting traded. So I think both of them might step up and be bigger contributors than originally thought. Of course, Gil, Seba and Viana are the big three I want big things of this year, well along with KWS. Will Gil be back at RSL by March 2nd? If so, I wonder if we will see Gil in for Morales, and Ned and Seba on the sides. Still wonder who will start with Sabo up top. Plata up top with Findley hurt?
After watching Palmer closely in his time with the Timbers, meh. He's average at best and on a better team would be considered a weak link. He's third string for sure on this team, just not seeing him cracking the starting lineup any time this season unless there are some serious injury problems. I do like Stephenson though, he always seemed like a decent piece for SJ. Too bad for him that Gordon and Wondo scored a lot.
If I understand correctly, Palmer was playing the right back. Is your opinion the same when Palmer is a that position?
Exactly, on RSL he would be considered a weaker player. As for him playing outside back, he has nice athleticism but his positional awareness is lacking. He often bites on plays, stabbing in and getting caught flat footed. He then has to rely on his athleticism or teammates to make up for this and it hurts his team. Portland frequently got burned on the outside for goals last season.
The weather is absolute shit (by Tucson standards) at the moment. It won't start warming up until Thursday.
Does anyone know if Josh Saunders traveled with the team to Tucson? Is he doing an extended trial, or was he just with the team while in LA? I_Believe_In_Kreis? KeepingItReal? Edit: Never mind. Kreis just confirmed on KALL 700 that Saunders is with the team in Tucson. He said they originally brought Jeff Attinella in to be the backup, but he's shown that he's a work in progress ,and they are a little nervous to have him as the backup keeper.
Should be interesting to see who makes the starting XI tonight v NYRB. Does Kreis treat this whole tournament as a dress rehearsal or are we going to continue to see mixed lineups? How I would start: Saunders Tony - KWS - Schuler - Mansally Grossman - KB - Vela - Grabs plata - Sabo
mixed lineups for sure, with the injuries we currently have and all the people "trialing" with the team, i have seen or heard no indication that kreis and co. are in a dress rehearsal mode.
Ok...time for a dumb question...this being a Desert Diamond Cup tournament, is there an actual cup for a trophy case? This is the first year I've payed attention to preseason, so it's just a thought that it would be nice to have a few meaningless trophies in the case. As long as we don't end up with a Seattle-like attitude.
I'm pretty sure there is a trophy, I remember seeing it last year on one of the feeds. Speaking of feeds, here's a link to the online webcast of the games tonight: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...2Bpost&utm_campaign=Facebook-MLSsoccer%2Bpost