Give credit where credit is due. The boys at FCD have made some bold moves. Very positive. Very aggressive. I love it.
Maybe SH figured that it was much better to improve the team through MLS deals rather than let Clavijo scout talent. Hate to be negative given so much recent positives, but there it is. And one can only wonder if the FO would've been more aggressive in acquiring Larentowicz if they had the foresight to realize that Shea was leaving so soon (can't blame them there). The big ginger would have made a nice final piece to the puzzle, particularly given his prowess on dfk's.
I like both Hassli and Cooper individually, and overall I approve of the moves, but I do wonder how they are going to be utilized along with Blas. Cause none of the three of them can play any other position.
Well, you could look at this as a "forward" move. If FCD fares well this season, then the next will feature tons of additional matches where depth will be even more important. Not to mention the scheduled two games a week along with US Open cup matches that will occur this year.
It will be interesting to see how Schellas handles it. Sure, when you have some schedule congestion the choices get easier, but in stretches without multiple games a week at least one of those 3 will sit while fit and they are all used to starting.
48 hours ago we were all wondering how they were going to spend "the Shea money" (salary cap space + allocation) and whether Clavijo and SH had any idea what they doing. I guess they had a plan all along. Still too early to tell how it will work out, but it sure does make things more interesting (and hopeful).
i would be ok with a 4-3-3, but my version would probably still have 1 of the 3 on the bench, probably one of either hassli or kcj. i really like having options and think blas' national team duty will help schellas out with lineup decisions.
And hell if Kenny Cooper plays well.............he could be gone for the Gold Cup too. To me Hassli is a "step below" Cooper and Perez based on performance last year. There's a reason the Caps dumped him and then TFC gave him to us for a small fee. So I'd try to find a way for Cooper and Perez to start together, and Hassli be the main man off the bench. Eric will get plenty of starts and PT, however.
Let's also not forget that FCD is already one of Blas's longer stays in the last 6-7 years. Who knows why, but we may not want to assume he'll be here after this year or even through the summer.
Absolutely. Full credit to the coaches and FO. I have no idea if it will work - but I like our chances. I have banged on the team for years for curious moves, no moves and bad moves. It seemed like winning games on the field was a lower priority than increasing tickets sales, getting a jersey sponsor, adding a beer garden or whatever. But Coop and Hassli are quality MLS forwards and it looks like we will have a team that compete. 1 week ago it did not look like it. Nice work all around.
Agreed, Northside. I have been as critical of the FO as anyone, but the moves so far have been promising. The wingbacks are still a concern, and the goalkeeper is uncertain, but at least the club has a number of central defenders to turn those crosses away. I am not gifted with the second sight, so I am not one for dreaming up a starting XI. Picture, if you will, a 4-3-3 formation. All the cool teams are doing it! Hasil-BP Cooper Castillo-DF-Jackson A few caveats, if I may. First, it looks if I have KCJ playing in the hole between the midfielders and strikers. We all know KCJ's game, however; he likes to be on the move. Second, SH is wedded to his system with a d mid, so we may never see the full venom of the top strikers. My third caveat is most troubling, and it has to do with Manchester United. As some of you know, I despise Man U and every other team in the EPL, but SAF does a very nice job of getting all his strikers some playing time. SH, on the other hand, simply trots the same eleven onto the field game after game after game. If KCJ gets the starting spot, Hasil will become a problem. Sure, he will got some spot starts when one striker or the other is unavailable, will that be enough? He has become disaffected twice. So, great moves by an FO we had lost confidence in. While I want to optimistic, there are still so many holes and questions with this club for me not to temper this optimism with a strong, bitter cup of caution. We have predicted great things for FCD before, only to see the ships of our dreams dashed against the rocks. The irrational exuberance some us may feel, must also, looking at the history of the team, face the shadow of mutiny. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see the temple snakes approach. Dead but dreaming, Scipio Diabolus, vox fatum. Contra. Forever in horns.
Well, the 4-3-3 usually involves one striker and two wingers, although 3 pure strikers sounds interesting. Maybe we see that when down a goal or if the team is struggling for offense. My concerns: * 4-4-2 - Castillo and Jackson are more darting into goal winger types than standard R/L mids that cross into the box. * Depth at L and R mid * D mid * Backup to DF * Keeper I guess that's less of a worry than normal this time of year at least.
That formation would create a huge gap between the defense and the midfield hampering attacking fluidity. If our center backs could pass, it might possibly work, but I don't John, Hedges, and co. have those skillsets.
It would be exciting going forward and scary trying to defend, i'd imagine it would end up a lot like the 2008 Galaxy who scored tons and gave up tons, fun for a neutral, awful as a fan.
I like where your head is at although share some of the concerns of others. For one, I do not like the idea of having 2 relatively immobile strikers...especially when supported by an only-slightly-more-mobile striker. It would never happen, but I did give some thought to a 4-3-3 that I would enjoy seeing. It does have its weaknesses and a few assumptions on my part, but could be a lot of fun to watch: Castillo-Perez-KCJ DF10 Luccin/Warshaw-Loyd/AJ Benitez-John-Hedges-Jackson Some rationale on why it may work: Hassli could fill in for Perez while he is away; Castillo gives us the deep threat up top; KCJ can roam a little bit without causing problems as Perez will stay high; DF10 has fewer defensive responsibilities with 2 defensive-oriented partners; Loyd can use his past experience at DM and fitness to cover a lot of ground, Jackson (a former defender i think) and Benitez provide width going forward Some rationale on why it may not work: The defensive-oriented MF pair behind DF10 may not have the ability to link effectively, may give up too much space defensively in the center of the park This will never happen and it is nice that whatever is happening in Mexico seems to be working...just bored and had an idea.
It's intersting, but I don't think we're going to do that. Hell, a real 4-4-2 is adventurous for Hyndman after what we've seen the past couple of seasons!!! That's what the tea leaves are pointing to, and I like it. The whole thing still comes down to Ferreira staying healthy. If he does, I really like us on paper. If he isn't then I don't know who's getting the ball to our new toys. Nunez will help, but he's no Ferreira.
being a vancouver cap fan, you will see more of hassli on the ground, flailing his arms, yapping at the referee, getting yellow cards and basically being non-existent inside the 18 yard box (dont ever expect him to get a goal with a header)-- but he will get u 2 highlite reel goals and maybe another 4-5 is he worth the $$$$ of over $800 000??? just ask the caps and TFC who both let him go for a 'song and a dance'- has to be a reason! a lot of moola for off-the-bench player IMO