The Offseason Thread: What does FCD have to do to bounce back in 2013/Someone please beat Houston[R]

already got tickets for the Rapids game in the North End United (is this what we're calling the new supporters section in front of the Beer Garden? I admittedly didn't attend a game last season, and I've made a commitment to support FC Dallas full on this season)

*on that note, will my wife and I look like idiots if we don't know the words to any of the chants? or will the fact that we'll have a beer in our hands at all times be sufficient to not be frowned upon? haha

 

Andre Rocha is available on a free. Get the band back together?

 

Said it before, but I think that Bradlee Baladez is going to make a presence this season as well. Keep it up. Long live the herd of long neck forwards.

 

So.............Moises Hernandez went 90 minutes for Saprissa against Puntaneras on Sunday.

I appreciate the fact that we loaned out Hernandez so he could get playing time. (Clearly working)

But if Hernandez is good enough to start for Saprissa, ain't he good enough to get significant playing time for FCD right now?

 

A great question and I remember asking about how one of the Big Tico 2 would compare to MLS. I know some CR league players make similar jumps to mid-tier Euro leagues and then end up moving up from there. My guess is he would be able to contribute sooner rather than later, but maybe the FO is not wanting to rush him back as he is getting more PT down there, we have this Brazilian dude, etc.

What happens if/when he wants to move to a mid-tier Euro league rather than come back? Not sure his contract status of if we are poised to make any $ off a potential sale.

 

Do any of you get CentroTV? It, and many of the cousin Central American leagues share many of the same characteristics. Fouls are called very differently than in MLS.

Big MLS defenders like say an Omar Gonzalez or our own George John can excel against the driven balls played into the box. You can use your upper body much more "liberally" than in this part of the world. And, those clips from behind that we have routinely winked at in MLS and have the guys "play on", are called.

However, in the Central American league's, you must be quick and precise in your tackles. If you are not a physical beast, you can survive just fine. Klinsman is learning this lesson pretty quickly as he is putting our USNT backline together. Teams who play in CCCL are also getting accustomed to the international game. Moises in in the perfect spot to do well for Deportivo Saprissa. As he continues to mature physically, he will increase his ability to come back to MLS and do well if he so chooses.

 

Good insight. MLS is an odd league. What goes for a card elsewhere many times isn't even a foul In MLS.

 

Well, it should be set up for him next year. I expect this is the last year we'll be subjected to Benitez. So there should be an opening for a left back.

And seeing as haven't re-signed Loyd for reasons I'm not sure I understand, we may have an opening on that side too...............................perhaps for Woodberry or Okwuono.

 

Does Loyd want to be re-signed? He may be looking to move to Europe?

 

I think we look pretty good this year from what I've heard about the preseason. I wish we had Brek, but his departure helped us move some pieces around to contend. Focus on team chemistry and staying healthy, and I think they're in the playoffs this year.

 

The "Kick Off" is saying some report claims that Carlos “El Pescadito” Ruiz is in Dallas and is in talks with MLS.

Surely this can't be true.

 

I'm a fan of the Cooper acquisition, of course. Nunez and Ruiz can probably both contribute in this league. But that said, such acquisitions and rumored acquisitions make Schellas look like a guy with no ability to look forward. Our glory days were not that glorious, after all, even if they were preferable to the present.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the report says Ruiz is IN Dallas, not negotiating WITH Dallas (and MLS).

I supposed he could be negotiating with Dallas, but given Perez, Hassli and Cooper, and other Dallas needs, it doesn't make much sense.

 

Yup. We've invested enough in the front line. We have three veteran starters, with two youth options to back them up (Baladez, Top). Then of course we could also move Castillo up top.

If we're going to be adding players, I'd want them to be added in the midfield. I'm still concerned about the hole left by DeGuzman and the depth on the wings (particularly if Hollingshead doesn't join up). And what's the deal with Nunez? Are we going to sign him or not? (or have I missed something.)

 

Perhaps Ruiz kept his house in the area and he's just hanging out here because this is "home" while in America. It seams lots of athletes that pass through DFW keep their homes (no income state tax and all).

 

I'd kick all three of our veteran forwards to the curb for Ruiz. But I like the crazy he brings and to break it down, FCD has cured me of my desire for wins.

 

Well, we drew 0-0 with AIK.

Starting XI:



No huge surprises there. You know there are people saying that Seitz is looking strong, and may in fact start the year as our #1. This looks like our "A" team, so maybe this is the strongest indication so far that this is the case.

Mickel starting due to injuries, etc. For me that's the weak link. Unless we've just spent a fortune to sign John Obi Mickel.........................

Also note again it's the 4-4-2 diamond. Another strong indication this is the formation we're going to go with to start the year.

 

I think defensive mid is a weak spot right now. I wonder if we could get Sharlie Joseph from Chivas? Maybe for Victor Ulloa? That would be a funny trade.

 

I concur that if we spend any extra $$, we should be shopping for an accomplished DM. I'd really like a guy that: can dictate the pace of a game, be a pressure reliever in the mf, a strong message sending tackler, a guy that can deliver a quality long ball, and a guy who can can shoot from the outside. Unfortunately, those guys usually are very expensive.

How'd Mickel do at the position?

 

He looked okay but at times uncomfortable. He may have been having trouble with the turf. (That could be said for the whole team at times). He had some good touches and you can see his qualities but he also turned the ball over a few times in bad places.

I think AJ can do the job there. I'd feel better with him manning the DMid position.

The team looked pretty disjointed in the attack. Part of that can probably be attributable to playing on the turf or the first time, some of it to just shaking off the rust against reasonably decent competition.

 

In Costa Rica, Moises Hernandez again played the complete match for Saprissa, which lost 3-1 away to Alajuelense on Sunday."

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/17/american-exports-beasley-torres-make-case-klinsmann

 

NBC's ProSoccerTalk has an outstanding tactical breakdown of the AIK scrimmage and what issues and challenges Hyndman faces with his need to move to a 4-4-2… A must read. Much work to do.