So, to summarize (and please correct me where wrong), this offseason we've signed the following players from these groups: Overseas: Alfredo Ortuno, Forward, Segunda Division Pablo Ruiz, Winger, Chilean 1st, Argentine YNT Damir Kreilach, Center midfield, 2 Bundesliga Shawn Barry, CB (?), Polish 1st/2 Bundesliga Adam Henley, FB, English Championship Monarchs: Taylor Peay, CB Academy/College: Corey Baird, Forward Aaron Herrera, RB Draft: Ricky Lopez-Espin, Forward Who am I missing?
I don' know who you are missing, but watching the different approaches in MLS is very interesting. You have a handful of teams (such as Atlanta) raiding South America for their promising and expensive youths, you have teams (such as Orlando) hoarding proven MLS talent, then you have RSL who seems to be taking the unique path of looking to European second divisions.
Good, informative article on mlssoccer.com: https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018...oatian-midfielder-damir-kreilach-union-berlin Key takeaways: TAM player Free transfer (good work Craig) Has wanted to make the move to experience America. Looks like an overall good signing.
So this winter we've signed players from the second tiers of England, Spain, and Germany. Also, looks like we signed all 3 without transfer fees. That's amazing.
we're really thin at the striker spot. We have players that can play there in a pinch, but really only have 3 guys on the roster currently that would be there by choice and one of those is Yura.
Who also came from Europe, I think another second division. Really this is an interesting switch from RSL who had basically completely avoided ever signing anyone from Europe until Rusnak last year. Now to have nearly all signings outside of the MLS structure be from Europe is, different. I wonder if this is because the salary cap allows it more now, if we feel there is more value from Europe, or what the reason is. We used to go completely after South America in the Lagerway days. Maybe Andy just likes to visit Europe more?
It could just be that the scouting resources are better so they're able to look into more regions. It seemed like earlier on we were more invested into scouting into South America, so maybe now that we're good at that, we're branching out into other areas.
don't forget that Savarino came from South America. I get the bulk are coming from Europe now, but number two on impact (I still give the nod to Rusnak as one) came from that region. Pablo Ruiz is from that part of the world, as well.
Just to nitpick, I'd say the team rarely signed European players, rather than "completely avoided." But with names like Kenny Deuchar, Rachid el Kalifi, and Jean-Martial Kipré, maybe we should have avoided Europe.
first group for rsl: Nicky Herrera, Glad, MSilva, Acosta KB, Luke Lennon, Rusnak, Saucedo LSilva Besides Plata/Bofo and Savarino/Lennon, this is a first team Cool thing about this lineup: it has 5 academy kids
RSL's lineup: Rimando Herrera, Glad, M. Silva, Acosta Beckerman, Luke Lennon, Rusnak, Saucedo L. Silva
I wonder what a player like el Kalifi could do in a system that actually uses the width. Asking him to play a shuttle spot in the diamond was like asking KB to play forward
15 in - best player has been Bofo. He's had a couple mistakes, but is one of the few players (on either team) that is willing to run at players. Noticeable approach to hit long diagonal balls from deep in the midfield. I like the idea on occasion, but feel it's being forced so far this game. Especially because it's made it so Rusnak just hasn't been involved all that much.
it's also really cool to watch the chemistry these academy kids have. This is our class of '92, it seems.
20' good save on his near post for the SJ keeper. Bofo, again, the bright spot for RSL. He received a long diagonal ball very well, played a good cutback to Rusnak after running at his defender. Rusnak hit it on one and forced a good save
There was a play when Beckerman and Rusnak had the ball relatively uncontested around the center circle and a clear path to SJ's 18, and Beckerman hit a long diagonal to Lennon who failed to make a cross from it. If the diagonals end up spreading out the field with more room for Rusnak, that's awesome, but not if we never let Rusnak do his thing.
I like it. I am cautiously optimistic that RSL has really found some great additions to the team for this year. I really like what I see in Damir in just the fact that he has some size along with what looks to be finishing skills. I love Savarino and the other South American players but you have to have some players over 5 feet tall to round out the roster. I like that RSL is looking across the globe for players and I really think that there is a relatively untapped market in England and Europe for players that would fit in and excel in MLS. I mean THE MLS. Jamie Vardy is both the exception and the example of a player being overlooked. He wasn't even playing in the EFL in 2012. I really wouldn't expect to find such a diamond in the rough anytime soon but finding a player between Vardy and Mulholland that could be a real contributor for RSL should be a regular type find. I do follow a League 2 team, Crawley Town FC, and have attended one of their matches and I think that MLS is a much, much higher level of play than you see in League 2 but that doesn't mean that between League 2 and the Championship that there aren't plenty of players worth a look. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzio_Boldewijn This guy at the moment wouldn't start for RSL but might be a player that would add depth. Also, their goalie has been on fire this season and looks like Rimando week after week. Just a thought.
Players like Vardy and Mahrez are exactly the reason MLS clubs should look to second division clubs in Europe. I don't think there are ton out there with their skill level, but I think there are more than people realize. Every time I watch an FA Cup game I'm blown away at the skill of the lower division sides.