The Bruce really shouldn't waste time chasing/signing any player who isn't a significant upgrade above current starters. And I would even say, Revs player pursuits really should start with a sole focus on a few top tier difference makers (if they're DPs so be it). Then, after they are in place, pursuing other "normal" but better starters in other slots would be an allowable use of bandwidth. Skip the mid- to bottom-roster churn process. It really isn't value add. (Those players are already here...) There's been far too many recent years in succession where slots at the top of the roster went unfilled (i.e., no real MLS-Best-11, or even Best-22, or even -33 players on the roster - players who REALLY belong in top-of-roster slots)... ...where all the while and at the same time a fair amount of FO energy went into odd signings, with lengthy pursuits, shrouded in secrecy. Machado, Hauche, Okoli, Castillion, Tony Taylor, Akpan, et al. Don't do ANY of that this year, please.
this roster should have at least 2-4 new faces in the starting line up. Currently it does not have the talent to compete with the top 5 or 6 teams in the league
For all the things he did well (our best coach ever, by a wide margin - excluding the current job-holder), Nicol had a really poor track record of integrating DP's, specifically Latin-American players. And, in fact, if Revs management really did say no to his rumored list of players, that track record may have played a factor.
Agreed, Nicol was far and away the best coach we've ever had, at least until a few months ago, but that was always his Achilles heel, bringing in top players from outside the league. Of course, we debated endlessly on how much of a chicken-and-egg situation it was, but at the end of the day, we never could really upgrade at the top end of the roster. So if they can bring in a couple of new guys who are "MLS best 33" or better and push the current starters to lesser roles, that will never be a bad thing. Imagine having depth like guys like Penilla or Bunbury as options off the bench, depending on the game situation. Imagine having them as starters in the Open Cup and other situations where we have injuries or suspensions or midweek games. You build depth by adding to the top of the roster, not by signing mediocre players in the off-season.
I recall listening to an interview with Nicol after he left. he said it wasn't so much that they did not want to bring in better talent or they could not find it, it was more that they were not able to because a few a contracts on the roster were such that they had no flexibility under the cap. Way I read that was that Burns or whomever had no clue how to play with the numbers under the salary cap to free up money.
But Nicol was here for 10 years. I can see getting hamstrung by a bad contract or 2 at the beginning, but after a couple of years you learn from it and don't keep making the same kinds of mistakes. Right? Right, Mike?
2-4 is about what I would guess. We seem to already have one. Just don't be upset if the starting d-mids next year are the same ones as this year.
I think we 100% need a defensive upgrade up the spine - let Bruce figure out if that's a defender or midfielder.
I think that was something that Burns was actually good at (maybe too good, in that he really squeezed players - ex., Larentowicz). But, the last year or two he had to really overpay players to come, so ... The Revs were tight against the cap back then because they had a lot of established stars (Twellman, Noonan, Dempsey, Joseph, Reis, ...). And, they were handcuffed somewhat because they had to pay Twellman for several seasons after the injury that ended his career. It's difficult to keep your core together when you build a contending team. It's even harder to add to the top-end AND keep the core players.
Ahh, the good old days when there were arguably a half dozen or more players on the Revs roster that were MLS Best 33 or 44. I think there's a case to be made that 4 or 5 of them were even MLS Best 11, at least at one time or another (the players you listed -- Twellman, Shalrie, Deuce, Ralston, Reis). [Is it so wrong to want that level of roster again?] -------------------------- If the reason a team is tight against the cap is because they have five healthy "MLS Best 11" players on the roster, well, then that's not a **problem** - ....that's actually a good thing - it most likely indicates they have spent their salary dollars wisely. Conversely, when a team is tight up to the cap but have very few top-of-roster players, that's a sign the team has badly misplayed their hand for multiple years running. The Revs are teetering on the edge of these two - let's hope The Bruce gets more of the right top-of-roster pieces in place.
Does seem that way. He must have been released Zachary HerivauxVerified account @ZHerivaux100 17h17 hours ago For the past 9 years of my life I was able to represent the club I grew up supporting. It’s been a roller coaster of a ride filled with many memories and experiences. I’m excited and ready for the next chapter. Thank… https://www.instagram.com/p/B4P-3U4B2c9/?igshid=ucd0gjknstex …
https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/po...arena-enters-offseason-aiming-build-revs-core "But while a rebuild isn’t necessary, reinforcements are required. Arena has said publicly that one player has already committed to joining the Revs, while he hopes to add another 3-4 pieces to compete for significant playing time in 2020." I am going to assume that the player he is referring to is Buttner.
In one way, it is wrong (or at least unrealistic). Being Best-11 in a 10 or 12 team league is easier than being Best-11 in a 24 or 26 team league.
Turner called into the USNT November pre-camp (starting on Saturday). Hey, you can't get to the 'camp' without going to the 'pre-camp', right? [actually you probably can]
Mauricio Castro was definitely one of our better players at that time. Mauricio Castro, Wright... did we have Cienfeugos?
So far, Herivaux out, Buttner in. I liked Herivaux but the Revs totally mismanaged his career. I assume Mancienne is out the door, unless he really was injured for the majority of Arena's tenure. I think JFC and Castillo are also out. That's $1.8 million in 2019 salary ($1 million for Mancienne, $500k for JFC, $250k for Castillo, $75k for Herivaux). I'm hoping we sign a 3rd DP and he is either a target #9 for Bou to play off of, or a game-dominating #6 or #8. I am very high on L. Caicedo as a player and think that a midfield of him, Gil and a player like Alex Ring or Ilie Sanchez would be one of the best midfields in the league. Conversely, Bou and a #9 DP would be one of the best striker pairings in the league.
My Revs Xmas list includes 2 Starting CB's, 1 DM and a #9.....Not a D'Angelo's #9 although that would taste good right about now
I wonder who is at the end of their contract come Jan 1. I read somewhere that Diego is but not sure how true that is although he did sign an extension in Jan of 2016. Going by the usual 3 year contract that would be about right
Wow, that's quite a Xmas list. The owners haven't changed, just the coach and GM. I would agree with you on the DM and the #9. If we could upgrade those positions the Revs would be in pretty good shape for making a serious run at the Title. If we could land a good DM, that would make the back line that much better. And a scoring threat at the #9 position, to go along with Bou, would also make the backline look better!
Interesting that since Bruce arrived - our 1.5 points per game would put us 8th in the league. That's not bad. OTOH, also, after Bruce we were 1-3-2 against the top 5 teams in the league (including the playoff loss to Atlanta.) Will be interesting to see what the off (Christmas) season brings!
FWIW, unless I've lost track, I believe the Revs have five of the first 43 picks in the Draft this winter. Could definitely see some of those moved for veterans.