I'd like that, but I bet not. Almeyda always played Kashia in front of Cummings, which was a decision I disagreed with. But, I conclude from this that Almeyda is not impressed with Cummings, or thinks we can do better. So perhaps we're going to grab a starting caliber CB from elsewhere. Or maybe we're going to draft some? I don't know, but we need more central defenders on our roster. So hopefully there is some sort of plan in place. Go Quakes!! - Mark
I agree with Mark's last post. I had an earlier observation looking at Falvo's post on the roster, if 1) Paul Marie and/or Lopez make significant strides in the off season, 2) a full pre-season for Rios and/or Fierro work to integrate them into the team, and 3) Hoesen gets well, we could be much better. Those are five guys, who with the exception of Rios (at times) were not as positive contributors as we should expect. If we improve on two of these we are better. If all three improve we could be good.
Well, that’s a nice thought, however, we still need another center back or three. Let’s say that Lopez is better and more consistent. That would mean that we can trade Lima. (Not my first choice, but he doesn’t fit Almeyda’s plans.) We play with only one striker, so Hoesen being better is a help, but he’s still mostly going to be sub minutes. If Rios could replace Magnus at the CAM spot and be an upgrade, that would be great. But we still need more defenders and we need some backups at several positions. I’m concerned that we haven’t made any real improvements to the squad and we say that we’re done. I have to hope that Jesse and friends are still looking and just saying that they aren’t. GO Quakes!! Fisher OUT!! - Mark
Wishful Holiday thinking: Matias is waiting for the Liga MX Final between Monterrey and America to conclude to announce a SPLASH DP signing for the Quakes 2020...
Meanwhile, news out of antifaland: https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...-owner-merritt-paulson-teases-big-things-2020
It must be soooo nice to have an owner with ambition, enthusiasm, and discernible communications skills.
Again, we don't have a ton of actual antifa folks here, but we do have actual neo-nazis demonstrating in the streets of Portlandia, and trying to influence the city council and school district in tiny little Battle Ground. If you had actual neo-nazis and real live neo-fascists and openly racist douche-bags running around your community, you'd be a lot more comfortable with Iron Front and Antifa folks. </rational explanation> OK, back to our regularly scheduled Quakes Fan Whinefest!! We're shit. We need some new Center Backs and another striker and an actual CAM to replace Magnus. I still want to upgrade our left-winger spot. It's not that Vako is crap, it's that we can do better. Lest I be accused of not knowing what I'm talking about, here are few articles that support my view. This guy rates the top 50 players in MLS. Espinoza and Wondo make his list, but not Vako. And hey, it's just like his opinion man. https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/mls-player-rankings-top-50-players-in-2019/ This guy picks his top five at all positions. Note that for wingers he doesn't name either Cristian or Vako. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/12/20/warshaw-my-top-5-list-every-position-mls-2018 These guys rate all offensive players. Make sure that you select 2019, Player Stats, Offensive. It reset when I followed the link. https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/2...PlayerStatistics/USA-Major-League-Soccer-2019 These dudes have Cristian at #25 and Vako at #28, so not a huge difference. Vako scores better for goals, Cristian for assists. Naturally, these are all just other dudes (and maybe dudettes?) opinions, some based on stats and a rating system of some sort. Also, I think that we need to replace Magnus. Let's not overlook that. A new CAM could improve the performance of every player on the team. did I mention that we need a new left back too? We sure as hell do. Unless Lima suddenly starts looking better on his weak side, or if Almeyda suddenly decides that Nick is decent and should get more minutes. I wouldn't mind a new 'Keeper either. I'm hoping that either Bersano or JT can take over for Vega sometime this season, though I think both are long shots for that chore. So, new starters: One CB One LB One CAM One LM maybe one GK I want four or five new starters. I want a new striker who can push Wondo for #1 (because someone else will have take over that spot in '21.) I think that Almeyda's system really calls for team players, guys who work really well with their teammates. We've got some dudes who do that, and some who lag a bit. I want more team players. Go Quakes!! - Mark
Speaking of owners and communication, we were talking about Kaval the other day. I know that everyone wasn't a huge proponent, but at least while he was in office, there was an effort to connect with fans (how many times did he call me?) plus irregular blog updates. Now, nothing, and even the reps are circumspect. They all realize it's an unpleasant situation -- and anyone who's ever worked in that kind of environment can relate -- you don't like what's going on but you want to keep your job. If our team had true leadership -- owner or president or really, anyone in the FO -- they'd be trying to align us with their vision. But there is no vision. The owners/FO just hope we keep forking over $ and don't ask too many questions.
I think Fisher is dreaming about the A’s these days. I know A’s fans are enjoying really good values at the colosseum while looking forward to a new stadium. I can’t say Quakes fans are getting a great value at the moment. In fact, with the exceptions of Avaya, Almeyda and Wondo, it feels like a constant letdown and i don’t feel like I’m getting a good value for my money. The good thing is we already have a newish stadium to go to while A’s fans can only hope that they get a new stadium. It’s hard to believe Avaya is going into its 6th season already. Wondo is going to retire, and Almeyda is going into year 2 of his 4 year plan but most of us are not too hopeful about it. We need something to dream about and better values.
More wishful Holiday thinking: our team will be improved with new signings prior to kickoff, Feb 2020..
I'm just fine with them not directly communicating with us... I need their talking done on the field and in the stadium... results are what matters. And I say there has been a vision with Almeyda... he wants to build a roster from the ground up, on his terms. He's stated that will take multiple years and has put his money where his mouth is. Jesse has also talked about a vision... generally about building teams through a youth movement. And that aligns with Almeyda. To that end the team has significantly dropped its roster average age and has been spending more on the academies (plus the irrelevant signings of the 14 and 15 y/o). You may not believe in that vision (I do generally) and you may want results now as well as in the future (I know I do), but they are building exactly like they've already communicated.
We are now exactly two months away from opening day. I’m sorry Quakes fans but it doesn’t look like there are any reinforcements coming in and we are in for another lackluster season. Hopefully , Almeyda can squeeze more blood out of these turnips.
we are at opposite ends of the spectrum... no communication means we're on life support, nearly flatlining...healthy teams recognize fans as the lifeblood of their organization and understand the importance of keeping the fans informed, getting buy-in on the vision, and adding STH's...and not just the $250 for the whole season giveaway season tix. the pricey ones. STH sales reflect the health and viability of a team. the results have been abysmal and there is literally no reason to think that's going to change despite a decade of utter futility and hopelessness. I'm guessing season ticket sales continue to plummet as more and more people give up in exasperation on this small team and the lack of any communication with fans on anything of significance whatsoever. It really doesn't matter if Almeyda has a vision. There has to be a team vision that's shared, from Johnny to the fans...everyone needs to be onboard and the funding has to be there. Almeyda's vision also included bringing in Pulido, we saw how far that went. Building a roster from the ground up means nothing, we don't have the players we need in the pipeline, fans aren't interested in waiting "multiple years" and Matias has no money to put where his mouth is...there is no budget apparently for adding any new players at all. Same thing, money is the driver, investment. we aren't investing in developing young players, we aren't investing in scouting and we aren't investing in signing new players. Jesse and Matias might have a vision that involves spending no money, magically finding young players with upside potential and trying to align them with their vision, but we don't even appear to have the development academies and facilities and staff that would attract the best and most talented kids. If this is Jesse and Almeyda's vision, it's because it's all they've got to work with since Johnny won't open his wallet. And while you may be fine with it, I think most fans are completely sick of this shit. I know I am. This is a poor person's vision born out of necessity, and highly unlikely to generate any results or interest. again, there is no vision. Jesse and Almeyda are in the same tiny box as all their predecessors and if the great Pulido tease taught us anything, it's that Almeyda has no more pull than his predecessors... ...under Johnny, everyone has to comport their "vision" to fit this small team standard of maybe one day having a bunch of cheap youngsters (who came up through our development system) that can save the Quakes. good luck with that.
Agian SKC held "discovery " rights to Pulido. So according to MLS rules they get first crack at signing him. If they couldn't or didn't want they would have "sold" those rights to another team.
Those are not visions Those are executing on a vision. The vision is the goal: where is this team going? As I have said a few times, too often we have followed the Nordstrom Rack approach, where you buy a bunch of items at 90% discount only to realize that there is nothing you can actually wear. Simply accumulating younger players to lower the team age -- where does that get you? There is NO team vision!
Plus there was no quote from Almeyda on this, so it seems to be speculation (though I suppose, at the right price, he might indeed want him). Season ticket losses are a result of on field performance, only a critical few of us even care about a long term vision (yes I am one). The lack of investment supports the building of a young roster from the ground up. Sounds like generally the EQ front office and back office are on the same a page and that has been communicated in the past. You just don't like the direction (I too would like to see more spending). At least some talk about a 4 year plan... I call that a vision (I suppose you could create a vision statement something like "be in the top 3 teams every year, after four years"):