We closed out the preseason with a loss to a USL team. They may be one of the better USL teams but the monarchs beat them 4 months ago. Not convincing. Juarez mentioned post game that we are expecting a few more pieces (on top of Rossi and Meram because he referenced both of them. Was he referring to players we expect to sign but havent? It doesnt seem like we have more roster spots without sending guys to the monarchs. It would be a welcome addition to get talent that can be difference makers because we need it. Damm is apparently coming to the US from Mexico to an unnamed team.
Well, Del Loy did just shell out $1.3mil+ for a penny. Or whatever that coin was. There's the vision!
Exactly one MLS finished the preseason with zero wins. It's hard to get excited about out 2020 prospects given that, the relative flows of talent in and out, and the way the coach and GM search played out. I mean, I am excited for the season to start, but unlike the nice folks on Soapbox, I don't even see us winning the RMC, much less anything else. But as I mentioned in the game thread, perhaps I need to wait until our offense is available before judging it: no Baird, no Johnson, no Jeizon, and not much Meram so far. Meram is a definite upgrade. Rossi was a hell of a lot of fun to see play. And the others were totally absent. So we'll see.
If we put things in perspective, RSL was 2nd to last in the west in goals scored. To be truly competitive among the elite teams the focus this offseason should have been to add another 8-10 goals. With the departures of Savarino, Bofo, Plata and Lennon the team lost 11 goals and 10 assists from the 2019 version of the squad. Does anyone feel strongly that RSL has done enough with the additions of Meram, Jeizon and others to even replace that number? Before you answer that, Meram has had one double-digit scoring season in his career. Aside from that season (2017), he's been in 0-8 goal territory, with an average of less than 3.5 goals/season. Jeizon is young, but has had only 5 goals in 55 matches over the last 4 seasons. I'm not sure any of the other additions to date would be expected to bring anything to the attack this season. Can Johnson step up this year and fill that void? Maybe to some degree, but I still feel you are at best looking at replacing the 11 goals lost, and repeating the 46 goal performance with this roster, not really adding to that. This team likely needs to be at around 55 goals to compete with the elite. LAFC's obscene 85 goals or even NYCFC's 63 goals from a year ago are nowhere in the sights for this RSL team. One would expect the defense to be at least as good, maybe even slightly better. The slight unknown is at goalkeeper, although Rimando wasn't really stellar in his last season.
If anything, I expect Sam to drop back a goal or three. He was incredibly productive on limited shots, and if we start playing this season with other strikers who are even moderately successful, he might get fewer minutes. Honestly, I would be comfortable if he were sold or cut or whatever before the season with Rossi coming in his place. I think Rossi and Martinez fit better with the way the team plays, and we need the roster spot.
https://www.rsl.com/iframe-video?br...d=default&brightcove_account_id=5539867199001 A few noteworthy comments here: 1) It sounds like Freddy expecting Rossi to be signed (okay, so that was already a given) 2) He referenced 3 or 4 players who aren't fit (Meram, Rossi, Dami and maybe 1 more), and that doesn't include Johnson. Aside from Rusnak and Baird, that's your attacking contingent. Isn't a big part of preseason to make sure players are fit at start of season? 3) "We got a good little base and we gotta keep building. This isn't gonna happen over night." Doesn't that make you comfortable that he has the team ready heading into the opener. Maybe my expectations are too high, but this is shocking.
Expectations for this season right now: Bottom of the table. Nothing about this team inspires confidence. We're a hot mess with zero identifiable leadership and a very strong sense of apathy from the club as a whole
He alluded to last year’s pre-season tournament in Hawaii as helpful, compared to this year. Then he named 3 key players who aren’t fit yet. Then he pointed out the poor job defending a couple of set pieces (I thought we hired a coach for set pieces). Then he mentioned a couple pieces yet to come. Then he alluded to the ‘Quality we just saw, that we could potentially have’. So, basically I came away shaking my head.
When asked about the team he said "decen... uh, good." It made me chuckle. Decent is a coach saying terrible and good is him trying to save face with DeLort.
DeLort might be the best thing I've seen in this thread I have little hopes for this season. I hope to be proven wrong.
Albert made the list of the top 50 players in MLS, at #44. I don't think anyone on our squad will be higher than that. Only 26-50 have been announced though, so there's a chance we'll get one or several more.
Serious question, how does he rank on the RSL team? From a season ago I'd rank both Herrera and Everton as more influential.
We've got two players on Top Drawer Soccer's list of top 50 prospects for 2020, Ochoa and Garcia. Which makes it more interesting to see who ends up in goal for RSL this season.
agreed with both of those player behind Savarino. I'd put Kreilach at the same level as Rusnak, as well, if not ahead of him
Highest paid does not equate to best player. amirite? If Rusnak doesn't have a breakout season this year, I think this signing (contract extension) overall is a failure.
Agreed. The initial signing was solid and then Waibel pulled a Waibel and couldn't cash out. The offers in year 1-1.5 with Rusnak were worth taking.
Alex Vejar is claiming it is a done deal. So, we should hear something from RSL within the next 2-3 weeks. Also hearing the Rossi deal is done. I'm unaware of the particulars, though. #RSL https://t.co/sLkWRJkHSp— Alex Vejar (He/Him) (@AlexVReporting) February 26, 2020
If the numbers are accurate it’s a worthwhile gamble imo. It looks like an incentived contract, so Rossi will get his money if he performs well. I hope the tweet is accurate.