Edison Flores?

I think he may have had two assists in the first 6 games, then got injured. He just returned last night, subbing in later in the second half just to get some run.

He looked to be playing better before he got hurt, but still not DP level for me. I did like that he isn't a primadonna, he ran hard and was on board with the pressing system Losada has implemented.

Hopefully he's like a new acquisition for the second half of the season. United could really use more guys that make things happen, goal conjurers if you will.

 

stats here: Edison Flores - Wikipedia
here: Edison Flores | DC United
and here: Edison Flores | DC United

 

also here: Peru - E. Flores - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway

and also here: Edison Flores - D.C. United - Stats - titles won (footballdatabase.eu)

 

Flores is no where close to the production level you would expect from our highest transfer fee paid player. In many games he has looked very, very ordinary and certainly nothing close to what you would expect for a DP.

For me the expectations for him have dropped so far that when he player somewhat at an average or just above average MLS midfielder level we are practically singing his praises. And in addition to uninspiring performances he has been injured frequently.

 

The injuries are killing him. Glad we have him back. I think, like Kamara, he's needed some consistency around him, which he had for about two games this season before he got injured. If he gets another 900 minutes and ends up with 3 goals and 7 assists, I'll start to feel good about keeping him around for the price tag. But he does play in a position we need production from if we're going to make the playoffs and do well.

 

Hey, I saw another post of yours about NVSL and how you played with Kurt Kuykendall. I also played with Kurt in NVSL, but he didn't play in goal he played in the field. I can't remember the coach's name, but he was an Irish lawyer I think. Gaelic Americans, maybe? This was in the mid (?) 90's. When did you play in NVSL with Kurt?

 

I don't think anyone is singing his praises. We only need to look at the opponent week after week to see what a real DP looks like. Mukhtar is clearly a DP, for example.
I think Flores needs to have that kind of impact for nearly the rest of this season to be considered a piece for next season. I'll give him one more game to get his legs but after that no excuses. He has to score or create goals on the regular.

 

You are right that he wanted to play mostly in the outfield but would occasionally play in goal. it's been a long time but I think it was either very late 80s or early 90s. I played for a team called Reston United and for a while we were a very strong team in NVSL. Our over 30 team got to the final 8 of the US Amateur Cup. We kept our core together for quite a while and went into playing over 30 and then over 40 until we just aged out. I really felt old when Kurt's son would come out and play as a young teenager during practices and pickup games. I don't think people realize just how good the NVSL used to be after NASL folded and before MLS started up. For an "amateur" league at that time we were one of the best in the country. Reston United was a true amateur team but there were clearly other teams that were paying players under the table. But we didn't care, we just loved to play; it was so much fun.

 

That's so cool. You're just a little older than me. Kurt's kid that played with you, I played against him in youth tournaments. He played up in age, trained in Holland, was kind of a big deal. I think that was Kris.
When I played with Kurt, his little son would knock it around with us and he was something for a tiny kid. That was Shawn, who unfortunately passed away.

NVSL was good but not as strong as you're describing when I played in it. It was definitely amateur. But it was a blast, and a good test for a beer league.

 

I hope he does well enough to attract trade/buy offers from other teams. But his high salary drags that down, as we will probably need to take some of that on.

 

Why can't you hope Flores does well enough that he will remain an integral part of DC United?

 

we still can't afford him - not unless he becomes the second Moreno

 

I don't think he will be and I don't think he can be. He lacks speed, he lacks creativity, he lacks power, he lacks height. There were times last match where he got beat to a ball and instantly gave up. I just think we all see the writing on the wall, Flores will likely be gone before next season starts.

 

The team is 6th in MLS in revenue. If they can't afford Flores they'll never be able to afford any kind of truly game breaking DP.

 

So far, Flores has shown very little. I chalk that up to a poor coach (Olsen) and a number of injuries that cost Flores significant playing time. IF he stays healthy down this stretch working for a competent coach, we will see exactly what DCU is paying for. If he fails to impress between now and the end of the season, he's a bust. I'm hoping that he shows us why he commanded a high salary and transfer fee.

 

I thought he looked like he had something to prove the other night.

I am withholding judgement until we get to see him play a few games in a row.

 

I am hoping a few more games for Flores to get back into full-speed playing form we'll see what we've hoped he could do from the start. There are a number of things working in our favor now that weren't last year or even at the beginning of the season.

 

Against Atlanta he started well and then faded. I hope it's largely a fitness issue. A DP cannot be drifting in and out of games. He's being paid to make adjustments on the fly, if he can't do that, there is a problem.

 

What did anyone think of him last night?

 

Best game yet to me. He can play even better I bet but I was super pleased.
He gets caught between two minds a lot, but it's becoming less and less pronounced. He had a couple of one touch passes where he zigged instead of zagged and it was noticeable he has some tricks. I want to see that more than holding the ball.
He was dangerous and I was greatly encouraged. Blake robbed him once but I'd thought he deserved a goal. Now, he has to bring it for 90. If he does that, I'm fired up and even want to move into next season with him.
He needs good health and strengthening fitness. Combine that with his game and he's a keeper.
Afterthought, is he actually kind of fast? He blew by somebody at one point and that arched an eyebrow.

 

I would agree that last night was his best, but his best coming from a very low level. At this point, he's not any more dangerous than Reyna or Paredes and his passes aren't as sharp as Gressel's. Not that he's bad, but he is a DP making the highest salary on the team. He should be exceeding those 3 that I mentioned. He's not at the moment.