He was a good player, but quixotic, sure. He scored 6 goals in his rookie season, his best goal scoring season, so he didn't need several years to break through. He was in right from the jump. He tie that career high in goals, though, in Toronto, last season. He started plenty of games last year, though less than half, I'll give you that. I disagree that he couldn't play well consistently. I thought he was very consistent, but two things ruined him. Always missing time with injuries and being a very bad finisher. It's a joke that his season high is six goals. He has like 4 playoff goals for pete's sake. He should have done much better, but he didn't meet his potential, imo. I probably rate his game higher than most, but even I admit he can be highly rated only if you throw out the missed games and choking in front of goal. Hopefully TKD has better shooting boots, I bet he does, because that's the actual low bar to jump.
I think NDL's issues were multiple. First, Olsen's constant tinkering with him ruined his development. Much like Quaranta, Ben couldn't decide if NDL was a an outside mid, AM, #8 or even a holding mid. If that won't screw up your shooting boots, I don't know what would. Second, while NDL's first season showed great promise, IIRC, he showed up to camp in his second year grossly out of shape and that entire season was a succession of less playing time and niggling injuries. The constant shuffling of positions and the niggling injuries from lack of fitness turned what could have been an above average MLS player into an MLS journeyman.
So, Goff reporting that DCU is trading an international spot to Charlotte for 250K in GAM, so Charlotte can sign their Croatian 'keeper from the Bulgarian League. One less international slot for Ruston and Losada to work with in the offseason. I would think that means Sorga is gone, no need for an international spot for your 3d string forward.
Well, Sorga is on loan until the summer anyway. The bigger mind scratcher would be using an international spot on Kimarni Smith.
According to B&RU, Serga's loan ends this month. Also, according to them, DCU will have one "open" international slot (even accounting for Sorga and Smith -- neither of whom merit use of such a slot). So, there apparently are slots available, now whether or not DCU uses them (or uses them wisely) is another matter. B&RU also says DCU is allegedly interested in a Ghanaian international playing wing for Krakow. Have no idea if this really is anything more than agent-puffery as the transfer window opens.
That shit is just bad rumors. Even if we did pay a salary that high who would he be surrounded by? There are many more sensible things to do that sign someone with the wackiest of pedigrees: Assuming this were true, we'd probably be sitting on two record setting busts on one squad.
Nonsense, if DCU signs him (and keeps Sorga), the team would have the Estonian Messi, Bulgarian Messi and the Polish Messi all on one squad. Supporters Shield for sure.
We are swimming in Garber bucks. We've got the 250k from CLT, another $200 from COL (+25k next year), the original Lucho money (either $250k or $325K) and the add on incentive clause for getting FCC's manager fired and this is the shit we are alleged to come up with. Lord knows how much TAM they've carried forward and acquired for various bullshit reasons. Honestly, they need to stop pretending like they're an ML3.0 ownership group, drop the pretense so that they can go back to having Groupon's, BOGOs, youth association nights, promotional giveaways, and giving an F about the STMs. Let the club's valuation rise with the tide of real club ownership groups around the league spending. They'd make more money like that along with selling 1% shares to pikey millionaires. I am sure Keefer or Adam Taylor took this leak from Pablo Mauer with a straight face, knowing full well it's bullshit that Pablo didn't want the mentions for in his timeline.
I was comparing technical ability. And i stand by that Ted is more technical than NDL. Nick may be more suited to the physicality of mls but thats no sure thing either.
You said 'way' more technical. Do you stand by that? To me, that suggests you think DeLeon is a poor player technically (how else is unproven TKD way better?) and I disagree with that assessment. So I responded. Obviously, it doesn't matter, but sometimes I feel like pushing back at what I feel is hyperbole, and I don't know why I do that. It seems a better idea to just let it go, but it is a forum for opinions. Blah blah blah. Happy New Year! And I hope you're right and I'm wrong.
The off season anticipation around DCU player acquisition used to feel like a kid at christmas. Now it's opening presents from inlaws that have no idea what you like or are into but smiling thru the inanity of it all.
It’s a required office white elephant gift exchange with a $10 spending cap. Done with the “party game” where you can choose to open or steal a gift that’s been opened. And you’d rather not do either, just go home and have a drink, but the overly chipper person in the office who organized it insists, “It’s so much fun!”
Watch Christmas party on Netflix. Over the top like Hangover but revealing what lurks in the heart of your fellow worker.
None of my children are old enough for that to be part of their lives. They grew up out in Los Angeles/Santa Monica and all I could give them was an intense hatred for the Galaxy.
I think Deleon is technically weak but has speed and strength and a work ethic to overcome some of that. I think he is a poor technical player and i think he was on DC far too long and he is a low level MLS player. Yes, i think Ted is way more technical. Again that is only one aspect of a player's game and does not determine success as a player on its own. I never said otherwise. I've seen Ted play since he was around 7 yrs old. I know who he's trained with i know his tech ability has been nurtured including by coaches at FC Groningen and AC Milan among others. Thankfully he is not a victim of the college system which prioritizes physicality over technical ability. But will he be a good pro? Who the hell knows? Will he have. A better career than NDL? Also, no idea.
Btw, here is a picture of Ted Ku-diPietro attending one of his first DC United games. He was probably about 7 in this pic. He's top left looking over the seat with his older brother's team.
NEWS: D.C. United Sign Defender Brendan Hines-Ike on a Permanent Transfer from KV Kortrijk🗞️➡️ https://t.co/wBiUtL2HtV— D.C. United (@dcunited) January 4, 2022