I shouldn't get my hopes up about RSL rumors because man it's frustrating. Here's an interesting Interview with Luna man, he does not want to talk about his situation at RSL but you can tell he's frustrated.
You got that right. Thanks for posting. To his credit he realized that if he said anything meaty it would be throwing gas on a fire.
So while I don't like that Luna isn't getting minutes at his best position and I've been fine with the idea of letting him show his stuff at the U-20 level, I now have a concern. Other young, promising players in situations like Luna was in with El Paso, aren't going to give RSL the time of day next time. That's my biggest concern going forward. Luna will be gone eventually and hopefully he doesn't badmouth the club, even if it might be deserved. This situation just has me bummed out for just about everyone involved. Can we fans do anything about it?
Luna won’t have to bad mouth the club…his agent will get the word out. On the other hand, I doubt that neither he nor his agent want to get him labeled as a guy who was unhappy because the coach didn’t change everything about the team to fit Luna’s style of play
It's not just Luna not playing, it's guys like Taylor Booth, Bryce Duke, and Richie Ledezma getting huge breaks professionally because they left RSL's academy and tried their luck with other professional clubs. We're sending a very loud and clear message to young attacking mids in our academy.
Andy Larsen's excellent article analyzing RSL's roster value in comparison with the rest of th league is well worth your time.
For those on this board and elsewhere in the fanbase who actually believe we have a good roster and are simply missing a finisher and defensive mid, the numbers presented should be sobering. Yes, we can greatly improve there and need to spend a LOT of money to do so; but tbh we have room for improvement at most of the roster spots, including backups…IF our leadership truly wants RSL to be bona-fide contenders.
While I fully support the tribune having a paywall, I have no need to read it living out of state. Anything you feel like sharing? I'm curious if he came to a similar conclusion that I did regarding how much they are spending.
It was nice to see criticism in a major local news outlet, and he lays out the arguments clearly: Not only are we low spenders, but our roster is also lowest in value on the transfer market. RSL isn’t bringing in players and increasing their value much for sale later on. He advocates RSL open the wallet.
That he doesn’t name Elliot fall is my only complaint Especially on the paragraphs dedicated to being a selling club
And that’s also a bit with the coach too: If you want to be a selling club, you need to have a somewhat consistent coaching style, structure & philosophy where you can identify and plug players in due to high roster turnover.
You know how vindictive RSL has been historically toward local journalists who “cross the line”. Especially under DLH (ie, Fall). If I’m Andy I don’t mention his name either.
According to a post on Reddit, RSL has the easiest strength of schedule moving forward. The metrics used are: Clubs receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss PPG = Average points per (MLS regular season) game Current PPG = PPG after Matchday 15 Remaining Opp's PPG = Average of remaining opponents' PPG e.g. When only looking at PPG standings through Matchday 15, RSL has the easiest remaining schedule, and ATL has the toughest. RSL have averaged 1.14 points per game so far and have 20 games remaining. If we maintain that trend we'll finish just shy of 40 points, which I doubt gets us in the playoffs. Here's to hoping some summer transfers happen to shake things up and take advantage of the remaining games.
Luna is the MOTM today against NZ. He’s been a magician with the ball at his feet. In the 75th he’s had 2 assists and did a breakaway that resulted in the team’s third goal.
Sporting News sez: While Cowell's goals will surely have him in the spotlight, the best player on the pitch in this match was unquestionably Diego Luna, who deserved a goal for his efforts but just couldn't collect. Luna's silky smooth skill was on full display, sending New Zealand defenders flying left and right as he cut onto each foot in the buildup, and his pure counter-attack speed helped create the fourth and final U.S. goal.
Yep. Luna not getting more time is criminal. He’s gifted. Get him on the damn field after they get to the semis or better. No excuses. I’m watching him play. Some players just make shit happen. You know it when you see it. Luna is that kind of player. No more bullshit.
The Sporting News got the last part wrong. He had been subbed out when the 4th goal was scored. They got everything else correct though.
I think this was meant to describe his involvement in the 3rd goal. I wonder if anyone on the coaching staff has been watching the U20s.
With LAFC starting the CCL final series this weekend, some stories have come out comparing our run (and the league's reaction) to this one. For example: From #MLS4RSL to CCL Favorites" here.
On the USA’s 3rd goal, the one initiated by Luna’s breakaway, a NZ player wrapped him up to bring him down (professional foul) and Luna just shrugged him off like a pesky gnat and kept running. The referee called “advantage” and that was that.
@goobx1 really liking your guys podcasts of late One thing on the Minnesota episode that stood out that I’ve heard from other rsl podcasts: pointing to failed DPs at other clubs as rationale to not go sign one. Bernadeski being the most recent example. while I agree with the sentiment here, it indicates a fundamental difference in certain clubs. As much of a shit show both TFC and LAG are, they’ve both won trophies more recently than RSL. This is due to their ambition and desire to succeed as opposed to their fear of failure. The latter is what RSL comes across as when pointing to failed DPs. its easy to point to TFC or LAG having top end talent and that’s why they won… but that can’t also be the reason they fail. Instead, to me, it’s their desire to take on risk and be ambitious
Fortune Favors the Bold, M**********F********ers! That said, we should be taking those risks on guys like Rusnak or Gomez, or Campaña or ….. you get the idea. Go for U22 and some proven guys. Which brings me to: I’m pretty upset we didn’t spring for Ilie Sanchez.
I'll need to try to catch up on some of the podcasts. How is Bernadeschi a failed DP signing? He's been much better on the field that Insigne and cheaper! Fear of failure is holding the team back? I'm really struggling with the fact that they don't want to pay someone $2m+ a season. Sava is about the 45th best player in the league, less than Albert. We don't need to pay someone $5m, let alone $10m like Trey says fans are calling for ($10m transfer would be nice, but also not clamoring for that). Bouanga is barely making $2m. Sign the right player sure, but there's no way all the guys making $2m+ in this league are going to ruin the locker room. I'm really getting frustrated with the club not signing enough difference makers. Everyone there is to blame until it becomes clear someone isn't doing their job.