Sure, a lot of guys have the "potential". The problems with Forko right now are that he spaces on his mark occasionally, he doesn't understand when to release forward and when to stay home and his passing is less than consistent. He will show good pace, work ethic all the time. He'll also show the willingness to get stuck in and can play a good ball out of the back from time to time. BUT, he needs to adjust a lot before he becomes a true MLS-quality starter. Right now he's a guy that can capably fill in as a substitute. Leaning on him to start is a tall order given the holes in his game.
Seriously, look at the backline. Novak: converted midfielder, basically a rookie that RSL found at a try-out last year. Forko: an unknown converted midfielder who is a rookie. Sequira: the spirited hacker of our team. Seems to be constantly out of position. Presntly, the default leader of our backline. Besagno: Despite being his 2nd year, played basically no first team games last year. Only what, 17 years old? Add Garlick to this, thats a big target for DC United this weekend.
I realize he has flaws. But the things you just mentioned are mostly mental mistakes and experience issues. The more he plays the more he (should) be able to fix those thing.
Take out Sequiera for Stewart and it's already looking better. Besides, we were a big target for DC when the schedule was released. No lineup would could trot out with this roster (or most teams' rosters for that matter) would change that.
Well I would feel a little more confident if we had Pope, Torres and Broome for this one. Not much, but a little bit.
Yes, I rather have Pope there than Besagno and Sequira. And yes I do hope that Pope retires soon and gives RSL a big fat allocation for it. Yeah, its that bad.
Here, here. Pope may not be The Answer to our defensive woes, but he is a step in the right direction, whatever his faults.
Well, I think that "open tryout" was a formality. They had already decided on Novak before the tryout ever happened, and they ignored a few better players, the way I see it. 40-some-odd players with 2 hours to prove themselves at BYU's indoor facility is not a tryout but a gesture to the community to say, look your local players have a chance. I'm not saying any locals should have made it at all, but there were more out of towners who are much better than Adam Acosta. Worthen's holding his own though, it seems.
I have a hard time believing Novak wouldn't struggle for time on some reserve teams around the league. Acosta has yet to play an MLS game and Worthen made his debut last night. I think at best they considered it part formality, part opportunity to fill out the reserve roster, which they did. Novak's PT this season has, I guess, been a plus. Although, after that effort on the late tackle last night, I'm not really sure.
This won't be a surprise, but Nick Armington was waived when Chase Harrison came back to us from Virginia Beach.
MatchTracker had Armington on the bench last night, as did the Chivas broadcast crew. Are we sure he's gone?
Yes, it was Chase Harrison as the backup last night, I got that directly from Coach Ellinger. Also Armington hasn't been at practice for several days. Harrison was in goal at practice today.
Reading the first part of this sentence, part of me hoped the good bloodline in question traced back to the "minister of tropicalia" turned Brazilian cabinet member Gilberto Gil (& daughter Preta). But no such luck. Anyway, the South American genetics are auspicious. Thumbs up.
San Jose Mercury News/Dylan Hernandez: Rookie out of SCU has gone`on a tear' I think there's no question that Mehdi is the best soccer player to come out of that group,'' Ellinger said of the 2006 draft class, in which Ballouchy was the second player chosen. ... Colorado goalkeeper Joe Cannon said that the last young MLS player he could recall being as involved in a team's attack was Bolivian international Joselito Vaca, with Dallas in 2000-2003. "But Mehdi has better size and a better physical presence,'' Cannon said. "If he wants, he might be able to go overseas in the future.'' Ballouchy is 5-foot-11 and 169 pounds. ... Ballouchy said he is thinking of taking a Spanish class at the University of Utah next semester. He declared for the draft with one year of college eligibility remaining, and is now considering transferring his units to Utah to complete his studies.
Good find. I like the quotes from Cannon, which are obviously very positive, but why the comparison to Vaca? IIRC, he never really realzed his potential and is out of the league, possibly back in Bolivia. Anyway, good to hear a good player say good things.
Any word on why Tiba was taken out of the game yesterday so quickly after being put in? Injury or discipline?