Good work from Diceson as usual. http://unitedmania.mlsfansites.com/...05&PHPSESSID=6f7ba2f3ff04eec745eeb16c247b1a35 Among other things, Q1 probably headed to Sunderland for training.
What?! Q1 hasn't signed a 5-year deal with Man Utd whereby he's guaranteed first team ball after two seasons?
Great work Diceson. Thanks for the news. I don't like the sound of Ben going back to Europe though. Maybe we could get him shinguards that cover his entire legs and feet (front and back).
You know, its sad... Diceson's practice reports are all we have to look forward to for the next 5 months. That and endless rumors and speculation...
I found this quote from Trask interesting in an eyebrow raising kind of way. “We’re going to get into some strength training here pretty quickly - try to build some strength. There were a few too many muscle injuries this year. When we change over the coaching staff were going to have the ‘Strength and Conditioning’ Coach much more active than he has in the past.” First off, United has a strength and conditioning coach? Who is he and when was he hired? Second, what changes in the coaching staff is he talking about? Are Simpson or Onalfo, who were hired by Payne and not Ray, on their way out? While I could see, and certainly understand, Ray wanting to have his own guys on the staff, it would be shame if a couple of long-time United guys got sent packing.
Greg Petrosian, currently with American University, came out to practices once or twice per week during the year Of interest, Petrosian was a regular practice attendee' during the Rongen era. Simpson was at practice doing his thing with the GKs. I read somewhere about a month ago that Onalfo might be moved, either totally off the team, or to some other coaching related job. I did ask about his situation at the end of the year. At that time the team said no changes were anticipated. Of course that might have changed.
Buried in another thread in this forum, it was revealed that Onalfo is leaving taking a coaching/directorship position with a NOVA area youth organization. I remember finding a reference on the web to a guy who was once United's strength coach ('96-'97 maybe) selling plans and equipment. I take it that there is/has been such a person on staff, but apparently he hasn't been overly involved in planning. I was a little concerned with Trask's apparent push to get the guys to sit on a one goal lead. Killing a game off in the last 10-15 minutes is one thing. Casually saying, "we’ll go up two goals if it’s possible", is another. Also interesting that Tino indicated his trip to Sunderland had nothing to do with DC's front office. Kasper seemed to be taking credit for it Monday night.
Fantastic article Diceson, straight to the heart of many sizzling matters! Sandon beat me to it, but the conditioning changes are huge. Earlier in the year I went ballistic saying that our trainer sucked, and that there was no excuse for this many out of shape players. I also think the injuries are more a byproduct of the lack of fitness than vice versa. I even went so far as to suggest that the trainer needed to call Moreno every morning (at least) during the offseason and personally train with him. He needed to keep on top of him to make sure he was eating right and not abusing his body with sleep deprevation etc. In short, I was on the early end of the "Guter must step it up" bandwagon. I'm ecstatic to hear that the Traskmaster sees it the same way. With MLS' miniscule staffs, every person takes on multiple roles. The trainer is the likely person to kick offseason azz and assure that the players show up on time, fit and ready. Since Arena left, we've had more than a few players that consistently show up waaaaaaaaaay out of shape. Last season half of our team wore out in the 80th minute and we gave away many games. There is no offseason. -Tron
Attendance List I found the attendance list very interesting. With Moreno in Bolivia, Chino in Peru and Eliseo in El Salvador, it underscored the "maybe" list. Lazo in Indiana ... I know he went to school there ... but there better be a good reason for it (i.e. he's been told he'll likely not be back?). Maybe Prideaux earned his time off, but frankly, he should be here too. I don't expect to see Zambrano back. I'm thinking that we'll likely see one of Lazo, Chino or Namoff, but certainly not all three. Trask re-iterated that there will be changes. I'm guessing that about half of the team is hanging in the wind. If Hudson has his sights set on a Grimandi, then Etch is gone. If/When Hudson lands a dominant striker, Moreno is gone. These two have a period of time to redeem themselves. The length of that time is determined by the availability of other players. In otherwords, Moreno probably has 3 to 5 months to get back fit and in form to have a chance. Etch needs to renegotiate his deal or look abroad. By the SuperDraft, Hudson should know what half of the changes will look like, although we may not know very much. It sounds like the changes will continue into next season as well. -Tron
Re: Attendance List Giles Grimandi in no way, shape or form is a suitable replacement for Marco.. Grimandi is an average to mediocre defensive midfielder IMHO.. He actually spent most of his time at Arsenal riding the pine and spelling Viera on his frequent suspensions.. He got a few games in central defense as well...
Yes, but I think Hudson is going to allow Convey to be an attacking central midfielder next season. That means he'll have two primarily defensive midfielders (1 Dmid and 1 Hmid most likely) behind him. If Etch stays, he'd be the Hmid, concentrating on holding and attacking rather than defense, and Hudson would need a dedicated Dmid in there behind Convey and Etch. If Hudson goes for Grimandi, I think that means he's going with 2 two-way Dmids, kind of like he had in Miami. This approach prevents an Etcheverry from playing anywhere except as the withdrawn forward or attacking mid. I think that role will be taken by Convey. So, I was suggesting that if Hudson is pursuing Grimandi, as has been rumored by several sources including Goff, then I think that signals a philosophy change that eliminates Etch. When Goff announces it I take it to be pretty far along in the team thought process. Goff usually identifies potential targets when they're already discussing salary, rather than simply interest. -Tron
Re: Attendance List Jaime Moreno's here. He stopped by work yesterday and told me he's feeling better and looking forward to London.
It is not about sitting on a one goal lead. It is teaching the younger players how to maintain a one goal lead and attack intelligently. It is about attacking to sustain pressure but not being exposed in the back. (ala Dallas Home or NY/NJ 1st road game etc.) Remember the Mathis goal in stoppage time? Remeber the LA game at the start of the year? That is what he is talking about. Not going into a defensive shell our attacking the way we did in the waining moments and OT of the Dallas game.
I hope that's the case, but I have to say your explanation is more confidence-inspiring than Trask's. With Onalfo going, maybe they're looking for another assistant. Think about signing up?
If they would take me I would. It is just a subtle thing. As we all know the younger you are the less subtle you are.
Isn't it possible that Grimandi (or any other experienced defensive middie) is an answer to an existing problem and does not necessarily mean that Etch is staying or going? Has there not been a lot of discussiong about the fact that one of the missing ingredients from United really turning the corner at season's end was a suitable defensive midfielder, or am I remembering this incorrectly? For instance if Williams, Amman, McKinley, and Alavanja do not return, that free up more than a max salary, which could be claimed by a capable D-mid plus several rookies. Tim
Sunderland Confirmation To follow up on Santino's comments regarding training in England, I can confirm that he has indeed been offered the opportunity with Sunderland. Apparently Sunderland are waiting for his decision at this point.