2020 MLS Cup Champions 2021 Roster Thread

It's all about the clicks....

 

Au contraire, Pierre.

They are just brimming with hard news scoops like this astonishingly fact- free, not-at-all-puffery piece of stupid touting Austin.

Note that the "source" for all the predictions about Austin FC is Jon Arnold who is a writer for......mlssoccer.com. The author literally interviewed the guy in the next cubicle.

They aren't news reporters, they're just in-house hacks


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/02/07/austin-fc-can-potentially-be-most-exciting-mls-team-texas?amp

 

As long as we're on the subject, I'd like to know why the team brain trust isn't interested in Kelvin Leerdam.

He's easily one of the top 3 right backs in MLS - some observers say he's the best - has been an automatic starter on a multiple Cup winner, is 30 years old, scores goals, terrific in possession, stays healthy and has a green card.

Probably a bit pricey but is certainly several notches above the rb we just signed. Almost anyone would say he's an upgrade from Harry, and that's not a put down of Harry. It's just how good he is.

 

Yes, that's part of what makes it funny...internal employees speculating on other potential internal employees and shared externally on your company's website.

 

I would imagine cap space has a lot to do with it. Essentially the same cap hit as Afful and not that much younger, even if he is significantly younger.

I would think the Matan is a Young Money signing, which gives him a cap hit of 150,000 for the next 5 years and the utility they picked up with Hairston would hit the cap about the same. The logic of waiting for a summer RB pickup similar to Valenzuela while making these signings at least makes some sense in my head.

It’s really hard to tell some stuff because MLS is so secretive with salary cap. We know Bez is a magician since he worked at the HQ and probably know the rules better than anyone.

 

From what I was told we had a really solid RWB ready to be signed and last minute he decided to stay abroad. It would have (IMO) been a great signing but I wouldn't worry, this FO and ownership group has proven they will identify talent that fits and spend when they need to. That will continue even if we occasionally miss the big fish we targeted.

 

Why would Yedlin want to play in Turkey of all places? His decision I suppose. We move on.

 

$$$$$$$$

 

If you want to make the World Cup you are going to have to be playing at an extremely high MLS level to get in. Staying in Europe is going to get you a better shot at making the team.

You got Cannon, Reynolds, Dest who can all play right back.

 

I know what you're saying and I don't necessarily disagree but is Turkey really a better way to impress Berhalter than kicking ass in MLS week after week?

The Super Lig isn't that much higher level, and at least in MLS the visibility is much better.

 

Like too many leagues these days, Super Lig comes down to Galatasary, Besiktas and Fenerbach (did I spell that right?). Nobody else really has the money.

But realistically, does Yedlin have that much of a shot at making the team for Slaveland? At this point he's clearly not #1 and might not even be #3. I know World Cup dreams die hard and that's understandable but I'd rather have them die someplace other than Turkey.

 

He's certainly making a much bigger salary in Turkey than he could in MLS, though. According to Sounder at Heart:

Maybe he thinks he'll return to MLS after he's made one last big payday in Europe? In any event, he'd have to be willing to give up hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary annually to play in MLS now.

 

While I sorta argued he was down the depth chart I could flip my own argument and say he is close to being a starter.

Dest - shouldn’t play RB as he is obviously better in the left.
Reynolds - hasn’t seen the field for Roma and only has half a season of professional games. Currently has visa problems and is in the US

Now we are down to Cannon as the main competition. He is playing regularly for the 17th best team in Portugal. He has has an up and down season. Isn’t likely to give a lot in attack but a real solid defender.

Yedlin is a bit of the reverse but has some veteran experience that could be helpful for what is a very young team assuming we qualify.

 

The only way for me to post a top 4 would be by deciding what their function in the team would be. I also really like Vines and hope he gets out of Colorado soon.

 

Official: @MARLYG94 joins #Crew96.

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 3, 2021

 

Wonder where the whole Alex Matan dealio stands.

 

#Crew96 sends Sebastian Berhalter on loan.https://t.co/jnQoZLeRnF

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 3, 2021

Berhalter on loan to Austin for the 2021 season

 

Lease with an option to buy. This has to mean he wanted to go there. Bummer!

 

He's behind an awful lot of decent players. I doubt he's got a chance to be second choice at any spot. While it would be nice if we could keep home growns, if we don't have a way to get them games, it has to be better to let them go elsewhere.