I’m sure they were hoping that JRR would take a developmental leap, and they were selling high on a career backup. It’s not like he set the world on fire in LA, as fans were very disgruntled by his on the field play. it was a calculated decision that allowed JRR to be sold for 2.5 million. I’ll take it
JRR was already going to be on the pitch due to Wessam’s late arrival in the summer window. Selling Ramirez had little impact on his playing time. With Cucho leaving, selling Ramirez, especially without a replacement, was criminal negligence. I’d also argue that had we kept Ramirez, we might not have been in as big a hurry to buy Gazdag.
Since talking about the current roster gives me heartburn, I'll just add to this that Ramirez was relatively cheap (~$400k IIRC), was a solid veteran locker room presence, played his ass off every second (which is something this bunch could learn about), didnt gripe about coming off the bench, was a big fan favorite and genuinely loved being here and representing the shirt. Whatever Issa got for the lousy prorated $500k ($250 a year) in Garberbux, it didnt replace him by a long shot.
Yep. And he was one of the few guys we've had in a long while who could crash the box at high speeds, with incoming balls, and finish.
I've been to a lot of amazing events already and still have a lot left to see, but I don't see that game ever falling out of my top 10 in-stadium moments.
Can ownership fire Tall now? No one can look at this roster and give it any sort of passing grade. Gomes - Jury is out and he is fine but I see him as an opportunity cost on developing someone else Ali - Clearly is good and can score hench the price tag but cant stay on the field. Everyone else brought in - Not a single other player that has been added to the roster in the past 2 years is impressive. Herrea is average, Chambost average, Gazdag has not worked out, Sejdic should be the last guy on the bench but has actually played minutes, Picard is not good, and the new guys this offseason seem to either be a work in progress or really flawed. This is incredible bad roster building. The head coach may suck (I think so) but if he is out the door then Tall needs to be right with him as well.
That's one to think about. Top 10 events in person..... Or top 10 plays. One of mine is Rainer Bonhof vs Liverpool in the 1978 Champions Cup Semifinal, first leg (also on my event list). Amazing free kick--and he'd done the same thing against the same keeper in a Germany-England game just a couple of weeks prior. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yMOVGn3Qc84 Event? One is Game 4 vs Tampa.
Sounds like Tall is making some moves: https://www.teamworkonline.com/socc...AmeH0X0bAENBYEvolT_aem_ATphE4YxFvJad3Cz80GIIQ
The list of needs continues to grow but we need center backs and one that’s very good and permanently places Camacho on the bench
Our hands are pretty tied this season, unless Bez finds a way to break the log-jam OR has a list of impact free agents or TAM-level signings (or maybe loans?) we could go after this summer. Thankfully, the season ending injury rule has been loosened up quite a bit since Pipa was lost in 2016. Then, the rule allowed you roster space, but no salary budget space whatsoever. Now, it affords both, with any replacement signing limited only to not having a bigger salary budget hit than the injured player. Abou Ali is a max budget hit player, so there's no real limitation who we could sign to replace him. This year. But as we're already maxed out at 3 DPs, that could be a real issue in 2027. In any event, Bez at the helm takes away most of my concerns about such scenarios. If anyone can figure out a way to effectively navigate that system, it's him.
I don’t really see it as a concern, considering Gazdag needs to be gone by the start of 2027. Use the summer window with the remaining 14 or so games to integrate the new DP, so he is firing on all cylinders at the start of 2027
It is not hard to chart a course. Convincing Jimmy to do it is the hard part. Step #1: Put Abou-Ali on the season ending injury list. This frees up a DP slot, a max budget slot, and an INT slot. Step #2: Gazdag gone. Buy him out this summer. Next year is a sprint. We'd be 60% finished by now next year. We cannot be doing major overhauls early. Have the DPs set, here, and familiar. Step 3: Replacements. 1 DP and a TAM level guy for Abou Ali & Gazdag. I'd let Cheberko walk in June. Maybe Herrera, too. Arfsten may leave post WC. As for next year, Farsi, Camacho, Gomes, and Schulte arexall guys I'd consider letting go of. Bottom line, between summer and start of 2027 I'd expect a LOT of turnover. And I eant to do as much as possible this summer. I am not sure WAA will be ready to go start of 2027. We could be looking at 27/28 year for him. If so, then go ahead & get 2 DPs in the summer.
The more goals he scores, the greater the chance that we may be able to off-load him somewhere and not just buy him out. But I'm not holding my breath.
Chambost signed to an extension through 2029. The guy i pegged to be glued to the bench by the world cup
Play maker. Game changer. Dylan Chambost ✨ pic.twitter.com/rGmlQkxW8Y— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) April 23, 2026 Game changer Dylan Chambost signed through 2029!