And to send him on loan during National Capybara Appreciation Day was tone-deaf. (I kid. I'm sure it'll be for the best.)
St Louis announced that they have a buy option for Zengue. If he performs well for them, he’s likely gone, unless the price on the buy option is super high.
A promising player going away where he could be injured helping another team isn't exactly Sunshine Brigade material.
Herrera still a RWB possibility i just wonder if any of the RWB might play LWB in place of Arfsten. I definitely could see Picard at LWB Gomes is definitely possible at Cam as well as Zengue. Presuthus is good with both feet and could play LCB before Elliott even if he wasn’t on loan.
He was better off not in Columbus once Nancy was here he would never fit in. At the time i thought it was odd to get rid of him. I don’t even remember when he left it was so long ago. I know it was definitely well before Nancy and he made a nice lil career but was never a top starting CB
Let me rephrase this: I've seen some people on here talking about this dude like he's the next great thing in MLS. What is this dude's ceiling? Dempsey? Bradley? Cucho? Aiden Morris? Arfsten? Trapp? Tchani? Mohammed Abu? Could you define "promising young player" because 22 isn't young in my book. I don't really know anything about him other than the breathless comments every once in a while here. He's 22 and was picked 58th in the superdraft. Useful talent rarely comes out of the superdraft, though it does happen (and I think should be taken seriously), but usually not with anyone drafted even remotely near 58th overall. I guess I just don't see the connection between his draft position and career achievements so far and the hype he gets on here. Late bloomer maybe? Legit know nothing about the guy, looking for help here lol.
Keep in mind Zengue was drafted the first year you could draft underage players, that weren’t coming out on a generation adidas contract, and stash them in college. His last season at Georgetown he led the team with 14 goals and 14 assists, he was also an important part of Vermont Green’s championship. If he had been available in the 2026 draft instead of being taken two years earlier in the 2024 draft he would have gone much higher.
I would never argue he’s going to be an all star but if you want a non-DP in the attacking three setup could he give you more production than Matan? While Matan’s off ball movement was very good at opening up space for others I wouldn’t bet against Zengue actually giving a team more direct goal contributions. That said Crew have Adams and Danjaji as young guys that are going to be pushing for time there, are younger, and have a higher ceiling. It sounds like the new DP is going to be in the attack, with U-22 spots used on Picard and Akhundzade that will keep him pushed further down the depth chart. You might as well let him go to a GM that values him, Wray is the one that scouted him for that draft, and get something for him. Unless he really loses the form he’s shown with Crew 2 I fully expect the option to be exercised, I don’t think there’s much point in thinking about him as a part of Crew depth or pipeline, he’s as good as gone with the loan.
So his ceiling is something like a guy that is probably your first or second sub off the bench, maybe even a low level starter in MLS, and will give solid contributions but not exactly be a world beater or anything. Dudes like that are valuable, especially if you can get them for free through the superdraft, but it ain't exactly high level stuff. Between DP's, TAM players, U22's, etc a guy like that will probably be a bench guy or occasional starter at best. Final question, he kinda sounds like Taha. 1) similar players? 2) who has the higher ceiling? EDIT: Also, getting $50,000 in GAM for a loan fee for a dude we took in the second or third round of the superdraft is a better outcome than 99% of equivalent picks in previous years. And if there is a permanent transfer fee coming down the road as well, even better.
I’m fine with it as long as we get something worthwhile maybe even a future transfer fee % … details matter
Are you saying in retrospect it was dumb to move him? I was all-in on Lalas, I really liked him, for the record. To revisit this move, we got $400,000 in GAM and an international roster spot, and one month later signed Lucas Zelarayan and Vito Wormgoor (announced back-to-back days). Lalas has been a solid MLS player, but only played 30+ games once for Colorado in 6 seasons. Hell, he only played 25+ games twice. Now he's with Dallas and made one appearance this season at the age of 31. He seemed like a great dude, and I hated it when he left, but I think ultimately Bez got this one right. Of course, with Lucas and Wormgoor we'd go on to win MLS Cup the following season. So, ya know...
Let me start off by saying that I am super biased. However, I watched zengue for two years live in Vermont when he played for the Vermont Green. Those Vermont Green teams were pretty solid, with several guys getting drafted into MLS, many making their first team debuts already. Zach looked like he was a step ahead of the other attackers. My first year in Vermont, I just heard that the Crew drafted him, so I would focus on him during most of the games since I was curious about his potential with the Crew. He was a key piece to the team that won usl2 (lead the team in scoring the season they won the 'ship) his last year and also the team that went pretty far in the playoffs the year before. He was the 10 for that team, but hustled and would also play defense and defend in the box and then would turn around and lead a long counter the other way. He has an engine on him. VG had a few playoff games that went to extras back to back, and he was the one pushing the ball forward deep into second half extra when both teams were tired. He was well liked and respected by the fans and the teammates. Just a wear your heart on your sleeve, lift up your teammates type player. He also showed some pretty technical skills here and there. With Crew 2, it seems he's been more of a second striker than the 10. But he's scored a lot because he reads the game well and always seems to be where he needs to be to either clean up a rebound or to tap in a cross. As noted, he did pretty well for Georgetown as well and seemingly lifts the teams he plays with thus far in his career. Taking off my biased hat, the kid isn't 19. He's not some can't miss prospect or prodigy. He's probably mls depth journeymen level. I don't think we are losing out on a future Berhalter here. USL2 had some pretty dreadful teams, and then some really good ones. One thing I can say is he never looked out of his level against the top teams VG faced on their run the championship. I don't think most of you on here need to worry if St. Louis takes him from us. He's promising but not a future all star if I'm being honest. I'm just bummed because I'm a big fan of his from his days in Vermont.
If you pushed me to make a comparison to Crew players only, let me preface this with your understanding and forgiveness as I’m not saying this is his ceiling, his ceiling is far below but just for player style sake. Somewhere between Rossi and Pedro. Rossi comp - his attacking style is based on his similar physical profile, smaller height good center of gravity and tireless work rate allowing him to be goal dangerous from wide areas and the half space being a late runner in the box. He can cover a lot of space press and combine with teammates. Pedro comp - while currently being used primarily as an attacker has played outside back. Can be a player with a high defensive work rate in an attacking role but transition to a deeper defensive wingback role if needed or better players are available for the attacking roles. Just reinforcing he is not a copy of either player and I’m not arguing his ceiling is that high but if you’re talking to a friend that only knows soccer through Crew and asked for a comparison this is what I’d say. vs Habroune? No question Habroune has the higher upside. Habroune, while Taha could, I would be willing to bet will, get transferred out to Europe for a decent fee if Zengue were to ever transfer out I think you’d be looking at an AZ Jackson story or at best a Leandre Griffit story ignoring his youth professional career and starting with his time with Crew and going back to Europe. No one you’re going to lament losing 15 years from now.