25 Mar; Updated Roster/Trialists Senior Roster Armas, Chris Beasley, DaMarcus Bocanegra, Carlos Brown, C.J. Curtin, Jim Faria, Rodrigo - SI Gray, Kelly Marsch, Jesse Perez, Orlando Razov, Ante Ring, Henry Selolwane, Dipsy- SI Thornton, Zach Whitfield, Evan (14 out of 18) Junior (P40/Dev) Roster Capano, Craig - P40 Jaqua, Nate - P40 Mapp, Justin - P40 Pause, Logan - P40 (4 of 6 limit) Draft Picks Fugataki, Ryan Ralph, Damani- TI On Trial Cullen, Jon - SI Spiteri, Curtis Tennyson, McKinley Walls, Nick Williams, Andrew - SI Wolyniec, John MLS Roster Limits: 18 Senior Players + 6 Junior (P40/Dev) Players 3 SI limit Rights are held on Draft Picks for 2 years
What do we know of Jon Cullen? I beleive that he is another attacking Midfielder. How does he stack up against Andy Williams? With Faria and Dipsey we can only take one of these two guys. Everything points towards Williams at this point, but Cullen seems to be a new piece in the puzzle.
If I had to guess, I'd say that Tennyson and Williams will be added to the 18 and Walls and Spiteri will be added as Developmental Players. Tennyson is a headcase but he's a physical stud and he can put the ball in the hole. With Dipsy and Ante still on the shelf and Jaqua appearing to be not yet ready, the team needs someone who can score. Tennyson can do that and he's got a bigger upside than Wolyniec. Williams is a playmaker and while not a great one and with a lot of baggage, he's still the only apparent sollution, at this time, for a club that needs one. In a perfect world, clubs like to have a 3rd GK around and if he doesn't count on the books, why not? With Dan Popik no longer in Milwaukee, Spiteri and Ring could likely alternate getting games with the Wave United. Walls gives the team cover at both right back and right mid, which could come in handy given Whitfield's injury history. He's raw, but he's fast, has good size and a strong work rate. Really impressed me when I saw him play in the NCAAs last year. And, I know Dave Sarachan was at that game as I was behind him in the line for the john.
JON CULLEN Midfielder Height: 6 ft Weight: 165 lbs Birthday: 10 January 1973 Last Club: Spennymoor United/Darlington Cullen, at right, with Peterborough
Re: 25 Mar; Updated Roster/Trialists Senior Roster Armas, Chris Beasley, DaMarcus Bocanegra, Carlos Brown, C.J. Curtin, Jim Faria, Rodrigo - SI Gray, Kelly Marsch, Jesse Perez, Orlando Razov, Ante Ring, Henry Selolwane, Dipsy- SI Thornton, Zach Whitfield, Evan Williams, Andrew - SI (15 out of 18) Junior (P40/Dev) Roster Capano, Craig - P40 Jaqua, Nate - P40 Mapp, Justin - P40 Pause, Logan - P40 (4 of 6 limit) On Trial Cullen, Jon - SI Spiteri, Curtis Tennyson, McKinley Walls, Nick Wolyniec, John Draft Picks Fugataki, Ryan Ralph, Damani- TI MLS Roster Limits: 18 Senior Players + 6 Junior (P40/Dev) Players
Did we ever try out a player by the name of Wallace Luyten? He's 27, lives in Chicago, and played for a pro team in the Netherlands. The name sounds familiar.
Re: Re: 25 Mar; Updated Roster/Trialists I think its pretty clear that both Ralph and Fugataki will be signed to the senior roster. That leaves one senior position open, likely Wolyniec. Unseen whether we sign Spiteri or anyone else to a developmental contract.
Re: Re: Re: 25 Mar; Updated Roster/Trialists I understand Ralph being added to the roster, he may have been the best attacking player coming out of college last season. He was certainly the best Maryland faced....yes better than Alecko. Futagaki is a surprise, no a shock, in possibly making the senior roster. He didn't start for UCLA last year, was taken as an afterthought in the 5th round of the draft and didn't show much in the College Cup this past December. Any way good luck to Dave in pulling it all together after having to start over after the salary cap problems.
Re: Re: Re: Re: 25 Mar; Updated Roster/Trialists We picked Futagaki in the 6th round. 54th overall. He was a finalist for the Hermann Award and a team captain for UCLA 2 years running. He started 21 of 22 games in 2001, 15 of 23 in 2002. He also assisted on the GWG in the College Cup final. Anyway, looks good for him.
Any word on Tennyson? Is he still around? I assume Spiteri being let go means that he is coming to Portland. The Timbers drafted Spiteri and we are in desperate need of a GK so I am assuming he is our guy now. On a more general note - what is it with the Portland to Chicago pipeline back and forth anyways? FWIW - the Fire are my favorite MLS Team. The Fans seem to be the most hardcore and fun (I met a few of you guys and girls this weekend up in Seattle). My sister live in Chicago so maybe one of these long weekends I will schedule a game there this season. Any suggestion as to what game would be a good one to attend?
Re: Re: 25 Mar; Updated Roster/Trialists Senior Roster Armas, Chris Beasley, DaMarcus Bocanegra, Carlos Brown, C.J. Curtin, Jim Faria, Rodrigo - SI Gray, Kelly Marsch, Jesse Perez, Orlando Razov, Ante Ring, Henry Selolwane, Dipsy- SI Thornton, Zach Whitfield, Evan Williams, Andrew - SI (15 out of 18) Junior (P40/Dev) Roster Capano, Craig - P40 Jaqua, Nate - P40 Mapp, Justin - P40 Pause, Logan - P40 (4 of 6 limit) Draft Picks Fugataki, Ryan Ralph, Damani- TI MLS Roster Limits: 18 Senior Players + 6 Junior (P40/Dev) Players *The Fire say that they have 16 Senior roster spots filled so I assume that they included Ralph. Not sure why they didn't include Fugataki as well. Although no official annoucement has been made about their signing contracts.
Perhaps someone could has PW for a clarification?? Also, would Futagaki be eligible for a Dev roster spot? The article on the fire site mentioned that Wolyniek, Tennyson and Cullen have left camp. Do we have any other trialists still in camp or are we down to the 21 listed above?