Just wanting to know whether it worked out well for him in Belgium. I'm really looking for something new since oh, say December 14 or so...
Hey I like Jordan as much as the next Burn fan, he has his good games and all, but after his so-so performance last season he isn't really in a position to complain about money. Hey we always have Countess
I think he does have a case, and I'm not completely sure DJ is ready to start as the burn gk on opening day.
Matt has improved his distribution skills a lot IMHO--I like how he played the ball out of the back to the defenders in a true posession style. I loved the style we played last year. I hope he gets on in Belgium--he's got Friedel like athletic skills IMHO. You've got to be super-competitive to be a non-EU GK in Europe though. Might have to ride the bench awhile.
Here's something from Dallas morning News today (as originally posted by goburn) - --- excerpt --- "Jordan, currently training in Belgium, is weighing options overseas. Swift and Jeffries said the Burn would like to sign its veteran goalkeeper, but only for the right price. If Jordan isn't re-signed, the Burn will go into 2003 with 20-year-old D.J. Countess in goal. "I brought D.J. here because I thought the kid could play," Jeffries said. "Maybe we'll find out sooner than later." " FROM http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/topstories/stories/010103dnsposoccol.5800a.html
Without Jordan and with DJ we've got another situation. DJ has a good chance at making the U23 team. So his backup will need to be good.
Good point. Jeff Cassar lives in Dallas. He is probably good enough to be a back up for DJ. The Burn could probably get him cheep, as he lives here anyway.
It is a good point. However, what tournaments is the U23 squad playing in '03? Nothing is listed at the US Soccer site. Is the Olimpic qualifing tourney(s) this year?
On the USSOCCER Site there isn't anything yet for this year's schedule. I would think qualifying this year and the Summer Olimpics is 2004. There's got to be some camps and games for the team before qualifying and the Olimpics. The pool for this team is HUGE, so some serious competition exist for the final roster. Also, 3 overage spots make it even more competitive for the u23 players. There is a pretty good thread going on now at USA/Junior Teams regarding speculation on this roster. Pretty good reading also, as some of the draft candidates are also in this pool. Some interesting analysis of players on the thread. Of course, you have to remember that these analysis are B.S.... ones! :>)
Well, concerning DJ, there are posts on the USMNT board stating that he is training with Blackburn currently with Friedel (they both went to UCLA being the idea floated as to why DJ is there). Now this could have been BS 100% as I did no verification but, if its true, it is news. I'll treat it as somewhat true and say this: While it is near certain Countess won't be heading there anytime this year it isn't too far fetched to think he might be quality enough to go next season. Something for Burn management to think about at least. At least with Jordan we have a proven keeper. Whether he backs up Countess for a year and then moves on or they split time, it would make me feel better.
It is true, we reported that on 3rd Degree about a month ago. DJ went to Blackburn for a 2 week training stint in January. He will be back for training camp Feb 3rd at the latest. Here is the rest of our off-season training destination. http://www.3rddegree.net/season/off.htm
Great - I just popped over to take a look. I didn't notice that page the other day when I was browsing - thanks for the link.
Bad news for you. Cassar is now playing for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the A-league. http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/players/roster.shtml
Cassar moved to Dallas with his wife when Miami folded. While it is true he was on Atalnta's books, he trained with the Burn on and off last season and spent almost an entire month with them after Countess got hurt. Vallow was signed as a backup because he could be called up from a-league as an injury replacement since his A-League team was done for the year. Atlanta was presumably still playing in playoffs. I am sure he would sign for the Burn if Jordan didn't come back.
You're probably not familiar with the UK work permit rules. They differ from those of the rest of the European leagues. A non-EU player has to have played in 75% of his national team's matches over something like a year(at least) period to get a work permit. Therefore, unless he marries an EU citizen or has a parent or grandparent from the EU, he won't qualify for a UK(EPL & SPL) work permit. Friedel is married to an English national and Keller may have EU residency since he's lived there for so long. Other European leagues don't have this requirement, so Countess could theoretically get on there. However, many teams do not like to use their non-EU slot on a goalkeeper.