http://bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=30996 Haven't been his biggest fan, but he has been playing quite well the past few weeks. Hope he does well out west.
Too much salary for a 3rd string midfielder, especially after Cahill signed. I'd say this is the right move but I should probably wait to hear what we got in return first...
A very risk game for Backe and the RBNY, but I hope this come to be a good decisition at the end.... The departure of Ballouchy that I applaud, mean that Tainio a very high injury prone players will stay at least for the reminding of the year, I hope he can stay out of problem for the long run and the sanity of the fans.... But I understand the Backe decision in taking the risk on Tainio, because we need to have in hand a good back up CM and Tainio if we put outside his injuries is that kind of player.... That mean too, that the search for more players is over and that from now on, we only can count in what we have right now: Meara, Gaudette and Vuolo... Barklage, Borrajo, Keel, Ruthven, Holgerslsuh*, Conde, Pearce and Miller*... (*..They are not accompanying Ballouchy???) McCarty, Solli, Palsson, Tainio, Lindpere, Cahill, Maduro and Marquez*... (*He isn't accompanying Ballouchy either???) Henry, Cooper, Le Toux, Arteaga and Angulo....(Hertzog**) (*Who can be recall at any time)... On paper look good if Backe start using the players on the right place at the right time, I hope that will be the case, good look you all.....
Mehdi was a decent second string kind of player. Made some plays. Worked hard. I never understood why people were so down on him.
Looks like we got a conditional draft pick and an international spot for 2013 in return. Definitely a move just to clear up cap space.
Like Rafa, Ballouchy had a few good moments in his first few games here, but has been a liability ever since. He has heart, but his touch and decision-making are the reasons why I have a perma-scowl. Obviously, the major move that we need to make is dumping Marquez. It's hard to imagine that all these recent moves are not an indication that a) this team believes it can, and is taking the steps to, win it all this year, and b) they want a 2-4 year window of dominance which almost guarantees Marquez is gone. Frankly, the return we got from San Jose seems fair.
Uh did you watch this man play in 2010 and 2011. His bright moments were few and far between in those years. This season was his best year here but that's not saying much. At this stage in his career we have seen that he has not proven to be a quality consistent starter. He is a good player to have for depth because of his versatility but he makes to much money to be a reserve/role player, especially with how the rest of our team is constructed. We have Dax, Rafa (ugh), Cahill, and Tainio in the center of midfield. Even Lindpere can be thrown in. Left side we have Lade and Lindpere. We can throw in Solli as he has played there this season too. Right side we have Solli and Le Toux. Ballouchy wasn't going to see much of the field anyway. RSL trades Ballouchy and then wins MLS Cup. Colorado trades Ballouchy then wins MLS Cup. Now hopefully the trend continues.
I agree that as a 2/3rd string depth maybe he's slightly better than a one legged blind man, but I disagree with you that he worked hard. Some players are really 1 dimensional, but Mehdi was more like 1/2 a dimension - his best trait, relatively accurate passing under no pressure whatsoever was okay, but the guy I watched barely ever ran past 2nd gear, he trotted around like he was playing co-ed badminton, was nowhere to be found when a biting tackle was needed, often made poor choices under pressure, couldn't travel to Canada, and overall wrecked the defense with his inability to stop fast direct players out of the midfield. If you are going to have a guy so dedicated to one side of the field, he better be a lot more creative and incisive in his passing, or at least strong in possession. In sum, he was mostly awful except for a moment or two here and there. He does deserve props for a big play in the playoffs last year vs. LA I think? Thanks for the service to Blue Cheese, but my blood pressure appreciates this move enormously.
Dark are you thinking of the Dallas game last year where he came on as a sub and put in a nice assist to Lindpere? I'm not sure he actually played against LA in the playoffs last year, that's when Tainio went down and our whole team went to shit.
Never been a fan of his. However, the way we've been plagued by injuries this year though makes me question the timing of this. If they get rid of Miller and Rafa I will be 100% happy with the entire roster. That's pretty good. Most pro teams have a handful of guys the fans don't care for.
Can't believe Backe got rid of his man-crush!! But agree that it was the right move to make---can't believe how many times we needed this guy to make a positive, incisive midfield play to set up the strikers and the best move he could come up with was.....a pass back to the defense or the goalie I could always count on Mehdi to lose possession of the ball or make a mistake in the pass if he came under a bit of pressure from an opposing player. Now we need Miller to go next. The acquisition of an international player spot means that Rafa will most likely end the season with the Red Bulls and then they will acquire someone younger and cheaper in the off-season transfer window. Next year Rafa will most likely be playing in Liga MX.
Wait a sec. Aren't we talking about the player you always refer to as Batshitty? NOW you have second thoughts???
Well my list start of course with Marquez, second Miller, third Ballouchy and four Holgerslush, so, who ever of them start the parade is OK with me, of course I will like to see Marquez and Miller to join Ballouchy, but Marquez like I say before is untouchable and Miller we have not a sub for Pearce in case he get hurt again.... Meara/GaudetteBarka....Marquez....Conde....PearceTainioLindpere....Cahill....Le TouxCooper....Henry On the reserve and Bench: Meara/Gaudette/VuoloBorrajo....Ruthven....Holgersson....Keel....MillerMcCartySolli....Palsson....Maduro....LadeAngulo....Arteaga....Hertzog
I think the timing is good for this trade. Our midfielders are now Cahill, McCarty, Lindpere, Lade, Tainio (looks healthy now), Solli, Paulson and of course Le Toux and even Marquez if we have to (That is nine midfielders). Plus I would not be surprised if we start going with more of a 4-3-3 where Le Toux is up front so we have plenty of quality midfield options. In defense, we are actually thinner and need all of our options until we find what works best. Barklage, Conde, Marquez, Pearce looks like our best back 4 when all are healthy followed by Holgersson, Miller, Borrajo and also of course Lade who can play left back. We get rid of Marquez if we can find his replacement, we just don't cut him. For $4.5M, we could obviously find so many better options, but not at $100K per year. It sucks that Marquez has been such a waste, but if we cut him we get no one else of value so all we are stuck with is hope he gets healthy and puts his best effort because when he is that, he is our best option next to Conde. We are still undefeated with Marquez in the line up be it luck or whatever.
Was he really making that much? Decent bench player for us this year (not previously), but at that price? No thank you. Adios. He'll catch on somewhere in MLS. Best of luck to him (but hopefully not at our expense).
That is the problem, YOU CAN'T GET RID OF MARQUEZ" he have a guaranty contract until the end of 2013. ...Find a replacement for 4.6M Dollars is a easy task, but Marquez isn't going no place, no body will pay him that kind of money and to throw him out right now, will cost to the team a 6.9 Millions.....