Is Matt Behncke gonna count towards the roster this year or is he gonna be a developmental player again? He was born in 1980 so he's young enough to be a DP again. But, he's also a Princeton grad and I can't imagine another year of playing for 850 beans a month is gonna do it for a guy with as much earning potential as he has. By all accounts he has had a great camp and I know Jeffries is high on him so it sounds like a full roster spot would not be unjustified or surprising. Also, if he isn't a DP in 03, where does the team stand on roster-expempt players? I know the Burn has 4 P40s - Countess, Johnson, Thompson and Stone - but who else is being considered for the other 2 spots?
3rd Degree's Roster Dance has an excellent summary of the situation: http://www.3rddegree.net/season/dance.htm According to 3D, Behncke has graduated from developmental status.
Buzz's roster dance at http://www.3rddegree.net/season/dance.htm describes the Burn's situation the best. They are still trialing a lot of players but have room for only one foreigner slot so that should'nt affect the roster much.
Well, Buzz's www.3rddegree.net is the source for all things Burn, but here's what I'm understanding. As it seems to stand now, Behncke will count toward the full roster. Could be in trouble if the Burn go after Salyer or McKeon. Or if Bussey really steps up his game. Burn's developmental list: Eddie Johnson DJ Countess Jordan Stone Jason Thompson (IR) developmental goalkeeper: Comfort or Naggy ??????? ????? could be Chuck Kim, Andy Rosenband, Michael Mariscalco, or Mike Tranchilla. Kim apparently isn't in Florida. Andy Rosenband is apparently not up to snuff. Michael Mariscalco was doing well but recently blew his achilles, is now out until May. So Mike Tranchilla is currently the frontrunner. This could change if the Burn gets another developmental slot by putting Thompson on IR for the year, or they work out a deal with an A League club. Then they (presumably) could put Behncke on the dev roster and still sign a Salyer or a McKeon.
Matt is another candidate for replacing Deering. He plays defensive mid and center back well, and will only get better. Another lefty, and a long-legged one at that.
I'ts not a exact science ranking the roster, but the input I have gotten from coaches put Behncke above Bussey. I am also told Behncke CAN'T be on the developmental roster again. Comfort and Nagy didn't go to Florida. The Burn are gonna take a look at a couple options, and may come back to one of them... or not. The Roster Dance link above really is the best place for info. I update it several times a week.
I think Behncke has earned a backup slot. When Morrison was traded that seemed to signal Behncke making the team. I'd say he and Shavar are the two backup central defenders, and in a pinch either could play a wingback position if need be. Behncke erased any doubts I had when he shut down Ben Olsen in the season finale at DC United. His size was never questioned, and he showed good positioning and enough speed to hold his own even on the wing. Frankly, I was surprised he was as good as he was last season, but he's made a believer out of me. The future looks bright in Dallas. IMHO, they're the deepest team in MLS this year. -Tron