The Burn face an interesting problem at the left side this offseason. We have three players who are going to be expecting to be starters, plus another who it looks like will be pressing for serious minutes. Paul Broome, who might be the best candidate for a trade, is a free agent this offseason. Because of this, it seems extremely unlikely that we would be able to trade him until well into next season, and, considering his obvious value to the team, we certainly will do our best to re-sign him. Chris Gbandi, on the other hand, looks (despite more than a year of inactivity) to be a huge talent, and hopefully will get a lot of minutes next year. Although I have never seen Gbandi play, a player who is frequently mentioned as a USMNT candidate, who won the Hermann trophy, should figure prominently in the Burn's defense. Additionally, if we looked to trade Gbandi, we certainly wouldn't get fair value for a player who hasn't played in over a year. In the midfield, Chivas was obviously a huge offensive asset this year. He doesn't have nearly the defensive presence that Broome would have in the midfield, but without him our offense is going to be a lot less potent. And, of course, I would suspect that the Burn would not want to get rid of our only player of Mexican descent, if just for promotional purposes. Finally, I don't know a lot about Matt Behncke, but according to 3rd Degree, he improved extraordinarily from when he joined the team to the end of the season. Considering that he earned a start in the last game of the regular season (where he didn't look bad despite facing off against Ben Olsen), he looks like he might deserve a solid chunk of time next season. We would not want to trade Behncke, obviously, because a player with his inexperience would most likely be significantly undervalued. I didn't open this thread so much to propose what the Burn need to do about our 'problem,' but to see if anyone had any thoughts. As far as I can tell, if we were to try to move anyone, it would probably be Martinez. The Galaxy are always looking for quality Mexican players, and would probably prize him pretty highly. He is, after all, a pretty solid player. So what does the board think about this situation?
Who's better, Matt Reis, or Jordan? Chivas for Reis straight up. Or Ezra. On the whole, I expect Broome to re-sign, and maybe Bobby Rhine. Broome is what you have to have in the back: speed. He's played himself into the starting 11, and the Burn are not going to let a starting defender, worth about 65 to 95K, go for unknown quantities. He's a huge spot-filler because he can play left mid or defense. Rhine will probably get to stay unless the Burn discover a big time forward and the becomes expendible. With Cerritos coming back Rhine is going to either score goals, or be cut. He better work his arse off the entire off season or he'll be looking at the A-League. Or a lot of bench time and no raise. This team needed one thing really badly this year--a forward that could outrun the defense and finish. I have no doubt that Jeffries will be looking for that from day 1. Second, is a long-term fix for Pareja, who will make it next year, and maybe not more. His surgery didn't take long and probably will require minimal recovery time. But he's good for 18 games next year, and not in a row. Either EJ is that forward, or he's not. We'll know in 4 months.
The only way we'll find that out is if he plays in meaningful games for more than 20 or 30 mins. a game... Oh yea and why did Jeffries not put him in until the overtime periods of our failure (Game 3) against Colorado?
He developed a sore hamstring a day or so before the final game. But he'll compete with Cerritos, Rhine, and Kreis for starts and time. The thing is, if he doesn't run his ass off when he comes off the bench, he's going to be left on the bench. If he doesn't produce with the time he's given, he's not going to be rewarded with more time.
I am sorry, we have rehashed this again and again. Johnson should start. Too much physicality. Rhine should come off the bench at best. I am sorry we didn't trade him last year, when his value may have been higher.
Everyone knows my take on Johnson, he needs to be in the 3 man starting rotation (so that Kreis gets some rest). I'm sure that Chivas will start out wide. I expect Gbandi to start along the back line, because he's a better defender and I think would make a larger impact on the game, even if he isn't as involved offensively. But, I doubt Broome will be moved. He'll see lots of time subbing for each of them. Along the back line, Jefferies will have some options, but I'm guessing that Behnke will be competing with Lee Morrison for a backup central defender spot. IMHO, Behnke isn't really a wing back, but was used because he was doing well in practice and they needed to fill that spot. I know that Morrison has trade value, because several teams have inquired about him this season. I think the roster is chocked full of talent, and by far the deepest in MLS, IMHO. I wonder how Carl Bussey will factor into the roster next season. I have faith that he'll make it, but I thought he'd show a little better this season. -Tron
His value is higher now that he started nearly the entire season, and was second in scoring for his team. The thing I couldn't stand about Bobby was he dished it off WAY too much when he should be shooting. He's a good shot when takes it. Second, I'm sorry, but I watched Eddie Johnson closely. I wanted him on the field too. But being a physical specimen means ZERO compared to what you do on the field. His season was repeatedly marred by injury and other issues not under his control. While the season was not a total loss, it was far from an on-field success. He's not mentally there yet, and he's got obvious tendencies to play the Damian role. I have every confidence that a daily arse kicking in England for the off season is exactly what will put him in MLS shape. THEN we talk about giving him 5 or 6 starts in a row and showing if he's really ready to score 15 to 20 goals in 28 games.
Yes and No. EJ "should" start based on talent alone. But Rhine's workrate, committment and attitude annihilate EJ's current form in those areas. IF, and this is a big if, if EJ gets right with the soccer gawdz while in Manchester and returns to us a "man" instead of a "crunker", then we could make other desired personnel moves. Said moves would certainly see EJ starting. -bs
The Gbandi deal fell through. I think he will feature quite a bit at LB this year, but Wagenfuhr and others will definitely be pushing him
I thought we were going to being Sonora in as left back? If he is available, maybe we could bring Chad Ashton in.
I think Ceasar should be able to take the Gauls...but then again, they have a ton of Trubechets at their disposal.