Nice write-up on the expansion draft by Marc Connolly. Connolly gives a "B+" grade to Real Salt Lake and a "C+" to Chivas USA. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=317160&cc=5901
Connolly also picked Metrostars to beat DC United in the playoffs, and NE I beileve. I take whatever he writes with a whole rock of salt.
I honestly don't understand why everyone is fawning over the players CUSA can bring over. Their bringing in 4 over the hill Mexicans that can't compete in the MFL anymore and 5 U-24s that can't crack the starting lineup or the first team. Palencia is 32 and Ramirez is 36, while they maybe able to contribute, neither of them are the players they were. Then their brining in Talaveria as a TI GK. I've never heard of him, but come on, he's a Mexican Goal Keeper; that's already good for 5 GA and the season hasn't even started. Issac Romo and Luis Alonso Sandoval two more TIs and Romo is a youth Nat, but if their so good why are they sending them to LA instead of keeping them in Guadalajara? I'm sure these guys will draw in CUSA's intended audiance, but add that all up with Torres, Gomez, and Perez and I'm not all that impressed. Plus when was the last time Chivas won the MFL with their first team talent and they think they can send their old men and fringe players to MLS and win something with that? MLS is littered with the carcasses of players who thought MLS was a push over league and all they had to do was show up. How are these guys any different? I'm sure I'm a racist bigot xenophope for thinking this and all, but I'm not impressed and if these players don't bring their A game, CUSA ain't going nowhere.
Just to point out, Chivas keeps a first-team squad of 30 players, of whom 8 (including Palencia) have been called into the national team since July. It's not too surprising, therefore, that players with good credentials are left out. Sandoval, for example, played in the Olympic qualifier where Mexico's U-23's demolished a good group of MLS players 4-0. Despite their refusal to use any imported players, Chivas routinely makes the MFL playoffs and reached the most recent final. It is a strong, deep team in a strong, deep league, and I'm glad that it will contribute to the talent level of MLS.
Except for the part where he calls Perez a "solid defender who has proven himself in the left back and midfield positions," it wasn't a bad write-up. To say that thos words are generous is a big freakin' understatement.
Your point is well taken, but I'm not sure I'd read too much into the expansion draft. Remember, after the expansion draft last time, Miami looked to be in better position than Chicago... until they got their allocation players (and they were fairly old guys, too, IIRC). I think the reason Chivas chose this way is that they figure the expansion picks will be mostly squad players and role players in the team (the piano movers, if you will), and they'll supplement them with more skillful guys (the piano players). If their allocations and Super Draft picks are crap, then they're in serious trouble...
... only to someone who knew nothing about players like Chris Armas, Zach Thornton, Jesse Marsch, and Diego Gutierrez. Of Miami's expansion draft acquisitions, who exactly compares with those guys?
I thought the write up was pretty much on point. Those views are more or less what I think about the players, except for the Orlando Perez part.
In contrast, did anyone see Greg Lalas' report on MLSnet? He thinks Chivas did better in the draft and that RSL will struggle? They certainly seemed to make much more solid picks to me, and when you consider the Mathis rumors...well. And where do they all think Andy Williams is going?