Also from todays Star Ledger: http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1045552503150900.xml
Keep in mind that Dillon Sheppard, at the age of 23, would be a Transitional International if he makes the team. So, if Garnero and Sheppard both show well, they can both make the team. Garnero will be interesting. He's been out of first division soccer for over a year, but that was also the case with Lubos Kubik and Hristo Stoitchkov. With those two as a guide, maybe Dany can give us a year.
A couple of new names on the preseason roster: http://www.metrostars.com/metronews/submissions/2003/february/02142003v1.htm Any info on Stakhis and Valencia? They're from Ukraine and Sweden respectively.
Valencia is American. He played for the Nashville Metros and in lower divisions in Germany. Stakhis played for Drew University. Odds of either of them making the team? Nil.
With all the flight delays and cancellations to be made up, is the team actually making it down to Florida today?
Laughable. Where do you get this from? Neither article mentions Andy Williams. Richie Williams is the one they are commenting on..... And, the Jamaican international set to meet the team in Florida would be Craig Zaidie. I'm sure you made the Becks collectively splooge their pants at the thought of AWill returning. Richie is the better one anyway. Thanks, come again.
"Three foreigners -- South African defender/midfielder Dillon Shepherd, Argentine midfielder Daniel Garnero, and Carson Fagan, a left back from the Cayman Islands -- are meeting the team in Florida to try to earn a roster spot." Any info. on this guy?
Sheppard will be 24 on Opening Night (His birthday is 2/27/79). Would he still be a Transitional International then? Could we even afford Garnero & Mario Alberto & Sheppard? Seems unlikley. I've got this bad feeling that Barcelona is never going to sign off on this paperwork & we'll have to bring back Roy Myers.
http://www.caymannetnews.com/Archive/Archive Articles/July 2001/Issue 96/Cayman Islands.html That says he tried out for Cercle Brugge. Doesn't have a date though. http://concacaf.org/news/article.page/1108 He was on the team that lost to Cuba 5-0.
Transitional Internationals - These are international players whose 23rd or 24th birthday will fall during the calendar year 2003. Transitional International players will not receive roster protection and will count against a team's salary budget, but will not count toward a team's three Senior International player limit. Key terminology: Calendar Year. He's TI.
No, that only happens when we see you shirtless and sweaty in 101. You better think twice about standing in the front this season, I get all sorts of naughty thoughts when I'm behind you.
Is there any new info/speculation on Mario? It sure seems like it's taking a long time. The pre-season is invaluable to acclimating oneself to a new country, new teammates, new coaching staff, new system, etc. As much as I'm a DC United fan, I'm even more of an MLS fan. I'd hate to see Mario's season stunted because Barca were too lazy to write a release letter. Best of luck getting Sheppard and Mario, they both sound like good additions. -Tron
No way man. I'm over Andy... it's all about Wojtek Krakowiak now... he's training with the team, I'm salivating at the thought of his name in a Metro jersey...
Bringing pink to an all new meaning, eh baby Che? Oh well, please excuse me, you see, I didn't take a bus up to Foxboro only to have a guy you met at the stadium take me home that same night. Two Rolling Rocks works the trick, eh? Oh, and Jordan, that was salivation on your mouth?
Mario is in Bradenton, getting acclimated and all that stuff. Also, Ives is in Bradenton...good for him and the Bergen Record/North Jersey Herald and News... (but I guess he didn't see Mario check in...you'll just have to trust me on that one). http://www.northjersey.com/page.php...lRUV5eTYzNDM5NDQmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2
Mario training with the Metro in Florida was reported a couple of days ago. Spanish midfielder Mario Alberto Rosas, whose signing has been held up by paperwork from his former club, Barcelona, will train with the team in Florida, GM Nick Sakiewicz said.
Jealous of the competition, Jeff? Can't ESPN dish out the dough for you to take the next JetBlue flight to sunny Florida? Seriously, though, it's great to see even more insightful, in-depth reports on the Metros in local papers (to go with,e.g., the Star Ledger, NY Daily News -- and, to a lesser extent, the NY Times). Ives is rapidly becoming one of my favorite MLS beat columnists, along with Marc C. and you, Jeff!