From the Fire website: Daniv Released The Fire has elected not to pick up the 2003 option of midfielder and senior international Sergi Daniv. In his two seasons with Chicago, Daniv appeared in 22 games (14 starts) and scored three goals and three assists for nine points. He spent the 1999 and 2000 seasons with the Dallas Burn, making his MLS debut on July 2, 1999, at Chicago. The Ukranian scored his first professional goal as a member of the Fire on July 4, 2001, at Kansas City, in a 7-0 Chicago route. Daniv was acquired via trade with Dallas on January 4, 2001, for Lubos Kubik. He was originally signed by the Burn as a Nike Project-40 player on March 24, 1999.
Huh? You're basing this on what, exactly? Personally, I don't see why, aside from his injuries, we dropped Sergi. He was a decent, cheap player and a good SI value for the dollar, something that isn't easy to find. Best of luck to him.
Well, if we're looking for an eventual Nowak replacement, we'll need to hold it open. It'd probably be at least a year before we can find someone, though.
The SI replacement (and a true #10) should wait until next year. This should be the year to test the young American players which will add depth to the roster and form a younger (and cheaper) base for the team. The SI replacement should come next year and make a big splash when the team returns from its exile in the 'burbs to play in Soldier Field.
We will be back in soldier field for the playoffs this season so what better time to win the MlS championship.
I certainly hope they DON'T wait until next year. If they can do it sooner I say do it. If it's a $ thing and we need to lose someone I say do it this year and be done with it. I mean geez, at this point I don't think it matters all that much if we lose yet another Fire mainstay.
The issue is more than what the team can afford. The league can only afford one or two stars from abroad each season, and this year it appears to be the return of Stewart to the US and a few others. Next year it should be the Fire's turn. As I have mentioned, the league likes to take turns: NY, DC, NY, LA, NY, Chi, NY, other, NY, DC, NY, LA, NY, Chi, etc. And, how many more seats will be sold in Naperville if a star from the EPL or another league were to show up here. Isn't the place almost sold out each week anyways. With a return to Soldier Field, a big star can pop attendance 5,000-7,500 a game for a dozen games in mid summer. Where would they sit in Cardinal Field. It would be a waste of money. Only a limited upside in the 'burbs.
Not to mention it's a heck of a lot easier to attract overseas talent to a facility like SF (despite what some locals think of it) than it is to a fake surface and teeny stadium in Naperville. Don't believe me? look at Hristo's and Peter's comments after they were signed.
So you'd be willing to part with an Armas NOW in order to get some flashy foriegner who may or may not pan out? Or would you rather wait for the inevitable departure of a Beasley or Bocanegra to Europe a season down the line and then work with both cap room and an allocation? Planning for the future can't be your only focus in this league, but it should be a strong influence, at least for the near term. We're most competitive now keeping those players and when one of our young guys making relatively big bucks leaves for greener pastures, we'll be in much better shape to find quality talent. We've had a Nowak, a Kubik, and a Stoitchkov in Chicago. We've been extremely fortunate and I have no reason to believe we won't see foriegn talent internationally notable and really good put a Fire jersey in the future, even if it's a season from now.
Yeah, good reasoning, except for the fact we haven't let the league do our scouting. We've had the guts to do it ourselves and tell the league whom we want. It's an issue of money (haven't got any cap room), acquisition bucks (no allocations), attractiveness (Naperville for another 3/4 season), and unpreparedness (new coach, no scouting overseas). Give it a season, we'll find the right guy(s).
There's plenty, actually, every year. Problem is you have to start a year or two ahead of time to find the right person to do it the proper way most places. Lots of people want to play in the US, even with the pay we give (which, unless you plan on playing for any of the top 30 clubs in europe isn't that low). Then you have to scout given your needs, have them come over to train, work out payment, etc. etc. The Rapids started this last season with Grimandi and only got done about a month ago.
Don't forget expansion. Why add a new SI or more only to have the league cap our roster next winter and have us lose 2-4 players. I agree with taking our time and getting ready with the youngsters this year. Besides, I think everyone is underestimating the quality of our returning roster. Defense wins championships, and our defense remains.
Hear, hear. Serg was a friendly and decent enough guy on the times I got to chat with him. Sadly, I think his injuries have probably ended his MLS career as nobody is going to take a chance on him in this era of laughably amateurish MLS roster sizes. I wish Serg nothing but the best wherever he ends up.
That's funny Hala. No, not Armas (or Carlos) but I'd say pretty much anyone else is fair game. It's true enough that this will be a rebuilding year and yes, obviously, the kids will play a lot this year. All I'm saying is that if the opportunity presents itself I'd hope they go for it rather than wait for the magical everyting-is-gonna-be-fine-now return to Soldier. I just hate Fire fans touting the Cubs "wait until next year" song.
Because he didn't add anything of value to the team. He may have been a friendly guy, etc., but on the field he didn't help us win. He frequently drifted from his wing position to the inside, mucking things up for Nowak. Dos vidanya Sergei!
see, I agree with you here Liam.. to a point.I think if handled properly we would have continued to see quality SI's flow to the Fire.But for that to continue we would need a reputable coaching staff that knows how to turn up stones in Europe or a high caliber European player that would attract others to play here :ahem ala 1998: .AEG and Wilt had the opportunity to continue this Fire tradtition, but decided to end it.Instead of going with a man who has proven he can help build winners, a man with International respect and reputation.A man who knew this team better then nearly anyone else.They went with an Unproven college level coach with absolutley no reputation on the international level, and who's domestic reputation is based more on who is friends are then what he has accomplished.
MetroStars just relased A. Williams, Balboa, and Paule. Andy Williams has already been linked with a move to Chicago. And hes a SI too.
The difference is that we actually mean it, with the Cubs, it's just kind of something you say. Year after year after year after year... Been a long time since 1914.