Given the logjam in midfield, he is, at best 3rd on the depth chart for an outside position. My guess is that he is cut because DCU has a 17 year old, Griffin Yow, with far more upside than Boateng. In his limited action here, he looked more like a USL journeyman than anything else.
That’s kind of what I’m hoping. I could see him returning to us as cheap a winger sub deep on the depth chart. He’s funny, You’d think he’d be the type of player that would be a devastating late sub with his speed attacking tired legs but he always had his best games for us as a starter.
Word on the street is that TFC is trying to offload Jozy Altidore. I haven't heard anything linking him directly to DC. But I'm almost positive that it's going to happen because: 1. It's a typical Kasper/Olsen late career reclamation move 2. DC needs a forward and has a surplus of midfielders 3. United ALWAYS brings in players that I personally despise
Nah. Point by point: 1. We would insist TFC swallow $3-4M in salary for the next few years, and although they might protest otherwise, they don't hate him that much. 2. To Kasper, this simply means we have to sign another midfielder. 3. OK, you got me here.
I'll endure any ridicule because i know my taste in players is weird. I loved Lucho to the end and never saw him as negatively as others. If I put my DC fandom aside my two favorite players to watch last year were Alesandar Katai & Julian Gressel because of all the chances they create. I thought DC could have picked up Katai but he's far too wasteful and inconsistent to fit with our team (or attract Kaspers attn). Gressel joining DCU was like a fanciful dream that i considered impossible because of how explosive and influential he is. It didn't seem like ATL would let such vital part of their squad leave so easily. I've really struggled to think of another player that would have me this hyped and i can't. This is the kind of ballsy move I've been dying for this team to make for yeeeeears. Whether it works perfectly or not, they are making a legit effort to improve the quality of our team That's literally all I've asked for from the FO all this time. You can't guarantee success in such an unpredictable sport but it always felt like they gave up even before the whistle blew.
If TFC really is trying to offload Altidore, they have a major problem. First, Altidore's promise has always exceeded actual performance. Second, that performance historically has been curtailed due to nagging injuries to muscles, something that doesn't get better as you age. Third, who is going to swallow that salary for a part time player? Fourth, Altidore is an ass, not that would stop a move if you can figure out items one through three.
We didn't let him go easily, rather the MLS salary cap requirements forced an action. A new contract would have meant locking him up for 4 years at top dollar which I don't think the AU front office was willing to do (he'll be 30 at the end of the contract). If we didn't deal him he would walk at the end of the year and we'd get nothing. So instead we get $1 million in TAM money and Gressel gets the payday he deserves. Win-win for both parties. As for Gressel's play, I think you are spot on. He and Josef Martinez had some sort of psychic connection and Gressel's assists were often sublime. He is probably the most accurate crosser in the league, has good speed, and always seems to draw defenders outwide, or if the defenders ignored him managed to put himself in a scoring position. Your money was well spent.
This is an excellent point. I've been a bit surprised that a small subset of ATL fans feel like he was asking for too much money...but this puts in better perspective the fact that duration of the deal may have scared ATL off more than any specific dollar amount It definitely could be a win-win (and I hope so cause i like all parties involved...even FDB)
Also keep in mind that the Atlanta model is to buy low and young, develop the player, and then sell high. We plucked Gressel from the draft (hence his embarrassing low salary) and are selling him after 3 very productive years. It fits our long term plan, but it sucks for fans like me that loved the guy. Julian was great on the field and off and will be a great ambassador for DC United. The 17s at AU are sorry to see him go but wish him nothing but the best.
Well, I remember his playing days and have utmost respect and admiration for the guy. I know the ATL fan base is divided (and wasn't sure where you stand on the issue) but I'm glad he's done well enough to stick around. He made some tactical mistakes early on but has been malleable enough to tweak his plans and give the team a chance to compete. In a different world (where the likes of Torrent and Barros Schelotto didn't also have great 1st yrs) he might have won more recognition from media and fans for adjusting to MLS so quickly.
It's amazing how hard this is to find through official channels but could someone help me with: How do you order 2020 season tickets for the supporters sections (136/137)? And how much are they this season? Ticketmaster gives me no options for the sections and the club just says go to Ticketmaster. Thanks!
I thought the process was: First, you join a supporter's group - then you buy season tickets through them. But looking through the Screaming Eagles' store, I only see individual tickets on sale.
You do not have to order tickets through a supporters group. However it appears the interactive seat viewer doesn't make 136 and 137 available. Might want to double check with the team again?
And it would have been Atlanta's money well spent, as well. Players that fairly fit that description often cost more than $700k/year. And *knockwood* there's really no reason to think that a deal from ages 26-29 is problematic (he'll turn 30 in the final days of this deal after the 2023 season is over). That's a perfect window for his prime. It's not like we signed him until he'll be 33 or something.
I am just a fish swimming upstream, but I think we are lucky to have a coach of his stature that fits exactly into what we are trying to build. Most of our fan base thinks differently and all bow to St. Tata. GBS was the 1st choice of the mob. Apparently you and I see things that others don't.
As I said, it was win-win for all parties. Perhaps I should have said win-win-win and included DCU. We love Julian Gressel in Atlanta, but sometimes MLS rules make it impossible to keep a player you love.
I keep seeing that line used, but no rules prevented Atlanta from spending the money other than not wanting to. They didn't want to offer it when Gressel asked about a new deal in 2018, they didn't want to offer it in 2019 when it became clear he wasn't happy, and they weren't going to offer it in 2020 despite giving Hyndman a larger deal. The reality is that Gressel felt Atlanta was lowballing him, and Atlanta wanted to spend the money elsewhere on the roster.
The MLS byzantine salary rules mean every contract is business. Do you really believe if it was simply a matter of money Gressel wouldn't still be wearing the 5 stripes? Our owner is Daddy Warbucks and Julian Gressel was loved in Atlanta by fans, coach, and front office.
It isn't a matter of Atlanta not being able to afford the money. It is a matter of Atlanta not thinking Gresselmania was worth the money.
Starting regularly now at Sint-Truiden in Belgium, U.S. youth intl @ChrisDurkin0 seems on path to permanent transfer from D.C. United this summer. Turns 20 in Feb. Fee has been kept secret but is ~$2 million. Belgian club will undoubtedly try to negotiate lower figure. #dcu #mls— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) January 24, 2020