All over the world, strikers get paid the most, because they have the hardest, most important job-finishing. It seems to me that DC has the worst strikers in the league. So it's no mystery to me why DC's at times dominant midfield hasn't carried us to a better record.
Sadly, with a decent (not even great) striker to complement Jaime (a superb forward this season), we could have a truly effective attack. Unfortunately, all we have is, well, worthless at this point. Tim
no we dont i dont want to get off topic but what we need is an enforcer someone like aunger (besides dema) who will dish out the goods to make sure jaime and adu et all dont get their ankles cliped everytime they make a run in the box. you take a cheap shot and will make you pay the price. IMHO
With Max-Moore and Twellman out, what about New England? We have plenty of players to put at forward-they don't. Perhaps a trade is in order-both teams are sucking right now I think they've got plenty of ankle-biting goons on that team
True, but you need 2 guys to play forward right? I don't see anybody else on the roster who's a forward other than "Felix Brillant" http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/stats/index.jsp?club=ner&sort=ca&order=dsc I saw the NE game yesterday. They lost 2-1 at home to Columbus, and their only goal was on a PK. Didn't look too good. I didn't see the Noonan hat trick..........
OK, maybe it's a bad idea. I do think however that we should make a trade to shake up the team and get it jump-started. We are missing that goon-how easy is a goon to find? I would think an MLS goon is not that hard to get. And we could use one for defense as a d-mid if we're gonna play 3 in the back. I mean come on..........just how many goon midfielders are there in MLS?? Huh??
But they're think on defense too. Pierce is hurt. They would never trade Franchino, and he's playing midfield this season anyway. That leaves Heaps, Kamler, Kante and Leonard Marshall. They're not a good fit for a trade, but I don't know who is.
DC and Columbus are in a close race for crappiest forward unit... I think Cunningham has only scored two goals not from PK's and beyond that Buddle is always hurt, Scott has barely played, and Testo hasn't seen quality time since opening day...
I thought I'd take a look at the stats, god help me, and found this: Code: [U][B]Team Goals from Strikers[/B][/U] LA 14 Chicago 11 NY/NJ 11 SJ 10 Dallas 8 [COLOR=DarkRed][B]DC 7[/B][/COLOR] NE 6 CBus 5 Colo 5 KC 4 So no, we don't have the worst strikers statistically (KC gets that honor), but I don't think they keep track of missed sitters.
Thiago Martins is the answer. He and Esky/Adu up top will finish and carry us to the top of the table at season's end. Mark my words...
I haven't seen too many games this year with DC playing, but from what I have seen, you don't have the worst forwards in the league. Though they may not all be producing (at this point in time), you have quite a few good names. Jaime Moreno Freddy Adu Ronald Cerritos Alecko Eskandarian Santino Quaranta Eliseo Quintanilla (sp?) I don't know if I've missed any, but that crop of forwards provides a lot of potential. I'd certainly take it over many other forward lineups in the league. While most teams have one or two players capable of scoring for them, you have numerous available players. Bottom line, you do not have the worst forwards in the league.
I just said this on the post game thread: "The sooner the better. He (Martins) is more physical and has more size than our current options. I didn't see much of him last year, but I recall he seemed to have a good nose for the goal. With his size, he may be able to get on the end of some of those crosses or even corner kicks. It seems to me that we have guys that are capable attacking down the wings and sending in crosses. Given our lack of size up front, that sort of game plan would seldom result in a significant # of goals. We rely on players like Dema to come up from mid to finish such chances, or we bring up Nellie (when healthy) or Petke to win high balls on set pieces. These guys are not scorers. Dema will get a few goals, but not enough. I like Convey's speed and his ability to run by people. I like Stewart's hustle and crossing ablility. However, face the facts they are not goal scorers. I'm hoping Martins can be that striker that can win balls crossed into the box by Gros ,Convey, and Stewart. One of our smaller forwards and Moreno can complement by running at defenders. We might finally find a balanced attack hidden in our existing roster (I'm not holding my breath)." How is he at scoring with his head?
Well, I do remember him having a decent run at goal last season, all the while having his jersey torn off by a defending player - so he definitely can concentrate on the task at hand.
Martins may indeed be the answer once he is healthy. He is a true hustler; a blue collar type player, ala Steve Rammel (only better). He impressed me last year with his heart and hard work. ...but can he score? Here's wishing he can.
Not to change the topic, but as you will see, it does come around to the focus of this thread... Where was Bryan Namoff out of curiousity? Is he hurt? Demoted? Playing in Richmond again? I mean this guy seems to be consistent and useful and helps solidfy the back line which means DC can push another player who possibly would be playing in back in place of him. I admit, I haven't followed too closely as of late, his or the team's activities, so bare with my ignorance please... Having said all this, I know this next statement will be going out on a limb and I understand the immense difference between MLS-A League-College-High School, BUT... Namoff in high school and college was a great striker. He was crafty, unselfish, precise finisher, just didn't have that driving instep, but his ability to slip into the seems and set people up or walk into an open net were priceless. At Bradley University, he teamed up with Gaven (last name??), super quick Freddy Adu type player, and the two of them were magic. Hell, why not give it a chance? You migh have guessed I am a big BN fan, so take this for what it is worth... me rambling =)
Last year, Namoff made me a fan of his, too. This year, he has continued showing well. But, I think he has an abdominal injury, and you want to be careful with any of the big muscle injuries. Hopefully, he will be back soon. I don't know how versatile he is, but last year he played midfielder pretty well.