After the Pope, Moreno, Williams for Petke trade there were mixed opinions about whether the moves were good for us. Some of us began questioning whether Ray should stay. Ray also traded Mapp for Kovalenko and by all accounts, it looks as if we didn't try too hard for Josh Wolff. Now we've got the prospect of Earnie Stewart coming to town. Plus, we also look set to obtain Ivanov, AKA the Hairy-Chested Bulgarian. These moves look promising--Ray expends our allocations for veterans and then uses the draft to bring in some new, young players. Here's my question: If Ray signs Stewart and Ivanov, drafts Eskandarian and/or Ricardo Clark, will posters on this board--even Ray's skeptics--be satisfied? That will mean we have added Kovalenko, Stewart, Eskandarian/Clark, Ivanov and Petke during this offseason. Are we are stronger club or are the holes left by Pope, Moreno and Williams still problematic? And yes, I know, some of the future moves may never happen. They are, as Ray says, "etched in soap." See, this waiting is killing me and even wild, baseless speculation helps...to a point.
If the team acquires a solid dmid and reliable striker, it'll look pretty good on paper. As for all being forgiven...only the look of the league table around August can vindicate Hudspar. But as far as I can tell (this is all on paper), resigning Etcheverry will leave the team a player or two short of having a real shot at MLS Cup. United are now in the same boat as Colorado was last year, with the whole team having to make up for one guy who doesn't move--he doesn't run, can't dribble, and doesn't play any defense.
Unless you are talking about salary cap, Moreno did not leave a hole. RWilliams' position needed an upgrade, although I'd love to have Richie on the bench. Pope was the fulcrum to the whole deal. We got a good start on rebuilding with that trade because the only real hole that was created was in central defense, and we got Petke. If we sign Stewart and if HCB (hairy chested bulgarian) is a good dmid, then Ray and Dave will have succeeded, IMO in a League that continually seems to redefine what the wild cards are (I can't bring myself to call them rules -- they're more like guidlines, really). The draft picks are icing. Everyone has orgasms about Ricardo Clark that have me mystified. Expectations for any college player should be set very low. If they quickly adapt then all's well and good. If they have some difficulty they risk the fans turning on them because of not meeting (high) expectations. Alecko seems to have the fizz and a talent that is a gift from God that Ray looks for. However, Ray must have this team winning or he is toast. He probably wouldn't want it any other way, based on how he grew up. GM
IMNSHO, Ray's got 10 games. 30% win rate in those first 10 and I think we start looking for a new coach, especially if the team gets blown away a couple times. Any other result and I think Ray's got the rest of the season to "prove" his worth. As for me, everyone should know where I stand on the trades to the Metrofreakingscumoftheuniverse. One of the reasons I've not been posting a lot recently. I'll wait and see how Ray's moves pan out and as much as I hate a certain player, I do hope that Ray's moves are an outstanding success! Seeing the wanker kiss the MLS Cup in a DC United kit will hurt but not as much as not seeing DC United win their 4th MLS Cup!
I'll be satisified if we win. I agree with revelation. 3 wins or fewer out of the first 10 games, Ray has to pack his bags.
This is unfair... Hudson is getting his team finally.. You simply have to give him more than 10 games before firing him.. Only something along the lines of a 1-9 or 1-8-1 start will get him canned.. Other things to consider: 1) There will probably be no less than 7 or 8 new faces on this team 2) Convey, Tino and Clark (if drafted) will miss at least the first two matches of the season as well as preseason training with the club.. This will effect the team early on.. 3) It will take time to mesh all the new players with the established players.. I fully expect a very slow beginning of the season for United and hopefully by midseason this team will be playing well together... Are you seriously suggesting we can Hudson if we start 3-3-4? That's ridiculous....
Yes, I am seriously suggesting it! Ray's got to prove his worth after last season's debacle! He took Rongen's accomplishments and did one worse! The team was last place in 2002! There is no room for a bad start with the excuses flying about the "new" team or the team not gelling. Ray's gotten a free hand this off season and he has to prove that he is not a stumblebum with a big mouth!
I don't think so. Although I wouldn't put it in terms of numbers (games won/lost, etc.), I do think Hudson has a limited amount of time (in the fans' eyes) to prove himself. He's been here for almost a year. He should have his coaching staff in order by now, and have the front office's assistance in those matters. He's got an entire off-season to build his team as he sees fit and is able, and he's got the whole pre-season to get the "new faces" into the swing of things. After 10 games, I think we'll have an idea of how competitve the team can be. It might not be totally reflected in the stats, but I think we'll have a sense. And I think Ray knows that a slow start would be VERY BAAAAAD in terms of team confidence and fan support. And without those, it will be near impossible to get the team up and at 'em. I am, however, fully behind Hudson right now, and I can't wait to get to RFK on April 19th....
Guys, considering a 3-3-4 record would be .500, we have to recognize that's a substantial improvement. I think requiring Ray to win MLS Cup 2003 in the first ten games of the season is just a tad unrealistic. Just a tad, mind you. I think the first half of the season will be adequate. Set the mark at .500. Remember what New England did last year? They sucked all year until the last five games, then poured it on in time for the Playoffs. I can live with a .500 mark at the halfway point, as long as the team is gelling, and looks to make a second half/playoff run. Of course, if we miss the playoffs again, then obviously I'm right in line with the rest of the lynch mob. But three years of complete and utter suckitude is not going to turn around overnight--and we shouldn't expect it to.
I'm with you G, though I think it would be HUGE for the guys to win the opener in KC and come home to a sold out RFK on the 19th. 2 and 0 to start the season? I like it.....
Ray is doing a great job. He got rid of underachievers, deadwood, got cap space and an allocation. I have no idea who is the proper selection for the forward position, Stewart, Kuharsky (sp) or the Argintine he going to look at, but Ray knows what he wants at that position and what his salary constraints are. I believe he will make the best decision for the team because he knows his a$$ is on the line. As far as the d-mid goes, I wish I knew if Ivanov can play that position, but again Ray knows what he wants. Those that set standards for the teams performance next season and threaten to demand Ray's firing if they are not met are just being rediculous. I know you got the taste of blood and felt the power of the people when demanding Rongen's firing, but give it a rest. Ray deserves the whole season to either succeed or step on his d!ck. We can decide what to do with Ray next November. That being said, I still can't understand why they resigned Etcheverry. There has to be more there than meets the eye.
Expectations for DC in 2003 should be relatively low. All but a few of the starters are likely to be new to the team or new to their position. The overall turnover on the team will have been very high. Several newcomers are likely to be foreigners and, therefore, more challenging to incorporate into the team. Other newcomers (assuming DC drafts some players and keeps them) are likely to be inexperienced. The overall talent level at the end of 2002 was not high, by league standards (DC did finish last after all). The team at this point does not have an established style or approach to the game. Therefore, the team could reasonably be expected to start slowly. Making the playoffs with 3-4 more wins than in 2002 might be a reasonable end of year result. How does that relate to Ray's situation? In part, it's up to Ray to set expectations. Last year, he erred, I believe, at the outset by not acknowledging that DC was rebuilding and would struggle. If he is willing to admit that the team is not quite ready for prime time in 2003 even with all his moves, he might get more slack. Somehow, I doubt that he will do that. If Ray talks and acts as if he has solved all the problems, then he will be (and ought to be) judged based on higher expectations. In fact, many fans, having read Ray's comments over the past year, are probably not willing to cut him much slack and will expect success from the outset, even if Ray tones down the rhetoric during the training season. Ray better hope that DC management is willing to be more patient than that.
Ray's will have had the team 3 years at the end of this season and he's completely remade the team to be his. Time to win.
And you think Ray would've built a playoff contender with what we had last year? Having your old club folded, and coming to a new one in shambles isn't the easiest thing in the world. Especially with the mess Rongen left. I was surprised Ray kept us in the playoff chase as long as we were. With Earnie and HCB, we'll be in the thick of it this year.
First of all, I think Ray must have been pleased with the way that Etch really left it all on the field in the last couple of games last season. He really did show heart and fire, and Hudson loves that. Also, the league likely wanted Etch to end his career here. He's been such a standout and big name for MLS for so long. I'm sad to see Pope go, but it was necessary to pull off the deal. But I'm glad we kept Etch over Williams and Moreno.
Ray's got time... I think management will give Ray the whole year to prove himself. The fans on the other hand, are a different story....
I agree with this statement. Although it's been a looong three years, I'm willing to give Ray till at least the allstar break to see how the team gels. What's broke on this team is not capable of being fixed overnight, but I think we're on our way to recovery.