I think we should at least change the title of this thread to "Caraglio's first impressions" or something like that. We can't let pessimism take over every thread here, can we?
Re: Caraglio's first impressions Well the thread is a question, not a statement and everyone who has posted agrees he's not a bust or that it's too early to tell. I changed the topic of my post but coming from a pessimist, there's really nothing to worry about.
so far his style of play reminds me of Jaime Moreno. I pray he's even half as good during his MLS career.
As of the last game vs RedBull, Milton wasn't moping around, looked like a good team leader/target forward to me. Benny also looked MUCH better that match on an unrelated note.
Just saw this article: http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2011/08/23/keane_galaxy_take_it_to_next_level/ "The Revolution had allocated more than $1 million for a designated player, and much of that has been spent on Argentine striker Milton Caraglio’s loan fee to Rosario Central and salary." Burns' quote: “As we've said all along, we've been looking to add a player or two that we feel is going to help our attack for the remainder of the season,” Revolution vice president of player personnel Michael Burns told MLSsoccer.com on Friday. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/22/revs-get-their-man-morocccan-winger-zerka This part, combined with the recent burns quote, scares me. Just when I thought we had finally gotten a forward to build around, hes just on loan. Heres to hoping its a loan-to-buy or that FDA simply mis spoke/typed. BTW, Milton has already put more defensive pressure on other teams than Lekic has all year. I really like the kid in MLS' physical league, I really hope el tanque is here for many years to come
Well to be fair to Lekic, he was left alone for almost every game. Milton had a strike partner. I thought Lekic applied good pressure last game. I can see where those two could be a good partnership. I would like to see them add a speedy type forward like an Oduro(only one that can shoot on frame). That would give the Revs some pretty good options up top
The Revs have received a fair amount of criticism for not obtaining more players via loan, so it seems a little unfair to criticize them for making a loan deal (first I've heard of that, BTW). If they're "savvy businessmen" (ducks), they should have arranged for a club option for a permanent transfer. What they can do between now and the end of the season is try to find the beginnings of a competitive team that will make Milton want to hang around.
I was under the impression that Milton and his agents had bought his contract back from Rosario Central.
As was I? I'm a bit confused by this article. I could have sworn also that we had signed him to a 3-year deal.
--Rosario was relegated in June 2010. They didn't have the money to pay Milton's contract after that, which ran through June 2011. --The club let Milton go on trial in Europe, where it was discovered that he needed more knee surgeries, which he got in Fall 2010 and early 2011. --Milton agree not to be paid by Rosario for the rest of his contract (aka "bought it back") and his agents agreed to give 20% of any eventual sale back to the Rosario academy that developed him. In return, he could train with them, rehab with them, and puruse any and all opportunities abroad. --The agents own his player pass--there is no more contract or connection to Rosario, other than the 20% fee they will pick up/have picked up. As with Tevez a few years back, this "loan" is taking place from the agents, not from any club. The loan protects the Revs and is a good bit of business for a guy coming off of multiple recent knee surgeries--the multi-year contract is probably the Revs' option. The agents and Rosario (20%) get their money up front in the form of the "loan", and of course there is no transfer fee because he wasn't under contract with any club after June 2011. IF the Revs hold the option years, as is typical in these MLS loan-to-buy agreements, then it's all good. Depending on what Milton makes for half a season (let's say $300K), the Revs essentially bought the right to sign him up long-term for about $700K or so, 20% of which went to Rosario, and the rest to the agent(s) who invested in him early in his career. For once...ONCE...on these boards, I will in theory defend the Revs here, if indeed the above deal is the case.
Yes...I am now of the pod body. I dozed off in my seat after the crestfallen stadium had emptied last Saturday...and when I awoke...there was no anger, no disappointment, no feeling of betrayal...I found my old hollow shell sitting next to me, and with it, came the realization that Michael Burns is indeed guiding this team toward inevitable victory. Championships take time, my friend, and those of us who believe have all the time in the world...it will be an honor to not only renew my season tickets, but to double my order and spread the word...
AHH, ok. I had thought that we had "bought" him, its just the wording of those articles threw me off I guess. I really like the signing and think his size makes him great for how the MLS game is called by refs.
Agreed, MLS is made to order for the big, lumbering forward who can take his beating. Caraglio has shown (small sample) that he can and has quickness, awareness and passion to boot. Good signing so far.
He uses his body well, but I am betting he is in 50% fitness form. He us just smart with timing and anticipation, so more good to come.
So if those two goals were scored at 50%...When he gets to 75%, be rest assured the EPL will come a knocking again and we will definitely lose him..! The days of keeping Taylor Twellman, et al, at bay from "across the pond" teams has gone the way of MLS 1.0..IMO, with his size and acumen he'll be a better signing than Montero..What??? did I just say that?? oh well..I said it! =)
This thread has done a complete 180. Wish I could say the same for the Revs. But I'm still seeing nothing from Lekic. The hope that he could benefit from Caraglio's hold-up play seems a bit overoptimistic, to say the least. The possibility that excites me is Caraglio plus Fagundez: one tall, strapping, physically imposing, skillful guy, plus one small, zippy, skillful guy. In addition, they're both really young, so they could be a tandem for years for us. Imagine that: the striker problem solved for the foreseeable future.
My guess is that, like some here, SN blames Diego for the goal in his last game and we will see none or very little of Diego moving forward.
Regardless of having a better strike partner, or not, he just doesn't MOVE. He is a presence when it comes to - standing, - waiting, then at times - giving the "thumbs up". If he has more he isn't showing it. (I'll give him that pretty outside-of-foot strike a few games ago, but other than that....) `