Last piece of the puzzle...

Ivanov is allocation #2. Stewart was allocation #1.

Looks like the final two pieces will be Hristo for a second or third round pick in next year's draft (probable), and Harkes for a can of Natty Bo and a tuna sandwich (still kinda up in the air, from what I gather).

 

I think maybe he is hinting that Ray found someone just recently that he thought would be a better use of our allocation other than Ivanov. Maybe the reason we haven't heard any official news of the Ivanov signing yet.

 

There may not be a "last piece of the puzzle." I know that Hudson had earlier said that the roster would be finished by abouts draft day (and acknowledged Hristo ahd harkes). However, his most recent comments to Diceson clearly indicate that he's willing to keep scrounging. As opposed to saying "well, we get the Bulgies in, than add Harksey and I'm a satisfied man" he talked about scouring waivers, looking to add people right up to the start of the season. I don't think that mean's he doesn't like the makeup of this team, only that...

1. I don't think adding Harkes is a done deal. Part of what happens depends upon the McKinley situation--any chance of him returning this year (I'd think not)? Or is he retiring? I think it also depends upon who else Columbus cuts loose. And that isn't set now b/c Columbus doesn't know. Doesn't know if McBride is going, if Hejduk is coming.
2. SJ is still a work in progress. Ursula made points earlier about this. Okay--at least they know Barret ain't coming back. But Cannon? Mulrooney? When will DeRosario (slotted to start) be healthy? You've got to figure they'd be interested in Dante Washington now (but would need to create cap room for him).
3. The SoS need an A-mid and need to create cap room to get one.
4. Serna and Llamosa are probably leaving NE. Serna would be sold, but Llamosa would be allowed to leave/not re-signed.
5. The supplemental draft (which we'd either have the weighted edge or first crack) which would be mostly players we passed over (Ian Joy) but maybe Phil Salyer and some more P-40's who sign late.
6. A-league players were not eligible for the recent superdraft (a change in policy from previous years--go figure). We may seek to bring in someone there.
7. Oh, and the 4 non-roster invitees (can't remember 3 of the 4 countries except one was Brazilian)--maybe there is something there.

I think Hudson is seeking to squeak out every penny of cap room he can with as much talent as he can.

 

Not only Washington but, with Ekelund looking ever more likely to not resign, central midfielders of any kind. If Mulrooney goes to Rayo and Ekelund walks, Harkes would probably start out there if he wanted to.

The prospect of their backline being Heaps-Pierce-Kante-Franchino amuses me to no end. As good as their midfield and attack may end up being (Ralston-Hernandez-Nowak-Kamler with Moore and Twellman up top), they will bleed goals. That would be the worst defense in MLS.

These are quite interesting to me. I'd love to get the chance to watch them practice.

 

They weren't in because of the lack of a player agreement. So guys who would have gone in or are out of contract will be eligible, from what I heard. Nothing really fishy.

 

Doesn't Ray know that all he has to do is sign whoever he wants for a minimum salary and pay the balance of their compensation using incentives? All he need do is use the Twellman and Howard contracts as precendents.

And with respect to giving anything for Hristo -- why not just remind the league of Adin Brown and say that we'll pay Hristo $X?

GM

 

GM, here is my take (no inside info here--just listening between the lines of what gets said officially).

1. Twellman--that decision and contract isn't being made by the Revs but by the league. Here's where the league is: they don't want to set a new precedent, but they want to keep Twellman happy and in the fold. So they twist the rules for a temporary convenience (that will create problems down the road). Yes, Twellman is an unfair situation, all the teams could take advantage of that method if allowed. But the league did this b/c they didn't want to tear up a multi-year contract for cheap figures (and encourage the next superdraft player who is big in year 1 or 2 to demand that his contract be torn up and he's given the max).

2. I'm convinced that the problem with Stoichkov is between the league and him, not DCU and him. A deal has been in place for a while now (or at least an understanding). But "non-soccer issues" (according to Wilt) need to be resolved. My understanding is that this means: a green card, a favorable decision by the league to count most of his salary (or a bigger percentage than was done with Warzycha) as an assistant and to renegotiate a guaranteed deal. I'm sure the league IS going to eat a big chunk of his salary.