Chris Leitch and Jeff Matteo have been traded to the MetroStars for Ross Paule. I got the work straight from the horse's mouth.
Here you go, about midway down. http://www.ussocceruk.com/modules.p...e=article&sid=220&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
Although I'm sorry to see them go, it makes sense. With Hejduk in town, Leitch wasn't going to get much time and I have always thought that Andrulis lost confidence in him at the end of last season. Also the Crew need a d-mid with Mais and Oughton both out. Matteo wasn't going to get much time with the Crew either, but could fit in with the Metros who need midfield help. Why Paule is worth two players I don't know, but the Crew really don't lose much. Just two developing players that wouldn't have seen much time. However, it kind of reeks of MLS favoritism. The Crew bring in a player that Bradley waived, but still has to trade to get him???? I guess there really is no free agency in MLS. It will be interesting to see if Chicago wants Andy Williams and if they have to trade players to get him. If not, something really REEKS HARD. The only place it really hurts is the Crew still have problems with getting the roster to 18 players. They still have 20 players. Who could be gone next? Washington seems like a likely choice for one, but who else? The only playres I can think of are Torres, Lucci, and West. West has gotten a lot of play this preseason and from the reports has played really well. Lucci is new, but I've not heard much about him in preseason. Torres, well he's Torres, shirt puller extrodenair. Could Presthus be on his way to SJ and a development age GK coming in? Who knows what's going to happen.
I think that since MetroStars waived Paule, but he went unclaimed, they still retain his rights. I guess the same would happen if someone would sign John Wilmar Perez. I'm not sure Paule is worth two players (he was an all star, though), but when it's two players who wouldn't fit into the squad it's better to get something for them. Plus, Matteo's departure opens an additional developmental slot should the opportunity arise. How many players can Columbus roster for Champions Cup matches?
If you're d-mid answer is Ross Paule, then the question must be-What player can help my PDL team? Paule is not a d-mid, he's a role player, a compliment to a number ten. If you're going with a 3-5-2, Paul can add some nice options with Martino in the middle. He does have good vision and a nice touch, but is lazy when tracking back. And he was under contract still with Metro, his rights were ours till the trade was made.
No the Crew have two good options at d-mid, they just need a filler until they are healthy again. I'm guessing that Puale can fill in there. He can also play left mid I understand, so if something happens to Garcia, the Crew won't have to bring Denton out of LB.
I know you always liked Chris Leitch, but this really isn't s big deal. Leitch wasn't going to play much for us, and won't play much for them either. Matteo is in the same boat - we have no need for the guy with Martino and Walsh on the squad. He isn't going to make a splash with the metros either. Paule didn't show much with the Metros, but nobody does. It's a black hole for talent, and the list of good players who got a lot better once they got out of there would overload the server. My only beef is this "We dumped the guy but you still owe us for him" crap. If he's on your team, great. If he's not, then we can pick him up. Name another sport where you cut a guy but you still get compensation for him. It's just stupid.
Yeah, I always liked Lietch. I think he will develope into a very good RB in this league. I haven't seen much of Matteo, but from what others have said he has some potential. To trade Leitch away for a player of a stop gap nature is a little disapointing, but Lietch wasn't going to get much time with the Crew anyways.
Remember when Andrulis was all about getting younger? okay thats harsh, its only one trade outta many moves that haven't made us younger. Yet even though I barely saw him play 10 minutes I fear Matteo is gonna get us someday. I just can't explain it. The good thing is with Oughton out for his 4-6 weeks that the orginization didn't sit on their ass and hope that Oughton comes back soon and at 100%. They wound up getting a player who like Oughton can step on in and play that Dmid role and help out on the backline if needed. Maybe we'll actually get off to a good start this season now.
Hockey. Recent example: Jason Wooley was put on waivers by Buffalo. He cleared waivers, remaining their property. He was then traded to Detroit for future considerations. The same applies to EVERY NHL PLAYER WHO CLEARS WAIVERS. Aren't you tired of being wrong?
This will go down as insignificant. Paule will get a two game chance to impress, if he doesn't Dunc will be back for the april 5th match. I don't know where the 4-6 came from, I heard that he could be ready for the home leg of the CCC if needed. I don't think Andrulis will push for that though.
Back to the trade...Paule is not young as in 21 years old, but I don't believe he is old either (around 26 or 27). Paule played out of his natural position (not a D-Mid) and in a lot of games for the Metros and believe it was more of a salary cap issue, than a performance issue for his being waived. This could be a good pick up for the Crew.
You place a player on waivers to send them to the minors when they either don't have a two-way contract, or are too old. There's a reason he was put on waivers that has more to do with him A) Sucking, and B) wanting to dump $1.4 million in salary because of A. And alot of being put on waivers means that Buffalo can actually dump the salary, and Detroit can renegotiate the salary.....a trade would not allow Detroit to do that, and Buffalo would probably have to front some coin in the trade to manage the salary. This is really about being put on waivers because it makes the deal less complicated. Otherwise, he would have been playing in Rochester waiting to be dealt at the trade deadline. From http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/021118/23/qbph.html : If you're going to "prove" someone wrong...at least be completely correct about it and not half way.
we dumped our worst defender and someone who would never see any pt for a former allstar that fills an immediate need and has experience. sounds like a good deal to me.
In my opinion, there are several things going on behind this trade: 1. We could use somebody with a little bit more experience than either Matteo or Leitch could offer. We've gotten younger, but we've also lost a lot of older leadership. 2. Matteo couldn't do jack in D3 Italy, so he suddenly has the potential to be our worst enemy? I don't follow. Of course he can develop into a better player, but I don't think we have the place for him here. Why not worry about what we can develop for our benefit rather than hanging on to unused luggage? 3. We need to fit into the final roster limitations, so dumping 2 for 1 helped with that. This is also better for Leitch and Matteo, who might have found themselves collecting unemployment if not for a trade. 4. Salary Cap? Yeah, if we want Paule, then he probably costs a bit. We've already done a deal to get FH, the ceiling has to be pretty near at hand now. Maybe we had to dump both in order to keep from hitting the cap. Those are just some thoughts for why this deal was done the way it was. I think in the end, this is a fine deal to be made. I'm not too worried about it.
I don't mind McCarty at all, it's Torres that has dissapointed me. Supposedly the 'rican has speed but always falls behind while defending and always has to shirt-tug players down. Must be a positioning thing... MLSnet does the trade: http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/met0313trade.html Later Leitch, I always like it when an Ohio boys plays at home..
That's a good point CrewToon... I think in addition to not drinking French Wine or wearing French perfume I will also boycott Zak!