From todays Bergen Record: "The team is considering a stable of qualified goalkeepers to replace Howard, including 2002 MLS goalkeeper of the year Joe Cannon, English first division starter Marcus Hahnemann and Chilean league veteran Johnny Walker. Before anyone is signed, the immediate chance to replace Howard will go to Grafer, who figures to start at least three matches after Howard departs. Saturday's match at Columbus figures to be Howard's final game as a MetroStar." Who is your pick? Johnny Walker = good songs.
The first guy I thought of as Howard's exodus was looking more and more apparent was Hahnemman. All things being equal, he's still the guy I'd rather see here. But he's under contract to Reading, is very well regarded over there, and from the sounds of things they're not about to let him go for little or nothing. MLS is not in the business of paying high transfer fees for anyone, especially keepers. So unless we hear some real evidence that the League/Reading/Hahnemman himself are really trying to make this happen, it's a longshot at best. Between the other two, Cannon seems more likely than Walker and he's proven himself in MLS. I'd rate the 3 in order: Hahnemman, Cannon, Walker. But I think the Boca keeper or a guy like Reis or Presthus (in tandem and in competition with Grafer) is the most likely - if not the most preferable - solution until the end of the season.
Marcus gets paid more at Reading then he would here, plus he would require a transfer fee. For both reason, I doubt it would happen. Cannon seems to make the most sense. I'd don't know much about Walker except he walked on a contract offer early this year to SJ and never caught on with Dallas a few years ago.
The knock on Walker is that he doesn't handle crosses very well and is more suited for a Latin style game rather then the more European style emulated by MLS. Cannon would be an excellent selection and the quality of our play surely would not faulter if we were to sign him.
Wasn't Hahnemann voted the English Second Division Goalkeeper of the Year, or something? I was under the impression that he was playing very well in England.
He's in the first division, and did have a great year, including a huge shutout streak, and was one of the key's to Reading making the promotion playoffs. And all of those things make it not very likely that he'll wind up a Metro.
We (MLS) play a Euro style? That's news to me. Aren't the majority of the "foreign" players in MLS Latinos? I think MLS as a whole plays a unique style that is a combination of Euro/Latin, but I think it leans more towards a Latin attacking style. By that I mean teams tend to attack in numbers and the majority of the forwards in MLS are not big target guys. Look at the Metros. Mathis, Moreno, Magee and Woly. Of the 4 only Woly is a target forward. The only real target forwards playing regularly (off the top of my head) are Ching and McBride... anyone think of others? Then again, what the ****************** do I know.
Must resist the tempation I agree- we play a hybrid game. You don't see too many flank crosses for goals in this league- lots of play up the middle. Some teams do have a penchant for the Ole English Rte 1 approach though.
While Johnny Walker, Red and Black, would be too perfect song-wise, we gotta go with Cannon. Anyone else praying for 3 and out in this useless tourney?
I'd rather see us go to the final...Put more players in the shop window, drive potential transfer fees for MLSers up and beat the French in their own maison, with all their A-list players. N'est-ce pas?
From what I've read, it doesn't seem like Cannon wants to come back to the States yet. However, the Metros can probably offer him more money than SJ did before he left for Europe. Same goes for Walker. I doubt Hahneman will come back yet either. He's doing well after getting a chance to start. Of the 3, Walker is the one I would expect to want to play in the States. Like most of you, Cannon is my first choice.
Well, the fact that Jonny Walker, just this year, tried to sign with San Jose suggests that he wants to play in MLS. He didn't sign because the money wasn't right, if I recall correctly. The Metros might be able to offer a little more than SJ did because they are losing a max salary guy in Howard. As for Hahnemann and Cannon, I agree that, at best, its not clear that either wants to come to MLS. Hahnemann would probably have to take a cut insalary to come here, and Cannon was recently quoted as saying he would prefer to stay in France. In Cannon's case, however, he is out of contract and he may not have a better option than the Metros.
What about some cheaper alternatives that could pan out well.... Paul Rachubka was Man Utd reserve keeper for awhile and has now since moved on to Shef. Weds. I believe... he's American and has been touted as a big shot stopper with similar agility to Howard. Ian Fruer --- Last time I checked the X-Rev was playing in England in the 2nd division. Bill Andracki -- still playing good between the sticks for the Rhino's Theodosis Zagar -- The Canadian is a wall with the Lynx...seen him play a few times and he's pretty impressive. Rich Cullen --- He's with the Sounders in Seattle and is impressive... has five shut outs already and has been touted as an MLS prospect. Joseph Warren --- nimble keeper with Minnesota who has come up big for them numerous times throughout the season already ..... just my two cents.... I'd rather sign a cheaper guy and get some more money to play with to sign a quality striker for when Clint is gone or a dependable backliner incase of inury and Natl call ups.
Paul Rachubka is more English then American and he is the backup keeper for Charlton. He isn't taking a paycut to come here. Ian Feuer is semi-retired, but he is available for private goalie lessons. Andracki is a career backup and couldnt start for the Metros when they were the worst team in the league. Since MLS has no agrement with the A League it will be just as difficult to sign an A League keeper as going overseas. Plus the quality of A league Keepers aint what it used to be.
I've seen Walker play in Chile with Colo Colo, he's a decent player. He was just traded from the local rival La Catolica....looking for more money. I can see him jumping at the chance to play for us and he'd be pretty cheap. I'd love to see Joe Cannon between the pipes for us but I'm not prepared for what SJ would be asking for. I'd settle for Walker though.
Walker is still with Colo-Colo. He is not a bad 'keep' at all. I think he would be a good choice. Last year he was starting Gk for U. Catolica, even when they won the Opening Championship. He's not bad at all. I wouldn't rate him simply behind Cannon. Walker has even played in this year's Libertadores Cup, which says something; for Colo-Colo. Sometimes, though, he lacks the soccer-smarts that a solid keep would take care of, but other than that, I think he's a good choice right now; given Cannon is not gonna be let go for little by the Quakes, and it's practically obvious Hahnemann would turn down staying in England for the Metros.