I hope so man! Is anybody else starting to get concerned that we're a week from the close of the transfer window, pre-season camp is ostensibly opening up this weekend, and yet we've only had two maybe three rumors about potential signings for the Red Bulls? We've had the Vargas to NY rumor, that was interesting but nothing's come of it. We've had the Cabezas to NY rumor, also interesting, where does that stand? And now we have the Liguera to NY rumor, which to me seems the most interesting so far. Yet Ives with his MLS deep throat sources, BigApple Soccer and MetroFanatic have not reported on anything more substantial for the team. Looking at the Eastern conference, I see that DCU in particular has upgraded all of their most pressing needs and looks (at this point) to be very dangerous for next season. I see that the Revs have made some incremental additions (incremental could become substantial based on how good Jose Angulo turns out to be in MLS in 08). I see Toronto has substantially upgraded its defense and may be getting Gomez to pull together their attack. KC... the jury is out there. Columbus may be on the verge of getting a DP to put away all the opportunites GBS creates. Chicago upgraded significantly in the draft. Pancrate I see as just a rumor at this point (although it looks to be more substantial than the NY rumors). And we're still left looking for a veteran central defender, a veteran left back (unless VDB has become the first option there), a speedy goal-threat left wing, and an attacking mid. Which is almost exactly where we were a month or two ago (no disrespect to Brunner, Sassano and Roth). C'mon JCO, pull this together. We need some upgrades and we need them soon.
Yo, 32guy, chill a bit. I can always dig up a Zidane, Figo or Ronaldo rumor for you to tide you over until March.
Excellent. Also, JCO has already been down to South America twice on scouting trips. He's said he knows the players he wants. We just haven't gotten a sniff of who they are. And with the money we have to spend (not a lot), I'd be surprised if we recognize their names anyway... We'll see what the next week or two shakes out.
Absolutely. I think the DP rule will make a much bigger impact this year than last year. I think the league should thank Angel and Blanco in a big way, since they really are the only DPs that proved valuable to getting other teams to use their spots. Beckham helped league attendance, but didn't really inspire the likes of DC or Columbus to go get expensive talent. edit: I forgot about Danielson for a reason
Yo wiseguy, its not the lack of rumors that concerns me, its the lack of results in getting new players. So far I haven't seen anything on the player acquisition front that distinguishes JCO's regime from any of the prior regimes here in NY. I would like to believe this season will be better than last and while I'm very comfortable with Angel's or Altidore's ability to put the ball away, I'm not so comfortable at present with who we've got to get them the ball and create opportunities. I also haven't seen much of an improvement in how we're going to keep the ball out of our net. While I recognize JCO has a deeper understanding of the game than Arena, I'm looking to see some progress in developing our team. Sure the winter transfer window isn't the only chance to get players -- we have the summer transfer window also and we can even get players occasionally between the transfer windows -- I'd like to see us start the season with a strong roster that we're tweaking and deepening rather than remaking as the season progresses.
You've got to remember that the MLS transfer window is different. We can transfer a new player in from Jan 1 - Mar 31. So there's time. Also, the summer window is from Aug 14 - Sep 15. And, again - there's already been reports (in the NYTimes, no less) that JCO has identified the players he wants and is trying to get them.
Considering MLS's transfer window is open until April 15th no I am not concerned yet. Remember Angel didn't come to MLS until April last year. DC is in a different position than us. They start competitive play in just 4 weeks in the CONCACAF event, we on the other hand don't have a competitive game until April this year. We also have a newly appointed coach, so we are taking our time in the market to identify the guys we want and figuring out how we are going to sign them all. We really aren't in any different position that those other teams, also be aware that RBFO is VERY tightlipped about transfers, its just their company policy were other MLS teams seem to be a bit more loose lipped about stuff. Take faith, there are deals in the works but you're not going to hear about it until they are final or near final.
Nope. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13614659&postcount=100 I didn't start that thread for my health ya know.
Do you think that these DP's have talked to other players outside of MLS and told them 'it's a good league' or anything like that? Or is it just a fad?
Goff reported that Gallardo spoke to Angel about the MLS. Since he's signing, I'm guessing it was a positive review. I've seen quotes from Angel where he says he's spoken to others about common misperceptions of the MLS, so I'm pretty sure the DPs are talking about their "new" league to their peers.
I hope this rumor is true, he use to play for my team (Alianza Lima) last season and he was by far the best player on the team too bad he was too expensive to keep around for another season but he will be a very nice addition to our lineup.
Was watching him playing for Nacional tonight in the Uraguay liga. He came off the bench and scored the eqaulizer. In fact once he came on the game totally changed and he kinda took over the game. First time i have seen him play, looked good as hell. Would love to see us sign him. Plus all our Nacional suppoerters in ESC might buy a Red Bulls kit with Liguera's name on it.
I agree, if u play the video on the mls rumor link he's the one that scores on the bicycle kick past the minute mark.
I agree sign the guy already. Yeah defense wins championships but in the playoffs last yeah the offense was one dimensional get it to jozy and Angel. The NE d just crowded the pk box, with a good A mid that might not happen.