Metros sign duo from Boca jrs.

The Metros signed a deal with Boca Jr's not too long ago that had something to do with cooperation I think. I know DC has one with another team (from Germany maybe). I never paid those announcements much attention because I never thought they'd amount to anything. Turns out I was wrong.

 

I'm still holding out for us getting a young Brazilian...

 

Another teams keep making signings to improve their teams...what are we (rapids) doing again? Oh that's right, looking for one aging star for marketing reasons...

soccernet.com-
The Kansas City Wizards signed defender Alex Zotinca as a discovery player on Wednesday. As per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"He has been impressive in the few weeks he has been training with us," added Wizards head coach Bob Gansler. "He is comfortable with the ball and seems to be a good one against one defender."

Prior to coming to the United States, Zotinca was a standout defender in the Romanian First Division (Divizia A). He played for FC Inter Sibiu from 1995 to 1998, before moving on to F.C. Steaua Bucharest where he played from 1998 to 2000. In 1999, while with Steaua Bucharest, Zotinca played in the UEFA Cup helping the club to the third round of the prestigious European tournament.

"I am very happy that everything has come together," said Zotinca with a smile. "I am very happy to be here and I hope everything goes well for me and the team."

 

1. The Rapids are hardly looking for an "aging star" -- either to produce on the field or for marketing purposes. If that was the case, they'd have kept Valderrama.

2. Somehow I'm just not too jealous of KC signing a Romanian defender who's been playing indoor soccer.

 

ha!

"Somehow I'm just not too jealous of KC signing a Romanian defender who's been playing indoor soccer."

-doesn't matter what "name" they sign...they're (KC) looking to improve their team...along with other teams, KC is constantly working towards obtaining better players. btw-he played indoor b/c he came to this country for immigration purposes, not soccer. what was he to do when he arrived...send out his resume to teams? Also, playing for Steaua Bucharest, (as a 23 yr old), is more than a slight accomplishment.

"The Rapids are hardly looking for an "aging star" -- either to produce on the field or for marketing purposes. If that was the case, they'd have kept Valderrama"
-I'm sorry you are correct...they let him go at the youthful age of 41. (insert sarcasm where needed)

 

Re: ha!

So he played for Steaua Bucharest. Wow. Zizi played against ManU in the Champion's League. As you imply, what's in a name?

What matters is what happens on the field, and I'm not going to be impresed by anything in Ztonica's CV until I see him play.

As for him being an indoor player, I will openly consider that a knock on a player. If he's got a decent enough CV, it wouldn't have been hard to get himself invited to preseason for a number of outdoor teams, most of all Kansas City. Or an A-League or D3 team for that matter.

Finally, you seem to imply that Colorado hasn't been making efforts to improve the team by adding new talent. Guess their speaking with Powell among other players of late isn't enough of an attempt. Would you rather the Rapids just sign someone because they can get a guaranteed signature, or be patient and get a player that (they think) will actually make a difference?

I suppose you also think that 31 is too old for a "star" player. I could give a crap how old a player is, if he's quality and makes a difference (and isn't opposed to running), sign the guy.

 

"Would you rather the Rapids just sign someone because they can get a guaranteed signature, or be patient and get a player that (they think) will actually make a difference?

I suppose you also think that 31 is too old for a "star" player. I could give a crap how old a player is, if he's quality and makes a difference (and isn't opposed to running), sign the guy."

-you seem to enjoy putting words in my mouth in an attempt to make me look foolish. nice try. I didn't say any of that...so i'll ignore those comments and attribute them to you giving yourself some sort of unfounded confidence. though, relying on one signature of an old French hack, is hardly prudent preparation. Now Powell seems to be the only thing on the plate...and he's gone too.


"So he played for Steaua Bucharest. Wow. Zizi played against ManU in the Champion's League. As you imply, what's in a name?
What matters is what happens on the field, and I'm not going to be impresed by anything in Ztonica's CV until I see him play"

-I agree he (Zotinca) could be bad OR good. We'll find out soon enough, but if you can't find truth in that Colorado has made little strides to improve their team then perhaps you should take begin to support Sunderland with me.

The Zizi comparison is absurd since playing for someone is different than playing against...your stretching to validate yourself as a soccer expert. Something I don't claim to be, my opinions are my own...as are yours. BTW- At least Zizi has scored, ugly goals...but no one else seems to have a knack for the net.

Finally, i will conclude that you have some valid points, though you seem to enjoy attacking mine rather than actually putting thought into them. I am a Rapids fan, as are you I presume, if you believe that the management is acting accordingly at the moment...well, then I hope you don't ever have any say in team operations....for the sake of the rest of us fans. Patience is one thing, incompetence another.
My rant is done...i won't bother you anymore.

 

Spoken like a true Mackem.

I didn't put a single word into your mouth. Very plainly, you said name means nothing. then claim that this player is worthy of respect because he played for Steua Bucharest.

OK.

Zizi didn't just play "against" ManU. He played for Olympiakos against ManU. And he's a product of the AC Milan system. But I guess these are just names, aren't they?

I never said the Rapids were making the best choices. Only that they were trying. There's no question that the Rapids are in the midst of contract negotations with Darryl Powell, a 31-year-old player.

You claim the Rapids are interested only at signing aging players for marketing purposes. Who, exactly?

Since acquiring Valderrama (and Kotschau and Garlick) in a trade nearly two years ago, the Rapids have not brought in a single player over the age of 26. And they certainly haven't brought in anyone for marketing purposes.

In this time we've seen the addition of Zizi, Rizo, Kingsley, Borchers, Sleeth and Vallow -- not to mention the draft picks.

The issue regarding whether these are quality players or not is not central to this discussion, which the idea that the Rapids are not making efforts like the other teams.

Think again.

 

amokachi
henderson
chung
grimandi

?

 

The team dropped Amokachi before the season even began. Same goes for Grimandi.

Correct regarding Henderson and Chung, my mistake. I forgot they were acquired after Valderrama/Garlick/Kotschau.

All that said, none of the above players were brought in for "marketing purposes," and I'd hardly consider Henderson or Chung "aging stars."

 

Grimandi was not dropped. He walked out on us.

 

well, they were 'brought in' because they were signed and there were announcements that they had joined the team. and grimandi was dropped [or actually fled] after the season started.

 

Technically true.

However, compare the team ditching Amokachi and never playing him to their prior international signings that showed up as crap players -- specifically the likes of Waldir and Zambrano.

As for Grimandi, it may not have been in a press release but believe me, the team basically dropped him as much as he walked out on them. And to be technical, the team didn't go looking for Grimandi -- he and his agent approached them.

And neither one was brought in for marketing purposes and/or the behest of MLS.

 

not technically true, true

why compare waldir and zambrano to amokachi in this case? we are talking about players over the age of 26 who joined the team after the valderrama/garlick/kotschau trade.

spoken like a true geordie - unintelligible.

 

And I thought we were talking about whether the team is making an effort to sign players that aren't "aging stars for marketing purposes."

I see a significant difference in the team's efforts regarding the signing of players over the past 2 years versus prior seasons. The fact that they recognized Amokachi's before the season started -- and acted accordingly -- is very different than agreeing to sign the likes of Henry Zambrano and Raul Diaz Arce.

Similarly with Grimandi the team negotiated the release from his contract due to the player's personal reasons. Compare this to how the team kept Marquinho (and I hate to say it, but Aunger as well) under contract for the entire season despite his departure from the team, I too see an improvement.

Look, whether you will admit it or not the fact is that the team is making an effort to sign younger players, both domestic and international. They're not sitting around doing nothing, nor are they signing players purely for marketing purposes.

This entire discussion is based on the relevance to Metro getting two players loaned to them from Boca Juniors and the Wizards signing a Romanian indoor player.

Apparently it doesn't matter that the Rapids signed a 23-year-old AC Milan product with Champion's League experience (Zizi), nor that they signed a 23-year-old out of the Atlas and Mexican Youth National Team systems (Rizo).

Just as it must not matter that the Rapids identified a 22-year-old potential talent from the 2002 Boulder Rapids Reserve (Borchers), or an unknown 23-year-old A-League player who found immediate success in his MLS debut (Kingsley).

The team may be playing like crap, the GM guilty of questionable decisions and the coach unwilling to instill confidence in his players, but it's clear that they are making a significant amount of effort to bring players into this team that will make a difference on the field.