So at minimum, he's gone until the playoffs and almost certainly for the first round best of 3. Eight weeks would be after a potential FCC ECSF matchup too. Big opportunity for several folks: 1) Matan to earn an extension in Columbus 2) Derrick Jones to create a market for himself 3) Chambost to not become another Hinestroza
I think there are other options AZ Jackson Farsi Taha but most likely it’s Mățan and if we need more defense it’s Der Jones
I disagree. AZ is a forward, not a box-to-box guy. He's liable to get too far forward and leave gaping holes in the midfield that other top teams can easily play through. Farsi is a wingback and he especially would not be good at CAM. His main value is defending, to the point of often being risk averse in attacking in the final third. Taha has almost no experience at the MLS level. The Crew are in a win now window until 2025, it's not the time to promote developmental guys over players that are experienced. I do think he should start getting regular minutes in the first half of the MLS season next year to start grooming him for a future starting role.
AZ is bigger than the tiny vampire but less experienced. However I have a friend who is a STO sth he wasn’t big on AZ he said they tried him all over including at the 8 & wing back. So it is definitely possible but we are in agreement who the top 2 guys are going to be at CM. Our roster choices are interesting and Sean was not a guy we could afford to have a injury. It’s a major blow to this team. The only thing that would be worse is losing Nagbe. We just run have a lot of good options at CM but we do have plenty of unproven options. I’m simply stating our other back up options at CM. I never said any of these guys were going to start.
I been calling for a CB since preseason and a CM since Morris left. I don’t think it was on Bez & Tall’s list for 2024. But it better be for 2025! Camacho needs to be a sub he was a temporary fix to a bad back line. He never was suppose to be the long term answer at his age. He will be on the last year of his deal in 25 any future deal with him should be for less money or if 400k is a good rate for a back up than at a similar price. We need to find some younger CB ASAP!!
Regarding Zawadzki. Hurt on 9/28. If 4-8 weeks... Round 1 (Best of 3): 10/25 to 11/10. 10/25 is 4 weeks. 11/10 is 6. Conference Semis: 11/23 & 11/24. That is 8 weeks. Conf finals: 11/30 & 12/1. 9 weeks. If we win the first round, he has a good chance to be back by the Conference SFs.
Not sure his conditioning but would be nice option on the bench to have him back up every position as he gets to get back in form.
IIRC: Auto protected: Schulte (GA), Zawadzki (HG), JRR (HG), Jackson (HG), Habroune (HG), Mrowka (HG), Hughes (HG). No-brainer protected (7): Cucho, Rossi, Nagbe, Moreira, Farsi, Arfsten, Dejuan Jones. Close to no-brainer (3): Amundsen, Cheberko, Chambost. That leaves 2 spots. For me, I pencil Ramirez in without hesitation, though he is getting up there in age. That leaves 1 spot. A month ago I'd have said Camacho without hesitation. Not so sure now. Not sure if Herrera (since we have him on loan) needs to be protected or not. I might take a chance on leaving Camacho or Ramirez available if we do. That would leave the following available: Bush, Hagen, Romero, Derrick Jones, Yeboah, Matan. And if Herrera needs protected, then 1 of Herrera or Camacho.
Yaw is expected to go to San Diego by some mechanism. San Diego will have a big right to dream academy influence. They also have some relationship to the Crew FO.
You’re forgetting Hinestroza who still will need to be protected/not, he is the only one I am somewhat concerned about, but I have a hard time believing SD will waste a u22 slot on him, but stranger things have happened
Pretty sure you don’t have to protect a player in on loan (Herrera -safe, Hinestroza is out on loan which is different he could be taken ) , but MLS you never know they could change the rule just to screw us. But unless we have more CB on the way in the winter window than I protect every single one of those guys. No-brainer protected (10): Cucho, Rossi, Nagbe, Moreira, Farsi, Arfsten, Dejuan Jones,Amundsen, Cheberko, Camacho provided Nagbe doesn’t retire or we have plans to sell Farsi (both seem unlikely) or anyone else. That would leave the following available: Bush, Hagen, Romero, Derrick Jones, Yeboah, Mățan, Chambost , Hinestroza, Ramírez & AZ Jackson Now if one of these players has a great playoffs that I have marked available then maybe I would revise the list and risk Camacho. But I wouldn’t risk my starting CB unless I know I have a better one on the way for a 100% fact.
You got yo protect 12 last time. I knew I was forgetting someone, and it was Hinestroza. Out of sight.... If Yeboah goes to SD, then that is it. You can only lose 1 player. Even if it is a trade,,I am sure there would be a wink/nod not to take anyone else from us. Jackson is a HG and cannot be selected.
Unclear whether Bush can suit up as backup goalkeeper this weekend: https://www.dispatch.com/story/spor...during-fifa-international-window/75511777007/ Love the club, but our goalkeeper situation is just bullshit. What use is Hagen as a backup when he’s never around during an international window?