We need a CB and RCB type. Unless Amundsen or Cheberko are leaving the only place we don’t need help on the back line is LCB. Plus both those guys are young and this guy is over 30. We need faster younger athletic types who can recover & defend long balls /on the counter when we high press / because we constantly leave our CB on a Island and dare ppl to try and beat us that way.
Aftsten is not a trialist. He was on the roster last year. Had 2 goals and 2 assists in 2023. And if "championship teams don’t have trialists starting on the wing" how the hell did we win a championship last year with Farsi on the wing? 2023 was the first time he had any meaningful playing time. He was basically a Crew 2 trialist in 2022, after having played semi-pro soccer in Canada. Played half a season with Crew 2, then was signed to a first team contract, and played a whopping 79 minutes with the first team. I'm not convinced we sign a DP-level guy to replace Morris. Who, incidentally, was not a DP-level guy but an academy product. U-22 kind of player? Sure, but the hit rate on those players hasn't exact;y been great: Matan, Hinestroza. Diaz was a Young DP, but was signed before there was a U-22 rule; I'm pretty sure he'd have fit into that category had the rule been around then. U-22 players are unproven prospects. Lots of promise, but no real track record of performance. Otherwise they'd demand a salary what would be too high for a U-22.
That brings up an interesting (to me anyway) question: What brings a U22 player with, presumably - hopefully - a good upside, to an MLS team?
I haven't had time to really dig into these changes in full. The press release is fine, but doesn't really go into the weeds. One change that I think has been made is that TAM usage has been loosened up. As I recall, the old rule said that you could use TAM to buy down a DP-level player only if you brought in a new DP at the same time. That's the scenario we've imaged might be used with Nagbe. The TAM now says this: There's no longer a reference to needing to bring in a new player. The league had to do something with this rule or it would screw up their new two structured roster concept. In any event, it now appears that the Crew could use TAM to buy-down Nagbe, bringing us down to two DPs. We could then either sign a third DP and additional U-22s. If they don't sign a third DP, they could sign even more U-22s and get an additional $1M in GAM this year. Note that Hinestroza's loan provides roster relief, but not budget relief (which doesn't really matter, since his U-22 budget hit was so small). Meaning, technically, it opens up another U-22 and international slot on the roster. But if he returns to the Crew, he'd need to fit into roster limitations. Meaning we'd have to have a U-22 space for him, otherwise his acquisition costs would make him a DP, OR we'd have to use a ton of GAM or TAM to buy down his budget hit. By the way, fans who hope that MLS will "simplify" its rules are going to be sorely disappointed. It decoupled DP and U-22 processes, but then made the overall roster build process dramatically more complicated by creating these two tracks.
If they're playing in a less visible league and see playing in MLS as a step toward a big transfer to a European club a few years down the line? MLS, for all its faults, has a decent, and growing reputation as a developer of talent for richer clubs. Another thing to keep in mind is that the max salary budget amount that U-22 players can't make more than will be rising very quickly over the next few years. This is how it changes in this CBA: 2020: $612,500 2021: $612,500 2022: $612,500 2023: $651,250* 2024: $683,750* 2025: $743,750* 2026: $803,125* 2027: $883,438 The asterisks are for this: "The Maximum Salary Budget Charge may increase in the event the Team Salary Budget increases in accordance with Section 10.11 (Incremental Media Revenues), provided that the Maximum Salary Budget Charge will not exceed twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of the Team Salary Budget." Can't say I fully understand what that means, except that the numbers above could, in reality, be higher. In any event, what was a $612,500 ceiling in 2022, grows to nearly $900K in 2027. Meaning that, at some point, the quality of U-22 talent you'll be able to attract will increase considerably.
21 goals in 5 matches, a +26 goal differential, top 5 in goals scored in the league, and CF is one of our weakest spots. Not saying I wouldn't take another scoring option, but I would certainly say it's a luxury sign at this point.
If I had to choose between a DP striker or DP CM I’d choose the CM. Nagbe has been a workhorse for years, but he’s due for a dropoff soon. Zawadzki, for me, has a higher ceiling at CB than CM. Either get a U22 guy that we sell on after a couple years, or get someone in their prime, I’m thinking Riqui Puig level player.
Just asking for clarification CB - i agree that’s #1 for me LCB? Not sure your reasoning we have Cheberko & Amundsen. If we upgrade one of them has to go. RCB- we have Moreira and that’s it. Zawadzki is starting at CM. If Moreira is hurt Sean definitely would be most likely to start but then you put a 2nd choice guy at CM. CM- we have depth with new additions but nobody who is similar to Morris 6/8. Jones is a 6, Zawadzki would be the closest he is 6 and basically some of us want to upgrade so he doesn’t start. The other guys we have are more attacking players who just aren’t as good defensively. RWB- It looked like Farsi had no back up then Arfsten blossomed to play better. He still has issues defending but his positioning and physicality isn’t a issue it’s change of direction/agility and getting back if a team tries to exploit getting behind him with a smaller/quicker type winger. Now he has moved left and replaced Yaw Yeboah. So who is the back up RWB? Could be Jackson but that’s unknown. Zawadzki & Mățan played there in past when needed. Zawadzki just isn’t going to be able to help since he is starting.Tiny Vampire might be gone soon but is an option.If Jackson isn’t a RWB than we definitely need one. As of now if Farsi was hurt than Max would probably flip to RWB and Yeboah would start at LWB. Long term the Crew have a plan but it’s hard for us to decipher unless Nancy just flat out says we need another RWB or that Jackson is a RWB.We all know Nancy is never likely to give us that much insight. CF- an upgrade to Ramírez in long term is necessary. But who and when is not clear.They are trying to bring JRR along to be that guy but he is perfect back up young and cheap. But a quality upgrade with a younger and more athletic and better overall striker than Christian would be amazing but we are not weak at CF. Zawadzki just seems like a pivotal player in roster construction. CM long term or get someone better and let him be a CB or RCB. Also yall crucified Zawadzki performance at CB but Camacho got toasted and gave up the equalizer and it’s crickets …
Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t improve it, Christian isn’t going to start 34 MLS games and play in 50 games a year. Without him we often struggle. If we upgraded it’s better to do it now. Maybe we identify someone in winter window but he is better as a back up /rotational guy than a starter. We score a lot of goals but with more quality starting with Cucho & Rossi we could rewrite the record books.
I think we need a quality starter at CM & ST. One a DP and the other u22. So long as you get two great players which one is the DP really doesn’t matter to me. But I agree 100% let Zawadzki become a CB and fill in at CM when needed. But I think with more playing time he could develop at CM but the problem is he hasn’t started and played one position long enough for us to know. Nancy probably knows and if he sees Sean as the long term CM I’m ok with it. Just means we need more CB. I think Zawadzki is a starting caliber MLS player. I trust Nancy will put him in the right spot which may not be CB.
I'm not understanding this idea of it being one-in, one-out on depth players. With Hinestroza loaned out, the Crew only have 14 players that have to be counted as senior roster. They've said they are classifying Bush as senior roster, but his salary is low enough to be a supplemental player or he could be placed on the season-ending injury list to clear a spot if needed. If the Crew buys down Nagbe to sign a new DP and two U22s (or three U22s), that's still only 17 senior roster players. The Crew could add another two or three depth pieces as long as their salaries fit under the cap. I think it's certainly possible to get some good players fitting that bill with how many of our key guys are on dirt cheap deals or qualifying for the supplemental slots that have reduced or no impact against the budget. If we're wringing our hands about needing to rotate and get future contributors in house to learn the system before they're needed, we should want to as few senior roster spots as possible going unused.
We should be looking for quality more than quantity. If we add a couple of good players this window in addition to Chambost and Jackson, we'll be fine. I'd say CM would be the first priority then perhaps a U-22 CB to backup Rudy. Hagen played well at RSL but not so well vs Charlotte. If we need to move Bush to season ending status and sign another keeper before Schulte returns, that might be a spot to fill.
I like having an affordable, veteran keeper on the roster. Bush fit the bill perfectly, and would have been an ideal starter now, had his injury healed properly. I thought Tarbell was terrific whenever he was called upon to play back in 2020. At 38, injured, I assume Bush is likely done playing. I certainly wouldn’t mind another Bush/Tarbell type signing.
If you get another GK on a 1 year deal i guess but Schulte won’t miss many games. As long as Hagan doesn’t get hurt we really don’t need another GK. The young guys can sit the bench for what 1 more MLS match ? I think Schulte will be back before MLS play. How many leagues cup matches he misses depends on how well USA & Crew do in their respective tournaments.
Good coaching and a chance to play at a decent level? Neither are guaranteed, but I'll bet there are players out there who would love to be coached by a Nancy.
Well, Nancy wanted three on the roster, and we’re now down to two, without an obvious Crew 2 prospect in the immediate pipeline, it seems. We have plenty of roster space. And a veteran backup making $300-ish K wouldn’t have any effect on the roster salary budget. It’s like buying insurance. You don’t need it… until you do.
We don’t need to add 7-8 players so yes we need quality for the most part. By postion GK 3 Bush is done for the year but unless Hagan or Schulte get hurt we are fine DEF 6 (#7 Hughes on loan and won’t be back) Need at least 2 players here could take maybe 3 at the most 2 Cb & maybe RWB MID 10 (#11 Hinestroza maybe is back next season) If we get a starter at CM that’s the only way we need help in the midfield Forward 4 Other than a starter at 9 better than Ramirez we don’t need anyone.
It definitely would count against the cap. I wouldn’t cross that bridge to get another GK until my hand was forced. Cheaper to have the mls next pro kids on the bench Bush didn’t sound like he was retiring either.
It is not complicated. The way I look at it, at least. We have 5 all-stars (Cucho, Nagbe, Rossi, Moreira, Camacho) + Schulte. That's six. That leaves 5 starting spots that can be upgraded the most: CM, LCB, RWB, LWB and CF. Arfsten has been really good and is developing right before our eyes. That takes LWB off the board. So, down to CM, LCB, RWB, and CF. No gaping holes, but that is what is left. The three weakest starters are, IMHO, LCB (Amundsen/Cheberko), RWB (Farsi), and CM (Zawadzki/Matan). Now, Chambost may alleviate that some in CM. But until he plays (Jackson ditto), I cannot count him as plugging a hole. Or we see where Nancy sees him. LCB and RWB do no make much sense at DP level.. As for CF, I don't really consider Cucho & Rossi as real #9s. They are more hybrid Fwd/winger/MF types. Ramirez and JRR are the only real CFs (the C is for center). Ramirez has been good this year, but he has limitations (speed the main one). JRR has potential & promise. But an established CF with size & speed would be a big upgrade. Plus, Ramirez is 34. CB is similar. We are good there but not great. Camacho is getting up there. A real stud CB would be an upgrade. They way I look at it: 1) Most sensible DP adds: CM, CF, CB. 2) U22 works anywhere. 3) Ageing starter: CM, CF, CB.