Just my observations, your milage may vary. Moreno: A shell of himself. He's completely lost confidence in himself. Last night against the Burn he had an opening the size of my gut to shoot through and he held on to the ball. He's still got the skills, but needs a change of scenery to invigorate him. Quaranta: Tino played well this year, when he played. Remember his left-footed rocket against Dallas at the beginning of the year? Incredible. He has to get healthy. Next year is his third year. Will he make "The Leap"? Quintanilla: Not quite the "Real Deal" that Hudson promised, but a nice player nonetheless. Plays the give-and-go exceptionally well. Still adjusting to MLS. We'll have a better idea of how good he is at this level at the end of next season. Curtis: The #1 offensive sub. He can't go for 90 minutes, but he his most dangerous when he comes in fresh while the defense tires. His best moment came on the breakaway against LA in the first match, where he scored and breifly put us in position to win. Lassiter and Zambrano: Thanks guys. Please see HR for your last check. At least Zambrano scored. OTC is glad to be associated with Rongen instead of Lassiter now. Villegas: As he GoDC family calls him, "Blind Squirrel". Makes the occasion good play just like a blind squirrel finds the occasional nut. Sometimes I wonder if he's wathching a different game in his mind. Etcheverry: The foot and toe injuries will end his career. By the end of the season, the heart had returned but the skills have left. Remember the Free Kick against Chicago in the home opener? Now think about the free kicks he served up against Dallas last night. He's no longer the straw that stirs the United drink. If he's going to stay, he has to accept a drastically reduced role, including relinquishing the captaincy. Williams: MLS has passed him by. He's had a great run, but it's time to get the coaching license. Defensively players either outmuscle him or blow by him. If he doesn't foul, he doesn't stop anything. Alegria: Chino is a 65 minute man. Lots of energy and creativity, but can't seem to put it all together. Basically, next year is it for him. Unless he makes "The Leap", he's not worth keeping as an SI. McKinley: Brings a hard edge that we need. Brings a lack of skill that we don't. Very little creativity out of the back, something that is essential to our attack.He does have a penchant for picking up cards, which cripples us ever further at times. Again, a player who MLS has passed by. Olsen: His return saved our season. He's not all the way back. His touch still is atrocious, but his fire burns as brightly as ever. I nominate him to be our captain next year. He and Convey will be the players to carry United forward. Still needs to round out into game shape. Missing the net, but just barely most of the time. Convey: The first half of the season was nothing special. But the second half was. Starting with the goal against the Galaxy on June 29, he really elevated his play. He's still inconsistent, but he's showing signs of making "The Leap" from being a good player to becoming a great player as he becomes more comfortable in the Center Midfield role. Let's hope it continues into 2003. Nelsen: THE surprise of this team. Really elevated his play far beyond what anyone expected. Nice offensive contributions and rock solid individual defense. His next task is to organize the back like the way Agoos did for us. Prideaux: We all knew what he could do, and he did not disappoint. Example of a trade that worked out for both teams. Hope he sticks around for a few more years. Reyes: Absolutely smooth. Fluid between attack and defense. He man-marks, plays a zone, carries the ball forward, holds it, and does just about anything else. Quite possibly the best foreign player signing since Moreno in 1996. He should be ever better next year. I'm not looking forward to seeing our forwards up against him in World Cup qualifying in 2004 and 2005. Pope: Until the World Cup, Papal Infallibility was back. After the World Cup, he wore down. Hope he gets a nice break and relaxes. He can play anywhere necessary, but he's not the vocal leader type, and placing that responsility on him didn't work for anyone. Still a good player, but approaching the downside of his MLS and Nat career. Rimando: Our best player. Saved our collective bacon so many times it's not funny. It's a tribute to him that we didn't completely fall apart as a result of the 10 game winless streak. But I will admit, he reminds of a young Jorge Campos. I hope I never have to see him as an old Jorge Campos. Sachin
Going into 2003, we should have young, but experienced core lineup. This is the type of lineup that can turn into a dynasty. F - Quaranta (3rd year pro) F - Quintanilla (4?) LM- ???? ACM - Convey (4) DM - Alegria (2 or 3) RM - Olsen (5)(C) LB - Reyes (?) CB - Nelsen (3) CB - Pope (8) RB - Prideaux (3 or 4) GK - Rimando (4) Out of all of these players: 5 of these players are under the age 25 9 are under 28 And only Pope will be 30+ I think. Sachin
Sachin I agree with pretty much all you said. Although I think Tino started that leap this year before he got injured, I expect him to continue to make that leap. Remember it has taken Bobby 3 years to get where he is now. Next year Tino and Bobby will pick up where they left off (IMO). I would keep Etch playing with Bobby in the middle to help ease Bobby into that role, but as you said keep Etch's role to a supporting one now.
Santino is amazing and was beginning to partner Jaime very well. Since it's doubtful Jaime will be here next season, Tino will have a new partner. I don't think Quintanilla can handle playing as a forward in this league. He should go into midfield. I think Tino will either be partnered with another very skilled player like Jaime or a big target player. I think Bobby has started to make the leap this year as well. As said above, after that goal, he began to show his ability.
I really would rather not see Q2 as a midfielder. Do you guys really think he can keep up with someone like Chris Henderson or Manny Lagos? And we thought Villegas was a defensive liability. Maybe if he comes into camp in much better shape now I could understand it, and his ball skills and crosses in midfield would be wonderful, but I really doubt he has the stamina right now to be a 2-way player in this league.
I can understand what you're saying. If Q2 comes into next year in better shape, I think he could be a good player in the middle with Convey in a five man midfield. Then have Alegria as holding midfielder (only if he does some work in offseason to improve himself in this position). I can't see Q2 playing out wide or anything. Maybe venture out there sometimes, but not play in a position the way Olsen does.
At times this year, 'Nilla has made AJ Wood look like an Olympic sprinter. I don't think he has the wheels to be a full-time forward. And yes he has some defensive liabilities, but he is 19. If Marco leaves, I think that 'nilla can fit that spot in a 5 man midfield.
The thing is, I think I remember it being said about him when we signed him that he played on the left wing, too. I guess we'll see next March.
Ohhh, I never heard the left wing thing. Well either way, I think we should play a system like this. Rimando Pope Nelsen Reyes Alegria Olsen Convey Mapp or ? Q2 or ? Quaranta and ? Though, this would never work unless some guys do some work on strength and fitness and other things. Even if Q2 played left wing, he doesn't have speed and that is kind of important in outside midfield. Maybe if he played kind of a floating midfielder and moved around a lot, he could go out wide some, but I can't see him hanging in with Chris Henderson on the outside like someone said above. No matter where he plays, he is going to have some defensive responsibilities. He would have to be fit. I think forward is not a good position for him. I think Zambrano makes a better forward than he does. It's good to play attacking soccer but we need to make sure we can have a solid TEAM defense. Kind of like the way the USA does, if possible.
I left Prideaux out but I think he has the capability of stealing anyone's position. We could also try have Reyes at def. mid instead of Chino and then have Prideaux in the back. Or put Prideaux at def. midfield. I think he'd do well there.
Sachin I think you are spot on more than most BS posters but I disagree with you here. I don't think that Pope is even nearing the downside of his MLS career. Admittedly he has been spoty but I think that had more to do with being worn out by the World Cup like you said. I believe he is only 28 and in the condition he is in he'll have another 3 or 4 season before we start seeing a drop due to age. He has been inconsistent but I just can't imagine he is on the downside of his career.
I would keep "only" the following players: Rimando,Prideaux,Pope,Nelsen,Reyes,Convey,Moreno, Quaranta,Eliseo,Curtis. I would dump everybody else. Next year, I would keep an eye on: Convey,Quaranta,Moreno and Curtis if, they do not perform, I would trade them rightaway.Moreno and Pope would have to accept a pay cut otherwise, they will be gonne, no question about that. IMHO, this is the most one can save from the worse DCU team ever !!!...
I disagree about not keeping Mapp. You can't expect him to make an impact right away. He was brought in to slowly get into pro soccer. I wouldn't even trade him if he didn't make an impact next year. Give him time. If he was 24 years old it would be a little different. But he's 17. He isn't at Convey or Quaranta's level yet, but he'll make it. I'd also give Chino one more year.
Mostly I agree with your assessment Sachin, but not entirely. Quintanilla has shown the ability to work well with anyone who plays with him. He can play the give and go yes, but also the cross field pass, the dribble by your man, take shots, draw defenders, and has a lot of skill. I just wish he had some speed. Curtis is 24 and should be entering his prime, but he isn't. He's very very raw. Finally, he's started to dribble with his head up and make some passes. Finally he made a diagonal run, but by and large his game is wait for a long ball over the top, dribble straight ahead, if necessary dribble by a defender, and shoot. I fear that he may have missed the window of learning the fine art of making intelligent runs, of non-stop motion, of seeing the field, of drawing defenders so someone else can score, of passing, of returning the ball in a give and go, etc. He has a lot to learn. I think Williams showed that he can play in this league. He did a great job defensively this season, and his possession was much improved. He isn't a start-the-offense-from-the-back player. That may be what we need, but I don't think that Williams' skills have eroded. He's best in a build-up possession offense, which is what United used to run when Etch could pull the strings and make the long dagger passes. Villegas has made me eat some of my words. While he has done much of the dribble to the corner and get dispossessed that I expected, he also has started passing more and with a little vision. He also has started playing defense for--quite honestly--probably the first time in his life. I'd say he's a bargain at his salary, but I'd rather see him as a sub until he refines his game. Chino needs to learn how to defend in space and anticipate dangerous situations if he wants to play Dmid. Right now he doesn't have those skills, but very few people his age do, so there's hope. Nice analysis Sachin. -Tron
Re: Re: My thoughts on the boys (long) Pope will be 29 at the begining of next year. He's approaching the point where injuries turn into chronic injuries, IMHO. I do hope you're right and I'm wrong in this case. Sachin
Whoa! I'm impressed! Sormun is flexible to recognize high caliber performances even if they are against his general opinion. Great to see that you've elevated Convey into the "keep" section. -Tron
I think Sachin is pretty close. My line-up for next year would be like this... 3-5-2 -----------Rimando Reyes----Pope----Nelsen Olsen----Veteran D-Mid---Quintanilla* ------New A-mid--Convey ------Quaranta---Moreno* *I'm a little nervous about these guys. Mapp is in no way ready to play. I'd rather see Q2 off the bench. Pope has been very average so if I could exchange his salary for a significantly good attacking player I would do it. Average defenders in MLS are a dime a dozen. Etch, Lazo, Richie, Amman, Lassiter and Zambrano are all gone. Why waste an SI on Zambrano? In the draft I would pick up lots of defenders. It seems that every year there are two or three defenders that make an impact right out of college. Use the discoveries to pick up SI attacking players. In the middle of a 3-5-2 I'd like to have 3 guys who can all play both ways. Bobby does this, but Marco and Richie are too one-dimensional. Man City is about to release Danny Tiatto on a free tranfer. DC should pick him up. He's awesomely creative and VERY tough (maybe even too tough).
OK, fans overemphasize formations and coaches underemphasize them, but what everyone really is targeting is player roles. A typical 352 has two Dmids ahead of 3 central defenders and 2 wing midfielders that have increased defensive responsibilities. A typical 442 has one Dmid ahead of 2 central defenders and 2 wing defenders. In a typical 352 you have one winger and one Dmid that can play offensively while the other winger and Dmid covers for him. In a 442, the only offensive license goes to the wing backs, but again, usually one at a time. Eliseo can play left midfielder in a 442, because his lack of speed is covered by a 4 man defensive back line and he doesn't have to track back. The left back is already doing that. In essence, the left back is his "cover" defensively, freeing him to focus primarily on attacking. In a 352 the wing midfielders have too many defensive responsibilities and must be fast, so he couldn't play a true left winger in a 352. In that formation he would play as a holding midfielder or central attacking midfielder. In the center of the midfield it is packed tightly with his teammates, so he doesn't have much ground to cover and his speed is less exposed. So depending upon how you classify the formation, Eliseo's role is dictated by the other personnel if he plays in midfield. Reyes is a classic right back, and if he's on the field he will help flood the midfield on offense, but defining his defensive role will mean a lot to Eliseo. If Reyes is a defender in a 3 man back line, he's not going to defend in midfield. If Reyes is the Dmid, then Reyes' attacking precludes Eliseo from playing Hmid. -Tron
Nice work Sachin... A few minor quibbles if you don't mind.. Quaranta's rocket against Dallas was right footed, not left as you stated.. Ivan McKinley's only talent left in him IS his skill on the ball.. ITT is slow as molasses but when he played the holding mid role for us, he showed a deft touch on the ball and a great eye for spotting players.. On top of that, he is second only to Marco in hitting that cross field pinpoint pass.. ITT is a sub at best next season and he does give our midfield and backline some sorely needed physicality.. I thought Reyes started off very shaky this season adjusting to the new language and new speed of play.. He got sent off and carded quite a few times but settled in very nicely.. I wish he would take on defenders in the corners a little more often.. He has the speed to simply touch the ball past them and blow by them but he doesn't seem to realize he has that ability.. He always busts into the offensive half and then seems to stop all of a sudden in a sort of "what do I do now?" situation.. Again, great analysis..
Agreed, McKinley's skills impress me. He is a wonderful long passer. Send him in at the end of the game as a defender when you're winning and you get hard tackles and an ability to start the counterattack. Send him in at the end of the game as a mid in place of a defender when you're losing and you get some decent offensive skills, a ball-winner (as long as the other team is tired), and some ability to cross and contribute on corners. Play him for a whole game and just shoot yourself in the foot instead. Williams is the worst starting midfielder in the league and worse than many subs. He does not contribute to ball possession unless you can convince me that there are players on this squad who can't do just as good a job of passing it backwards to a wide open defender or handing it off to Marco. He's small and slow and for some reason in 2000 and 2002 DC has played great in every game he was suspended for. Who knows, if Chino hadn't gotten injured against Dallas we might be rooting hard for Columbus tomorrow. If you compare the Ali Curtis of Tampa to the Ali Curtis of the first three games of this season to the Ali Curtis of the last three games of this season I think you see a player rapidly developing the subtle side of his game. I was amazed during the Dallas game to see Ali making some precise traps, taking players off the dribble, and making intelligent runs in tight space. It's probably too late for Ali to be a star, but it's not impossible he might score 10-12 goals in a season someday. Everything else spot on.
I think Quintanilla may be the slowest man in MLS. How many times have you seen a ball played into space with him timing his run and being a step ahead of the defender and then the defender beating him to the ball. And he can't make up for it in the air, because we spent a lot of the season (mostly during the 10 game winless streak) playing balls in the air into the box to a mess of forwards who were all 5'6" and under and watching the much taller defenders and keepers take them. Sure, Quintanilla has heart. He plays with intensity. He challenges the defenders when they have the ball (which is one of the keys to DC success and we don't see when Moreno is on the field). But, he couldn't beat a glacier in a footrace. I still think he's the second coming of the second coming of Diaz Arce.
When AJ Wood use to play, it was heartening to watch...as I could say, with all confidence, "I'm faster than him...therefore, I can play professional soccer." With Q2, it is totally disheartening to watch...as I can say, with all confidence, "My grandma is faster than him...holy crap, he's so slow, I think he's underwater." And as for Glaciers...I bet that breakaway one in Russia would give Reyes a run for the money. Tim