Nothing to do "with his legs"... It was about playing Basti where he'd have that most significant team impact... Ironic the "elitism" doesn't get it and trys to weaponize it...
If this were true it would have been a temporary, one window move, not a two year move. Think about it.
As I recall Basti asked for the move to help the defense. Maybe it was a fact he passed on or was unable to do the running in the midfield, but I never saw or heard about that.
If it were to help the team then it probably would have been for a window or two, not two years. There was plenty of time to get a replacement CB and move him back to midfield where we all loved watching him play. That didn't happen, but not because we couldn't find an MLS caliber CB.
For those who don't understand the reference: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40428650/king-kazu-world-oldest-player-joins-new-club-aged-57 That would have been something.
It looks like they're trying to positioning themselves to upgrade, but their hands are tied until there are more departures. Czichos & Navarro green cards open up international slots and the Dowd loan only allows them to absorb the return of J. Reynolds from loan. They're still butt up against the roster limit. Everyone expects Shaqiri to be gone one way or another, but until that happens little can be done. Maybe they package an international slot in a deal for a player, garberbux, or some other MLS fungible asset. Tossing in an unused international slot can sweeten the pot to shed one of the many unwanted contracts.
Do y'all think we've backed off looking for a new home for Souquet? I was thinking we'd sell him, buyout Shaq and buydown(but keep) Gimenez. Resulting the same as Bunge's prediction: 2 DP & 2 Intl slots open.
Pertinent comment. We may not have an open roster slot. However, based upon the most recent rosters I saw, the players on loan (Bezerra, Rodriquez) do not count against the roster while on loan. Not completely sure, but it appears these 2 roster slots are open until at least Oct.26. Plus the Dowd loan may open up another slot. So- currently the Fire (probably) have 2 roster slots and 2 international slots. But no DP slots until Shaqiri and/or Gimenez are moved out or a GAM buydown of Gimenez occurs. But, in any event, they should be looking. Are they?
Czichos green card but it's the last year of his contract wonder if he'd re-sign at a lower contract amount with the expectation of playing a somewhat diminished role
Czichos uses his soccer IQ and experience to counter his lack of speed but he is not an ideal LCB in a 3 CB formation. Of course, not sure which formation Fire will be using in future. May 1 announcement said at least four to six weeks for Salquist injury. Wonder how his recovery is going?
I just got the word that unless Dowd's salary is picked up by Huntsville (unlikely) he is still part of the roster and the roster, including Reynolds is full.
The way we’ve been running the 3CB is with 1 fast one in the center, as opposed to the common 2 faster CBs and a slow smart one in the middle… I’m still a proponent of Czichos…yea he’s aging out, but IMO he remains the best defender on the roster…hoping he gets a 1+1option deal