i can see a world where Fede plays the Adams 6/destroyer role in GGG's system but he's a bit too hot headed for what it seems like GGG emphasizes but like Adams, he's a defensive menace and a below average passer
Honest question, did GGG have a part in Adams' growth in that role? If so, maybe Fede could benefit similarly as well.
i'm hopeful like i said, fede is my favorite player -- i'd be thrilled if he could be a regular starter on a good team but he's on three more years of a high-dollar deal (not sure how much longer he counts at u22, so could be both a high-dollar and a high-cap hit deal)
I would hope there would be SOME team that would take Gimenez for a nominal fee. Same with Arnaud. Not sure about Mueller. Perhaps sell him for TAM to another MLS squad, if he does not fit in GGG's "plan" (assuming, of course, there is a plan).
Actually, at $500k base salary 2024, he is not terribly expensive. However, U22 slot is valuable so you want someone who can contribute occupying it. People have mentioned a change in coaches might prompt an improvement in him. IMO, it is easier to moderate excessive energy than it is to increase energy. He has a good energy level.
if I understand the u22 rules correctly, Fede gets one more year as a u22 player with the lower budget charge and then he’s no longer a u22 player for his final two years
I think everyone on that list of end of contract players is expendable but I would resign for half their salaries Czichos (and try him at cdm), Fede (love this guy but that injury might have taken him out alas), Omsberg, Herbers and Pineda with even Dean for near minimum.
If his level of play was higher, the salary level would not be a problem. ( Yes, I know this comment applies to many of our players.)
Pineda under contract through 2026, so no decision there. Czichos at $750k would be something supported by a number of people and would represent meaningful reductions in salary and, even more importantly, salary budget charge. He would still need to perform at a satisfactory level. It needs to be a very short term contract.
I’d counter that there has been a decent amount of ‘investment’ in the ‘game day experience’…which should foster some of the energy you refer to. Things like the insane torches you can feel the heat from, ‘stars’ breaking the glass, rotation of singers, improved coordination with the DJs, give aways (cowboy hats and hockey jerseys and such instead of one page game day rosters), etc…all of it cost money to try and make the experience better for the folks that paid to attend. Of course, a fun experience is more likely to bring folks back…win(money)-win(more fans/supporters). Granted, it appears a large portion of the formal Supporter groups could care less and just stay in the parking lot until after kickoff. And once they come in they come in acting like divorced parents…or worse, they hardly watch the game. Baldwin is not going to change that behavior OK…back to the roster conversation!
Knowing if GGG will run 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 or wants to run multiple formations would likely influence the choices… 2024- Czichos, Gutman, Arigoni, Herbers, MHS, Lassiter, Omsberg, Richey, Dean, Casas, Gal, Wootton, Bezerra 2025- Gimenez, Mueller, Souquet, Gaspar, Navarro, Salquist, Barlow, Oregel Keep - unless GGG has a preferred option lined up for his tactics Gutman, Arigoni, Herbers, MHS, Lassiter, Omsberg, Richey, Oregel Negotiate Czichos: 1+1 contract at a lower salary…not sure threshold, depends on other salaries Sell Gimenez, Navarro, Mueller, Barlow, Bezerra, Wootton…1 DP, 1 U22, 2 SNR, 2CFII OPEN Buyout Souquet but could be any of the others that is hard to sell…1 SNR OPEN Likely End of the chapter, it who knows who GGG likes Dean, Casas, Gal, Gaspar…doesn’t matter if the other moves are all made 1 DP, 1 U22, 3SNR, 2CFII OPEN…1 SNR would be used with DPtag 2 DP, 1 U22, 2SNR, 2CFII 7 spots and some work for our new SD to make it happen
Your ideas are interesting but you failed to follow the instructions. Which 5 would you let go by Nov. 27?
All of that crap is marketing. None of it has anything to do with club and community. It’s game day garbage like the prize in a McDonald’s Happy Meal. I’m sure some people like all that crap, and that’s fine. It’s just got nothing to do with the health of the community or club. Burnham Downs (I think that’s what it was called) was a good start. It was a physical meeting space where people could congregate before games. It needed proper leadership, direction, and goals, but it was a good start and an investment in we the people. It could have been used long term to help connect people, ideas, and passion for the Fire. It could have had long term positive, foundational benefits for community and culture. Instead it was cut and the money is being used to pay some ‘celebrity’ to break a pice of glass. A weird, random act completely unconnected to anything. The Fire should invest in people, not gimmicks. Gimmicks are common and sometimes necessary sales tricks but ultimately we all know they are useless and shallow.
That was my exact list. And while keeping versatile players like Herbers and Pineda is good at the right price, they’re also replaceable.
Arigoni (28 appearances/25 starts), MHS (26/22), Herbers (30/24), Lassiter (26/25), Mueller (26/14), Pineda (20/10), & Souquet (25/20) are all squad players on a contender AT BEST. Only MHS, Pineda, & Souquet are under contract for 2025. While it might be tough to dump Souquet's contract, the other 3 who are out of contract are very replaceable and easy to upgrade.
Given the MLS rules, the contracts currently in force and the practical limit dictated by the time necessary to acquire new players, advice to keep only Cuypers, Brady and Gutierrez is pretty worthless. I thought some of you might be interested in discussing this topic and that your input might be helpful to the new coach. Apparently I was wrong on both counts.
Everyone is ‘replaceable’, duh But it ain’t that simple… Well, I’m hoping there are already some deals in motion…the calendar deadlines have been known, Heitz had already been shopping Gimenez, Souquet, etc, and GGG has likely had a good look at it all. As well as, I don’t think there is a roster rule driving a need to achieve the 5 open spots (DP, DP/U22, 2 promotions from Fire II slots, 1 to get rid of “spot 31”)…the compliance date is in the spring. So, I still say… Release Dean, Casas, Gal, Gaspar 4 OPEN Those can be done by the Nov deadline… And during the off season… Buyout Souquet (but could be any of the others that have no leads)…1 OPEN Sell Gimenez, Navarro, Mueller, Barlow, Bezerra, Wootton…1 DP, 1 U22, 2 SNR, 2CFII OPEN