Sounds crazy and personally I wouldn't want him to come back at this stage in his career but with Onyewu now out at Newcastle is United even in a position to make a play for him to come back to his home town?
Re: Onyewu I don't think it's crazy at all. We have a DP slot. He's young, dominating and would make Carlos Ruiz look like a minnow.
Re: Onyewu It's a good question, but I don't think Onyewu's the man United want. First of all, he's a central defender, and the outside is where the defense seems to need the most help w/ DC, particularly at the left back position. Also, Onyewu's a very physical defender, even by MLS standards. I'd be concerned that he'd be a red card/penalty magnet. For these reasons (plus, as you said, he'd probably like to stay in Europe), I don't think he'd be a good fit for DC United. Now, if you want something that sounds really crazy, here goes: what about hiring John O'Brien on a pay-for-play basis? If he has successfully rehabbed after his last injury, he used to be a pretty good left back when he played in Europe. If he goes and injures himself again, then, oh well, it's back to Gros at left back, and the team's no worse off. If he stays healthy, on the other hand, and he can really help contribute to the club, then he can make a pot of money and share in the team's future success. Now, that's crazy.
Re: Onyewu If CJ Brown can stay in this league and not get redcarded out of his mind, anyone can. MLS is about as lenient on big guys who bump, hold and push as any league I've ever watched.
Re: Onyewu Pffft. If it's size you want, I can make Carlos Ruiz look like a minnow! Problem is, when Gooch drapes himself all over the Little Fish, he'll collapse in the Penalty Area, and the ref will point to the spot. Screw that! I'd rather hire a defender who will (a) deny the attacking player the ball, and (b) if he does win the ball, tackle it cleanly away before the damage can be done, rather than (c) clean his clock and blast away the ball after the rape is complete. But that's just me, I suppose...
Re: Onyewu I like Gooch, but he's not the guy I'd want to spend the DP slot on. He's not that great. I disagree that he's too physical for this league. I agree that what we don't need right now is a central defender.
Re: Onyewu Spending DP money on a defender really isn't the best use of that money and even if it were, I would spend it on one better than Onyewu. Sure he's a physical specimen and young but if you're going to be spending that much money, why not spend a little more and get a much better player, like Ryan Nelsen or Jaap Stam, Cannavaro, the younger Ferdinand, Rafa Marquez, Ayala, the list could go on and on. As for JOB, schumkatelli, you are crazy. I don't think he has recovered from his last injury. Last I heard he's still out in LA. Maybe if the pay for play amount was he paid DC for every game he played it might make sense.
Re: Onyewu Do you really think Nelson is better than Onyewu??? He was all world here in MLS but Onyewu was all world in the Belgium league...which is usually considered better. Personally if Gooch wanted to come here I say throw the bank at him...but we all know that's not going to happen....at least not for another 6 years or so.
Re: Onyewu This is really the only thing I've ever seen Onyewu do: If DC United plays a game against 11 guys named Borgetti, signing him as a DP might make sense. Apart from that, then, uh, no.
Re: Onyewu Ryan Nelsen is one of the best defenders in the English Premier League. Which is quite a bit better than the Belgian League. I think Ryan Nelsen is far better than Oguchi Onyewu. Maybe "Nelson" is someone else.
Re: Onyewu You know, I'm not usually a fan of merging threads, but this nonsense about signing Onyewu as a DP would be perfect for the "If it comes down to it, what Player would you guys want for the DP Slot?" thread. That way it would be hidden from the front page of BigSoccer too.
Re: Onyewu is ur head up your ass? nelsen is captain of his side, one of the best regarded defenders in the english game and "gooch" can't even stick with sorry ass newcastle. get some facts first.
Re: Onyewu Nelsen is a proven defender in the EPL for Blackburn...and their captain. Onyewu was just cut by Newcastle. The math says: Nelsen. ...and the Belgian league isn't all that.
Re: Onyewu Imagine how good Gooch would be if he played in the Faroe Islands league or the Andorra league. Now THAT would be some quality stuff right there.
Re: Onyewu glad to see the discussion resulting from my question. I'd take Nelson at this point over Onyewu. Nelson is tactically much better right now. However, I still feel Onyewu has a huge upside and let's be honest, Newcastle is a mess. I think Onyewu can make it in England. I hope he gets another shot because if it means going to another B-League, he might as well come back to the US.