http://www.3rddegree.net/ Lots of interesting stuff from practice today.... Morrison Jordan Nunez Gbandi Draft picks
Wowie zowie. Things are going to be so different by April. No Jordan. No Zarco. No Cotton Bowl. New striker (maybe). I liked Jeffries' very understated response to the Nuñez question.
Thanks for the informative report. It's great to hear that Gbandi's looking so good. Any info re Stephen Higgins?
How did Drew Moor look? I think he and Klaas are in the market for P40 contracts if he(Moor) ends up making the U20 team. Grabavoy, Marshall, Cochrane, Klaas and now Moor are the remaining players who haven't turned pro. European interest basically drives up their potential P40 contracts or they'll sign in Europe.
Higgins will not be here until later... something like the 10th. The Burn are bringing in several trialist.. Higgins will just be one of several. Moore looked a little nervous. I am not sure he has been in this level of training before. His fitness was great, and he kept up with Play trough the entire practice. Very few players can come in and keep up with the speed of MLS. He was quick with some good size. But never really stood out... good or bad. Certainly I would like to see more of him. He is another player who looks like he would be more effective in an open full game, rather than small sides. Cerritos is still rehabbing, Jeffries told me before, they hope he can start training before opening day.
Wonder if those other "trialists" will include: Phil Salyer Ian Joy Joey DiGimarino Nunez sure did look good against the US. Wonder why he never took in England or in Mexico?
Very nice report (as usual). Thanks. I hope Countess is ready - cause it looks like he's going to start. I think it would be tough to get Nunez and Johnny Walker at the same time - and if we have the choice I would take Nunez.
Great report. Interesting notes about the draft picks, especially the "...surprisingly good..." comment by Jeffries relative to Mariscalco, and coming on the heels of Jeffries' earlier favorable comments as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see both he and Tranchilla on the roster, despite only a single developmental spot being available.
Re: Re: Opening Day of Camp I agree it's possible both could make the team, though not especially likely at this time. However, Bussey, in particular, could end up feeling a bit of heat from these two, and it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that Carl could find himself traded (or waived) if his preseason performance isn't up to par.
He is another player who looks like he would be more effective in an open full game, rather than small sides. Doesn't this mean a player isn't very good on the ball? I would think all players look better once they get to an open field game.
Just a kind word for 3rd degree - your site is top shelf - none better in MLS. Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to seeing Gbandi in action (except against the Revs). I have a feeling he will be as good as advertised. I have never seen a better college player.
Re: Re: Re: Opening Day of Camp I don't doubt that it will take some roster movement, but both are too good (and too cheap) to pass up. Despite Thompson's higher draft status, Tranchilla is much the better forward, and more importantly, more useful since Thompson is out for the bulk of the season. Mariscalco's combination of skill and positional flexibility are made to order for the Burn, especially with expansion looming next year. I think if you're Jeffries, you find a way to keep both if possible.
Yes and No... It means that the player is not as good in tight space, not as good on the ball, not able to handle quick tight rapid passing. For example... Pareja, Vaca, and O'Brien are very good in small mini games. Johnson, Morrow, Broome, and even Graziani (when he was here) are not; each for different reasons. But get that second group of players into a big game and they are very effective, important players. An example of a player that is good at small side games and yet is not "good on the ball" is Bobby Rhine. His high work rate and explosive step to get a free shot make him effective in these samll games too.
If the Burn uses their third SI spot on a forward to be named later, would Bussey's spot be jeopardized by the necessity of bringing in a second 'keeper?
3rd, As always, I see your point. You make a good case about a player having potential in an open field game even if he does not look good in a small sided game. Learnin' as I go!