it's going to be a very long season if we don't secure an experienced Center Mid that can control the ball under pressure. Kyle Beckerman has potential however his lack of expereince at this level really shows. If we can't get an SI in the very near term then we need to trade Chris Carrieri.
well maybe he needs consistent time in that position. Coming in when they have already lost doesn't help him gain the confidence and get comfortable. Also since the beginning of the season hankinson didn't want a number 10 .He felt henderson and chung could roam in the middle and do the attacking. Well that isn't working...Give him a couple of games at the position. We can't be any worse than we are now...
I'd say the jury's still out on Beckerman. He had one start. He didn't tear it up, but didn't suck either. Turns out that game is the only point the Rapids have. What exactly would we get for Carrieri?
I can tell you that Zizi at center versus the Boulder Reserves sure isn't the answer. I agree. Chris Carrieri is unhappy here and I would think he would have some value for a team with striker problems. While we couldn't get a playmaker, perhaps we could get someone to help defense.
Who are the creating central midfielders in this league? Chicago - Andy Williams (1g, 1a) Columbus - Kyle Martino (1g) DCU - Marco Etcheverry (1g, 1a) MetroStars - Amado Guevara (1a) Kansas City - Preki (2g, 2a); Francisco Gomez (2a) New England - noone Colorado - noone Dallas - noone (although Vaca could, but plays wide) Los Angeles - noone (Cienfuegos hasn't played this year) San Jose - noone There are 2 "stars" in Preki and Etch, both old, and only one of them has been effective. 2 others fill #10 in a more-or-less traditional manner, Williams and Guevara. 2 others are being "groomed" for the role, Martino and Gomez. 2 teams have players that can play a #10 role, and choose to play in a different configuration. The Rapids problem right now is not that they are lacking a #10, it is the lack of production out of wing midfielders. Teams have to learn how to play without #10's, because there aren't that many of them and it is not presupposed that such a player is needed for success. Manchester United is the prototype for playing without such a player. The Rapids focus should be getting Chung and Henderson involved into the offense in an effective manner, even if that comes at the expense of the defence, which is also a pressing need.
Jeff Bradley wrote today on MLSnet that Chris C should go to DC for Demo K. I think this would be a great trade to get a young, goal scoring center mid. Demo can light guys up with his pace and can put the ball in the net. With Pablo in dmid, get a center mid who can attack!