I don't know if it's harder to figure out what we're doing with our roster, or what Montreal is doing with theirs. I like this move for us, though. We'll have very healthy competition at left back now, between Zapata, Wahl, Freeman and eventually a healthy Wallace. Does this take the roster spot Kimura's trade left available, or do we have more moves needed to be made?
We still have at least Wallace's IR spot open to us, and depending on how the whole "selling of non-roster spots for allocation money" rule works we might have two more spots but they have to count against the cap. Right now we're at 28 players on the roster, but Wallace doesn't count (nor does Pablo as long as he's out). We have either 28 or 30 possible slots, depending on how that rule works.
I agree it certainly seems a good pickup for depth. I do hope we make another pickup for more than just depth though.
So basically a Kimura for Wahl trade then, plus Allocation money to us. Not sure what I think about that. Another thought, shows we don't want outside backs going forward between Freeman and Wahl. Not that they can't, but both are very conservative in getting forward. Wahl salary #s= $65K with $86K Guaranteed
Not exactly - the international spot we got for Kimura is for the remainder of this (2012) season. The international spot we gave Montreal is for the 2014 season.
I wonder if this means the Rapids are done searching overseas for a center back or not? Wahl seems more like a depth guy than a regular starter.
Well if we don't go get an interational player- then the slot from Portland for Kimura was a complete waste.
I wonder then, are teams given a number of international slots that a certain amount usually go to waste each season? How valuable is this asset to us? I guess its value is related to how its used.
Not at all, it can be used for several purposes. By rule, we can't be over salary cap right now, so unless we bring any another player ( US or other) it would go unused. Since International slot we got for Kimura is only good for remained of season, then it would be stupid not to add an International player which could require our use allocation money as well. We do have money left from earlier player releases so this allocation money could go unused even bringing in a player. But I like- 2 birds with 1 stone.
I disagree. Despite the talk of the team viewing Kimura as being able to play LB, I didn't see that happening anytime soon. I see this purely as obtaining LB cover since there is little chance of Freeman playing LB right now. In my mind we still have a hole at RB as far as a backup unless Wynne is the backup, but that would then just exacerbate the lack of CB depth. Anybody know if Wahl can play CB? If he can then this is a good depth move. I disagree with this. I think Freeman gets forward very effectively. He has had some very impressive crosses and has a pretty powerful deep shot as well. He also does a good job of not over-committing though. He is different from Kimura or Zapata where he won't be making overlapping runs all the way down to the end line, but he still contributes offensively. Is he an offensive fullback like Dani Alvez? No. But he isn't a purely defensive fullback either.
Ok, I think I follow, but I'll stand by my statement that non use of the International spot doesn't mean the trade was a complete waste. I will agree, depending on the amount of the allocation, without using the international spot, the value has diminished.
hmmm whal i know his got a decent free kick decent pace and his strong and pretty good defensively if the spot we gave up is for 2014 nice we might be able to still get someone from over sea's
Guess my views are tainted on outside backs given how much I watch Barca, Ajax and Spain. Guess you can say I am a fan of the all out attack and let the other team worry about defending it.
I'm with you, that would be my preference as well. I actually think Barca's and Spain's defenders aren't at the same level as the others. They are obviously very good. A lot of their success is the defensive work their mids and forwards do after losing possession. There are few teams that work as hard at getting the ball back immediately.
That really is the key, they never simply drop back but immediately put pressure on ball. Often winning it back seconds after losing it.
He can kick some good long balls and free kick but honestly he is terrible as a CB. He is better as a LB but his speed was a problem in Montreal, although he is extremely punishing.