With Eloundou's arrival I think one of Hill, Cascio, or Mwanga are out in the offseason. Also, Quinn said we'd probably be looking for a keeper, with Pickens out on trade and Ceus out because he's terrible, we may possibly be looking for TWO keepers.
I hate to say it, as I love Pickens, but trading him could conceivably help to acquire one or two of the above. Pickens should have a decent amount of trade value --- for a G.K. anyway. Speaking of target forward's SKC is bound to part was with Bunbury or Sapong with the likes of an emerging Dwyer and Saad. I wouldn't mind working something out for one, preferably Sapong.
I can't see anyone of these guys being retained. I've always liked Hill, thought he fit into OP's style, but for whatever reason hasn't been in his plans. Now he's just surplus to requirements. I'd draft a GK or sign a non-draftee. There are actually quite a few GK's right now in the college ranks with pro potential. Then, I'd sign an older, experienced GK, to serve as the #2 and who can mentor Irwin -- if you will. Joe Cannon is likely to be released from Vancouver, why not have him return to CO?? Given his age he won't command a high salary. Hell, there could be a decent option there from USL Pro or NASL that could be a viable #2. Either way, Irwin will be the only GK on the roster sooner than later.
I have a spreadsheet on my home desktop that breaks down our entire roster by salary and age. I'll have to post it at the end of the season.
Sorry, but you all realize Bravo was the same person Responsible for said in the 18 players... Edit: I should add- also responsible for trades that brought in guys that lead us to MLS cup as well.
The seeming drift from MLS retread journeymen to young talented and under the radar foreigners is a positive development. *Without looking too deeply into it.
I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to say since there appears to be some typos in there, but in general, who is responsible for bringing in players has been a point of some contention on these boards. We don't know how much each person is contributing. If it's all Bravo, then Smith has a legitimate beef considering the players that have been picked up during his tenure vs. Pareja's. What seems more likely is Pareja and others are contributing to the scouting and evaluation. Pareja is definitely helping to sell the team's prospects, given how guys like Sanchez have referred to Oscar's "project" and wanting to contribute. Bravo may also have improved. And given the that Bravo and Smith didn't see eye to eye and that was a major reason for Smith being let go, it's likely the case that Bravo and Pareja work better together when it comes to finding and signing players.
I think this is important. I've also heard the Rapids are spending significantly more on scouting this year. If true that should be taken into consideration before judging Smith too harshly. If the financial resources are very different it isn't necessarily comparing apples to apples. It is really difficult to judge Bravo's individual impact. The best signings seem to have Pareja's fingerprints on them in my opinion. Also credit needs to be given for the ability to get KSE to spend which I'm guessing is Hinchey and not Bravo. That said in the end individual success doesn't really matter. The team they have working to make decisions is doing well. So even if you can't judge them individually you have to give them high marks overall and for that reason Bravo needs to be given high marks as well.
IMO, the team is now formidable. While some back-ups are needed, the 1st choice side will be competitive for all trophies in 2014. As I see it!!! * Colorado Rapids – Molding the Roster for 2014 & beyond The Core (12): GK Matt Pickens 31 USA IMO, #1 but likely to be traded! GK Clint Irwin 24 USA An outstanding 1st season, with experience he may become a superstar! D Chris Klute 23 USA To my delight an emerging star! Wynalda may be right! D Drew Moor 29 USA A savvy, versatile veteran! D Diego Calderón 26 Ecuador IMO, a 1st choice CB. Will challenge Moor &/or O’Neill D Shane O'Neill 20 Ireland/USA To my delight an emerging star! M Hendry Thomas 28 Honduras Perhaps, the best D-mid in MLS! M Dillon Powers 22 USA As predicted. An emerging star! M Martin Rivero 23 Argentina Unfortunately injury delayed stardom. Huge potential! M/F Vicente Sánchez 33 Uruguay A terrific signing. A high quality veteran with a lot to offer! F Gabriel Torres 24 Panama Rapids’ 1st DP signing with lotsa potential! F Deshorn Brown 22 Jamaica As predicted. An emerging star! Other Importants COGS (3): F Edson Buddle 32 v USA A very disappointing season for this savvy but seemingly lazy veteran! If he stays he must take training & fitness seriously! M Nick LaBrocca 28 USA Always giving 100% but is somewhat short on talent! M Nathan Sturgis 26 USA A sensational season. Has he truly emerged? Can he repeat? The “Espoirs” (5): F Danny Mwanga 22 Democratic Republic of Congo Although still young, he is at do or die time in his career! F Charles Eloundou 18 Cameroon A truly exciting prospect. Very fast, very technical player with huge upside! May emerge as an MLS superstar! D Kory Kindle 22 USA Very intelligent, very fast, very quick youngster looking for a position, more technical skill & added savvy! D German Mera 23 Colombia After a slow start Mera began to show why he was added to the side. IMO, he will become a solid CB! M Dillon Serna 19 USA IMO, a very hasty decision to sign as HG! The to be Gone but Appreciated (3): D Brian Mullan 35 USA A very solid, savvy veteran always giving 100%. I expect him to retire. If not, I would resign him! M Jaime Castrillon 30 Colombia Injury derailed his career. A talented player but nowhere to play! M Jamie Smith 32 Scotland Never my guy but very well liked & appreciated by most. I expect him to retire & probably coach somewhere! The to be Gone but not to be missed (7): D Davy Armstrong 21 USA IMO, a very hasty decision to sign as HG! Not MLS quality. M Tony Cascio 23 USA Lack of speed & quickness kills! His hard shot & willingness to shoot allows him to catch on elsewhere! GK Steward Ceus 26 USA His real talent was growing too 6’6”. His quality is very meager! D Brenton Griffiths 22 Jamaica Practice team fodder no longer necessary! M Atiba Harris 28 Saint Kitts and Nevis Probably will be retained. But I do not like his quality or style of play. To his credit fewer red cards than earlier! F Kamani Hill 27 USA No better in MLS than he was elsewhere! D/M Anthony Wallace 24 USA Unfortunately, injury may have diminished a budding talent. * 8-10 from current roster will be history in 2014. 1st Choice ...............................................Torres .................Brown/Sanchez.........................Sanchez/Eloundou ..........................................................Sanchez/Rivero ...................................Powers ..............................................Thomas Klute........................................................................................................Wynne ......................Calderon/O’Neill........................Calderon/Moor ..............................................Pickens/Irwin
Nice list! Here's what I have. Note some guys can fall into one than one category and it's designated by a * Retained: GK : Irwin DF: Moor, Calderon, Klute, Wynne, O'Neill, Mera MF: Rivero*, Sturgis, LaBrocca, Powers, Thomas ST: Torres, Brown, Sanchez Out GK: Ceus (released), Pickens (trade) DF: Griffiths (released), Kindle* (released/loaned) MF: Smith (retire/released), Mullan (retired), Hill (released), Castrillon* (released), Cascio (released/trade) ST : Mwanga* (released) Unsure DF: Wallace MF : Harris, Rivero*, Castrillon* ST: Buddle, Mwanga* Loaned DF - Armstrong, Kindle MF - Serna I would love to see the Rapids officially link up with USL Pro side Phoenix FC and have all 3 of these guys loaned out for a half to a full season to get them games. I think it's in their best interest. Note - I placed Rivero in two lists because I think it all depends on Rosario Central's asking price and/or if they recall him. I wanted him back. I want him healthy. I don't want him back on loan. I want him permanently.
I suspect they'll hang on to Mwanga; he's quite young and they thought well enough of him to trade a 1st rounder. Though I guess he could be too expensive. He'd be another good one to loan out to see if playing time helps him any. Cascio, too if they should hold on to him.
I could see Cascio being release, however, I think he does hold some value. He's more likely to be used as trade bait. Mwanga is young, 22, but there must be a reason this is his 3rd club. I haven't see too much from him albeit his minutes have been slim. I think his best option is a release. He could latch onto say an Orlando City or upper echelon NASL side like the NY Cosmos or Tampa Bay Rowdies were he can probably play, have a big role and still develop while young enough to maybe once again draw interest from MLS.
Yeah, I think Mwanga, Cascio, and Hill could all have VERY solid USL/NASL careers. I'd like to hang on to Cascio with a loan down, and cut Hill and Mwanga.
Just to bring everyone up to speed on our international slots: 9 slots total Using an international slot: Brown Calderon Griffiths Mera Rivero Sanchez Torres Not yet using an international slot, but will: Eloundou (doesn't count until he's officially added to first-team roster) Green card/gained citizenship: Castrillon Harris Mwanga O'Neill Smith Thomas (everyone else is American from birth) So we have 1 open slot going into next year before roster changes. Safe bet Griffiths is gone so make it 2. Also remember that at the end of next season there will be an expansion draft for one (NYCFC), possibly 2 (Orlando) clubs. In the past teams have been required to protect at least 3 internationals, much to many Rapids fans consternation last time. This time around I don't think it will be nearly as hard unless there's a lot more green cards given out in the next 12 months (Brown, Rivero, and Torres meet the minimum).
Mwanga has some skill, as I've seen demonstrated occasionally in first team play but more than a couple of times in reserve play. The one thing he seems to lack is tenacity. His game requires more urgency and I have not seen him improve that aspect since coming to the Rapids. My friend who lives in Portland and is a big Timbers fan specifically stated that he believes Porter let Mwanga go because of his pace of play, not hard and fast enough. Not sure if he can, or is willing to change that. Edit: I agree with COMTNGuy's last comment.
Random question; what languages does he speak? I looked it up and the official languages of Cameroon are French and English, has anyone heard him speak English? Official languages in Africa don't count for much. I'm just curious if his interviews are being translated (like Torres and Sanchez) or if he's truly able to speak for himself.
He must speak french, they said that Mwanga was translating for him. It would be interesting if Mwanga is pushed with him coming and ends up helping both players.... rod.
It would be nice. I think an in-form Mwanga is a helpful addition to the team. At least he speaks a European language. He can learn English as he goes, and there are enough French speakers in the US to accommodate him.