Some implications mentioned in this thread https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=32491 might explain the Rapids recent interest in GKs. There is no agreement with the USL, so there will not be any A-League call-ups. That means that teams are being told to carry 3 GKs because there will not be any emergency call-ups.
So who is the Rapids tallest defender? Will we have a pair of gloves that fit him? They better get a good backup and then a young third string keeper to develop.
I don't think any team will have the luxery to have anything more extravagant than two crappy backups. Any potential backup that is decent can get a starting A-League job and make more money.
quote: Originally posted by monster (from a different thread) http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/TrainingGround/1042945272/view How is our relationship with Seattle or Portland?
And most potential starting MLS field players that are decent can get starting lower-division jobs overseas and make more money (assuming they have foreign clearance or work permits). Money is hardly everything. There are more than a few young keepers that would take a backup job and a $25K salary in Colorado than a starting job in the A-League and a $50K salary. Furthermore, in years past the majority of A-League callups have been starters on their teams, yet have jumped at the chance for as little as a weekend callup. Financially, this meant the goalkeeper lost money; they were not paid by their A-League clubs for the time (and games) that they missed, and were only paid a travel, meal and lodging expenses by MLS -- unless they actually had game time, in which case they received a playing fee. For A-League keepers under the age of 25, there's still a mindset (and legitimate chance) that they've got a shot at becoming starting keepers in MLS. Think of it this way; facing off in training against the likes of Spencer, Henderson, Chung, and Roberts versus staring down, um... Mario Gori? Raul Diaz Arce? Hamisi Amani-Dove? Spending time with more experienced coaching staff (many of them ex MLSers) and a dedicated goalkeeping coach, versus a regional assistant who's aspiring to get his "A" license? This is not to say that MLS clubs have their pick of the litter when it comes to backups... only there's hardly an overwhelming shortage of capable, eager, and willing goalkeepers to fill the role.
Chris Bergin at ussocceruk.com is saying Jordan will likely end up in Colorado with SJ getting Walker, and Dallas having Countess and Cassar.
GK's There is no abundance of good/proven goalkeepers in the league. Jeff Causey has decided after one season out of the league coaching University of Maryland that he is coming back. Since making it known he has received no fewer than five inquiries aroung the league. I would say most teams are not content with their current GK situation based on this interested in a solid journeyman player like Jeff.
jordan??? I guess I would be stunned, in a good way, to see Matt Jordan in the Black, Blue, & White (but not Green anymore). I think Jordan wants a starting or back-up role where he could legitamitely win the start. I think that Hanki has a thing for garlick (right or wrong) so that jordan would be circumspect about Colorado unless he knows Scott's not really healed, or that hankinson really would give him a shot to win the job in camp. Fa-Fa-Fa-Faa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-faaaa.... RLH