http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59289-2003Apr8.html Well, looks like DC is now in the need of a defender. I have not had the opportunity to see Joseph play, but if he is in fact capable of being a starter, I see no reason why we can't trade one of our defenders. I wouldn't want to give away Franchino, because he offers a tough left-sided midfielder that is hard to replace. But I would not be disappointed to see one of Kante, Joseph, Llamosa, Pierce or Heaps go for the right price. I'm not sure what DC would be willing to give up. Do they have anything we want and could get?
I'll have to think about this some more, but we definitely have value to offer on defenders. Would they want Llamosa back? I know you have to give up something to get something, but I would want to protect Kante and Pierce just because they should be around for years to come.
I wouldn't trade Kante for any player on the United roster. Kante is perfect. He's young, athletic, durable and getting better all the time. Llamosa is the odd man out in my view.
Expecting flak for this, but if it were necessary? Rusty. He's young, he'll adapt, but he's a caution point maniac. Kante's gotta stay. We need a real veteran in Llamosa. Franchino's turned up the heat. And Heaps is an offensive threat as well. Rusty brings little new material to the table. Prof
If I was DC, there is no way I part with Convey. Etch is on his way out and I'd have to think Convey is going to fill his spot when he leaves. But.... If DC were to propose Convey for Kante and someone like Kamler, I'd have absolutely no problem with that. I like Kante, but if Joseph is even an adequate defender I dare say that trade would put us on par with LA.
I disagree - Heaps would be the player I'd offer. Yes, he's an offensive threat, but not much of one. Defensively, as of late he pales in comparison to Rusty. While it's unfair to damn Jay for a single performance, his 'over-zealousness' in Costa Rica worries me. And when you compare this showing to Rusty's, which was generally positive in CR and included much praise from Steve N for his overall pre-season efforts, it makes trading away Rusty that much riskier.
With Convey pulling the strings between Moore, Ralston and Twellman I'd say Heaps would be a luxury. Plus, Rusty provides cover for the center of the field which Heaps, IMHO, can't provide.
Keep smoking that good Boston crack thinking anyone on your roster outside of JMM,Twellman or possbily Ralston could get Convey. Not that I think the world of Convey, but he clearly has more trade value than any of the crap you guys are suggesting..
I like Kante too, but perfect he ain't. I remain skeptical that his distribution is up to even MLS standards. We'll see. As to who I would take from United: Convey.
Hey, you DC fans asked. Short answer: you want Kante, you're going to have to pay through the nose to get him.
Maybe, but the United blow so much that nothing else you could offer would be worth TF3. How bout we just scrap the whole thing, and say, to heck with it. We'll just beat you every time anyway. Prof
And any of those guys would solve your defensive problems how? I suppose we could trade you Moore for Convey and then just beat you 5-0 every time we play you
DCU board suggests that, after a poor pre-season, Santino Quaranta might be on the block. I'd part with any of our defenders, other than Kante, in that deal. Anyway I'm not sure Hudson would be willing to trade for Kante. Giving up a first rate young player in exchange for someone you let go for nothing a year ago wouldn't look too good.
Well, he's not of much value to us unless Nicol plans on playing Moore in the midfield or has no plans whatsoever to let Wolde see the field this year. I think the only person that we may be able to get and that DC might be willing to part with is Kovalenko. Does anyone know if he has the skill to play in the center of the midfield?
Moore doesn't have too many seasons left, and Wolde is not a long-term solution imo. I don't think our roster is so deep that we couldn't make room for a young, inexpensive american youth nat'l team player.
I'd rather not make a division rival stronger for someone who may be of use to us 2-3 years down the road. I'd probably part with Heaps, but that's based more on the fact that he had a career year last year and I don't think he's strong enough defensively to really help United.
I had the impression that the Fire at some point had the hope that he could eventually replace Nowak in the middle. The fact that he was one of the 1st of their sal cap cuts suggest that it wasn't looking likely.
I'm pretty high on Kante too but I can't remember if he's as good as I've built him up in my mind. I mean, with the lack of access to this team I'm clinging to the memories of the playoffs and not much else at this point.
God this is too funny. Give United nothing, and let a conference rival enjoy their struggle to find someone. The Magpie
I'm in total agreement. Why make any moves at this point. Let the play begin and we'll sort it out as it goes. Our defense is pretty solid, but also very capable of injury and reds.
Exactly. Moore goes to midfield and Quaranta plays up top with Twellman. I'd let Rusty go. I would NEVER take Kovalenko. He's a worse 'card' nut than Heaps and Rusty combined. And he's certainly no Nowak.