From today's (3/1) Washington Times: "DC United is close to beating out the NY/NJ MetroStars for Spanish midfielder Mario Alberto Rosas, who has played with Spanish giant Barcelona and Alaves in Spain's top league, La Liga. If United lands the talented Rosas, the club can thank United forward and assistant coach Hristo Stoitchkov, who knows the youngster from their days together with Barcelona in 1998, and who, according to a source, spoke with Rosas this week. The 5'5, 145-pounder looked certain to join the MetroStars this week but the deal was held up as the club waited for Barcelona to waive all rights should he be traded in the future. Alaves, which paid Barcelona $600,000 for Rosas, already had waived the player's rights but Barcelona was holding out. It is well known that Stoitchkov, who won numerous titles with Barcelona, is respected by Spanish players and has the ear of Barcelona executives. Rosas trained with the MetroStars all last month. He scored a goal in the club's scrimmage with the U.S. U-17 team in Florida last week, and played in the team's 2-0 loss to Chicago. DC coach Ray Hudson, who did not return to the Washington area from Florida with his players this week, presumably watched both games. Earlier in this week, Hudson said there was a "tremendous bargain"--a player willing to join United rather than another team--but did not identify him. MetroStars GM Nick Sakiewicz told New Jersey's Herald News on Wednesday that the Rosas deal was in jeopardy. A day later, the club acquired former DC midfielder Richie Williams, a player similar in style to Rosas. Rosas is currently without a team because the European transfer window closed in January and is willing to play for less money than he could earn in Europe."
It's hard to decipher the facts (if there are any) from the complete crap in this article. First of all, from what I've read of Rosas, in what universe are he and Richie Williams similiar in style? I guess they both use their feet to kick the ball... Secondly, it seems like if we don't pick up Rosas, it's because Bradley doesn't want him. Wouldn't Metro have first crack at signing him? You'd have to be a total conspiracy theorist to think that DC is "stealing" him away from the Metrostars.
Total crap: Hristo is using his relationship with Barca to assist the league with the signing. Rosas will be a MetroStar The Rosas is a similar player to Richie Williams clinched it for me. An attacking mid vs. a defensive mid - only height is similar.
Three thoughts: 1. Now we know why Bradley was already knocking Rosas. 2. Since when are Williams and Rosas similiar in style? I thought Rosas was an attacking player who the offense could flow through. Williams only knows one direction to pass: backwards. 3. Is Andy Williams still unsigned? Even though his game has some flaws, I wish he was back on this roster right now. I suppose the MLS will have some type of lottery if this report is true. But if we lose Rosas, Williams is looking good right now. Opening day is six months away and we are on the verge of being an embarassment. I'm trying not to panic, but I have to say I don't like the way things are going.
Ok, switch off the panic mode one and all. If Bradley doesn't want Rosas, there is a good reason for it; he might be a very talented player, but if he doesn't fit into the system, then he would be detrimental to the team-mirroring our wonderful midfield of last year. I also think it is faulty of any of us to go running around, assuming things one way or the other. We should not assume Rosas will be a Metro, it was contingent upon him signing after impressing with the team. And if Rosas is not in our plans, surely we have other players. Let us be thankful that Bradley is looking at a large array of players; our options are not limited, we could move players still and make trades. No one should view the work that Bradley is doing in terms of solely 2003; rebuilding Metro will be harder then building a new team.
As for the Richie and Mario comparison, I think Haydon's Editor messed that one up. I think Haydon said that Richie and Rosas were similar in stature and his Editor changed that to "style" thinking that was what he meant. While Haydon knows soccer, his Editor probably does not. As for Mario's abilities, who knows. Petter Villegas, Andy Williams and that guy from New England a couple of years back (Wright?) could all impress with their dribbling, but that didn't make them good MLS players. Mario may be good, but then again he may be mediocre too. In Chicago Bradley built a team that played a 352 so that the fierce ball-winning in midfield and having two Dmids really protected his back line. It was a very effective defensive scheme. He then used that midfield to become a possession team that limited the other team's chances because they seldom had the ball. So if Mario cannot contribute to that defense, it may expose the back line a lot more. Thus it may make sense even if Mario is good for Bradley to pass on him. Or, Garnero may simply be better. -Tron
Unless Stoichkov takes his name off the roster( or ivanov or Nelsen for that matter), or one them gets a green card, Mario isnt going to DC. He's an inter national and will not count as Transitionl international because transitional international's have to make below a certain amount of money, that certain amount is rumored(damn MLS won't reveal the amount, or any rules for that matter)to be about 100K. Mario is rumoured(damn MLS again)to be coming in for between 100K-200K. Maybe the MLS wants to give DC another break though, by letting them have another SI on there team...... if im wrong tell me so in a cool manner, not like an *********************. ~DRE~
My take on the Rosas incident... I also posted this on the DC forum. I don't want to start up trouble but I really do think that this is how it went down.
For all I care, DC is still sifting through the Metros dumpster looking to do something with the shiite we throw away. Let them have Rosas. He'll do well with Petke and Villegas.
Why Sweeper? Remember I wrote this before to news on the New York Times came out this morning. I was just speculating... and one thing you must agree with me is that so many backdoor 'weird' deals take place in MLS with players and between teams that my suggestion was not so far fetched. Obviously in light of the new news my idea is shot to hell. But worst post ever??? I just wish you could have had a little more constructive criticism. Could this be a message board veteran and leader with a lot of posts thinking his/her point of view is the only one that counts, and shutting down other ideas just because he/she can get away with it? I've seen things like this many times so don't worry I wont take it personally. Please notice that I registered around the same time you did, at least the same year.
BTW Sweeper, I might not tailgate with the 101 on Metros games but I’ve been around this league since the beginning to know how it operates and if that wasn't enough these are my soccer credentials, even though it’s sad I feel forced to name them to get a little respect from you (this is not the first time you disregard one of my post with some silly little comment like the one you posted on this thread): 1) Real Madrid Club member from 1987 to present 2) Season ticket holder from 1989 to 1995 3) Followed soccer since 1982 4) Have seen LIVE Maradona, Pele (one Cosmos season), Raul, Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Laudrup, Redondo, Romario, Bebeto, Platini, Rumeningue, Schuster, Michel, Hugo Sanchez, Butragueño, Martin Vazquez, Hierro, Juanito, Santillana, Quini, Migueli, Van Basten, Gullit, Henry, Sheva, Maldini, Viera, Beckam, Giggs, Ginola, Albertini, Del Piero, Vieri, Batistuta, Futre, Rossi, Zoff, Careca, Alemao, Socrates, Shilton, Valdano to name a few and I could go on and on. 5) Been playing the game since I was 4. So please show a little respect.
Dont let it bother you. You need to have thick skin to post on this board. Your "credentials" wont stop flames.
Thanks Shabs, I appreciate your post. I'll try to be thicker skinned. BTW, I saw Pele in 1975 with my father... one game. I was two small to really remember much, but I was there.
Dum, Dah, Dah Dah. It's captain Obvious! Whatever gave you that idea? The fact that it was reported he left camp several days ago, or all the newspaper articles today that says he wasn't good enough. Moron is too kind a term for you. It would be doing a disservice to morons everywhere.