The team is playing well in Chile, and players are feeling the tension of holding onto their spot on the roster. The tough part is...Joselito Vaca. The Burn got Brad Davis, who can play wide, and is also rumored to be able to play central mid. If he really can play central mid in MLS, it might be time to trade Joselito. Reason one, I don't want to cut anyone on the roster. I would rather have Salyer to support the defense, which is by nature always going to suffer injuries. I would rather keep 6-3 Behnke, who gives a not-tall team some height. Would I rather have Vaca than Cerritos? Only if Johnson can score more goals than Cerritos, something that is not proven yet Bussey is only a second year, and he's reported to be coming along nicely. Reason two, this is his last year as a Transitional, along with Ronnie O'brien. So unless Morrow or Bonseu change status, the Burn will have four senior internationals, and that's if they do NOT sign another forward. Maybe Morrow will ready to hang it up by next year...if so, then there's room for both to make the Transition, but Jeffries wants to sign a scoring forward, and he should if he can. I don't know where else to cut. Of course, if Davis is not able to be an almost starter at center mid to give Oscar time to rest, then someone else has to go.
While I am loathe to cut Bussey (fifth overall pick) and the versitle Behncke, I do not see many other choices. After a poor rookie year, Bussey has earned parise from Buzz and Behncke won me over last year. Still, they are both defensive type players and the tem has the opportunity to sign Salyer and Thomas. From what I have seen, they are both very talented. Trading Vaca is certainly NOT the answer. Davis is not a true schemer; he is not ambitious enough. This may come, but not this year. Also, if ROB is injured or needs a break, the only player we have seen at right outside is Vaca.
Cerritos is also a key to this entire discussion. If he's "out of contract" or on IR (or both), then the Burn can delay this decision for a while. Then again, he could also potentially provide depth at both forward and right mid.
I forgot he can play right mid. Most of his time on the MLS has been at forward. Even beofre his injury, he was having a terrible year. Ronald deserves a chance to prove himself in red and black.
The right side is covered, as long as one Jason Kreis is Burn. If ROB can't start and we pick up a forward trialist/Cerritos is ready to go, Jason can easily play there. One thing I'll never forget about Jason, and that's when he went on a huge scoring slump two seasons ago, he dedicated himself to maniacal defensive play. I mean, he was diving at tackles with total abandon... and an INTENSE look/attitude to go with it. And the fact that he might be an even more productive scorer as a super sub... given that he doesn't start every game. The midfield is stacked - no matter what way you view it... and I'm more worried about developing Oscar's replacement/playing Davis enough minutes to properly fill that key role. While I'm not completely alone on this issue of possibly trading Vaca, we may never get a better chance to do so. His stock is currently high at a time when we need to make room for an impact forward that would put us over the top (not that I see this as a high probability, but MJ has been known to pull off a deal-or-two...) ... I've even suggested we trade Kreis AND Vaca... and the thought of losing such a storied, GREAT guy like Jason - is not an easy one to entertain. But, as MJ et. al. knows, you're sometimes 'very unpopular' when you make major moves such as this might imply. But if MLS cup is the reward, then I'm willing to take that risk (especially if we end up with a base squad of young, gifted players that will help fill Frisco).
Trading Vaca would hurt, but he's the most valuable player we have right now who's not a guaranteed starter. Cerritos would be #2, I guess. Trading Kreis is sacrillege. Besides, I think we need 2 consistently dangerous forwards. Trading Kreis to bring one in leaves us in the same boat. Maybe the best option is to just stand pat and hope EJ or Cerritos has a big year. Even if they don't, we should still be at least a playoff level team, and we'd have the cap room and depth down the stretch to swoop in and pick up a stud forward from the #9 or #10 team.
How many forwards? Kreis, Cerritos, Rhine, EJ, Trialist... Who gets how many starts? Will we lose EJ if he doesn't get/build to major starting minutes? If we got a trialist who shadows Kreis in one-v-one play, does the trialist get more starts than Kreis? If Cerritos picks up where he left off from last year, do you really want to give him minimal starts? Can you really relegate Rhine to an 'energy-sub' type of role? Doesn't he deserve a fair amount of starts? And, again... where does that leave EJ? Even WITHOUT bringing in a trialist, it still leaves the development/keeping of EJ a MAJOR consideration. You might as well call an Exorcist, cause if considering a trade of Kreis is 'sacrilege', then I'm in need of one. Just this one consideration (nevermind the plethora of other case scenarios to consider) gives justification to the thought: Jason Kreis is not the one-v-one scorer that EJ is hoped to be. Jason is not the young prospect that EJ is. Jason puts up fantastic free kick numbers, and that may suggest, especially when combined with the fact that he 'trails off' in production late in the season/playoffs, that he needs to be seriously considered for a 'super-sub' role. I mean, just think about it... EJ develops into the star that most think he can be... we have Cerritos/Rhine/Trialist to pair with EJ, and that's good forward flexibility... Jason is regularly brought on at 60 in the super-sub role... how critical can Jason be in that kind of role... think of a close game in the 80th minute and Kreis over a ball 20 yards out... who better to have there?... and WITHOUT wearing out Jason by starting him AT ALL... The question, of course, becomes cap room. And considering the variables already in place at the forward position, the prospect of bringing in a trialist forward becomes a complicating one. Don't be surprised to see major moves if we bring in an impact trialist... even if it's just to cover cap. But I would not be surprised, either... if we didn't make ANY more moves - until halfway through the season for trialist/SI considerations. And, as a fan, this is exactly what I do NOT want to see happen. Seeing a frustrated EJ trying to make things happen/develop - is a disappointing probability. Chemistry is CRUCIAL in the forward-pair planning of a team, and 'developing a superstar' only complicates it more. As I've stated, I would trade both Vaca AND Jason at the prospect of getting the right forward to help develop into the superstar I think he'll be. We'll lose him if we don't give him 'at least a chance' of being 'that star'.
EJ Hey, if the coaches think this is going to be EJ's year, the best move is probably to sit on any major signings, and give EJ his shot. It's what, his 3rd year in the league? The time is now. The second forward spot is open for the taking. All he's got to do is beat out Rhine and Rosenband. If he does, then the coaches don't bring in that other forward, and we probably trade Rhine or Cerritos. If he can't, then he's probably not worth worrying about. Late season swoons aside, Kreis is arguably the most consistent scorer in league history. He's been our most consistent scorer this preseason, too. This might be a different story if EJ was having a great preseason and looks ready for prime time or if Cerritos was healthy and not out of contract. But even then I wouldn't trade Kreis.
If there is a roster crunch Cerritos is the guy I'd look to move. Assuming EJ continues to develop he'll be the 4th forward on the roster, and can't really play anywhere else. Or can he? Davis could push forward if there were injuries or just use Rosenband. In comparison trading Vaca would leave us dangerously thin in the middle. As for Sayler, it sounds like he's a nice player but that he will have trouble cracking the top 6 defenders so shuffling the roster around for him seems unneccesary.
Re: EJ Chemistry. I believe EJ will not develop playing along-side Kreis. Jason has never been a two-man player (indeed, the majority of his scoring is done off of set plays, i.e. free kicks), and when Jason does score, it will probably not be a Kreis/EJ combo. Cerritos, however... if he can get healthy and back to last year's late season form, can be a tremendous boon to EJ's development. What's the probability of Cerritos assuming 'that level of play' again? Wouldn't want to bet on it. And I wouldn't want to bet on a successful tandem of EJ/Kreis either. Houston, we have a problem.
We are VERY deep in the middle. Chivas, ROB, Pareja, Deering, Davis, Stone, Behncke, Vaca, Rosenband... and how many more? And then there's trialist and cap room considerations... No wonder many think MJ's a player-personnel genius!
I'm not sure I understand your chemistry arguement. I would think they'd make an ideal pairing. Eddie as the target (a target with some speed!), and Kries the slasher/finisher.
Kreis is not a two-man player. Cerritos is. When Cerritos tried to play his 'nod it down to his forward partner', Kreis could not beat defenders one-v-one. EJ can. I've literally seen EJ get frustrated with Jason. I truly believe that a 'Cerritos-like' style of LOOKING for a two-man combo will accelerate EJ's development and be an invaluable boon to EJ, EJ's forward partner, the Burn, the Burn fans, the USMNT, the USMNT fans... Without the proper nurturing of EJ, we not only hurt our chances of MLS cup, but we set back a rising star. Well, I guess his multi-year frustration in a Burn uniform could come to a passionate end by forcing him into another market. I certainly hope we don't feed the Fire by ruining this year's chance to Burn.
I guess we'll just agree to disagree then. EJ needs to change his game to play with Jason, not the other way around. He's not the focal point of the Burn offense like his is with the U20s, he needs to adjust. Target forward is where he projects at this level, anyway. It's great that he's fast, looks for and plays the quick one-twos, but he's going to succeed or fail at this level based on how often he: wins the ball, holds it, dishes it off to a teamate running off the ball; or turns his man for a shot. All things he can do. I hope he develops along the same lines as Edson Buddle (expect potentially even faster and more skilled), who plays with an even less two-way player than Kreis, one Jeff Cuningham. Talking trades here: would anyone trade Vaca for Faria staight up? (i'm not sure I would, certainly not for Razov)
Good points about EJ... however, if Kreis 'gets the ball', he will not 'already have EJ's position in his head - like good two-man forwards do, and Jason will always be thinking if he has a shot on goal or not... and that comes BEFORE any thoughts of 'setting up' his partner. This is what frustrates EJ... and if the role was reversed, EJ would hit Jason with 'that pass', and Jason wouldn't be able to beat his man one-v-one like EJ could... or Faria... I've been the first to suggest a trade involving Vaca for Faria. Faria went the unfortunate route that I'm afraid that EJ will endure. Faria has been 'stuck' with the wrong partners. It has frustrated him to no end, and although I'm not making 'convenient' excuses for his lack of finishing, Faria needs the nurturing of a two-man, gifted play of say... Eddie Johnson. If I was MJ, I'd be relishing over the possibility of that combination. Both would prosper, even if it was directly from the 'lack of selfishness' alone. Neither EJ or Faria is a 'think shot first' kind of guy, so each would benefit greatly from the other. Faria has equal speed/ability to beat his man one-v-one like EJ, and if each is looking for the other, and HAS CONFIDENCE in the others ability to FIND him, then the 'frustration' is replaced by a talent-laden, chemistry fired, production bolstered, DYNAMIC DUO - that could be the envy of the league. Hey, I have a great deal of respect for MJ's ability for player personnel. But in my little fantasy world, something like this is... Just a fantasy.
I respect your opinion. Such a duo would be fun to see. But I like my forwards to think "shoot" first when they get the ball.
Make no mistake, EJ would not make the 'extra pass' when he's in the kill position. But if Kreis doesn' have that 'clear scoring chance', he'll take the shot anyway, because he doesn't have the speed/ability to beat his man one-v-one like Faria/EJ. EJ's skills set him apart... but only if his skill set is nurtured by having the complimentary partner. I guess it's possible to bring in a trialist that can accomplish this, but I'm not hoping for it. We have a better probability of supporting EJ by using a healthy and effective Cerritos... but I'm not counting on it. We have other forwards to consider. Houston, we STILL have a problem.
How has Jason amassed some of the highest asist totals for a forward by being not being able to play with others? He has given out high asist numbers when with Dante, Graziani and Rhine. If Jason and Eddie play together a while they will both figure each other out. Another thing to gactor in is that Jason's goal totals will be higher this year because of the absence of Zarco. He will add PK's to his other ways of scoring. Hopefully his bane of lack of rest will be addressedand he won't get so many minutes he self-destructs at playoff time again.
Yes, I've watched Jason win a ball deep in the offensive zone, hit a wide open Graziani/Rhine for the well-placed score... Jason delivers the clean pass to Dante who neatly tucks it in the corner of the net... But I'm referencing that elusive, two-man game that an aerial Cerritos has already established. I'm talking about two fast, young, unselfish talents like Faria/EJ working in tight, well-defended areas... areas that Jason cannot deliver one-v-one. And more importantly, I'm talking about EJ having the confidence in his partner that allows EJ to FAR outshine Kreis' stats in the future... certainly in goals, and BY FAR in assists... because he has a partner with equal skills, and knows he'll always be looking to setup EJ for the finish. But again, if you mention putting Jason in with EJ up top, starting the majority of the season... where does that leave Cerritos/Rhine/Trialist? And if EJ/Kreis doesn't produce a third-way into the season, will we have another 'Cerritos situation' of last year? How can we sit EJ when we need EJ to 'have that chance'? Would you sit Jason for Rhine? Would you bring in the trialist? and sit either Jason or EJ? Would you put Kreis in as a super-sub and give Cerritos the nod with EJ?.. hmm... OK, maybe I'd be willing to entertain the last scenario, but I wouldn't let the situation/EJ's frustration go on for too long... and that's assuming these scenarios are possible at all. Eesh, I wish our midfield was the problem and not our forwards.
Despite his obvious potential, I'm not quite as enthralled with Johnson as you seem to be. Sure, Eddie can beat guys 1 v.1 at the U-21 level with ease, but I've yet to see him do so regularly in MLS. And last season, IMHO, he was too often guilty of making that extra pass when he was in position to get off a dangerous shot on net. Despite these criticisms, I agree with you that Johnson should be given plenty of playing time this season. However, to me at least, he still needs to prove he belongs in MLS. While Johnson's played pretty well his first 2 years in the league, especially considering he's still in his teens, he still needs to improve his game if he expects to have a long-term career at the MLS (or higher) level.
Check my previous posts. The right chemistry can land you a coaching job for the National team... Right Bruce?
I agree that it's possible they do nothing until into the season. The season goes late, so whoever said that was right...in 10 weeks they won't even be 9 games into the season yet. That's a bonus I had not thought of. It's all about which forward can score ten, next to Jason's 15 to 20. Long term, EJ is the man. We can only pray he actually sees real time this season. He's had bad luck so far, and not gotten the minutes really because of injury and non-soccer issues. This season he can get 5 starts and 15 appearances, get up into the 500-700 minute range, he will be much closer to getting the starting spot..
I'm fairly sure two things will happen this year: 1. Jefferies will succumb to temptation and run Kreis into the ground, thus having a nicked up, tired and ineffective Jason for the playoffs. 2. EJ will not grow considerably as a supersub, but if he gets consistent playing time he'll develop much like Buddle has. What I think Jefferies ought to do is rotate his forwards--including the starters. Cerritos can contribute, Rhine can contribute, Johnson can contribute, and Kreis needs periodic rest and recupperation--and that includes letting him miss practice. Fitness isn't a problem for Jason, health is. He already knows the gameplan and doesn't need to practice it. Jefferies should give him the entire week off the field and rest him from that game once a month. I realize that sounds drastic, but I think starting two of Johnson/Rhine/Cerritos and bringing the third off the bench is just fine. If the Burn add a trialist, this should be a no-brainer. Even if Jason Kreis were to miss all 30 regular season games, the Burn would make the playoffs--they're that good. But they need a fit and in-form Kreis for the playoff drive. The only real question is whether Jefferies is going to let Kreis peak and wear out prior to the playoffs. Johnson could really benefit from more playing time, regardless of with whom he is paired. -Tron
I know Buzz has talked to a lot of the players one on one; has he talked with Ed about his time in England? What he learned? What does Eddie think his role is going to be in the upcoming season? Thoughts?