the rosters expand from 24-28 and there will be 4 si's next year http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=316465&cc=5901
This is wonderful news. We are now moving away from restrictive rules and investing in flexible guidelines that will nurture growth in our cause. With the accelerated growth of US players and the connections we are making around the globe (bring on Copa!), our potential is now being realized. Now, if we can concentrate strategies on providing entertainment along with effective results; we can achieve even more.
Looks like the ability to have 4 SIs will make everyone happy. Plus the TIs should work well. Find a young player under 24, get him on loan, works well.
I'd like to find out how many of the TI's actually amount to anything. If you look at DC United they're TI's are Eliseo Quintanilla and Nana Kuffour. I mean, no impact at all. I guess it goes team by team, and some teams do better than others. The Metros seemed to do well with their TI's this year. However, one criticism of this team was that they were too young.
Depends on how you go about it. Say you need a defender and Ajax has a young and up coming 22 yr old player that is having a hard time breaking in to the first team side. Approach Ajax, ask for the guy for a season loan, make him down as a TI(and/or Discovery). The key is looking at TI as short term unless you are grooming them to replace one of the older SI. In the case of Dallas, lets assume Toni stays and we get anoter forward. Well Simo isn't getting any younger, so Clarke spots a player he likes in Germany. Offers to take him on loan, coutns as a TI spot, Simo retires, and if the guy is good enough, offer up a transfer. Too bad this only looks good on paper.