I think it's possible that Amaechi saw so little of the pitch this year so that he'd keep his GA status for one more season. He hasn't looked great in his opportunities this year, but I think he should be the first choice backup at LB ahead of Tierney. I'm really hopeful about the possibility that both he and Alston will develop into the kind of outside defenders that other teams fear as offensive threats with overlapping runs (think Frankie Hejduk).
His salary this year has little bearing on his salary next year. If he's out of GA, they sit down and negotiate a new deal. Very little growth? Last year and the year before, his good play would be interspersed with some really bad mistakes (often ending up with a goal). This year, there haven't been the *mistakes*. For a kid who was already pretty good at the offensive side of the position and defended well, but lacked consistency - improved consistency is exactly what he's needed. And, the lack of goals against when he's played "doesn't matter"? He's a defender, his main priority is to prevent goals against. He doesn't play because Nicol won't sit Heaps. We've seen this before, when Franchino stayed in the lineup long after there were better, younger options.
just an FYI, 3 of his 5 starts this year.....6-0 loss, 2-0 loss, 1-0 loss. He is a defensive machine! As for Heaps, at this moment he is still a better player than Igwe so he starts
So the 6-0 pounding was all on Igwe? What about the other guys on the field that night? I thought we looked better when Igwe replaced Heaps several weeks ago. You can't debate that he is better going forward. But we know Stevie will keep sending Heaps out there until his body breaks down. That's the pattern. Igwe has shown enough progress that I'd like him to stick around.
No, Igwe was not solely responsible for those losses, but he was a huge liability and his incompetence (or lack of experience/skill) forced other player to have to cover him. He was a detriment on the field. As was Tierney in a game or two. Has he improved? a little. I'm I impressed? not at all. I give him 1 more season. if he's not a regular starter by mid season though... And I'll take heaps over him any day. Heaps still deserves a starting spot and clearly Igwe isn't much of a challenge for the position.
Yeah the boot and chase game Heaps brings to the table is easy on the eyes, who wouldn't want him out there for the Revs?
So to all those that think a team wouldn't take Twellman... cap issues aside, TFC - where forwards go to "suck it!"* *can't take credit for this, credit goes to Maradona -Thank you.