i agree with your statement about nolly-- he is 28 years old, but as most footballers tell you, goalies reach their prime years in their 30's, so the caps will be looking for some experienced goalie there and it wont be sutton IMO; i see wes knight as a starter-- quick, agressive and good work ethic; if the caps get jay de merit as central defender, then that would really help the defence; i still think the caps will go looking for 2 more DPs-midfield and especially at striker position where they need the most help-- they might even try 2 strikers as DPs
Interesting theory. I was under the impression that Vancouver would go with Arnoux (since he's been training with the team) or possibly Ampaipitakwong should he come out this year. Salgado is still restricted from registering in a country other than USA or Mexico, so it may be a while before he could actually make an appearance for Vancouver (assuming he's drafted, of course).
Arnoux wasn't all that impressive while he was here. Not awful, but not sure I'd spend a first pick on him. And I suspect there are ways to work out the Salgado issue, at a minimum, the Whitecaps could get clarification on it before they have to make a decision. My gut says the DP priority is a forward rather than a midfielder.
Will Houston protect Cam Weaver? He's not Jaqua or Gordon, but he's not bad and would be another target forward option. And own(yewu)ed, I don't see Khalfan as somebody who regularly can start wide left. I'd still put him behind the inconsistent Blake Wagner at that spot, although others might disagree. ---- One other point - Flip Rochat & Knight. Rochat played on the left at FC Zurich when he wasn't in the middle. Knight has played mostly on the right for Vancouver.
now that the exposed list is out, heres a final attempt at the mock and who you will take: Kyle Davies Bobby Burling Nathan Sturgis Adam Christman Chance Myers Mike Magee Ned Grabavoy Austin Da Luz Alejandro Moreno John Thorrington -----------------------Nolly---------------------- ---------------Akloul---------Demerit------------- Rochat--------------------------------------Knight -----------------------Sturgis--------------------- Thorrington-----------Grabavoy--------------Da Luz ----------------Christman----Chiumiento------------
Interested to hear what Caps fans think of my season-long speculation that Nkufo signed with Seattle with the understanding he could move on to Vancouver after the season? His wife works and lives in the lower mainland and her family is there. And now the Sounders have left him exposed. Plus the Caps seem to have interest in Swiss players a lot right now. It's a conspiracy theory, but one I think might have some legs.
Throw out some info on Da Luz. What do you like about him? And ya still need to flip Rochat & Knight.
I'm kind of buying into this. It just seems like there's a whole lot of things that fall into place about it.
Logged 0 minutes in the league this year, was injured basically all season, and I think appeared in a single open cup game. Was the 14th overall pick last year. Left midfielder. I'd be surprised if he's the pick from NY. Sinisa Ubiparipovic is a far more known quantity (can play anywhere in midfield), and is dirt cheap (40K). He would probably play in 25 games or more for an expansion team, IMHO.
Grabavoy is useless, you don't want him. Terrible in pressure moments... like the Conference championships and PKs. Just useless.
Although annoyed that you guys grabbed him, I hope Shea has a great career with you guys. He's a crazy hard worker and if he hadn't been sidelined with an injury there would have been many more beautiful goals from him. Treat him well or we're coming up there!
Congrats on getting Shea! He'll work his ass off for you guys and he's a great guy. My brother and I got to know him pretty well (as well as fans really get to know players) and he was always super friendly with us. I'm sure that he's disappointed to leave Philly, but I suspect that if he gets the chance to play more in Vancouver he will take that chance and make the best of it. I got the sense when talking to him that when he was healthy he wasn't exactly thrilled that he wasn't getting more time on the pitch. So while I'm very unhappy to see him to go this move might be the best for him. Take good care of him for us!
Still think that after all the trades? And for people who question the picks of Findley and Bornstein keep in mind that Portland gets to keep their rights indefinitely. That's not a bad way to "waste" a pick, as they have trade value and starting ability should they return (or stay) in MLS.
Yes, I still do. It only got worse after the draft. I think Portland got peanuts for guys like Alvarez and McCarty who were the best picks they had. And I don't think they see anything from Bornstein or Findley. At least not in 2011, and probably only some draft picks or small allocation in the future when they return to MLS (if they ever do).
I'd have to disagree with one point: I don't think Rodney Wallace is "peanuts". He's quality by MLS standards and could easily make a significant contribution to the Timbers next year (presuming he comes back from his injury fully healthy).
Alvarez is a headcase. The fact that they got anything for him was a good move. The real winners in that entire deal were SJ who cleared $200K for a benchwarmer. The McCarty move was odd, but Portland already has a player lined up to play in that spot. Getting value for McCarty was a shrewd move that only can be judged by who they bring in instead of him. The other trades were washes IMO. Trading Wallace to Colorado was pre-arranged, while getting Moffat, Brunner, and Lowry are low-risk, high-reward moves as all of them are capable of being starters. Findley and Bornstein were gambles, but I'd imagine at least one of them comes back within the year. All in all, I think they picked up some good talent, got value in their trades, and can be happy that at least some of the pieces are in place for the starting XI. As for Vancouver, I like the pick-ups of Cannon, Sturgis and Thorrington. Assuming they stay healthy, they can be good starters. Not that big a fan of Harris or Salinas, and I don't expect either to start. Leathers is an unknown, but I remember him being rated when he was drafted. Everybody else got traded for cash and prizes. I don't think Vancouver went into the draft to get starters (as they already have quite a few coming up from the USL team), and I don't think they left it with any either.