I was able to attend the RSL off the record pre season press meeting with JK, Tony Beltran, and Kurt Schmid, along with Trey, Michelle, and Josh from the communications team. I attended the same event last season with a lot more press in attendance. It was last minute but I was surprised that the only folks in attendance were me, Spence Checketts, DJ, and Sean from Salt City FC. Last season there was three tables of press. There was some pretty interesting stuff discussed that would make people happy. I don't want break any confidences, but I think I can share some stuff generally. There are more signings on the horizon. Both offense and defense. Which should be expected. The DP situation is getting sorted out how many/most might want or at least they are working in that direction which should probably be obvious. Generally they all felt confident that things are headed in the right direction. Probably with the ownership situation being sorted unlike last off season. A lot of work to be done with this roster but maybe with some competent signings this season could/should be better than last season.
What direction are they heading? What's the plan? I know technically the window isn't open yet, but that hasn't stopped other teams. I don't understand waiting, but they can add players until mid April from outside the US. So much for Pablo not having preseason with key new players. If they are going to have DPs, they need to get them right. RSL has failed for the most part in getting those signings right. Getting those players to actually contribute to goal scoring will be the biggest factor in how the season goes. With so many questions about the starting lineup and key subs, I don't think they'll look very good at the start of the season. I appreciate the info though!
I hope that they were earnest in their assessment. Did anyone issue a “mea culpa?” I give them a pass on Marczuk. He really seemed like a guy who could fit. Even Palacio is acceptable, as he was getting looks from the senior Colombian national team. But any mention of “whoops! Shouldn’t have gone so hard on Australia!”? Was Rwan a desperation signing? Anything about the Agada/Russell purchase and then misutilization? Anything about dropping almost our entire offense last season and replacing them with hopes and dreams and unicorns and shit? I’ve got questions, dammit! No need to respond to anything specifically, but did they acknowledge some seriously poor decision-making and how they won’t so easily fall into those same traps?
No "mea culpa" per se from anyone, but there was an acknowledgement that last year was not acceptable. Australia did not come up. Nothing specific was shared but it was mentioned that Marczuk had some off the pitch thing going on that was weighing on him that was challenging for him. Unicorns were discussed but that is some top secret shit? No Agada or Russell discussion. Shame on me, the Russell lover, for not bringing up that situation. Mostly talk on what is happening now and as they move into the new season
Did you get a feel for how competently the Miller org is going to staff the FO? I'm specifically thinking about the rumor reported earlier about baseball/real estate guys having undue influence, with nobody really caring whether the soccer decisions are made by people who know anything about the sport. Edit: in addition, did you get a feel for whether the Millers are going to be willing to spend on the roster after they convert all the seating to luxury boxes?
Are there assistant coaches working who haven't been announced yet, or have we really gone to Portugal understaffed to prepare for the season?
If the club had a press meeting where the gave doom and gloom vibes I’d be both shocked. This clubs doesn’t do that. Never has. It’s fine, just not something I’m putting stock into I hope they’re willing to act faster than they have in past seasons. Not that I think the mls season needs it. Nor is this club close to competing for a supporters shield where that would matter. But Pablo seems to have a learning curve for his players that’s more steep than most.
Did Kurt blame not having enough scouts and fans not showing up to the Open Cup again? Haha thanks for filling us in. It is reassuring that the talk was about DP’s.
They have assistant coaches that are on the job and will be announced at some point. The both have previous ties to RSL.
They did seem happy with the Miller set up. I did press them on that and DJ did as well. They have more freedom this offseason to make some moves and more money or permission to spend as last off season there was the ownership changes being discussed. My thoughts anyway. Didn't get in to the baseball guys being in charge but they did say that JK, Tony, and Kurt and the ones they are listening too when it comes to RSL. Scoot Krase still is involved but reading between the lines it sounded like his influence has been muted a bit. I did ask them about the Millers and their commitment to the club considering fans might look at it as them buying RSL to get the stadium deal for MLB and their goal to have an MLB team but they pushed back on that a bit. They did point out that the Millers have invested heavily on the infrastructure side and that they have brought in and created a ton of new roles in the club that were not there when they took over the club. Behind the scenes stuff you fans don't necessarily see. They weren't gloom and doom but they weren't all unicorns and rainbows either
Good question about the commitment to MLS vs their MLB / development angle. The fact that they heard that means they have to have at least some.internal discussion about the perception being out there. Perhaps it hit a nerve since they pushed back.
@Kevin Morris Hey man! I just want to clue you into a bit of etiquette on the MLS N&A forum. It is not the best place to discuss individual players at length, especially only given their performance at a particular club. You *could* start your own thread on Luna himself. You *could* even head over to USMNT thread to discuss him (that place has great AND terrible posters, to the point that I rarely bother reading and participating because the takes are so whacko at times). Drilling down into the specifics of Luna or any other player on the player movement thread isn’t the place. You could genuinely respond to someone when it comes up what they think their value is and where they’d place them in the context of the league. But if we’d do that all the time, it would just be too sprawling a convo. Most of the guys there only follow Luna as it pertains to when he plays the team they follow and the USMNT, so you aren’t going to get too many in-depth analyses other than superdave put out: he’s good and you are lucky to have him.
No need to delete. You don’t even need to apologize. Just don’t keep banging on there. But I do recommend hanging around MLS N&A. It is a shell of what it used to be, but there’s still some good value and smart dedicated followers of the league who will help expand your POV. This forum is your playground!
RSL Show said the video guy or something was promoted from the Monarchs, same guy? The club website says Jamal Campbell-Ryce is the assistant under Lowry and Joe Hickman is an assistant/video analyst.
You got the Ryce one right but there is another one that they think might be a pretty Brilliant coaching addition.
This is not a serious club. More internal hires. Hell their advertisements for other clubs in this recent announcement is still advertising that Chucky Lozano is coming.