I'm not saying he should be playing, but I've been quite surprised by the lack of minutes by Wolff this season, even with the Monarchs. Anyone know what's going on there? Is he just not a fit with this new system?
I think that the play of the younger kids has been rather eye opening. It has really exposed the difference in level of talent with some of the players. Wolff, Marczuk, Piol, Barea and group are not as talented as the guys getting minutes. By all accounts Wolff had a great pre season but Hez, Moisa, Gozo, and even Booth look heads and tails above the others.
Some more info on Olatunji’s eye injury. Still not exactly sure what was the damage, but sounds scary: https://shinkicker13.substack.com/p/everywhere-was-dark-victor-olatunji?ref=tacticsfreezone.ghost.io
I don't know if this is any real RSL news but it is telling of how the world of sport is changing. RSL is remodeling the press box into some sort of swanky suite. The "Press" has been moved to the top of Sections 26 & 27 for the rest of the season. Supposedly they have plans to make a new press box next season but it won't be like what they had in the past. We had a great interview with the Senior Statesman David James yesterday that I will put out and he said that that is just the direction sports are going. A lot of the new stadiums have the announcers, the press in the corner and he shared in Houston the press box is literally a tough shed on the roof to call the Dynamo games. The RSL press box was the best place to watch a game if you were going write or talk about it after. I love my seats in Sec 25 but you watch the game differently as a fan then someone that is looking at it more critically. At least I do. It is a shame that journalism, and I am not a journalist, I just play one on the podcast, is in such a state of flux and change. At times I feel bad that I can even get a seat in the "press" room and an idiot podcaster but that is the world we live in at the moment and I try and just do my best to respect the institution. I really miss buying a newspaper before work and putting it in my lunch box to read at lunch on the job site. DJ really expects the Millers to keep spending and thinks that another big DP signing will get done this season.
Another crazy thing to consider, as this is one of the best starts to the season we’ve ever had… we are at 2.25ppg, tied for 4-6c but 6th due to goal difference. We lost 1-0 away to the best team in the league that has won all 4 games and just obliterated MIN 6-0 We beat Seattle who is tied with us on 2.25ppg. We beat Atlanta away, which is clearly struggling but not completely awful. We beat Houston at the Riot, who are now on 2ppg, but on 3games instead of 4. Most everyone had Houston at the 4-6position and thought their offseason was outstanding. One of our best ever starts, and we are f********ing 6TH PLACE!!!
We’re not exactly a historically great team in the league. Good at times? Yes. But we have a single star and have lost far more big games than won
Anyone have any more info on Poch’s press-conference response on not choosing Luna in the March window? It was just a kind of a really strange answer. Language barrier makes it tough to kind of read between the lines as he was talking about form and preseason and 50% effort thing for club and “cheating us/not cheating us ” and US roster being “expensive” etc. I really don’t know what to make of it.
I think it's most likely that he was left off for fitness issues but would/will be included if healthy.
Im headed to Austin for a work trip. Gonna catch the Austin v LAFC game. I will be wearing an RSL sweater. It should be fun to see their stadium, compare their fan support, and watch the juggernaut in LAFC.
Well the Messi experience is a little more likely now. I didn't have them losing to Nashville, even though they are a very good team.
So the league shortened the transfer window to March 26, and lengthened the summer window to align with the international calendar. I think we are set for the rest of the week, no?
Unless there's something so good you can't say no, I would say yes. Question is, where do you upgrade right now? Only thing that makes sense to me is center forward, and that would probably take a DP spot. I think you hold onto the DP spot until the summer and see what kind of outgoing players you have. Biggest criticism with the roster is Yedlin and Ruiz. They are paid as starters and I don't think they will be starters for this team without injuries and even then it may take more than one person at their position(s) to be out. Edit: I'm wondering if Yedlin took a paycut. Last year he was on about $950k. This year he isn't a TAM player apparently. Maybe not worth criticizing that as much as I initially thought.
We had a great conversation with David James that will come out tomorrow and he is pretty bullish on the Millers making another big signing in the summer window. He thinks that their drive to get a MLB team they need to show that they are willing to invest as a sporting team ownership. It's a fun rambling conversation as always with DJ.
I forgot to go back and look at this. Things I found notable: 13 players are out of contract in 2026; not counting Arias, Palacio or Booth; only 2 don't have options for at least 2027 Glad: has an option for 2027 and then he's out of contract Arias: pretty sure there's already a purchase agreement they just haven't finalized Palacio: pretty sure he has to be sold/moved to make room for Arias as a U22 Luna: Option years in 2027 and 2028 Piol: longer potential contract than Marczuk Ruiz: option years: 2027 & 2028; almost positive he won't be with RSL for those; unfortunately Caliskan: option for 2027 Katranis: option for 2027; I think he's only here if Sanabria is sold this summer Yedlin: must have taken a good paycut as he's not a TAM player this year Barea: option years after his loan at the Monarchs this year Booth: his purchase would keep him here through the 28-29 season Quinton and Stajduhar are the only guys truly out of contract after this season Solans: guaranteed contract through June 2027; then options Rivera: is the only off-roster HG with an option for next year