Nothing. The Rapids don't need Paule and I don't think that Balboa would either accept a lower salary, or fit under the cap at any rate. Also, I think the Rapids' future is with the young guys they currently have and not with aging/aged (Balboa) or marginal (Paule) MLS players. Look everybody, I would love to see Balboa finish his career here. But, I don't want to see him finish his career in Denver at the expense of what is starting to shape up as a formable line up, mixed with quality vets and up-and-coming youngsters, Trembley aside. I also don't think that sentimentality should figure into any decision on what players to sign. Balboa would definately be a sentimental signing at this stage in his career. Is that to say that Celo can't play anymore? No. But if he came back, I don't think fans would want him to sit the bench for most games and I don't think that he can last 90 minutes for an entire season anymore. Call be callous but I like what Hanki and Counce are doing, as much as I hate to give Counce any credit after the BS he pitched after the signing of Palacios last season.
(from my other post on this topic) Even if Colorado were without all the midfielders we currently have, I don't think Hankinson would have too much interest in Paule. As for Balboa, based on reports the main reason the Metros didn't keep him is because of salary. Given that Balboa's relations with Rapids management are less then glowing to begin with, I wouldn't count on his return here any time soon. Joeyclams, I disagree regarding Celo's ability to play 90 minutes for most, if not all of the season. I'd much rather see him in there than Fraser.
I would rather see someone other than Fraser or Balboa back there. Especially if Hanki does go to 3 at the back and utilize his midfield talent. The reason I question his ability to last the pace is that he hasn't played in, what, 15 months. I don't count the token 15 minutes he got in the final game last season. In any case, Paule is not coming back because he isn't better than any other Rapids midfielder right now and Celo won't be back cause of Hanki, his age, and injury history. Now Andy Williams might be worth a look at least.
Bottom line is: can either player represent an upgrade in the overall picture, before the cap is even discussed? With Celo, maybe to likely if his knee is relatively good. Paule? Nope, too many midfielders as it is. The only scenario I see that working is if there is a follow up trade in the works, to fill other needs. I don't see that happening either.
Here's the only thing you have to know about Paule. He was traded to the Metros, straight up I think, for Shak. Now he doesn't have a team and Shak is still on the Rapids roster. At the time, the Metros would have claimed a steal, but not now. This is not to say that I think Shak is an MLS player. He isn't. Just pointing out something of possible interest.
On Paule, No I don't think we need him. I was glad to see him get a fresh start somewhere, and wished him luck. Problem is he went to the Metro's and did some good things and disappeared. I expect Paule will be trying out over seas. He's got the skill, but he needs to overcome his ability to drift out of games. Balboa is tempting, but there's a lot of question marks. The knee? Fitness? Relations with the Rapids Org? If all these things were overcome I'd be happy to see Marcelo in Colorado, but... I think it would have to be at the expense of Fraser.
My biggest concern with Balboa is his issue concerning salary... Like Fraser, pace isn't the problem, because both are exceptional when it comes to positioning themselves to make a play, these players are rare, and always contribute and rarely cost the team, I mean Jaysus, Fraser is the same guy who was nicknamed by his teammates "God" because he knew where everything was going down on the pitch before it happened... Paule is a waste. I'll admit, I hold a great deal of sentiment towards Marcelo, he was the rock we leaned on, and he never let us down. However, I agree, this team is moving in a positive direction. If Celo doesn't fit, then Celo doesn't fit, I'm not going to cry. Fact is that he is still quality, and if there's a place for him, and he accepts that place. It would be a welcome addition. If not, I'm sure MLS can find him a home, he's a professional in every sense of the word, and that team will be lucky to have him. Not to mention he scores on set pieces, corners, and counters...
I would way rather have Fraser in the back than Balboa. I think people underestimate his big contributions to the back line. If you look at his fellow defenders he was asked to team up with, he has really been hung out to dry. You put Mastroeni and Fraser in the back playing flat, and that would have been a much more formidable defense (although Mast. was gone a lot). I'm not a big Balboa fan, but I have heard he wants to return to Denver, at a lower salary, and get involved with soccer here. Rumor has him interested in buying one of the current indoor facilities as well as building another. Don't know the truth to that rumor at all. I'm not saying whether it would be good or bad for the Rapids, but don't be surprised to see Balboa back here this year.
If we can get Balboa at a reduced salary, I say go for it. Defense and set pieces are our biggest weaknesses. Why not bring in someone that has proved himself on both? Also, the use of Balboa for marketing purposes can't be overlooked. Without Valderamma it would help to have somebody that is recognizable to the public. I think he could really help put more butts in the seats. We don't need Paule, even though I hated to lose him at the time.
Waived... Paule is a young guy that led the league in assists when we dumped him. He hasn't developed, and won't develope unless he plays. He needs to play A-league or something for a year or two (be the league MVP) and then reconsider his future, otherwise he has to hope someone takes him mas a back-up and the starter goes down. Balboa may be out of options, so Denver for a back-up role might be better than the other choices, especially if he takes a salary cut. At least here he could make endorsement money and use his 'good name' to start into buisness. We have an old Mid-defender (Fraser) so adding another one-year-slower guy cannot be a priority, only an afterthought. Balboa would be a great 70 min sub..give the team a lift. Make everyone believe that we can do it. It's not like we have ever had many all-star defenseman. I'm OK if he falls in our lap, but we can't have a bidding war. Williams? waived??? Geez. I had him on my Fantasy teams. He has great skills, so why not keep him for those games on small fields, and for offfensive subs?? Who does Bradley think he'll get to "upgrade" that spot? Beckham??? RLH
Just a note about Williams. Very talented but VERY inconsistent. If he'd show up every night, I'd say the Raps should go after him. But he doesn't and would frustrate Tim H. and company with his inconsistencies. SI status: don't know if he is or not. How many are on the roster right now: Grimandi and Spenny?
i think andy may have his green card,,,at least rumors had it he was very close when he was with the Revs. out of the 3 released, he would be the best player for your team. the kid can play, 15 assists last year and in 2001 he was clearly the best player on the field for the Revs. paule and balboa are done. Andy is young and very skillful,,,probably a better #10 than what u have now. BTW,,,,who is taking valderamas spot? beckerman? williams is better.
When he comes to play, I'd agree he's better than Beckerman at the moment. That's still a big thing with Andy, taking games or long stretches of games off.
It would be good for the franchise (both on the field and off) to bring Celo back. He can still play at MLS level, perhaps him an Robin in the middle of the back four and then push Mastroeni into the midfield. Ross Paule, is unfortanately a different deal. He came to one of my HS practices and I really like the guy, but he is a tweener; not really a forward and not really a midfielder. A little of both. Players like that are hard to accomodate so he probably is going to have trouble relocating.
Supposedly they are getting an EPL middie. John Collins, former Scottish international is the rumored player. I think as a discovery.
Re: Re: RUMOR has Paule and Balboa waived... Except having to cut loose one of the younger up and coming guys or severly limiting their playing time. How are the Rapids to know if these guys can play if they sign an aging player for a season to take all their playing time away? You want Balboa over Herdsman? Or Jackson? Or Stewart? I don't. Although, getting rid of Shak could be an option.
I'd agree with that argument, except that Hankinson isn't exactly blessing guys like Jackson with playing time anyway... and Herdsman is not the answer as a central defender. I like him as a marking back, but he doesn't seem to have the awareness to play in the middle. As for having to drop guys from the roster, the league has (according to news posted elsewhere) expanded the amount of developmental/youth players on the roster, so realistically the Rapids wouldn't have to drop any young'uns for cap or roster space reasons.
Re: Re: Re: RUMOR has Paule and Balboa waived... As Greenie alludes to above, I based my statement on the dialogue over on the thread concerning the Rapids Roster. According to the assessment there, there is room for the young guys. If we are going to jettison anyone or anyones for Balboa, I would say we can safely lose Jackson, Kotschau, Shack, and Sleeth. I like Kotschau but he is in and out of Hankinson's the dog house and if he costs remotely the same as Balboa, I take Balboa, even if Balboa is older. Jackson hasn't, for whatever reason, made his way into Hankinson's thoughts for playing time. Shack and Sleeth are somewhat known commodities who probably aren't going to make major impacts in the league. If we keep Balboa AND Herdsman, Stewart, and our draftees, we have a proven professional that adds a lot on corners and free kicks and will help bring up the young guys with at least an example of class. Adding proven professionals to rosters with a mix of young and old often can gel the roster.