http://www.ussocceruk.com/modules.p...pic&t=1639&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=225 Word in Revland is that this is for real. A poster(Clerablue) on the BS Rev Board says that "JMM is a Rev" and that the Revs have made a trade to be announced shortly. Clearblue has called these things correctly before. He called Nowak to NE 2 weeks before the trade and wasn't laughed at because of his track record. I'm guessing Serna has been traded for Cap space and an allocation. ... which means Dallas NEEDS an allocation to trade for Serna. Hmmm... are the Metros getting Vaca after all? Only Colorado, the Metros and D.C. have an allocation left. D.C. is using theirs on the Bulgarian defender. I think Colorado is negotiating with the Crew so that Columbus can use the allocation to sign Hejduk. That tells me we're looking at a three way trade: MET allocation to DAL for Vaca. DAL allocation to REV for Serna. REV use allocation to sign JMM. There MUST be another component to this... maybe another draft pick from REV to DAL? Let the speculation begin! Man, I'm stoked if we really get Vaca... Maybe keep Williams to play the right side of midfield?
Revs sources on BS (they claim to be reputable) state that JMM is a Rev. The scenario you describe seems to be the way to make it happen. Great deal for Metros. I hope they find a way to keep Andy Williams as well. He's been bashed quite a bit of late. The guy has the skills to suceed at this level. Hopefully, Bradley will be the one to get the most out of him. Let's also remember that his last two coaches (Oz and Clavijo) are primarily responsible for the poor play of his previous 2 teams (Metros of old and the Revs). I psyched for the draft. What do you think about trading down for the #5 and the #14 from DC for the #2? I think DC would go for it to get Clark and Eskie. While I'd like to get Clark, we can get 2 quality players with those 2 picks.
I saw nothing about Dallas on that thread on Bergin's site. Did I miss it, or are we simply speculating?
Why would Dallas want Serna? They have Kreis, Cerritos, Rhine, and Johnson. That's the most depth at forward of any team in MLS. How can they afford him in their Cap? And what a complete scam for NE. They didn't want Serna anyway and would have had to waive him. Now they get JMM for essentially nothing. I guess MLS was so impressed with the big crowd in NE for the Cup that they'll do anything to try to bring those fans back.
And wouldn't a better idea be for Colorado to trade their Allocation directly to NE for Serna? They at least need a target forward.
I agree, a Grimandi - Mastro - Vaca midfield seems a bit too much, unless Hankinson intends to field a 4-3-3... which is possible. Rumor on www.ussocceruk.com has Colorado being the team trading its allocation, which would surprise me. Bergin is also reporting that Ivanov signed his deal a few days ago, and the league is sitting on it. On the other hand, maybe a trade with Columbus (allocation for Brian West, allocation ends up as Hejduk) works well for us. Think about it: Metros get a right winger who is borderline USMNT material, but never gets called up, which means he's actually around to suit up for us. Davis, A. Williams and West in the midfield, with Moreno and Mathis up top is pretty amazing on offense. I think we can play with a three-man backline and two defensive midfielders (pick two: Balboa/R. Williams/Ricardo Clark), as well. If anyone can get Davis and West to play enough defense, it's Bradley (effective threat: "If you don't play defense, don't even think about getting a call-up from my friend Bruce!").
maybe Dallas is trading one of their players and/or picks to DC for an allocation. It's not much in return for an allocation....so I'd suspect if such a thing is possible it'd be quite a player DC would get in return. this is all BS speculation of course
Supposedly DC is using their allocation on the Bulgarian defender (Ivanov). The league/DC is sitting on the announcement for whatever reasons.
because of this trade I mentioned serioudly, though, if Ivanov falls through maybe they'll trade for a Dallas defender.
I would trade the allocation to Columbus for West and the #17. Only problem is that Hedjuk's move has appeared to have hit a snag (per Bergin). Apparently, the swiss team has some rights to him and they want to be compensated. He may not be able to join MLS until mid-season.