Unfortunately I haven't heard anything myself either. But to think with the glass half full, all this time that they are taking to sign a keeper means that they are taking it seriously, since there's only two on the field at a time.
Well, if we can't get Cepero, I guess Cepero's one-time backup will have to do... seriously, though, Dufty seems like a solid D2-level keeper, at least based on what little evidence we have.
thanks for the info. Although it probably won't happen, wouldn't it be great if we landed Kevin Hartman? I bet we've approached him since it appears noone else has. But then again, he probably has been approached by a lot of teams. But hey, here's hoping he comes to St. Louie.
I just heard that Elvir Kafedzic was also signed this week. He was part of the open tryouts that were held last month.
I'm wondering if Cooper has another 'big' signing up his sleeve, either Hartman or Cepero, and that's why we haven't heard any news about a GK yet. I also wonder if ACSTL have any interest in Lee Nguyen? His contract was terminated by Vietnamese club HAGL this past weekend, apparently after an incident where he refused to go on the field as a sub. He has pedigree -- signed by PSV on Guus Hiddink's watch, and has 3 USMNT caps, including 2 in the 2007 Copa America. He apparently has no interest in MLS after being lowballed on a contract offer last summer by FC Dallas. I think it could be a win/win situation for both player and club -- an out of contract player gets an opportunity with the summer transfer window approaching on a team that has international connections with Anelka and Filho. And ACSTL gets a quality player who's been capped. His salary playing in Vietnam was $120,000 annually. At this point in his up and down career, I don't think he's too big of a name to play a few months for USSF/D2.
I think Dufty is a solid choice. He played an amazing game against Houston when he was with the Red Bulls. He proved he belongs at this level of play. The best is yet to come.
From Twitter: Gauchinho, F, played last year for Naestved BK in Denmark Cassiano, from Brazilian EC Sao Jose Chad Becker, GK, from St. Charles Alex Duffy, GK, from RBNY Jeff Cosgriff, MF, Santa Clara Univ. Gilbert Pogosyan, MF, Pasadena City College
Any guesses at this point who the starting 11 are? Looks to me that you have some untested talent and a lot of non-North Americans. 2 goalies who are 23? Pretty young. I see Laser Luke Kremalmeyer and Steve Ralston as starters. Who else?
It does look very youth heavy at the moment, which might not be something that pays off in an inaugral season. There's some good little signings in there though. I expect the new Brazilian Gauchinho will be a starter. I think he's normally a winger, but with St. Louis not having too many forwards on the books at the moment, I expect we'll see him up top.
I expect to see all the Brasilians starting, since Gauchinho is coming from a top tier league and Titton and Cassiano are coming from the same club. I however wouldn't mind seeing Hagop upfront in a CF role along with another striker. Kind of like how Anelka plays along with Drogba.
Youth = HUNGER. Also when considering youth, consider Arsenal. I like youth, what matters is if they stay healthy. Ralston is the maturity on-field that will provide the focus.
Let's just hope we don't have any "Ramsey" type injuries for Titton and McCarthy lol I actually believe that all of our midfielders are pretty experienced besides Steve. K'meyer is 27, Gauchinho came from a top tier Denmark team, Loizeau is an international player, and Kante has had loads of professional experience and is only 23. Hopefully this all adds up to us having a team that doesn't lose possession a lot and holds the ball well.
Directly from Facebook: "...ACSTL scrimmed UMKC behind closed doors tonight. AC wins 3 to 2! Great first goal of the franchise scored by Chris Savaggione. First half was rough but AC settled in a bit and looked promising. The foreign players are not in town yet. shhh!" When I first read this, I was kind of dissapointed that it was a 3-2 win over a D-1 school, but i took into consideration that their camp had just recently started and as quoted, the foreign players aren't even in St. Louis yet. Which means that Titton, Kante, Cassiano, Gauchinho, and Loizeau weren't playing, and I can bet that at least 2 of the players named will be starting come the beginning of the season. This also means possibly that we were able to score 3 goals with only two true forwards on the roster at the time, McCarthy and Elvir Kafedzic.
Just saw that Tampa got a loaner from FD Dallas and am wondering/hoping that ACSTL could do the same. I'm not sure how the wages issued is figured out (does the parent team pay or the team taking on the loanee?), but if we'd be getting a player who's salary is covered by his MLS team I would sure hope we pursue that avenue.
In almost all cases, the MLS team will pay his wages. With the scrapping of the Reserve League, most MLS teams see it as a plus to them and their player development by sending someone out on loan.
Well now that MLS has agreed to a new CBA, I sure hope Cooper & Co. aggressively pursue this avenue. I would think they could pick up a couple guys that could really walk into the starting line up.
Johnny D would be a great pick up. Think his main knock is size, but he can control a game well. I wasn't saying that it's an easy thing to pull off, but that there have to be young players on MLS rosters that are so far down the pecking order that a loan to NASL would be beneficial, especially some of these teenagers in the league. Sure, you can learn a lot through training and practice, but getting out and playing can be a whole other experience these young guys could use.
Another St. Louisan, Pat Noonan, was released today by Colorado. He would be a great pickup for the club. With Ralston's wages, Pat's salary might be a stumbling block, as it was with MLS clubs, but maybe the lure of playing in his hometown might circumvent the salary.
Noonan would be great. I'm sure someone else will pick him up, but being in St.Louis with his buddie and former teammate Steve Ralston would be excellent!