When is the Digi Lottery? Is this guy still training w/ MLS teams? or has he been placed already and I missed it somehow? It seems to be taking forever. We sure could use him...
Soon. Speculation is that it may be as eary as next week. But it will not only be a Digi lottery, supposedly there are a few prospects for lotteries, but I don't know who else it may be. -Tron
Do we even care about him anymore? He was a promising young player in MLS once, and I'm sure he can still play. But, at this point, especially since DCU is well on the way to doing all the necessary team-building of incorporating all the new folks on the team, is DG someone who can come in, fit in, and improve our team? I'm not so sure...
It'd be nice to have a legit option wide left, especially for those of us who'd like to see Convey in the middle.
Considering our 3 man back line has given up 9 goals in 2 MLS scrimmages, and Hudson thinks our 4 man back line sucks, I'm guessing that Digi could start at left back in a 4 man back line. This would allow Convey and Olsen to pinch in while Reyes and Digi provide width. Both have the speed to do it. Or, Digi could be our 2nd string left midfielder. We don't really have anyone that can play that position in a 352 besides Convey. He provides the versatility that we lack on the left. I'd be happy to have him. But if we win him in a lottery, then we're ineligible to win anyone else in a lottery. I have to wonder who else might be in a lottery this year. In fact, I'd probably rather have someone else win the lottery and trade him to us for a non-1st round draft pick. -Tron
He is now officially signed and the lottery is expected soon. Possibly as early as tomorrow (Friday, March 28) -Digital
Digi and Dante and Dollars What is the likelihood that we would pick Digi up? And what would that mean for trying to get Dante Washington? Surely Ray doesn't have THAT much up his sleeve, and if it would happen, WHERE would we get the money - who'd get the AX?
Re: Digi and Dante and Dollars Good, according to Steven Goff. According to his note in today's Post, "United and at least one other team are interested in acquiring him." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34135-2003Mar26.html (in notes at end of article)
As to whether we would want him, don't I remember a report (Diceson?) from when DiGi was practicing with DC saying he was the most impressive player in camp at the time? Admittedly, this was maybe a month or two ago, and many of the players were just starting to work themselves back into shape. Of course, my memory could be faulty and that report could've been referring to Marco and what good shape he was in before he fell out of shape by spending 3 straight weeks in training camp! (Just curious as to how one accomplishes that?)
I don't recall him being called the most impressive player in camp but I do recall him being called the most impressive trialist in camp if that's what you mean. Yeah, DC United was trying to persuade the league to put him in the Supplemental Draft so we could use our top pick on him, but when they wouldn't do that (probably because Metros need him) we dealth that pick for Devin Barclay, and San Jose ended up taking Brian Ching. Digi provides an attacking left winger with speed and skill, who can fill in as Convey's backup when he's away with Nats/U-23/U-20 duties, injuries (inevitable) and disciplinary issues. Additionally, he can be an attacking left back in a 442, a role that is as of yet unfilled on this team. Our only attacking fullback is Reyes, and adding Digi would allow us the flexibility to play 442 if we wanted to do so. The real questions are: do we want to spend money on a left wing player or is it better spent on a Dmid or forward? If we win the lottery (joke) who else is coming out that we might want? (Cochrane? Klaas? Adu?) How much of an upgrade to the roster is he, and who does he displace? (Alegria? Eliseo?). -Digital
You can take Adu off that list, since it appears MLS wants him to play here whenever he does join the league. If we sign DiGiamarino, I'd think the player most likely to leave would be Namoff. Not because I think he's the player we should get rid of, but because he seems to be Hudson's least favorite fringe player. If the cost for DiGi is a versatile player who is also our only servicable replacement for Nelsen in the 352, then I'd be against it. If we can keep Namoff and bring in DiGi, then I'm interested.
Re: Re: Re: Digi and Dante and Dollars Yeah, it's the Metros. But let me quote a DC fan who I won't name for fear of alienating him from other DC supporters, writing in another forum on the tiresome claim that the Metros are favored in lotteries: Now knock it off, paranoiacs. If the Metros and DC are the only two teams in the lottery, as I understand it DC's chance of landing DiGi is 52.6% (10/19), and the Metros' chance is 47.4% (9/19). DC has a slightly better chance of winning that lottery, but it would NOT be a surprise for the Metros to win. Adding New England barely changes the relative odds: DC 47.6%, Metros 42.9%, Revs 9.5%. I'm operating on the assumption that MLS lotteries give a team one chance per place in the final standings for the playoffs: DC 10th, Metros 9th, New England 2nd. I'm pretty sure that's how they said they did it.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Digi and Dante and Dollars Plural tense at this point is unnecessary. No one else has mentioned anything about the metros. Isn't your normal thing to wait until at least 3 or 4 people have started in with the conspiracy theory before using fancy things like facts? Patience, man.
I was addressing DC fans who have posted in other threads tonight about this very lottery, and whose fingers were doubtless itching to complain about how the Metros "always" win the lotteries. So the plural stands. As for facts, I think I provided them for you, not the other way 'round.
I thought part of the reason DiGi was so highly valued was that he had also signed cheap (b/c teams are reluctant to commit money on a play who's been out a couple of years with a bad ankle). B/c I agree that our priority would be D-mid or even a true target man. And the SoS have their priorities as well--spending big bucks on an outside mid (though they could use outside help) probably isn't at the top of their priority list. I have no idea of anyone other than the two mentioned teams are interested. We're probably the only two who have actively pushed the league for him. But it wouldn't surprise me if another team threw their hat in the ring (New England as Haig mentioned would seem pretty likely). Can't think of anyone else who makes sense. KC? SJ?
Well, I can't talk about with the Anschutz satellite shining peering in my window. The Metros win when they want the player. They don't win for Amani-Dove, or whatever his name is.
I know they were in the Beckerman lottery, because they wanted him. And there was a lottery held for Paul Grafer, who wasn't going to sign for any team OTHER than the Metros, which San Jose won, necessitating the trade of Ramiro Corrales. So I've just disproven your point. I'm not taking this any further away from the topic (sorry moderators). I just wish I could put a permanent footnote next to any nonsensical allegation that the lotteries are fixed for the Metros. It is simply a lie.
Haig, with all due respect - We all know that when the league is in doubt about some rule or another or just want to make one up, they go over to the Metrofan web site and ask for clarification! We understand that Nathan Hale's is the actual location of the MLS HQ and that you and Garber have regular meetings to conspire on how to get the Metro's to actually win something! You can deny it all you want but WE KNOW THE TRUTH!!!! [size=-2] This message brought to you by Conspiracy Theories R Us![/size]
BTW, latest word I've heard is the Digi lottery will be on monday. Not sure if someone had already mentioned it or not, what with all the conspiracy comments.
i have a question that i dont think has been mentioned anywhere as of yet, so I thought i'd tack it on at the end of this thread: is digi really worth the lottery pick if we win it? with that new rule about not being able to enter any of the other lotteries for the entire season i feel that he may not be worth it. what happens if some foreign young gun or somebody else comes along midseason, or a european once their season ends... just thinking out loud.