While it could be interpreted otherwise, it almost sounds like Kevin and Peter aren't on the same page here. http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20040618-112256-9022r.htm This is not United's only problem or even its biggest. With the team lagging with a 3-4-5 record in MLS, changes appear more and more possible. "We are trying to look at ways to improve the team, and it's possible there will be some moves made," club president Kevin Payne said this week. It starts with a fluff piece on Earnie but the good stuff is here. I wish there was more on this than on Earnie, to tell you the truth! Ane here's the other soccer story from the Times with Peter saying they may not stash Thiago and Q2 on IR http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20040618-112300-8920r.htm "Putting somebody on the season-ending injury list is not an easy thing," United coach Peter Nowak said. "We still believe at some point that they are going to be important for us and they are going to come back."
I agree with Nowak, it isn't easy but sometimes you have the make the hard decision for the good of the team. I appreciate his loyalty to his players but we need someone to stick the ball in the net. Q1 Q2 and Thiago can't do it from the bench.
If teams were to receive salary-cap relief, as well as roster relief, putting them on IR would make sense. Since we basically can't hire any impact-players for the cap-space we have left, why put them out of commission for the rest of the season, especially if there is any chance one or more of them could make it back before the season is over? We have one (or two?) open roster spots anyway. Hire the bodies we need (in case we need to break the glass cover) and be done with it already.
Apparently there was an attempt at a trade this week for a forward. I don't know the specifics. My guess would be that DCUnited offered up Rimando or Warren for Buddle. But that price was too steep for CLB, therefore they signed Baumstark as their second GK.
I think something should also be said about not trying to rush the players back. Sure we need them, but I'd rather have them healthy for the forseeable future, and not be prone to more injuries. Putting Q2, and Martins on the shelf for the remainder of the year will give them 7-8 months to heal before the 2005 training camps.
i remember when olsen and then last year reyes went out how people would say they would come back but in fact never did.