Where did this rumor come from? http://www.metrofanatic.com:8080/mf/story.jsp?ID=965 I hope it's not true. Read on, from http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=team&cont_id=player&personnel_id=439&roster_id=15 What did the Metros Front Orifice say last year? Balboa would be great for our defense!
I've seen it in Soccer America's MLS Confidential newsletter and in the Washington Post. And while I'm a bit surprised everyone but me and Sweeper is so against it, at least it's not for "we can't have a DC player" reasons.
And when not hurt, he might still be as dangerous an offensive player as there is in the league. No, you wouldn't know it from last season.
I'm really split 50/50 on Moreno. Sometimes when players start down that frequently injured road they just never return to their former quality. Obviously there would have to be a very thorough physical including MRI's. I'd also like to have him practice with the team a few days in front of Bradley before deciding, but most MLS trades aren't made like this. But if Moreno is really 100% then I think he could be good for 10-15 goals / 10-15 assists next season. Is Moreno willing to take any kind of a pay cut? Maybe he can have his salary restructured the way that Tab did so it is based on the number of games he plays.
How can you anyone be against bringing a player in his prime, who has dominated a league, knows how to win, is a member of his national side and for a rock bottom price over to a team that needs his skill? If we give up little to get him (#2 pick, Diallo allocation....), why not take a gamble?
I still feel that Bradley is the best coach in the league, and I'm thrilled to see him with our team, but if it's him that's after Moreno, I am a little worried, as it could lead the Metros into the same boat Chicago was in. Having too many maximum salary players constantly on the IR.
I wouldn't mind seeing Moreno on the squad. I would not buy a shirt and put his name and # on the back though.
Considering that Moreno turns 29 next year, is a hard worker used to taking knocks, I'd say that it wouldn't be unwise to take a risk on him. We know he's productive, we know he can play through pain, we know he knows the league, and we know he wants to play here. What more do we need to know? Would you want to play for that dunce Hudson? I bet you Moreno wanted out of DC and canned the year, can you blame him? Moreno is worth taking a shot on, we have enough cap room.
Let me play devils advocate: Originally posted by Sweeper Considering that Moreno turns 29 next year, is a hard worker used to taking knocks, If he's that 'used to it', perhaps he's taken too many of them by now? I'd say that it wouldn't be unwise to take a risk on him. Taking a risk is wise or unwise based on the ratio of risk to reward. You've already made up your mind that the reward is going to outweigh the risk, based on this statement. We know he's productive, we know he can play through pain We know he has been productive in past seasons. He was NOT productive last season and he did NOT play well, or play much, through pain. we know he knows the league For further information on the value of this, see Ruiz, Carlos and Twellman, Taylor. Also see Chacon, Alex Pineda. and we know he wants to play here. Hardly. We can infer it because he's been in the league for 5 years. One thing we certainly don't know is if he has any interest in being a Metro. What more do we need to know? I don't know, but I don't think we know very much now to begin with. Would you want to play for that dunce Hudson? I bet you Moreno wanted out of DC and canned the year, can you blame him? Well this is the most fallacious logic I've seen on this whole issue, and it keeps coming up over and over here, which is a bit frustrating. You could sum it up like this : 'I don't like Ray Hudson for whatever irrational reason, and so it simply must be that his players think the same as me, and they're all waiting to be shipped out so they can get a new lease on life.' I don't particularly think Ray Hudson is Bill Shankly, but where have you gotten the news that all his players hate playing for him, or distrust his coaching ability to the point where they'd do such a thing? You haven't. It's just you letting your own personal feelings spill over into the debate, and that doesn't make for a very convincing argument. Moreno is worth taking a shot on, we have enough cap room. Perhaps yes. I can't deny that. But I'd be mighty, mighty ticked off if we gave up either of our first round picks for him.
Only Scott Layden of Knicks would make this trade. Stay away from guys on the downward side of their careers as Big Mama is much better than this guy. Can't see Bradley making this move. Nick, however might and that is my concern.
This is very intriguing for a few reasons. On a personal note, this DC-Metro trade may have dampened the rivalry between the two clubs honestly. (just a bit) Now for Moreno the soccer player. From what I have seen in the past two years at DC is that he has not been in shape. Whether it is a result from constant injuries (don't forget Clint also has his history of injuries) or from a lack of commitment I don't know. It seems to be a bit of both. Again, I don't know what the dynamic of the team will be next year. What type of soccer will we play. All these questions are up in the air, and only Bradley has some idea. This is another important point, because Moreno might not fit in our system, and a player like Wolff might be better (another injury prone striker).
As a DC United fan, I'd hate to see Moreno leave, particularly to the Metros, but, I do think it would be an excellent move for the Metros. Moreno can effectively play the attacking midfielder role (minus the midfield defensive responsibilities) regardless of whether he improves next season or not. The question is Moreno's finishing. If that comes back, then he can shift up top when needed and certainly can release out of midfield ala Preki. With a lethal striker like Mathis in front of him, I'm quite certain that the Metros would score a lot under Bradley's hand. Clearly Moreno is no work-out-warrier, never has been. But, Bradley has a great record at getting players to put forth their best and keeping a strong relationship with his players (much like Arena did and does). Bradley's also coached Moreno during the early United dynasty years, so I think he understands how to handle him. I am pretty sure that Hudson never figured that out. So if Bradley makes a move for Moreno, I'd say that it's a very high likelihood of Moreno being productive for his salary and being closer to the dominant Moreno than the ineffectual Moreno. It pains me to say it, but the Metros already have the defenders in place except for Dmid. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Bradley pick up Jesse Marsch to fix that. With Moreno, I'd think the Metros might be one of my preseason favorites. The Atlantic Cup will likely have a lot more prestige next season, as both teams look to be much improved. -Tron
Let's say both the Metro & the scum do decide to make a trade, I for one would give them at least a defender like Chronopolus and Martin Klinger for Moreno and this MLS Super Draft #1 position since DC is 1st & Metro is 2nd. And since everyone is already assuming that Metro will draft Alecko Eskaderian, this should cement the rumors in MetroVille.
I think trades between rivals intensify rivalries, because of the increased familiarity and emotions. If it's a trade of a well-liked player like Moreno, maybe the hatred part of the rivalry shrinks, but don't you think Moreno on the Metros would want to beat DC in the worst way? And that Pope would like nothing more than to shut him out? Even if it's more friendly than before, a trade like this would only increase the focus on the games between the two.
I don't really share your confidence here. Based on last year's performance our defense could be a mess. Let's go through them: Chronopolous - Waived Forko - Waived Ziadie - Played OK, but his future may lie in midfield. Akwari - Shows a lot of promise, but I don't know if we can count on him as a starter yet. I'd count him as a "hopefully he'll earn a full-time starting role this year". Jolley - Still needs to be re-signed. Balboa - Out all of last year with injury. Still a big question of whether or not he can play at this level, post-injury. Will he take a large pay cut? A lot of questions here. Petke - Had his worst MLS season ever last year. Based on last season, he no longer looks like he's able to compete at this level. Can he turn it around? I don't know. Again, a lot of questions here. That looks like a far cry from having our defenders in place to me, unless you know something that you'd like to share. Please don't say that. I can't stand that little thug. I was hoping that with all the CAP problems that Chicago is having that we'd be able to get Armas here.
Paule for Moreno straight up? Not even Hudson is that dumb. I like Paule, but he's not creative enough, he's not a strong enough tackler, too many "not enoughs" too keep him from being a true number ten. He could thrive in a 3-5-2, but very few teams use that system.