I'd love to see the Burn play well this season, but even if the team struggles, anything's gotta be better than last year's Sucklake debacle.
We've whittled it down to just Rhine and Behnke, but it is still completely unacceptable to even have to consider sending out those two on opening day. Lord have mercy on us all if somehow Gibbs is unable to play. It's amazing that after practically maxing out the cap that Rhine and Behnke will be able to see any playing time at all this season. We are truly paper thin at nearly every position. I wish I was as optimistic as the team, but I see us at an extreme competitive disadvantage early in the season due to the injury situation.
Jambon, you've turned into Theo these past few weeks (where is Theo?) and its getting old. I know you're worried, but lets be optomistic and lets see how they do. I for one can't wait for Saturday, this is the longest week ever.
There are so many unknowns about this team that we might as well be optimistic, if only for lack of any actual data to base expectations on. It's just that any mention of Behnke instantly sends me into panic mode.
I love the Burns but you have to admit we are looking pretty bad comapre to rest of the teams. Rapids have some great new players. Let's just hope that they will lack chemistry early in the season and we can take advantage of it. As a whole most MLS teams have done a great job improving their team. We need Reyes!
How? What looks bad? We got a new solid backline (ok if you throw in Behnke it does get scary), a creative midfield, and a lot of forwards to choose from. And it's the Dallas Burn, not Burns, I hate it when people say that, you wouldn't believe how many dumb people come up to me and say "oh you like the Burns", it's Burn. (sorry you probably just mistyped it).
So did we get Reyes or not? Or is it still in negotiations? If he played well and we dont get him b/c we were unwilling to cut someone else then the Burn and MLS are idiots. Even if we do get him MLS needs to raise the cap but a million or so.
Great report. Well, I'll ask again. If Reyes comes, who to cut/trade? Behnke. Would have to be a cut. I don't think he's got much trade value. Talley might have some trade value, but leaves us paper thin at central defense. Maurin? Would have to be cut, no trade value. Would be shame, as apparently the kid's doing well for a developmental player. Glinton is VERY lucky to be injured. Maybe we could trade him.
Here is what I wrote yesterday.... Milton Reyes Reyes is not here. But after talking to Elliott and Clarke it looks like the interest is there from Burn end. If there was an open roster and no cap he would be here no question. But there are some obstacles. First is the cap number. The Burn have a little room and combined with the roster move to make space you get a slightly bigger number. There is not any more to offer, Reyes will have to take it or leave it. If he will take it, then roster room must be made. Keeping in mind that injured players can not be waived, there are two options. 1. Trade a player. 2. Cut a player. For option 1 to happen it will probably have to happen today. If not it looks like it will be option 2. Again that is if Reyes will take the number. I just talked ot Elliott about Reyes again and he said "we are still working on some things." As for a cut or trade, I think stopper is on the right track.
Well, it seems with Illamosa out with and injury, the Revs are down to 2 central defenders on the roster: Pierce and Kante. Seems like they could use some more cover in the back: http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer...e_injury_knocks_llamosa_out_of_opener?mode=PF Problem is, we don't have much depth in the back to offer. Behnke? I doubt he's what they're looking for. I think we need the cover Talley provides too badly to move him. Gbandi? He's known up there from his time at UConn, and he makes a lot for a defender. Hate lose him, though. What would we ask in return? Since cap space is an issue, it would have to be a P-40 (Dempsey?) or a draft pick.
We have a solid interior defense if Gibbs is good to go for the opener. Who are the other two that you are counting? As to the creative mid, who is that? We are in the process of developing Nunez. Simo is supposed to be a ball winner, not so much an organizer. Pareja is too old and brittle. I am out of guesses as to whom you are referring. Who is going to "put the biscuit in the basket"?
1) Jolley and Gbandi (I didn't like him last year but I have a feeling he's matured) 2) Davis and ROB will do just fine, although not designated as "creative", Davis had an amazing year in 2003 considering the circumstances and ROB back and healthy is a big plus. Pareja may be old but he's still got it. 3) Bobby Rhine, hello? who else? actually Bobby will get a goal or 2, but I don't see him having another year like 2002, despite the good reports of him in the offseason and him being "captain" and all. EJ and Nhelko are going to tear it up, I haven't been a big fan of EJ but has too much to prove to screw it up now. And once Kreis gets healthy he'll be back to his poaching ways.
Just a quick note related to this and other threads. Just because I choose to be pessimistic does not mean that I am not a fan.
Yesterday at the luncheon, as a part of the program, coach Dir interviewed several players. When he asked Simo about what he thought his role would be with the Burn, Simo answered: "I am here to provide a link between the strikers and the defenders... and I plan to get forward to score a few goals too!!!" Simo is an unknown to all of us Burn fans, and for us to pidgeonhole him as one dimensional ball-winner type player before even seeing step on the field is unfair. He obviously thinks he brings more to the table than the ability to destroy. I just hope he can withstand the heat when the blonde gets mad.