Union Off-Season Player Rumors & Movement 2013/14

One positive note for next year's player movement: the draft will be in Philadelphia again, and we will probably have a #2 or #3 pick.

 

I didn't know he was a member of Hackworth's team this season.

 

We know Kleberson won't be here,
Torres (I don't know anything about contract etc) because he has pictures of Hack or something
Farfan not worth the money
If GA contracts are up for Jack Mac and Okugo I would expect Okugo to stay
Carroll, nice piece about wanting to retire in Columbus or something.
I would say Cruz but come on we all know better. He will get a raise. Cruz makes more than Daniel otherwise I would have said him.

 

Kleb: for previously stated reasons
Albright: probably gonna retire
Carroll: hopefully not. he was not much of a captain and his age is catching up to him.
Torres: because he is not a coachs pet and is he really on the team now??
LaHoud: is expendable
Nikolov: we will pick up a cheap as shit backup to replace him. no need or was there ever a need for this guy.

how about a thread on who we would like to see leave and why?

 

well, Nikolov is super cheap if i remember correctly. less than 60k

 

so why on earth did this guy leave his country to be backup making pretty much nothing??

 

that's the question?
For the adventure?

 

Here's my guess for the offseason:

OUT: Kleberson, Torres, Albright, Marfan, Valdes (officially), Ekra, Gilberto
IN: Some draft bums, an expensive defender to ride the bench at the maximum salary level

It will turn out that Valdes's contract was for three years and he leaves on a free. Albright finally becomes an assistant coach.

 

Outs = Kleb, Torres, Albright, Valdes for sure. Wouldn't be surprised to also lose guys like Fernandes and Kassel who have gotten a chance and not taken it. I'd add Daniel to that list but Hack obviously thinks he's doing something right.

Ins = apart from the drafted kids who will make little impact in 2014, a South American midfield general courtesy of the mysterious Mr. Ansaldi, who may or may not work out.

 

I think Farfan will still be here next year.

 

With you except for Lahoud and Gilberto. If Okugo and Jack still have another year, I was only half being facetious in saying they'll let Casey go because they'll feel Wheeler can do the work cheaper. Also; Kanopka is already traded, yes?

 

My preference, with no basis in reality:
In:
Fabinho
Casey (but give him some days off, or move him to CAM)
Carroll (bench)
Cruz (situational starter)
Daniel (bench)
Gaddis (bench)
Hoppenot (situational starter)
LeToux (situational starter at striker)
MacMath
JackMac (situational starter)
Okugo
Parke (also needs some days off)
Pfeffer
Torres
Valdes
Wheeler (situational starter)
Williams


Out:
Albright (coaching staff)
Anding
Farfan
Fernandes
Hernandez
Jordan
Kassel
Kleberson
Lahoud
McLaughlin
Nikolov
Gilberto

 

OUT:

3 Albright
5 Jordan
8 Kassel
13 Lahoud
19 Kleberson

MAYBE:
2 Valdes
7 Carroll
10 Torres
16 Anding
23 Hernandez
27 Pfeffer

 

Outgoing wishes:

Please trade Michael Farfan to Chivas USA for maximum value.

Please get rid of Torres. Hopefully he goes to another league. Whether he's good for us or bad for us I'm tired of reading about him.

Brian Carroll- Shocker I know but we need a new captain every year otherwise we'd lose our identity. Seriously though, this has to be considered. Carroll is a guy that gives us nothing on offense and only seems to do well defensively when he is the single DM. That really really limits us tactically. We need two competent center mids that can create and defend and I think we'll see instant improvement. Btw I really like Brian Carroll but we need a midfield overhaul.

Incoming wishes:

Kleberson is a goner but I hope for a younger DP in pretty much the same mold but a guy who is so allergic to shrimp, he has to be on the field.

A true winger would be nice. A guy who has both speed and skill on the ball. Maybe trade for a high risk/high reward guy like Steve Zakuani? He may not find much playing time next year with Seattle even if he fully recovers since they have guys like Neagle and Caskey in his spot. Seattle is probably in need of some cap relief too.

 

Out:

Kleberson
Torres
Kassel
Jordan
Valdes
Ekra
Albright (retiring, coaching staff addition)




Questionable:
Farfan
Anding
Fernandes
Fabinho (although would like to see him stick around another season)
Hopp


Definitely back:

The Home Growns (they don't count against the cap)
Gilberto ( was signed with next season in mind)
The back 4
Zachary & Mac
French Jesus
Nikolov (signed through 2014)
Carroll
Cruz
Daniel (cheap veteran)
Casey
Wheeler

In:
New MF's bitches!!!!
Young DP CM
Center Back, possibly a starter
Home grown player
2 draft picks make the roster
A real winger?

 

Out
Roger Torres - Not a coaches favorite, I'm genuinely surprised he's not gone already. Only way he stays is if there is a coaching change in the off-season.

Keon Daniel - Probably one of the worst players on the team this season, has absolutely shown next to nothing this season, uses up an international slot that could be better used.

Chris Albright - Every time I see him in a uniform I always do a double take and am surprised that he's still a player on the roster. Should be retiring after this season. He provides no depth whatsoever.

Matt Kassel - Has shown nothing.

Gilberto - Hasn't seen the field and I'm doubting he ever will. If he stays he's a bench player.

Kleberson - Due to salary and not being a coaching favorite will be gone.

Leo Fernandes - Everytime he's seen the field he hasn't done much. If he stays I would imagine he goes on loan to HCI.

Greg Jordan - More than likely will be gone, hasn't torn the league up and you can get players who are virtually the same thing he is, benchwarmers. A dime a dozen for them really.


On the Bubble

Brian Carroll - Brian Carroll is 32 right now and turns 33 during next season. Admittedly he's one of the few Union players that they could probably get something for if they tried to trade him. Carroll leaving basically is dependent on either A) He wants out or B) The team wants him gone. Option B comes as a result of another possible move which I'll get to. The only way option B is in effect is if the team wants to move Okugo into the midfield to play his natural position or they bring in a "bigger name" DM.

Carlos Valdes - Many (myself included) have said that Valdes is gone after this year, but as of yet no deal has been mentioned or hinted at by the Union or any other team. Valdes will be gone if the Union get a decent offer for him.

Zach Pfeffer - Obviously its contingent on how well he performs with Hoffenheim. But the point I've made to many people that they do agree with is how much realistically would Hoffenheim offer for Pfeffer? Given that he's a young player that hasn't proven anything against competition greater than youth teams they're not going to pay say, $250K for him. At MOST I would see Hoffenheim offering $100K for him which I honestly don't think is worth the Union's time. Either he comes back and finally gets consistent playing time with the Union or they continue his loan to drive up his value to Hoffenheim and other potential Euro teams.

Conor Casey - Also turns 33 next year, though his trade value has been pretty much decimated by the fact that he hasn't found the net in weeks. Could possibly be a move to shed cap and give Wheeler more playing time.

Michael Lahoud - An injury has pretty much kept him out of the lineup this season. More than likely I think he'll be back as a depth player.

 

Unlike many of you I can't see Fernandes going anywhere. Hack seems to have taken a shine to him.

 

Wish List

Out:
Nick Sakiewicz
John Hackworth

 

OUT - THE ENTIRE MIDFIELD.....get rid of them all and start again because they are woeful

But I have zero faith that the FO will make any major changes to the team. Hack will stick with his "youth" and we'll sign some washed up has been from the Costa Rican over 35 mens league

 

what midfield? we have one? why haven't they been playing?