http://www.unitedmania.com/united-g...ith-philadelphia-was-this-the-right-move-6754 As I've remained relatively silent about yesterday's trade, here is my $.02 worth on the deal. Enjoy..
Chris, A nice even analysis. My quibble would be with the assertion that Cruz plays good defense. He is an annoying buzz saw, but not a good defender. Given his other inadequacies, I think that two years from now, this will be a barely remembered trade because Pajoy will be gone to Colombia and Cruz will be toiling in the NASL. Cruz is just not starting material on a good club in MLS. "Worker bees" like him are a dime a dozen.
I agree with you on what Salihi brings to the team, and I will be very pissed if he rides pine behind Long Tan and Pajoy.
Par for the course for United's F.O. - find a winger with bite who understands the role of getting wide and getting off crosses near the opponent's end-line, being stout defensively, and being an overall nasty pest to boot, and then get rid of 'em. See Ivan Guerrero, Josh Gros (injury). Kinda like Spinal Tap's drummers. This time it hurts more, a la Josh Gros because of the age involved. Could be offseason roster moves at some point(he is 22) net us Cruz's return- think most would welcome him back, including coaches and FO.