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Why would he? Stratford's a d-mid. D'ko is an a-mid/forward. They're not really competing for the same back-up position.
Because Stratford is showing signs of being a capable distributor of the ball, and we've already read reports of his putting balls into space to spark attacks. If he continues to play with composure, who knows where he'll end up? Very few players are locked into a position. Remember the year-long experiment with Nelsen as d-mid.
Hmmm, well with this signing, we are out of "foreign" spots, right? (I'm assuming Dyachenko makes the team...) I realize you can now trade foreign spots with other teams, which is something we might need to do if we want to use the extra DP spot on a prominent foreign player (not saying that will happen, but if DCU wanted to do so).
Nelsen's time at dmid didn't last all that long, and I think he was playing defense by the end of that season, and Namoff had moved into the dmid role. I just hope that Stratford lasts longer than any of the other Brits to pull on the United shirt.
Wasn't Nelsen an all-Amercan defensive midfielder as a senior at Stanford? I'd say the extended and ongoing experiment of playing him at center back is showing some promise.
Yes, he has potential, and has shown he's one to watch. My point was that not every player should be pigeonholed into a particular slot on the field. Another great example was Chris Albright, who failed miserably at the pro level as a striker, but became a top-level right fullback.
DC still has an open International spot (7 of 8 taken) 1. Gallardo 2. Emilio 3. Fred 4. Martinez 5. Peralta 6. Niell 7. Stratford 8. Open DC probably leads the league in players with green cards (Moreno, Dyachenko, Kpene, Carvallo, Monteiro) as they count as domestic-based players.
I liked his attitude about being drafted by United and how much he wanted to come here - seems like a keeper to me.
Hmmm... i like the sound of playing this guy. All time assist's record, seems like he must be good a chip's and through balls, but i want to know if we can maybe convert him to play right wing? If he;s good at passes and assists, i can almost garuntee that he can knock them from the corners as crosses. Hopefully we can convert this kid to play on the right flank as Benny rest's and heals.
I had forgotten the coincidence of WVU connections with McTavish and Carroll - I think this guy will be more instrumental than either Arguez or Jacobson woulda been this season - Calm on the ball and a great distributor - Except for unknown speed, I don't think he'll be that much out of position if we try him at Right Midfield - (Olsen doesn't have SPEED anymore but he does have hustle and experience to make up for that) - Normally we've put leftover forwards or defenders out there, and they are terribly out of position and look completely lost - But I think Stratford has the overall field experience to do well out there given a few chances Also, young players in England may want to take note of Stratford's progress here - Kids who go into the academies but don't make the transition just get dumped and end up with little if any education to show for it - At least here in America, you end up with a college degree - The problem is that means a 4-yr commitment to a plan - Question: Does Project 40 still exist, and could it apply to foreigners?
Project 40 was Nike. The program now exists as Generation Adidas. It does exist for foreigners, but is limited by age and their prospects within the professional and national pools.
Does it still provide scholarship money? The Nike version touted that as one of it's primary things, I don't recall hearing anything about it since adidas took it over.
I'm under the impression that it does. I can't see college students leaving early without that kind of a guarantee built into the contract, especially those that leave a year early.
OK, so what exactly is our roster at this point? Below is my understanding of the situation. I'm sure there are mistakes in here. If you can identify them, please correct me. Personnel who are definitely on the roster (they've definitely signed; we won't be releasing them in favor of someone else who's trying out): Burch J. Carroll Carvallo (I) Dyachenko Emilio (I) Fred (I) Gallardo (I) Kirk Kpene Martinez (I) McTavish Mediate Moreno Namoff Neill (I) Olsen Peralta (I) Simms Wells (7 of 8 international slots taken; 19 of 25 roster spots taken) Personnel who I'm not sure about: Attar P. Carroll Cordeiro Monteiro Moose Owens Renfrow Schmitz Stratford (has he definitely signed? the article that started this thread doesn't say) Thorpe Walker Am I missing anyone? Do I have anyone in the wrong category?
Cordeiro already signed a contract. Thorpe is pretty much guaranteed as our reserve GK. I'd be shocked if Monteiro was dropped so soon.
My take on the roster: Senior Roster: 1. Wells 2. Carvallo 3. Namoff 4. Burch 5. McTavish 6. Peralta 7. Martinez 8. Fred 9. Simms 10. Olsen 11. Gallardo 12. Mediate 13. Moreno 14. Emilio 15. Neill 16. 17. 18. Moose, Walker, Gardner, and a few developmentals are battling for the last three spots. One of Moose or Walker seem likely to be let go. If Gardner shows anything, he should be a lock as a left midfield back-up. I could see Dyachenko or Kpene given the last one. Developmental: 1. Kirk 2. Cordeiro 3. Thorpe 4. Carroll, J. 5. Dyachenko 6. Kpene 7. Stratford 8. Monteiro 9. 10. Pat Carroll, Alltar, Owens, Schmitz, and Renfrow are battling it out for the last two (possibly three) spots. Carroll and Alltar seem likely to get the last two, while Owens or Renfrow are on the outside looking in.
OK, that was very helpful in that 1) I'd forgotten it was 18+10 slots; I thought it was 18+7 for some reason; 2) I'd forgotten about Gardner entirely. If there's any possibility of that 2nd DP getting used on a new player this season -- which I think is doubtful, but just for the sake of discussion -- will they keep a senior slot open? Or, would they bump someone from senior back to developmental? They did that with Dyachenko or McTavish once, IIRC.