Contrary to popular belief, if I had a choice between a right mid and a right back i'd take the back....if it was Mastroeni. You can't lose if you don't get scored on.....uhhh....unless you go to PK's....ahhh hell, i'd take Ralston! There, I said it.
Well, we did win a cup--and we are leading the league this season--with the players we already have*...so I won't be too heartbroken if nothing happens. *except for where we upgraded, like Graz for Cerritos...
.....and the best home record should beat the worst road record in SJ this weekend and then everyone will think everything is ok......like cows unknowingly headed to the slaughterhouse.
We have a player who scored in the World Cup from the right midfield position. We just never play him there.
In the words of Ricky Ricardo..."'splain, please." Are you suggesting that we could then drop Ramiro Corrales to the back on a permanent basis? (I think Ramiro has done a hell of a job this year.) However, for the sake of the topic, I'd rather have the backliner as long as it was a real blue-chip player like a Mastroeni. Of course, that comes with a pretty big price in return. With a healthy Dayak and Eddie Robinson coming on strong, I think our defense is already set. We needn't look outside the team unless we are bracing for the eventual retirement(s) of Agoos and Dayak. I'd hate to see the team make a move just because.
I'd rather see Corrales on the left, where I've seen him make some nice runs culminating with his spin move in the box. My comment was primarily directed to Russell, whom I've never been impressed with. Anyway, the point was, get a good right mid who can play both ways, and it takes a lot of pressure off the right back. I would say that LD would make a nice right mid until he can take his rightful place at o-mid, but he seems to disappear there. Of course, I certainly wouldn't argue with Mastroeni at right back either. Can't we just have both?
Corrales is a good defender and has a great short game but his ability to cross, or lack there of, doesn't work in this system. I like Corrales alot but his crossing ability is worse than Conrad or Zak. His defending ability is better. Someone suggested that Dayak could play outside right and put Robinson in the middle with Agoos, if Dayak can cross, then I'm all for it!
Dayak used to be a very effective right back, but that was before injuries slowed him a little. Not sure how explosive he would be out of the back, anymore. He used to start LOTS of runs for the Blackhawks up the right side, and his containing defense was superb.
      Or better yet: Fans on the seats.       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G