Just wait til next year. 5 solid defenders back plus Brown, Twellman, Hernandez and Cullen. Not a bad nine to start from.
Not to mention the salary cap room from losing Chacon and Serna. Two senior internationals making big money who are easily expendable?!?!?! Oh, this is one off-season that won't see a club looking to re-build. And the all important "gel" will happen right away next year. Oh yeah, the '03 Revs will be an exciting team right out of the gate.
In the post game aftermath, one Diego Serna was spotted in the Revs' dressing room. (Who knew he was back from Colombia?) I asked someone from the Revs' front office about it, and was told that it's very likely Serna will be back next season.
I find that very encouraging in regards to Serna. Had Serna stayed healthy, I think we would've won the Cup. Say what you want about Serna's attitude, but Nicol managed to take all the personalities on this team - such as Hernandez (who also had documented attitude issues), an unmotivated Harris, a keeper with no confidence, MLS journeymen, etc. - and got them to work as a team and achieve so much collectively.
Yeah, don't believe everything you hear... Something tells me that someone that doesn't show his face for the better part of 3 months (was it), and is requested by the front office to come back for this game, won't be around much longer. Trying to make nicey-nice before the league bonus is handed out, I would say, too. Believe me when I tell you that he was gone before he even got here....
I didn't say I believed it. I merely pass on bits of information I hear. Then again, IF the organization decides that his knees are OK, AND that he's not a complete cancer/head case, then it makes some sense. The idea of Serna and Twellman up top is intriguing. Especially if Nicol could find a couple of midfielders that could give them a little more support. He's obviously a good player, and how else would the Revs acquire another proven goal-scorer? I don't see any allocations heading our way, we don't have a REAL high draft pick, and if we're going to use a discovery option to pick up a high-priced foreigner, I'd rather he be a midfielder.
I don't have any knowledge about how Serna would be in the locker room or whether or not he would put an effort into practicing, but I can guarantee that whoever we replace him with will be a less productive player.
I say give Serna a shot. He's one of the most exciting players I've seen in MLS. No forward charges the defense like Diego. He'd be a terrific teammate for TnT. Wolde works his but off, but produces little. Let him be the supersub, along with Griffiths. After all the trouble the Revs had on defense in the first half of the year, it's amazing that we now have five solid defenders and two solid defensive midfielders. Add Twellman and Brown, and we have a great start for next season.
Dump Serna Flame me if you must, but I think there are some intelligent, knowledgeable fans who are being seduced by style and potential. Remember the Metro fans who were delighted with Diallo when he scored a bucket of goals right after the trade? They (and Adin Brown) couldn't wait to see him leave by the end of the season. This Rev team is the best argument in MLS for the importance of team chemistry. Serna is not an android which can be switched on at game time, he is a 7/24, immature, petulant, self-important jerk who should be sent to Al Ahli (sp?) or whatever sucker club has room for incurable locker room cancers. I suppose Justin has a point; if Nichol can do what he has already done, and thinks he can make Serna do his bidding, then let him try. I certainly think someone like Serna, who can penetrate defenses and draw attention away from TnT would be my first choice for the allocation/discovery or whatever MLS decides to call it in '03.
Serna was more or less unequivocal in saying he wanted out of MLS after this year. I think the only way we keep him is if no offers materialize for him in Europe. And I disagree that whoever we aquire will be less productive than Diego...the Galaxy were a very good team last year and still managed to add Ruiz in the offseason.
The other interesting question re: next year is, how will attendance be impacted by the fact that the Revolution are good for the first time ever? Granted we'll be lucky to see 61k again, but I think averaging 20k is not out of the question.
Decades of sports history show that when a team goes abruptly from bad to good, the big attendance boost occurs the year after the 1st good year. So, yes, I think 20K is possible next year. As for the team itself: I think they need to get rid of Serna and Chacon, if only for sal cap reasons. A bunch of other players deserve significant raises (not just Twellman), and aren't we already up against the cap? I think there are only 2 spots in the current starting 11 where improvement by replacement is practical. I think Leo Cullen gave it all he had, and he's certainly better as a d-mid than as a central defender, but I don't think it would be hard to upgrade his spot without spending a lot of money. Is Kamler still rumored to be retiring? If so, the big question is, can someone teach Winston Griffiths to pass more accurately and play some defense. If the answer is yes, then his athleticism and dribbling skills make him a major improvement. Otherwise, a draft pick or discovery would be needed.
No, simply have him play billiards all off-season so he can learn how to carom accurately. Then next year shots like the one he took in the cup final will be taken at better angles off of other players and actually go in!
I was surprised, too, when I found that out. I was told by one, "They definitely want [Serna] back." Like my daughter used to say, "In-tresting."
so makin a list of who is most likely goin to go for next year Jim Rooney Juergen Sommer Alex Pindea Chacon Diego Serna (maybe) feel free to add to the list
Nick Downing has to be gone; he's had enough chances to show he's not up to MLS level, and we have enough other young defenders.
Looking ahead - already I thought I saw Serna on the Revs bench during the game....but discounted it...guess he was there. I agree with JMM's list, though here is a more complete list: Twellman - needs a major raise Kante - needs a major raise Ralston - hope he is happy with his salary Brown - same as Ralston Pierce - hope he gets fully healthy in the offseason Llamosa - see Pierce Hernandez - big turn around here...glad to have him,hope he is glad to have us. Kamler - I became very impressed by his play overall Heaps - big improvement over the year Harris - would love to have someone better up front, but he earns a spot. Cloutier - good and strong utility player to backup places at the right price Bubble players (keep, but still look to upgrade positions): Franchino - the captain, but I could see improving this position Cullen - good, but can we improve here? Not sure we need back: Chacon - too much salary for too little contribution or 'fit'. Serna - if we lose Chacon, how controllable will Serna really be though I am VERY intrigued with a Twellman/Serna front line. Sommer - another very good player but comes at too high a cost for the amount of time he plays....though a strong backup to a previously injury prone Brown might still make sense. Rooney - loved his determination and grit, but another salary that doesn't fit. The rest I don't think are making enough money for it to be a real issue one way or another. The key here is where do you get the money to keep the players you want to and improve in the areas you need to improve? BTW - KEEP NICOL!!
...and please don't forget... ...Mr. Splinter butt himself, Tony Frias. Not all the cement in the world can make him a player worthy of MLS field time. I see him going the way of Johnny Torres (indoor soccer) or, better yet, as a cast member of some future season of "Survivor". He'll be one of the first voted off.
I heard some pretty solid information yesterday suggesting that Serna will in fact be back, and that he's actually been training with the club and doing quite well. Let's just say there's an emotional component tos his situation that's impacting him not unlike what Daniel Hernandez is going through... only much more difficult. I think we could see a pairing of Twellman and Serna up front next season... The Magpie
I think the biggest need on the team might be an effective attacking midfielder. No knock on Hernandez who played extremely well in the second half of the season, but he might be better suited to defensive midfielder. He calms the game down well and sprays the ball out to the wings better than anyone we've ever had, but he's not the sort of player who can produce the killer pass that breaks down defenses, like Steve Ralston did earlier in the season. I'd love to have someone we can bring on when we need a goal to give us more offensive punch. Maybe someone along the lines of Wilmar Perez in Columbus.
I'm telling you, the dude hasn't been in New England since his injury until two days ago. Not practice, not lunch with Jonathan Kraft... nothing. You maybe hearing the party line, so they can see what they can get on transfer, but in all reality, he was trying to slip out of the post-game party before anyone tried to talk to him....
I certainly hope Wolde is gone next season. A major overhaul is needed up front. Wolde can't remain on the roster after such an unproductive season. APC won't be here next season. We need at least 2 more strikers in addition to Taylor and Serna. We need a threat next to Taylor. The way to beat the Revs is to mug Taylor all game long. The glut of defensive midfielders needs to addressed. I think Hernandez will be going to Dallas. He's been a major plus for us, but his personal situation may force this move. Hopefully we can get something good in return ( Rhine? ). Rooney will be gone. Leo has been great. I'd like to see a number 10 or at least a 9.5 playing in front of Leo next season. Rusty plays well in a defensive midfield role too. Defense could use a little more depth. Overall it's in good shape. The keeper situation is what scares me the most. I can't see MLS holding on to Brown after such an amazing season. Offers will come. Sommer looks like he's finished. Top 3 priorities going into the off-season the new Revs GM: 1. Help at Forward 2. Solid, young, durable keeper 3. Central midfielder with some attacking/distribution skills RC