I know the issue has been bounced around a bit here - but this is weighty issue. It's 3 months before the season starts and we're lookng at the very real possibility that we will be without the goalkeeper who has been a starter for us since 1999. Where is the support? He may not be an All Star - but I think he's been a pretty darn good keeper for us. Every keeper makes mistakes but Jordan also makes some "ridiculous" great saves. Having a better defense in front of him last year helped too. Aside from one game - I don't know much about Countess. But I am starting to get nervous that Jordan won't be coming back. Matt Reis was evidently available - not sure what we would have given up for him, but he's a capable starter who slipped past us. All I know is, I think the team is in better shape with Jordan in goal than any other likely prospect we've got. Thoughts?
With Jordan looking to move, I was also hoping we could pick up someone like Reis, who seems to have the potential to become one of MLS's best gk's. Countess has looked good when playing for his age group, but I'm also worried about throwing him to the wolves for the season without more experience. For what it's worth, I've read that Jordan is already weighing a move to Maritimo. If this is true, and he's still "weighing," then he probably wants to come back and is waiting for a good offer from MLS. About Mattie, the last 2 years have not been good. He seemed like a keeper on the rise, but the last 2 years he seems to have stagnated. True, he comes up with the spectacular, but the last couple of years, he was getting beat at the near post, and he didn't ever seem to figure out when to leave his net and when to stay. Finally, his footwork never improved. In the best of all worlds, Mattie and Countess would have pushed each other to improve. Hopefully we can get this same chemistry going with some new prospects.
http://www.record.pt/canalesp.asp?idCanal=20&f=1 Marcos assina, Jordan aguarda O guarda-redes brasileiro Marcos, proveniente do Paraná FC, assinou um contrato válido por três anos com os madeirenses. O jogador está a treinar desde sexta-feira e passa assim a contar como terceira opção para a baliza, além de Nélson e Gilmar. Para tudo ser definitivo faltam apenas os exames médicos, a decorrer durante esta semana. Face a esta aquisição, ficou em "stand-by" a aquisição de Matt Jordan. Bad news for Matt. GK Marcos from Parana FC (Brasil) signed a 3 year deal with Maritimo. Acquisition of Matt Jordan is on stand-by. For Burn fans, this may be a glimmer of hope to have Matt between the sticks for 2003. I think Matt deserved a shot at some European glory, so in a way I'm sorry this happened. If he doesn't sign with the Madeiran team, I hope to see him back in a Burn jersey this season.
Since Flash is out of contract, if he wantsto test the bright lights and big money overseas, the Burn cannot stop him. American 'keepers are all the rage in Europe. I think that Flash is through in Dallas. When a coach lacks confidence in his 'keeper, the 'keeper doesn't want to stick around. Obviously, Jeffries had enough confidence in DJ to trade a first round pick for him. Goalkeeping has alwasy been a strength of the Burn. For those who lack confidence in DJ, remember, Flash was in the same situation, and ended up beating out Mark Dodd. That was with Dave Dir in charge, who could always pick the right 'keeper. Jeffries, so far, has not had to make that choice. If Countess is not up for it, or the Burn end up playing 'keeper roulette, this could be a very short season. Short, as in no playoffs, regardless of all the drooling about the talent on this team.
Is this the same marcos who was in goal for Brazil and whose club team in Brazil got regalated? if it is, bbc.com and skysports.com has reported him signing with Arsenal. *shrugs* Any how to Matthew. Yes it would be nice to have him between the post in Dallas so he could mentour Courtless at least one more season and MJ allowing Countless more playing time. Maybe allow him to play in the US Open games. As far as feeding Courtless to the wolves, I have him play as much as possible in the preseason games. Whatever happens with Jordan, best of luck to him. He is a class act and ranks high in my book after the Game 3 which none of us want to remember and when he came over to shake everyones hand that was in the Inferno area.
Am I right in thinking that within a week's time or so we'll know if Matt will be staying in Europe or returning to the States? The transfer window, which I believe applies to all European countries, closes on Jan 31 and if Jordan doesn't sign up with a Euro team by then, I think it's safe to assume that Matt and the Burn will be meeting to see if they can work a deal out. But however things turn out with Jordan and Europe, I think it's important for the Burn to iron out their GK situation as soon as possible. The longer the team waits to sort things out, the more apt they are to end up entering the season with Countess as their #1 keeper and Comfort his backup. And I, for one, am very uneasy with that thought. I'd like to see the Burn tackle their GK situation proactively rather than wait and see what happens with Jordan. If, for instance, we could sign Jonny Walker who's supposedly returning to the States from Chile, we'd be in a pretty good situation and could tell Matt, "Thanks for your great work for the Burn these past few years. But we're set now at GK and don't need your services. Good luck in finding a new team."
No. Arsenal's Marcos is the keeper for Palmeiras. Hey, I'm as grateful as anyone else about Jordan. But I get the feeling (based on absolutely nothing he's said), that he's been stagnating the last couple of years and could use a new challenge. If Europe is that challenge, then good for him. Any bright, young man would relish the opportunity to take on a fresh challenge both professionally and personally and Portugal seems like a good place to give it a shot. I also think that MLS needs to do more to groom it's younger talent. No fault to Jeffries on starting Rhine or Jordan in front of EJ or DJ since they're, well, better, but the league needs to offer opportunities to let these supposed future USMNTers actually play in full, 90-minute games every week.
Rumors stated that Matt was to announce early this week. The signing of Marcos has no doubt complicated matters significantly and, as a result, may take up more time. As of last Friday I read somewhere that Matt still had offers on the table from an MLS team (*not* the Burn) and a Belgian team in addition to Maritimo's offer. Maybe with the transfer window closing he'll choose Belgium. I heard that he really wants to try Europe. Alhough the MLS team would be ideal for him in several aspects, I bet he chooses the Belgian offer.
IF Jordan does not come back (and I hope he does) I really hope Dallas makes a serious play for Johnny Walker if and when Walker makes it all the way back to MLS. I agree that Jordan has levelled off a bit and could use some new motivation. Maybe not getting any bites and a lukewarm offer from Dallas will be that motivation. Either way, I think we need a keeper with experience, like a Reis or Walker (but not a Presthus). This is a darn good team we have here and starting a brand new keeper may be the difference between finishing 1st or 2nd in the conference and not having home-field advantage in the playoffs.
It is the same Marcos UOTE]Originally posted by SCBozeman No. Arsenal's Marcos is the keeper for Palmeiras. Hey, I'm as grateful as anyone else about Jordan. But I get the feeling (based on absolutely nothing he's said), that he's been stagnating the last couple of years and could use a new challenge. If Europe is that challenge, then good for him. Any bright, young man would relish the opportunity to take on a fresh challenge both professionally and personally and Portugal seems like a good place to give it a shot. I also think that MLS needs to do more to groom it's younger talent. No fault to Jeffries on starting Rhine or Jordan in front of EJ or DJ since they're, well, better, but the league needs to offer opportunities to let these supposed future USMNTers actually play in full, 90-minute games every week. [/QUOTE]
So I am confused - did Marcos sign or not sign with Maritimo? I see posts saying this is the same Marcos and another says this is a different Marcos. The portguese article says that Marcos is from Panana and the English articles say Marcos is from Palmieras. Please someone clear this up for me
Sebastiao de Oliveira Marcos is the guy who signed with Maritimo. Roberto Silvera Reis Marcos is the guy reported to talk with Arsenal.
I agree, bring Jonny Walker back in the mix. He'd be a good addition to any team in the MLS, especially Dallas, where he started...
If Jordan leaves Jonny would be a good addition but I don't think you can really say he is returning. Did he ever even make the roster? Dodd and Cassar were there in the first year and Jonny was young and probably just went through early camps.
If you draft aplayer and he never signs you hold his rights for 2 years. If he signs and is then cut, you lose all his rights. If the player is sold or transfered it gets complicated. But in the case of Johnny Walker I am 90% he would go into one of those special lotteries like Countess did. There may actually be several of those before the season starts.
So, back to Matt Jordan - I guess with the signing of Marcos, Maritimo is no longer an option. Anyone have any guesses as to where he heads now?
Cassar would be available, possibly in the "A-Leage" draft to be held in the next couple of weeks. After a short stint in England, he was playing for the Atlanta team last year. Jonny W. would be an option. Jurgeon (sp) Sommer from NE would be an option as well. For me, I'd like to see if Countess has what it takes to step up to this level. James
Expect him to try all the of the lower level Euro leagues like Belgium, Portugal(other clubs), Holland, France, hell even Switzerland. Spain might be an option also. There's no doubt in my mind that he could play in England, but he can't get the work permit there.
Jan 31 - Matt's cutting it close for sure. If I had to guess, Matt won't be staying with the Burn. There are a few MLS teams interested in him now but, as he has stated in interviews, he *really* wants to play in Europe at some point in his career. I wonder if San Jose is interested now that Cannon has fled...
Any MLS team would have to trade with Dallas for Jordan. Even though Matt is out of contract, the Burn still hold his MLS rights. In essence there is no free agency in MLS. Only outside of MLS is he avaliable "on a free."
Ahhh I did not know that. Well the rumors are that there is interest from multiple MLS teams but I don't recall reading any details. Thanks for the clarification
The question is are WE interested in him? We made no effort to intercede with the league to get him the contract he wants. We've already made plans to go with Countess apparently. Will we even pick up his contract if he resigns with the league? It doesn't look like it.