Who will lead attack alongside Golden Boy, predictions.

The "x" factor, IMO, would come down to DeRosario's overall effectiveness in a 90-minute role, versus his ability to come off the bench as he has in seasons past.

But there is a great deal of competition for the LD "strike partner" spot, even moreso than in 2001, if that's possible. And that competition is going to result in the likes of Mullan, Ching and Alvarez to raise their games to get significant playing time.

Right now, I'll go with DeRo, at least for the first part of the season...

 

I say we get Cerritos back. He's out of contract with Dallas and is the odd man out, besides. Coming off injury, maybe we could get him on a lesser contract...

 

Ugggghhhh!!!.....You know it's bad when a suggestion to get Cerritos back doesn't actually sound completely terrible.

 

Although I haven't seen Ching play, I believe a more physical player alongside Landon is required. Mullan will play the right side of midfield more than up top.

DeRo is not a target forward who can control the ball and make nice passes to on coming midfielders. Need to see whether Ching is a true target forward with good passing ability...

 

YVES!!!!!!!!!

 

I predict that of Ching, Mulan, Alvarez and DeRo, only one will get more than 5 goals. I just don't know which one.

 

I have no idea. But I'm not afraid to guess.

Donovan & Pwamme

I figure that Yallop has often shown a penchant for veterans, so we will begin the season with Donovan playing 90, and Pwamme playing the first 75 minutes - getting subbed out for Ching/Mullan.

If Pwamme scores within the first three games, this pattern will continue. If Pwamme is shut out for three games, and if Ching (or whomever his sub is -- Mullan? Alvarez?) scores, then Pwamme will lose the starting spot to Ching. But only after the Quakes lose a game. No loss? Then Pwamme keeps starting.

That's how I see it.

 

I think Mullan should sub for Russell or visa versa depending on if 2001 or 2002 Russell shows up this season. That leaves 2 other probables. I think Donovan and Ching should start and sub in DeRo at the 70th minute mark. We need height and Ching's got that at least. DeRo is most effective late.....against tired defenders......see: MLS Cup 2001

 

I generally agree with Roblar's assessment.

I think a lot depends upon DeRo's condition by opening day. If he can somehow manage to "catch up" and be in game condition AND be clicking with Donovan by then, he'll start. I can't help but think that FY feels he has earned the right to get the starting nod. However, Ching has obviously impressed FY and he was the number one pick in the SupDraft. He also has scored in pre-season and he has been getting the majority of minutes up front.

Come Opening Day, I wouldn't be surprised to see DeRo with LD but I wouldn't be surprised if Ching gets the start. I'm hoping Alvarez will get substantial minutes on left wing (spelling Lagos, who seems reborn this year.)

Likewise, Mullan should sub in for Russell on the right--depending upon which Ian we get this year.

 

This will greatly depend on who plays outside back. If Corrales is our starter, then Lagos will be counted on to help defensively.

On the other side, Dayak or Waibel lack footspeed. Ian is faster then Mullan, so he's going to get more PT.

 

I think Corrales will be used in the midfield. If I remember correctly, he's played only in the midfield this preseason. It's going to be Dayak and Waibel on the outside. Dayak has been getting minutes on the outside, so I think that's where Yallop has him in mind right now.

Alvarez isn't going to get much of an opportunity. Despite being stellar, he's going to be behind DeRosario, Ching and Mullan on the depth chart up front. He's also going to fight with Corrales and Lagos on left flank.

Ching is going to be the man to set up LD with his size.

 

AIUI, the reason why Corrales has been at left mid is because Ian has been hurt. That moves Manny over to the right mid spot, Ramiro picks up the slack on the left and Dayak moves out of the center to left back.

Also, if Corrales starts at left back - which is what a certain BS poster named "Ridge" indicated was Yallop's predisposition, that moves Alvarez up the left mid depth chart to #2 behind Manny, doesn't it?

 

I think this is the year that DeRo gets pulled out of the super-sub role and is the other starter across from Donovan. I know that he's been most effective as a sub, but in the 2 years that he's been here, there's either been Cerritos or Graziani on the club - a clearly more experienced player who you wouldn't expect to be bumped by Pwamme.

But now, he's the most experienced guy, plus, he's reaching the age where he has to prove that he can produce on a regular basis - this guy was once a hot hot youth player, and he's proven to have potential - this will be his make-or-break year in terms of production.

I predict that he will start and give us sporadic production - probably 10 or 12 goals, mainly because Donovan will hopefully provide him some service. I think Ching will get 10 as the main forward sub off the bench and playing when LDo is out.

As for Cerritos, I still harbor the feeling that he fit into the Quake's system better than Graz ever did - please don't mistake to mean that I thought he was a better player, because he wasn't, but what he did really fit into what the rest of the team did - playing target man, being very unselfish, quick to move the ball around, willing to run all day...unfortunately, I don't think we have the cap space to make that move.

 

Well, I certainly hope that Corrales plays in the midfield. There have been positive reports of his work ethic and aggressiveness this preseason. I would prefer him in the left mid spot, where he can move into the attacking third and make things happen. Playing him at the back position would seem to be a waste of that energy he wants to burn.

If he starts out the season at the left back spot, that's FYs call, and of course I'll respect it like everyone else. I just hope that the mid to long-term plans for Corrales are in the midfield, with Dunivant, Dayak, Roner or Waibel stepping up and taking the left back role.

 

The way Mullan has been showing in practice it wouldn't surprise me to see him start up front but the logical choices will probably be Ching or DeRo if he's up to speed.

 

Ritchie Williams

 

speed kills










I'm the assasin

 

Well, of Donovan, Mullan, Ching and DeRo....DeRo would be fourth on the speed chart. An assasin without any bullets.

 

Typical gamer.