Next Season

bordelais7 · 09-07-2005, 02:53 PM

Might be a tad early to start discussing, but I think we have seen enough of the RSL squad to determine what each player brings to the team, and so...

Which players do you want to see back next year? Which players would you not mind seeing leave?

Come back, please:
1) Jason Kreis. From what I can tell, a team leader. Fairly consistent and effective (when he plays up front).
2) Andy Williams. Never thought I would say this after the first 5 games. Definitely talented. If he would just learn to tuck in his shirt, he'd be the league MVP.
3) Jamie Watson. Obviously still developing, but it would be a huge mistake to let this guy go, IMO.
4) Gustavo Cabrera. I think we have got to make this guy a priority for our defense. Haven't seen much of him, other than NT games, but his skills/talents are what we need to anchor a back line.
5) Adolfo Gregorio. Can't say that I've disliked ANY of what I've seen so far from the big 'G'.
6) Nikolas Besagno. Not based on anything I've seen -- he could be a bust, who knows -- but he's got the frame to potentially be a big help in the defensive mid, and I hope he can be our guy.

Adios:
1) Clint Mathis. This is almost completely a chemistry issue. I disagree with those who say he "does nothing" -- to me, he is clearly one of the most talented players on the team. He just doesn't fit in our current lineup, and doesn't seem to connect all that well with others in the midfield. We would miss his FK skills, as his ball placement on set pieces is usually spectacular, and it's a void we'd have to fill, but I think the team will be better off.
2) Brian Kamler. Nothing personal, I just think his time has come. I think he has struggled in the special assignments that Coach E has given him, and you can't really blame the guy, but his strength is almost certainly playing on the wings, and we have some better options there at this time, IMO. We need a better D-mid solution.
3) Dante Washington. We'll always remember the header back to Kreis. And that's about it.
4) Eddie Pope. The most surreal feeling I've ever had was seeing Eddie Pope introduced in that first home game at RES. I couldn't believe he was here. Sadly, it seems like that's the last time I actually saw him. It's questionable as to whether he'll make the final WC2006 roster, but if he does, it would strengthen my opinion. I think he has definitely lost some of his defending skills, and it's time to move on and start to build a back line that we can count on for a couple of years.
5) Matt Behncke. Oh wait. Right.

I tried to be gentle to the younger guys -- although I can't say that I've been all that impressed by Kreamalmeyer, Knowles, etc.

Have I been too harsh? Anyone else like to chime in?

clarette · 09-07-2005, 03:26 PM

Disagree vehemently on Eddie Pope. He does the little things so incredibly well, organizational things that none of our other defenders do nearly as well. Akwari's getting there, but he's still young. It's actually a pleasure watching Eddie defend, which is a rare thing in MLS.

I'd add Nelson Akwari and Robert Scarlett to the "please stay" list as well. The improvement Akwari's shown throughout the season has been amazing, and Scarlett has finally given us some width on the attack.

praxis · 09-07-2005, 05:17 PM

I am a big Chrs Brown fan. He is solid and dependable so i would like to see him come back. I have also been dang impressed with Tarley. That guy is going to be a threat and we need to hold on to him.

kickthekat · 09-07-2005, 09:50 PM

I'm still thinking that Tiger needs a chance. Kamler-he's been mov'n it great!! I see a lot of shot attempts that go too high. What's the best drill to get that ball moving low, fast and into the net?

If anything the team would really look good as calendar boys!

edaw33 · 09-07-2005, 10:40 PM

Who should go?

1) Dante Washington - i think he was only hired to help this year
2) Jordan Cila - He can play somewhere, but he's just not fast enough in an increasingly faster MLS
3) Brian Kamler - yeah he's been moved around a lot, but he's made a lot of big mistakes too. i know his wife gets on the boards, and it's nothing personal to him, because i love the work he does outside rsl. i think there is a place in the league for him, but he just doesn't fit into our build for the future plans
4) rusty pierce - love him, he works hard and plays great, but has ever played a whole FREAKING SEASON????????? . . . without getting hurt

Who should stay?

1) Pope, we need him to help mold Cabrera, and Akwari (keep them too)
2) Tarley- finally some speed. give him a full season to see where he goes
3) williams - he's coming out of the funk, and has quit international play to focus on the team
4) watson - great speed, but control the energy buddy
5) dunseth- dreamboat keeps the girls in the stands and makes it easier to talk the wife into going to the games
6) trembly & tiger - great subs that show lots of energy
7) gregorio - team mvp since he has arrived
8) scarlett - speed, enough said

undecided

1) mathis
2) brown
3) cutler

montgjules · 09-08-2005, 07:25 AM

I agree on Chris Brown staying. He's been one of the most consistent players we've had, IMO. That means a lot with a team that has been very hot/cold.

I'd like to see more of what Tiger can do. Do you all remember the first game when he showed up and we were all wowed? What happened?

SoccerPrime · 09-08-2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montgjules

I'd like to see more of what Tiger can do. Do you all remember the first game when he showed up and we were all wowed? What happened?

I believe thats called the Rojas-Selolwane Effect.
Also called "what have you done for me lately" syndrome, which I am afflicted with as well.

I have to agree with Bordy's comments on the whole. Although I am not sure if cutting Pope and Mathis is the right way to go. It would however free up a lot of cap space.

Dadof3 · 09-08-2005, 10:17 AM

disclaimer: Some of my decisions are based on $$...

Stay:

Pope (international career probably over which should help his MLS play)
Scarlett
Gregorio
Cabrera
Tarley
Akwari (only in the middle)
Broome (keep speed)
Watson (upside and cheap)
Tiger (could get bumped if we bring in better interntionals)
Brown (versatility is very helpful)
Kreis (1 or 2 more years before he retires...by then Watson will be ready to play)
Williams (with Mathis gone we should see more)
Cutler (cheap, have seen enough to believe can back up whomever we bring in to play the D-mid)
DJ & Schrek (gk has not been the problem)
Seth (cheap...good sub)
Besagno (cheap, got the build, give 2 more years to develop)

Go:

Mathis (too expensive, too much of a distraction, has not shown he can adapt his game)
Dunny (highly over-rated)
Washington
Kammy (love his personality, but he is done physically)

Maybe:

Pierce (if he is healty he's great, but too expensive for no play)
Cila (cheap back-up at forward)
Luke (now he is 3rd on the depth chart on the left, but very cheap)

No clue:

other reserves (all cheap...will be replaced if we find other cheap players with more upside)

bordelais7 · 09-08-2005, 10:41 AM

I forgot about Dunseth, but I agree: makes spectacular plays on defense from time to time, but overall is a defensive liability. Wouldn't mind an upgrade there.

SokkerNut · 09-08-2005, 10:48 AM

I agree with some of the who should stay and go, but personally and I guess I'm partial to defenders since that's what my brother plays, but I think the "core" of the team should stay and the emphasis should be on finding someone who can take control of the mid-field and keep things organzied. If this means getting rid of Mathis and/or Williams, so be it. They both have moments of brillance, but it's not on a consistent basis. Not all but some of the defensive problems this year have been the lack of mid-field control of the ball.