First draft of a depth chart.

[BroncsBomber]

First off. I think since we released Walsh that we might be shopping for another Senior International. We will need more midfield if we lose Klein and Douglas for World Cup play. Talley will probably see some midfield this year.

Forwards
Jeff Cunningham
Jason Kreis

Jamie Watson
Atiba Harris
Jeff Rowland
Adam Acosta


Midfield
Left Mid
Christian Jimenez
Ryan Johnson
(Injured Seth)

Center Mid
Andy Williams
Mehdi Ballouchy

Right Mid
Chris Klein
Kevin Novak

Defensive Mid
Douglas Sequeira
Kenny Cutler

Left Defensive Back
Paul Broome
Gustavo Cabrera
Willis Forko

Central Defense
Eddie Pope
Carey Talley
Nelson Akwari
Nikolas Besagno
Camerone Knowles

Rightt Defensive Back
Chris Brown
Daniel Torres

GK
Scott Garlick
Jay Nolly
Noah Palmer

[RSL1]

Any thoughts on whether Akwari or Talley starts in the middle? Seems like Akwari has had the call more often in preseason than Talley, but it doesn't make any sense.

[qman]

Wasn't Besagno drafted as a back midfielder? Has he played as a center back before?

[BroncsBomber]

Besagno has been almost exclusively used in the center back position this preseason.

I think they have been playing Akwari a bunch in the middle to get him some seasoning there to probably be Pope, Eddie the 23rds replacement come World Cup time.

My big concern is the number of midfielders we have, especially since those are the players who do the most running and tend to get subbed out more.

That would be nice to get a good SI mid fielder since besides Andy Williams, Klein and Douglas the rest appear to be rookie or second year players. Especially since we might lose Klein and Douglas for World Cup.

That could leave Williams, heading a young bunch of midfielders in Jimenez, Novak, Mehdi, Cutler and Johnson during WC.

[prk166]

Originally Posted by qman

Wasn't Besagno drafted as a back midfielder? Has he played as a center back before?

I wouldn't be suprised to see him used there some with the reserves and more in the future. At his age, even CB may be allow for his lack of experience than in the middle of the midfield, especially in the defensive slot. In fact, back at CB it may help him to better understand how he could be breaking up play at DM.

[dysko]

Originally Posted by BroncsBomber

My big concern is the number of midfielders we have, especially since those are the players who do the most running and tend to get subbed out more.

That would be nice to get a good SI mid fielder since besides Andy Williams, Klein and Douglas the rest appear to be rookie or second year players. Especially since we might lose Klein and Douglas for World Cup.

That could leave Williams, heading a young bunch of midfielders in Jimenez, Novak, Mehdi, Cutler and Johnson during WC.

This is true, but I bet money that Medhi plays way beyond his rookie status. He is a student of the game, who understands the game at a very high level. Cutler has proven he can hold his own in this league.

But all that aside, I would be suprised is we lost both Klein and Douglas to WC. However, if we do I would not be suprised to see a 4-3-3 line up used.

[BroncsBomber]

I would still like to see us bring in another Senior International. An aging veteran like Youri Djorkaeff to teach the young midfielders how to be a professional. I know they are hard to come by. I'm just wishful thinking.

[prk166]

Bringing in one of those eld men could be a cap issue. I think there is still some question over how much if any of Cleatus' salary RSL is picking up and if any of that trade involved some cap roop / taking a cap hit for Cleatus on RSL's part. Throw that in with bringing in some vets like Cunningham, Klein, Talley, and Garlick and the the team may not have a lot of cap wiggle room. Afterall, that was one of the reasons mention for releasing Tarley (not that only 1 goal in 9 starts would be one, either). Surely he wasn't making that much.