Weakest link

[SoccerPrime]

I think we need to seriously look at higher quality forwards.

Don't get me wrong, Harris has done a good job, but imagine what RSL could do with a healthy Cunningham going up top with an almost equal quality striker?

-Harris isn't at Jeff's level
-We don't use Watson as it is
-Kreis isn't getting any younger and seems to like his a-mid position

[SpiffCoug]

Maybe we could get McBride to come back to the US. He is playing very well in England. Imagine how many Jeff would score if he had a forward like Brian to play off of.

[Loyal1]

Originally Posted by utah_heretic

get rid of Eddie Pope?? ... For God's sake let them play together for a couple of years before you start yanking out the only player holding it together.

I agree with you here. Pope is not the demi-god he once was but it's not time to put him out to pasture yet.

I got the impression from the interview in the tv pregame that Pope thought he had a couple more years in him wo/ the international travel wearing on him.

[f4denz]

Originally Posted by utah_heretic

Pass me some of what you guys are smoking...

get rid of Eddie Pope?? Let me get this straight...with the youngest back line in MLS, including a right back who was a midfielder until this year, you want to get rid of the league's premier center back? Surely you jest...I can't think of anybody on this team who's jobs are more secure than Pope and Cunningham.

Eddie is busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest just covering for a defense which is prone to mental lapses. We gave up 30 goals this year due mostly to an inexperienced defense. For God's sake let them play together for a couple of years before you start yanking out the only player holding it together.

Going to agree here, Eddie is going to help our very young, talented but spotty defensive players understand the league and how to play solid defense in it for a very long time. Eddie on a bad day is still one of the best defensive player in the league.

If you have to drop people, I nominate Brown (salary vs. impact on the field=loss for RSL), Broome and Trembly (not sure if they can come back from their injuries) and number one reason we did not make the playoffs- Ellinger (way to many stupid sub's all year long, failure to prepare the team to play- number of early and late goals and his overall lack of emotion or involvement during the matches) I say you give him a position as head of player development and groom him for a GM role down the line.

[f4denz]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

I think we need to seriously look at higher quality forwards.

Don't get me wrong, Harris has done a good job, but imagine what RSL could do with a healthy Cunningham going up top with an almost equal quality striker?

-Harris isn't at Jeff's level
-We don't use Watson as it is
-Kreis isn't getting any younger and seems to like his a-mid position

Atiba is young and could be a real presence on the pitch given time to develop. I think with Soto and Kreis in the midfield with Klein and Medhi and the ability to bring in a Andy Williams off the bench when an offensive spark is needed really helps a front two of Harris (dog) and Cunny (cat) who can attack with speed and/or strength. We do need another forward to spell those players (it seems despite my best wishes that coach John is not going to use Watson in any meaningful way).

[Balanceut]

I'm ambivalent about Pope. Last year, and up 'til the World Cup this year, I really got the impression that Pope was treating his time on the pitch with RSL was merely training for his national team duty.

I said as much to front office persons when I was in the office buying my season tickets this just ended year.

The clincher demonstrating that was when Landycakes picked his pocket clean to score a goal in the first home game against LA this season.

But, when he came home from WC duty announcing his retirement from national team duty, he seemed a changed man. He *gasp* ran! He *gasp* left the ground horizontally to head balls away. Wow! He's now a dedicated club player!
:jawdrop:
Or, maybe Pope came back from WC duty and saw the team on a winning streak without him on the pitch and realized he might be replaceable.

So, I think he's replaceable. OTOH, if his new contract is a lot smaller and means the team can take on BEASLEY! or maybe take a chance on Johnson, that would be cool to keep him. Because, he is respected and I think he might really be now dedicated to club play.

[Czar Jake]

Pope really did become a whole new player after the WC. Before that I was all for trading him, and now I'm happy either way.

However, we need to keep in mind that our young talented defense, with Mr. Steady Eddie Pope, tied with the Crapids for most goals allowed.

I don't like Harris' game. He is fast and tall but gives the ball away all the time and can't dribble.

It would be nice to dump Brown's salary, but who'd trade for him at this point?

I think it would be nice to get another forward, and maybe some depth at defense. I like the midfield.

[Stucki]

I don't think we will ever see Broome in a soccer kit again. I have been told that his injury is such that if he wants to be able to walk for the rest of his life, he needs to move on to the rest of his life.

[I_Believe_In_Kreis]

Originally Posted by f4denz

Going to agree here, Eddie is going to help our very young, talented but spotty defensive players understand the league and how to play solid defense in it for a very long time. Eddie on a bad day is still one of the best defensive player in the league.

If you have to drop people, I nominate Brown (salary vs. impact on the field=loss for RSL), Broome and Trembly (not sure if they can come back from their injuries) and number one reason we did not make the playoffs- Ellinger (way to many stupid sub's all year long, failure to prepare the team to play- number of early and late goals and his overall lack of emotion or involvement during the matches) I say you give him a position as head of player development and groom him for a GM role down the line.

I couldn't agree more with everything said here. Brown for sure has to go, even if he's an outright release. Broome really wants to be back in L.A. Trembly I'd be more willing to chance........he trained well on Saturday, scoring a goal on a nifty little heel flick, and he even threw a few bikes during warmups (Deuce has a great picture of him doing one).

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

I don't like Harris' game. He is fast and tall but gives the ball away all the time and can't dribble

I don't like Harris either, but I'm starting to sense he's coming around. I see less stupid fouls and better field awareness. If we keep him, I think he should play reserves only until he develops a better first touch, uses his body to shield the ball better, and distribute better.

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

I think it would be nice to get another forward, and maybe some depth at defense. I like the midfield.

Our midfield tends to disappear for stretches. I'd like to see us control the midfield more. Part of that problem lies with our fullbacks who love to hit the long ball for Jeff to run on to. RSL is much more dangerous in the attack when we play through the midfield.

[Jim Umber]

Originally Posted by I_Believe_In_Kreis

Our midfield tends to disappear for stretches. I'd like to see us control the midfield more. Part of that problem lies with our fullbacks who love to hit the long ball for Jeff to run on to. RSL is much more dangerous in the attack when we play through the midfield.

Now that one I agree completely with. In the games that we have done well, the midfield has been ours. In most of the other games, the midfield has only been the place where we hand to ball over to the other team. When we control the midfield, we control the game!