Now what type of players do we need? (post Mathis)

Dadof3 · 01-05-2005, 09:44 AM

Now that Mathis is on board, we have a much better idea of what this team will look like (15 of 28 players). So now the important question, what types of players do we still need to make this team truly competitive.

From BS, I stole a couple of posts that are applicable:

prk166:

"I cannot imagine how RSL is going to be able to get anything done defensively if they rely on a front line of Clint Mathis, Jason Kreis and Andy Williams.

1) None of these guys are solid holding players.
2) None of these guys are particular fast (defenses will be able to push way up and trap them high because they won't have to worry about the counterattack).
3) None of these guys are going to be able to keep much pressure on the opponent's defenders (when they are on the ball), due to inclination (Williams) and declining physical skills (Mathis and Kreis). That makes it likely that RSL will have to rely on very defensive-minded players at some of their other positions. That might be okay for awhile, but it doesn't bode well for linking play and service to the forwards.

I hope for your sake that RSL can find a blazing wide midfielder or backup forward who can stretch the defense a bit. There is a reason why Andy Williams is more effective as a complementary playmaker (and that often in a wide position) rather than as a primary playmaker. And there is a reason why the goal spigot dried up for Kreis after his early flurry last season.

I think that a player like Jamil Walker would have been a great partner for either Kreis or Mathis. Maybe Selolwone (sp?) will be able to do this job."

From me:

"With these frontrunners (Dipsy does not have scary speed either), everyone will play us high and put tremendous pressure on our midfield. To be successful, we will need a d-mid who is very confortable with the ball, at least one outside mid who can fly (i.e. Beasley), the other outside mid with outstanding skill in tight quarters, and a team that can play possession under pressure, even in the back.

I don't see anything other than average skill in the back, we do not have the d-mid yet (Ara supporters: can he do this?) however, maybe the Senior from Indiana can fill the role, and I'm not sure we have the outside mids either. Long story short...if we can play a possession oriented, short passing game under pressure, then we can get Kreis, Mathis and Williams the ball in the final third where all three can be dangerous enough to either score or be fouled (with Kreis and Mathis, you have to figure on 5 goals this year on free-kicks outside the area). If not, we will look like the Crapids last year, without a great keeper 😲

As an additional bonus, if we can play this style, we will keep our latin fans happy, as they tend to not like Dallas style long-ball 😉 .

With 13 players to go and foreign-player roster spots still open, I have hope our brain-trust will be able to fill in our gaps."

Comments...suggestions of players who are out there?

SoccerPrime · 01-05-2005, 12:23 PM

Well I think Dipsy is the only S-I right now. So we still have some options there. I really think RSL will concentrate on Mids (esp. D-Mids) and Defenders.
Except for a few exceptions, most College Draftees won't be starting XI material in the beginning of the season.
Look for current MLS player trades and S-Is on the horizon.

Dadof3 · 01-05-2005, 02:04 PM

Judging by the holes in the lineup right now, I agree with you about SIs. I do not see any way to work a trade for the caliber of player we need. No-one in the league has a stockpile of skilled, fast middies, or top-end d-mids. Of course, we could go completely the Crapids route and pick up defensive SIs, play boring ball, and hope that our slow, somewhat skilled, hard-shooting forwards and our erratic offensive mid somehow get one goal per game.

re Danny O'Rourke, it will be interesting to see how the brain-trust handles him. I can see them taking him first ONLY if they see him starting this year. If they see him developing over time, there are other possibilities out there, including a few FAST forwards, who could get some time this year and develop over the next 2 who appear to have a much bigger up-side.

Czar Jake · 01-05-2005, 03:09 PM

I think SPEED is going to be a major issue RSL need to think about. Also, if we could get some decent SIs for cheap, that would be ideal. I'm thinking that among our big names, we might not have much cap space left? I realize that is a statement, but I stuck a question mark at the end because I'm not confident about it at all.

Priorities - Speedy flank players, and strong fast Ds.

Dadof3 · 01-05-2005, 05:19 PM

Here's a thought...Screw the flanks and play Mathis - Williams at the top of a box midfield...put two VERY defensive mids behind them...have our outside back deal with wide mids, and pair Kreis with the fastest SOB we can find :p ...This would allow Mathis and Williams to do what both of them like to do anyway, roam all over the place, and will hopefully allow either or both of them to create. With 6 defensive minded players behind them, we should be able to get away with it as no MLS team's offensive is that impressive.

BroncsBomber · 01-05-2005, 05:38 PM

I think we should draft a fast young forward since those would be hard to come by via the S-I route. You can get a good defensive mid or fullback from the S-I. Hopefully we will be allocated two nice outside mids with speed to press the attack.

SoccerPrime · 01-06-2005, 05:34 AM

Interesting, Mathis does like to play mid on the USMNT. Perhaps that is the best place for him. I have heard conflicting reports that Dipsy is fast. I agree, if the plan is to have Mathis on the mid line then we should go after a fast forward in the draft or a fast forward SI.

clarette · 01-06-2005, 08:54 AM

Generally speaking, I think Mathis is probably more effective as a midfielder. He gets more touches on the ball there and is able to put more of his own imprint on the game.

The one reservation I have with both Williams and Mathis in the midfield is that they both tend to be somewhat, uhhh, mercurial. If things are working well, I think it would be totally Goal-O-Rama. If things aren't going so well, though... I don't know what would happen.

You'd almost need an Armas or Zavagnin-type player to pull it off -- someone who likes to play more defensively and has the ability to close up space quickly on an opponent, especially on the counterattack.

Then again, I AM posting before 11 am so this theory very well could be total crap.

brad · 01-06-2005, 02:39 PM

with mathis and williams in the middle we'd be looking at the soccer version of Jerry Sloan's offense (half-court/little emphasis on the fast break), which I think would do well providing we aren't so conservative on defense that we give up a big percentage of time of possesion. (a big concern in my mind)

I agree with clarette, a player with armas-like qualities would really tighten a system like that up.

i could definitely see the williams/mathis free-for-all wreaking havok on opposing defenses though. you'd almost have to play two of your own midfielders back just to keep track of them.