12/27 News

RSL1 · 12-27-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Thanks for the update Deuce.

As for SI spots, I believe Torres is either a green card holder or at least under 25. Hence he would only use a Youth Int'l spot, not a SI.

I liked Broome & Pope in the back last year for the most part. I am surprised to see Cabrera only get honorable mention along with Akwari (which isn't a surprise). I still don't like Brown in the backline, I think he only plays "average" everywhere. Can't we have a starter that has an expertise in defending?
And Talley did well as a midfielder for Dallas last year, but I don't know about his defender abilities.

I don't think that Cabrera is going to start on the bench given the defenders that are listed. While Cabrera didn't admittedly play lights-out for every minute that he was on the field last season, he certainly looked to be of a different pedigree from the guys we had for the most part. He was adjusting to the league - only played 4 games - and during those games he played reasonably well for the most part...the exception of a few momentary lapses. Again, having watched him play for Guatemala, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and presume that the 95% of the games he played well was more the norm than the exception. If he doesn't get better for the other 5%, then perhaps a move is made. But look at it this way: Torres did not particularly light it up in MLS two years ago so to bring him back as a sure-fire starter is strange to say the least.Brown is not a natural defender. Talley is a well respected MLS journeyman, but old and doesn't do anything particularly fantastically. And, Pope is gone for the WC (potentially). No way do I see Cabrera being left off the starting 11 at the beginning of the season.

For that matter, I have to think that Diego Walsh is the one getting a green card. There's no reason why the club would pick a guy like that up to be a SI IMHO. Plus, he's been here for a while so there's potential that he would be eligible.

Dadof3 · 12-27-2005, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarette

Woo hoo! Another member of the Nelly Fan Club! I thought I was the only one...

As long as he is in the middle...on the outside he was an unmitigated disaster.

utah_heretic · 12-27-2005, 12:59 PM

I am a little troubled by what amounts to a serious lack of pace in the back...I haven't seen Talley play defense, so it's hard to say what his pace will be like, but at his age, I'd be surprised if it was blazing. Torres as an addition to the back line brings a lot of pace...Watching him in the end-of season trials, I was certainly impressed by how quick he was. Cabrera also has great speed, if occasionally questionable judgement on the outside. The much maligned Brown has good pace, and what pace he lacks he makes up for in his tenacious physical style. On the whole, our talent level at defense seems much improved to the start of last season, I'm still a little uncertain what we do if we lose Pope and Sequiera for the Cup...Cabrera and Nelly could be a rough ride in central defense...too bad we won't likely get Marvell in the draft. But a lot changes in 5 months...Can't wait for practice to start.

bordelais7 · 12-27-2005, 01:14 PM

This article kind of implies that Andy is not even in the running to be put in as the attacking midfielder, being placed instead on the right wing. While I'll admit that Andy looked best while playing on the wing, I just can't imagine that our #1 choice at the 10 will be Kreis. I consider the position to be pretty important to the success of the team, and Jason was just terrible when playing that position last season. Completely innefective, virtually invisible, looked lost, etc. Ok, I know that he played the position earlier in his career, but I just have a hard time seeing him fit at that position now. He's a forward. Period. Andy Williams won't be a Ronaldinho by any means, but he'll certainly be better than Kreis.

Concerning Cabrera, I also feel that he's got to be in the starting lineup. That projected back line scares me.

bordelais7 · 12-27-2005, 01:18 PM

And as far as Nelly is concerned, ever since he got the best of his matchup with Ruiz in the 3-0 game, he's been on my good side. Ruiz had the "who IS this guy?" epxression on his face for 90 minutes. We need that kind of physical play back there. Not really sure what Talley is like.

Also, why is Tarley considered as a lock for starting up top? What does he bring that makes him the easy favorite over Watson or Cila (assuming that Kreis doesn't play at forward)?

I am so confused after reading this article.

BetterThanChivas · 12-27-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarette

Woo hoo! Another member of the Nelly Fan Club! I thought I was the only one...

I'm totally a member of that club. Nelly Fans Unite!

Dadof3 · 12-27-2005, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bordelais7

Also, why is Tarley considered as a lock for starting up top? What does he bring that makes him the easy favorite over Watson or Cila (assuming that Kreis doesn't play at forward)?

He combines Cila's size with Watson's speed. Remember, he torched the Crapid's defense for more goals in one game then our whole team did in four. I think it is safe to say that, without Mathis screaming at him non-stop, Tarley may play with a bit more confidence.

The other reason to use that combo (Tarley, Cunningham) is to allow your team to play route 1 whenever there are no midfield options (you know...like 90% of the time last year there were no midfield options, so we had to send a long-ball to our lilliputian single forward (Kreis), or our midget who won the ball and was immediately dispossessed by physical play (Watson), or was beaten to the ball by 20 yards (Cila), and then wondered why we couldn't keep possession).

We will now be able to play our forwards as high as possible, and, whenever our d and mids are unable to hold possession (all the time) we can go route 1 over the top with 2 forwards who can outrun and outskill the opposition. I still think there is 0% chance that any of our mids will be able to get themselves into the play (too slow...too defensive), but at least we may get some 2v3 or 2v2 opportunities.

That is the long answer to your short question.

clarette · 12-27-2005, 02:30 PM

Bordy, I thought the implication that Andy would play out wide and Jason in the 10 spot was weird too.

I don't know if I just assumed this, or if I had some valid reason for believing it, but I had been under the impression that Andy being out on the right was a necessity thing in that you couldn't really have Andy and Cleetus sitting right on top of each other in the center.

clarette · 12-27-2005, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadof3

The other reason to use that combo (Tarley, Cunningham) is to allow your team to play route 1 whenever there are no midfield options (you know...like 90% of the time last year there were no midfield options, so we had to send a long-ball to our lilliputian single forward (Kreis), or our midget who won the ball and was immediately dispossessed by physical play (Watson), or was beaten to the ball by 20 yards (Cila), and then wondered why we couldn't keep possession).

And there goes the diet Coke all over the keyboard... 🕺

rslfan · 12-27-2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadof3

He combines Cila's size with Watson's speed. Remember, he torched the Crapid's defense for more goals in one game then our whole team did in four. I think it is safe to say that, without Mathis screaming at him non-stop, Tarley may play with a bit more confidence.

The other reason to use that combo (Tarley, Cunningham) is to allow your team to play route 1 whenever there are no midfield options (you know...like 90% of the time last year there were no midfield options, so we had to send a long-ball to our lilliputian single forward (Kreis), or our midget who won the ball and was immediately dispossessed by physical play (Watson), or was beaten to the ball by 20 yards (Cila), and then wondered why we couldn't keep possession).

We will now be able to play our forwards as high as possible, and, whenever our d and mids are unable to hold possession (all the time) we can go route 1 over the top with 2 forwards who can outrun and outskill the opposition. I still think there is 0% chance that any of our mids will be able to get themselves into the play (too slow...too defensive), but at least we may get some 2v3 or 2v2 opportunities.

That is the long answer to your short question.

Tarley is worthless IMO. Watson and Cila both out played him and out scored him..He can use the excuse Mathis was picking on me but he needs to be on the bench.. And yes, Im a Watson and Cila fan but the numbers show who did what.