Hi, I need some help

[qman]

I am a little out of my element. I am an expert on basketball and was recently turned on to soccer.

Can someone breakdown Real's roster? And compare it to the rest of the MLS?

Even one player would be great.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

That's a good question there, Q.......

The problem is, you can't really compare 2005's RSL roster to 2006's.

If you look at the lineup from the home opener in 2005, we've traded, waived or otherwise sent packing:

-Countess
-Rojas
-Selowane
-Mathis
-Dunseth

....and a couple others who I can't remember right now.

Pretty much every position is a question mark.

Even our best players might have World Cup Duty and even if Klein & Pope don't go to Germany; there's no telling if they can translate their US national team form to the club level.

As for "comparing players to other MLS teams", that depends on what you mean, Q.

Soccer can be very frustrating compared to soccer because statistics in soccer can be meaniningless.

[SoccerPrime]

Last year RSL was mostly made of cast-offs and maybes.

This year several new players are proven commondities.

Does that help?

[Dadof3]

I'll take a shot...and do it by position:

Forwards: This year: Cunningham, Kreis (returning from injury), some rookie
Last year: Kreis (healthy), jumbled mess...

Comparison 05 to 06...net gain, Cunningham gives us speed and skill up front, still to be seen whether Kreis can recover from his 2nd ACL problem or if he is a good partner with Cunningham. Though Kreis had nice numbers last year (especially considering he lost 8 games to injury) the forwards were a weakness on the team.

Compared to the league: If Cunningham is on, right in the middle. Certainly some teams are better [NE, LA if Donovan is playing, maybe FC Dallas, maybe Houston if Ching regains his form, no doubt the Wizards with EJ and Wolff]. If one of the rookie develops into a size/speed option, we could be better than average.

Mids: This year: Sequiera, Williams, Klein, committee...Last year: Mathis, Williams, rookie d-mid, committee.

Comparision 05 - 06: Massive upgrade. Playing Williams and Mathis at the same time with the same styles (wait for the game to come to you, some nice skills, no defense) in front of a raw and not particularly athletic d-mid spelled disaster for the team. Couldn't stop the oppostion from doing whatever they wanted in midfield, could not keep possession, were only dangerous on free kicks. The upgrades of Klein and Sequiera will be obvious and very important. Ballouchi could be an interesting part of the mix.

To the league: You would expect them to be in the middle, which is an upgrade from being the worst last year. We do not seem to have anyone better than average for the left, and it is still to be seen if Williams will be able to thrive and whether Ballouchi can affect a game as a rookie. If they mesh, potential to be one of the best mid groups in MLS.

The D: Last year: Pope (oft injured), Dunseth, Pearce (broken), Brown, Akwari, committee. This year: Pope, Talley, Akwari, Brown, Cabrera, committee.
Probably a wash as far as speed and talent. Losing Pope for the WC will be paticularly damaging. When it comes right down to it, the D was under incredible pressure last year becuase our mids were horrible defensively and no-one respected our forwards. The fact we did not bleed a ton more goals is something of a mystery actually.

To the League: There is not a defense that, on paper, looks great. The better defensive teams are those that work well with a pressuring mid and forward line. RSL will at best be average.

Keeper: Last year DJ...this year Garlick. Compare...DJ, great shot-stopper, worthless controlling his area, poor organizer, rumors that a bad locker-room presence. Garlick, average, but a good locker-room presence. Probably a net gain just for the ability to communicate with his players.

Compared to league: At best, average...Nolly has the potential to be something special with experience...not this year.

Overall...improved from 2005, average compared to the league.

[ReAl]

Originally Posted by qman

I am a little out of my element. I am an expert on basketball and was recently turned on to soccer.

Can someone breakdown Real's roster? And compare it to the rest of the MLS?

Even one player would be great.

If you ever want to talk Dallas Mavericks basketball, just let me know. 🙂

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by Dadof3

I'll take a shot...and do it by position:

Forwards: This year: Cunningham, Kreis (returning from injury), some rookie
Last year: Kreis (healthy), jumbled mess...

Comparison 05 to 06...net gain, Cunningham gives us speed and skill up front, still to be seen whether Kreis can recover from his 2nd ACL problem or if he is a good partner with Cunningham. Though Kreis had nice numbers last year (especially considering he lost 8 games to injury) the forwards were a weakness on the team.

Compared to the league: If Cunningham is on, right in the middle. Certainly some teams are better [NE, LA if Donovan is playing, maybe FC Dallas, maybe Houston if Ching regains his form, no doubt the Wizards with EJ and Wolff]. If one of the rookie develops into a size/speed option, we could be better than average.

Mids: This year: Sequiera, Williams, Klein, committee...Last year: Mathis, Williams, rookie d-mid, committee.

Comparision 05 - 06: Massive upgrade. Playing Williams and Mathis at the same time with the same styles (wait for the game to come to you, some nice skills, no defense) in front of a raw and not particularly athletic d-mid spelled disaster for the team. Couldn't stop the oppostion from doing whatever they wanted in midfield, could not keep possession, were only dangerous on free kicks. The upgrades of Klein and Sequiera will be obvious and very important. Ballouchi could be an interesting part of the mix.

To the league: You would expect them to be in the middle, which is an upgrade from being the worst last year. We do not seem to have anyone better than average for the left, and it is still to be seen if Williams will be able to thrive and whether Ballouchi can affect a game as a rookie. If they mesh, potential to be one of the best mid groups in MLS.

The D: Last year: Pope (oft injured), Dunseth, Pearce (broken), Brown, Akwari, committee. This year: Pope, Talley, Akwari, Brown, Cabrera, committee.
Probably a wash as far as speed and talent. Losing Pope for the WC will be paticularly damaging. When it comes right down to it, the D was under incredible pressure last year becuase our mids were horrible defensively and no-one respected our forwards. The fact we did not bleed a ton more goals is something of a mystery actually.

To the League: There is not a defense that, on paper, looks great. The better defensive teams are those that work well with a pressuring mid and forward line. RSL will at best be average.

Keeper: Last year DJ...this year Garlick. Compare...DJ, great shot-stopper, worthless controlling his area, poor organizer, rumors that a bad locker-room presence. Garlick, average, but a good locker-room presence. Probably a net gain just for the ability to communicate with his players.

Compared to league: At best, average...Nolly has the potential to be something special with experience...not this year.

Overall...improved from 2005, average compared to the league.

Don't forget about Broome on the back line.

[Dadof3]

Originally Posted by Stucki

Don't forget about Broome on the back line.

Just like Kreis...when you have ongoing injury problems and have not made it back to full speed, you are not counted as a positive. Broome is taking a VERY long time to recover from his surgery.

[Stucki]

That is disappointing, I thought he played rather well for us last year.

[ReAl]

Originally Posted by Dadof3

Broome is taking a VERY long time to recover from his surgery.

Which makes me wonder if he will make the cut this year. Very disappointing.

[qman]

Thanks a lot Dadof3.

That was enlightening. Now Cunningham was the same player that played really well in the MLS all-star match right?

I have seen Klein make some great passes in the practice matches. I am pretty excited to see what the team can do.

About the Mavs, that have been kicking but this year. I am Jazz fan and it has been frustrating.