All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

And today seems to be the day of trades for the Reds. They send Gaven to Cow Town for Buddle and send Martins and the rights to Chris Leitch to Colorado for Peguero.

So, they went from no striker to two strikers. Nice.

 

Swapping projects and acquiring a pair of orange boots ... sounds like typical MetroBulls dealings.  No faith in Abbe Ibrahim or Mike Magee, Crass?

I'll be interested to see how Sigi plans on shoring up a midfield containing Gaven and Martino.

 

Abbe has had some visa issues coming back into the country. So it isn't even certain if the Reds will see him as worth it.

Magee, to the description of Mo "seems lost at times. There are times he looks great and then he drifts out."

Buddle, as long as he stays out of the driver's seat, will be just fine.

I was shown some amazing stats the other day and thought they were rather interesting:
Only 25 people scored more than 7-goals last season. This averages out to about 2-per team. The Reds now have 4. (Youri, Buddle, Peguera, Guevara)
I believe it was 10 people scored 10 or more goals last season. This averages out to about 1-per team. The Reds now have 3.

Also, they were in the top three teams last year of total goals scored. The problem has always been the defense. So, hopefully, it is all sealed up this year.

 

Ibrahim better get the visa thing figured out ... I'm burning a foreign slot on MFLS on him.

JPG has a tendency to float in and out of matches, like Magee and a great many other forwards. The question is finishing the chances you actually get. And what about Guevara - is he still looking to get out from under Big Red's thumb?

 

Guevara has his green card now. And from an article in the New York Times, Mo Johnston has stated that, "it makes him even more attractive to teams around the league, and there's been interest from L.A. and Chivas"

So that was rather interesting.

I don't know that they will trade him because it will create a huge hole in the midfield, but it is always a thought with Amado.

 

Amado has been petulant and whiny for three years now. Given Mo's no-nonsense attitude, I can see getting rid of him, even if he is the face of the franchise to the Spanish speaking fans.

I feel bad about Gaven. He is so skilled, but I don't think that he has that extra mental gear which makes him tough enough to play at a high level. I hope that I'm wrong.

 

Maybe the Guevara to LA has to do with a combination of the two: a) Bob Bradley and b) John O'Brien.

I agree on Gaven. I like the kid. He has lots of heart. He hardly ever seems to get hurt. The only issue seems to be raising his game to the next level.

Interestingly enough, having Cow Town trade off Buddle makes me really wonder what they are trying to do out there. Their top striker becomes John Wolyniec!

 

I hope this is the year that Gaven breaks out. Maybe being away from home will help.

I'm shocked that Woly didn't work his way back here. He's not a bad substitute striker.

Why are there so many visa issues with these guys? I realize that they don't have the funds of MLB, but I bet that they can use the same law firms to fill out the forms.

I hear you about JOB, but how much stock are we going to put in a guy who is always hurt and will be away at the World Cup if healthy?

 

I'm not that high on Woly. He never scored a goal coming off the bench. In the year he scored 10, all of them came as a starter.

Don't get me wrong. I like his heart. I like that he lays it all out there for the team. I am just not sold on him as a great MLS player or even as a difference maker.

As to the Visa issues: I agree. I have no clue why this isn't sorted out so much easier. Then again, visa issues for everyone is extremely difficult.

As to JOB, it is just a rumor, so who knows. I just don't know who would step in as the playmaker when he goes down. But would it be a move to unload Amado because he's a whiny bitch and at least be able to get back something that would be more than servicable?

 

This from La Guardian's Georgina Turner:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1742281,00.html

The most hated team in England joins forces with the most hated team in MLS. It's a match made in ... well, somewhere. The part about Chelsea having first pick of El Lay's players and being able to loan players to the Gals for experience was particularly interesting. I thought DonnieG and the boys were against those kind of loans....

 

As long as LA doesn't go over their JI and SI slots, I don't have much of a problem. Playing with some internationals will help the Americans.

The problem, I believe, comes from this idea that Chelsea will come looking for talent for their team. I don't see it.

 

You have to give ESPN credit...Their malice against soccer is to the core. It's a religion with the company. The last two days of Champions League coverage...it's a textbook case.