It's not a bad idea to be careful with academy players... the point can be made that bringing up players not ready for the show won't really help them too much. For every Henry, Morgan and Osorio there is a Makabuya and a Cordon... best to err on side of caution... Bekker and Welshmen will be good players, but they'll need time too. Even as depth, they aren't getting minutes because the coaches are being careful with them. So if these guys aren't getting minutes, an academy propmated player probably won't get any either - best to stay in the academy and at least get some competitive games and focussed training
He played at one of those while he was also at Notre Dame. Two in Europe when he first turned pro. Then KC and now a trade here.
And trials don't count.
He is an incredibly typical struggling professional American player. A journeyman he is not. 10 years from now you are more than welcome to slap that label on him.
By your standards, pretty much the vast majority of MLS players would be considered 'journeymen'.
Sounds like Terry Dunfield without the 150k pricetag.
MLS teams loaning players and having partnership deals with USL clubs, I think situation for academy players will improve eventually. I just feel bad for Makabuya and Cordon who didn't really get a chance to show what they can do especially end of last season when Mariner was coaching the team.
Given he's label as a depth player, I except he isn't good at all. Since he's past his development stage and entering his prime isn't good news for those who want quality team with quality depth. He's an useless signing in the end. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets cut sometime next year to make room for younger players coming from college or academy.
The problem with our academy players / green new signings right now is that despite having a higher ceiling than this guy, they provide less immediate impact on the field. TFC is pretty much incapable of providing the environment they need to further their careers.
What we need to do is to send people out on loan similar to what the whitecaps have done with their best academy players.
... but a kind of depth player that can help a tired midfield. I think we can all agree this does nothing to improve the technique of the squad - it's a depth, move plain and simple. You believe there are better options for cheap, domestic depth, and some will beg to differ. Agree to disagree, i guess
Might be an up and comer in the field of architecture, but Legendary Terry he is NOT!
Great news on caldwell . I expext weidaman to be moved russel will be returned to england reggie lamb will be traded or released. That frees up 2 more intl. Slots and some cash before july 8 th what do you guys think make sense or no
Probably some depth to make up for the Gold Cup losses. Can't really get worked up about a 60k utility player.
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
This is an MLS nuance that can't be overstated. If you take a look how Toronto reserves manhandled the Montreal reserves, it's no wonder why Bernier didn't go to the Gold Cup - that team has no-one behind their starters (granted, not the reason provided by CSA). They are a great team at the moment, but also on the backs of some old players - if they get injured, that team could have some massive challenges in the latter part of the year.
Richter is a good example of a depth player that has been asked to fill in and doing pretty much what he's expected to do, which is not anything great. Does he improve the team? No, but he has cheaply filled a void on the team, and hasn't been extremely terrible. He is not a long-term answer, but his short-term presence (and thse like him) is necessary. Even more so if CONCACAF dates start to creep into your schedule.
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
Frei needs to be moved along with lamb. Maybe a package deal. And since u pointed out that russel has a greencard he should go back to england anyway richter is a backup to eks anyway. Morgan a backup to o'dea . Dont dorget califf needs to go aswell
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
^^^ Except Dallas
Lamb makes almost nothing but is intl.