Wahl Re-signs - Sounders Roster Battle gets Fierce
by Dave Clark on Feb 15, 2010 5:31 PM PST
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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PrintWith the announcement of who is traveling, who is staying, who is back at school, and who is injured the re-signing of Tyson Wahl via "free agency" complicates things a little bit. It means the club has 21 on the Senior Roster and 2 on the Developmental Roster. Now if one assumes that the roster size will stay the same (which may/may not happen) that means the club is looking at 2 Developmentals and still has to cut, or transfer to the Injured List 1 Senior member.
Here is the current Roster with DPs in bold, Developmentals in italics and an (I) by Internationals (max 8).
| TF | ||||
| Montero (I) | ||||
| Levesque | ||||
| WF | ||||
| LW | Ljungberg (I) | RW | ||
| Zakuani (I) | Nyassi (I) | Jaqua | ||
| Estrada | ||||
| CM | ||||
| Evans | ||||
| King | ||||
| CDM | ||||
| LWB | Alonso | RWB | ||
| Gonzalez (I) | CB ONE | Vagenas | CB TWO | Riley |
| Scott | Hurtado (I) | Sturgis | Marshall | |
| Wahl | Graham | Ianni | ||
| KEEPER | ||||
| Keller | ||||
| Boss | ||||
| Eylander |
That's the 23 that are under contract at this time, but the traveling squad is a little different. Below are the guys that are not currently under contract who are traveling. There's a surprise player or two in there.
Keepers: Derby Carillo, Patrick Lane
Defenders: Jeff Parke, Jamel Wallace
Midfielders: Mike Fucito, Josh Gardner, Lamar Neagle
Forwards: Tye Predido
It should be noted that Brad Evans is with the US National Team again. Nate Jaqua and Terry Boss stayed back as both are injured. Draftee Michael Seamon is back at school. Some of the other trialists may be invited back when the team returns to Seattle.
Note that there are only two "trialists" on the trip who are not eligible to be on a Developmental Contract. For one of them to make the roster on First Kick would mean that TWO current Senior Players are cut/injured. It is also notable that none are "internationals" meaning that Seattle leaves itself with two of those slots.
Also, though I think the news is the roster battle, the Sounder-verse is stoked because Jhon Kennedy Hurtado is no longer on a loan, but has fully transfered to MLS and Seattle Sounders FC. Brad Evans was also signed to an extension.
How do you see that battle for those final two spots turning out?
Update: I have confirmation from the team (just today) that Gardner is/was not on the trip.
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Silly that the same spelling
Has two very different meanings.
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What is Neagle aiming at position wise winger, defender or CM?
Based on that chart alone i could almost argue that Gardner should make it as depth at LW but a couple things have to happen for Seattle to have a spot open for Gardner.
Neagle has played RB and RM primarily
but also a bit of time at LB, and CDM.
As for LW, there’s that Harvard kid too
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What do you think Gardner’s chances especially that 2 senior spots have to be cut/IL to make the squad assuming the roster size isn’t increased?
Fucito,
is he eligible for Developmental?
If so, could we give him a Developmental slot and pay him a bit more?
With CCL and USOC, we need all slots to be able to contribute. Nyassi can. Fucito can. Not sure beyond that.
Last CBA the Developmentals
Had only two possible values
20k and 33k
That may be changing, but yes Fucito is eligible for a Dev.
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Parke?
Is Jeff Parke really traveling and training with the team?
Speed Merchant
When (not if) Fucito makes the roster, you’ll see him play both Forward and outside Mid. He could easily back-up Zak (left) or Montero, but is equally dangerous coming across from the right wing given his cannon left-foot shot velocity from the top of the box.
It’ll come down to who is making the best decisions among Sanna, Zak, and Mike for playing time. My sense is they’ll opt for much more overall speed this season, especially once they see their SOG increase.
Maybe they’ll even treat Seattle fans by putting all 3 on the field at once???
Internationals
Isn’t Marshall an international? Alonso? If both of them are, we have no international slots left.
Alonso is certainly not
As he is a Cuban refugee.
My understanding from last season was that for MLS purposes Marshall does not count as he has a Green Card, rather than work visa. For US Open Cup purposes though both do count.
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How fluid is this chart?
Right now only Riley is under “RWB” but as formations change, I imagine others can shift to that role—they just don’t press forward as far?
Also, trying to learn the rules of roster formation in MLS seems to require an intensive course, complete with textbooks.
7500 to Holte - an Aston Villa blog.
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Feb 17, 2010 3:48 AM PST reply actions
The Chart is very Fluid
If Ianni fills in on right defense it becomes more of a right back situation, while Evans also gets forward for more of the wingback role.
Many players on the team can play differing roles within the Arrow
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Sigi on Jeff Parke and Rayner Michael
Parke;
With Jeff it’s a situation where he wanted to explore opportunities in Europe, and he had that opportunity last year. He’s indicated to us that he’s serious about playing and interested in MLS again. We have his rights; we took him in the expansion draft because we thought he was a good player and our thoughts haven’t changed in that regard. Now it’s just a matter of bringing him up to the level of the team in terms of fitness and everything else so that he doesn’t get injured. Then we will evaluate him and see where he fits into our group.
Michael;
We wanted to see Rayner train and play in a couple games. He has an open ticket; he could stay throughout our entire time in La Manga or we could cut it short. We’ll see how it goes. His personality is good and he’s fit in good with the group. He’s comfortable playing in any part of the attacking midfield: outside right, outside left and in the middle. We’ll get a good look at him and look at him outside left tomorrow.
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but have to sacrifice somewhere else
for Parke to make it 2 guys under contract right now can’t (or they will start the season on the injured, or traded away).
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What's your opinion on Parke, postulating that his skills haven't detiorated
from his play for the Red Bulls in 2008? Should he be on the roster?
From his play for the Red Bulls
He is a decent to good centerback in MLS. He would be good depth, and competing with Ianni and Marshall to be the other starter with Hurtado.
But that was 2008. He missed many games, and so we have to think that his athletic ability is a bit worse. He only played 7 matches for the Vancouver Whitecaps last year in his two months with the club. He then left early while under contract to “pursue other options.”
How much will a guys skills fade over nearly 18 months with very little playing time?
Still having him in camp is a good thing, because he could probably start on a few sides right now.
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