Possible Expansion Draft And Trade Targets
by Dave Clark on Nov 23, 2011 8:47 AM PST
in Sounders: Trades, Transfers and Rumors
Email
Print
When the Montreal Impact select 10 players at Noon Pacific a couple may never set foot in Quebec as they will be used in swaps to get protected talents, allocation or draft picks. Considering the Seattle Sounders needs - veteran leadership, fullback, target forward - there are a few players that make a bit of sense. All, but one, are expensive which would complicate things greatly, but each of the following targets could help Seattle build more peak level talent. Only one is young.
First up on the list is Brian Ching. He's signed through 2013 to a large deal (2011 at 413k guaranteed), has indicated that he won't play for Montreal. But for a team that doesn't have a physical target forward and that needs strong leadership he fits that mold. No longer the goal scorer he once was, Ching still but more than 45% of shots on frame. The 33 year old is clearly in his decline, misses about a third of a year every year and would have to be talked into returning to a city where he had his greatest scoring success, in the A-League. While Ching fits some of what Seattle needs the chances are essentially zero due to his admiration for Kinnear and love for the city of Houston and the Dynamo.
There's another big contract, non-DP former United States national team player that could garner some attention. Bobby Convey is available in the Expansion Draft after a fairly public contractual spat with the San Jose Earthquakes. If he's not selected today it is nearly certain that he will be available in the Re-Entry Draft as the league still has an option on the player but the Quakes don't want him back at that price, and don't like him at his own preferred position. Robert Jonas from Quake, Rattle and Goal says the following about Convey;
Bobby Convey as expressed a desire to leave the San Jose Earthquakes and will be looking for a team that can maximize his talents from the left midfielder position. While often employed as a left back by Quakes head coach Frank Yallop, Convey has stated that he feels he can be a more effective playing on the wing.
Convey is in his peak period, understands the league and the game as a vet of over a decade. As a left back he'd be intriguing for Seattle, but this team clearly doesn't need a 336k 28-year-old midfielder. The only way he comes to Seattle would be if the club could convince him that they want an extremely attacking left back and he's willing to take a major pay-cut to be part of a championship caliber team for a few years.
Entering into relative bargains, and less famous names another target is sometime right back, some time centerback, some time left back Zarek Valentin. Chivas USA left the 20-year-old Generation Adidas graduate available as he'll make nearly 150k in 2012. Goat Parade blogger Alicia Ratterree notes;
Zarek Valentin had a steady season playing right back with Chivas USA. For much of the campaign, he was part of a good backline that was underrated, but fell apart when Heath Pearce picked up an injury towards the end of the year. He made some mistakes, but they were essentially rookie mistakes, occasionally ball-watching or providing poor clearances, and certainly nothing egregious. In 2011, Valentin stayed at home in defense, probably out of necessity in getting used to the professional game. He seldom moved up the field to help out in attack, and that is a component of his game that he should work on moving forward. In addition, he is very skinny, and at 20 years old will probably naturally build a bit more bulk in the next couple of years, but he needs to develop his body a bit more to really compete with some of the more physical attackers in the league.Above all, Valentin is a promising prospect, and Chivas fans are hoping he somehow won't get picked by Montreal. There isn't a much better endorsement than that, right
Valentin would help Seattle defensively, but as Sigi has noted he wants a player who can get into the attack more effectively. One thing this kind of move would do would leave a bit of space for Seattle in other areas while adding a player who should be effective for years to come. Being coached by Caleb Porter at Akron isn't a bad thing either.
Real Salt Lake's Robbie Russell is left dangling today. He's in that past peak area at age 32 and carries a 134k 2011 price tag. A right back that is more defensive in nature than James Riley his price probably means he isn't a great fit with the Sounders. One of the fittest players on RSL his experience and success in the Playoffs and Champions League may be of interest.
Kosuke Kimura is the last of the five targets. Right in his peak, the man with the greatest birthday in the world, is expected by Burgundy Wave to be picked today. UZ describes him like this;
Kosuke Kimura is a classic 'energy over skill' type of player at right back, though his skills aren't anything to sneeze at.. His defensive skills have been growing quickly since he came into the league, though he's still more of a pure offensive weapon with his crosses and overlapping runs with the midfielders than a defensive stalwart. On the defensive side, he gets by with good speed and close marking rather than overly chippy play, taking the ball away via annoyance more often than actual play on the ball. He's the kind of guy that you'll rarely notice but always doing the little things on a football pitch, and he always brings energy and heart to a defensive back four with his never say die attitude. If you have Kosuke, you have a guy that you will almost never have to worry about not penciling in at right back for a long season.
At a slightly lower price than James Riley with a very similar skill set and two years younger swapping for Kimura would indicate that Seattle is opening up more space for other subsequent off-season moves while sticking in neutral for the time being.
Only convincing Convey to be happy at left back would be a major improvement, but it would also be the only significant, simple (ha!) non-keeper move of the year. Seattle's improvements are more likely to be through a series of small improvements rather than one headline grabbing trade or signing. The attempt I'd make is to nab Zarek Valentin to develop long-term and use as a 3rd CB and second fullback in 2012.
161 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
May 14, 1984 – The one dollar coin is introduced in Australia.
Truly an auspcious day!
@ritual605
by Greg Pirkl Lives on Nov 23, 2011 8:52 AM PST reply actions
Valentine would be ideal
Young, versatile and his best position is one we need depth in. I’d also love to have Kimura as well. Some completion between Riley and Kimura in that RB spot would be great.
The SAH Links Guy
Assuming they dont take Riley
.. or was all this some part of a hoped-for trade where MTL promises “Hands off” the rest of our roster?
by luckystriker on Nov 23, 2011 9:21 AM PST up reply actions
If Montreal doesn't take Valentin they are being run by incompetent people
by Aaron Campeau on Nov 23, 2011 9:24 AM PST up reply actions
Either for themselves or a trade
No way Valentine stays with Chivas. I can’t believe they left him open.
The SAH Links Guy
He makes $150K
That’s not chump change. I don’t have a strong opinion on his abilities, but Chivas is pretty cash strapped (otherwise they probably would have grabbed Feilhaber or Adu), so I can only assume money was the primary motivator in that decision.
Plus then we wouldn't have to use Scott as our backup RB
I like Scott as a CB, but not really as an outside back. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the FO try and work a trade with Montreal for either Kimura or Valentin. They’ve said they’re looking to improve at FB and these players would be a way to improve on that area of the pitch (even if it’d mostly be improved depth at this stage).
Scott is best as a man-marker
which creates zonal issues for the rest of the backline, but he does well at the marking.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Agreed, but his lack of effective forward passing and crossing
takes the FB element out of our attack when he’s in and hurts the offense. He also gets burned by fast or very technical wingers not named Brek Shea. I think he’s a very solid backup CB, though, and great at man-marking and, especially, denying service to whoever he’s marking.
He's marked Le Toux out as well
And that was as a RB
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Very true!
When Riley was hurt towards the end of the season, we lost an important offensive capability on the right wing when Scott replaced him.
If he's willing to play left back
watching Convey & Zakuani make overlapping runs all season would be a lot of fun.
If Montreal doesn’t take Convey in the draft, and I don’t think they will, it might be possible to move some decent players (& their cost) to San Jose before the re-entry thing. Something like Wahl & Jaqua & maybe a draft pick? If San Jose took that, Seattle could do that & Convey might be amenable since he wouldn’t have to take such a big pay cut.
The question with Convey is...
Would he be willing to play back with a promise that he’ll be heavily involved in the attack. I think if you watch Sounders film, it’s clear that Sigi wants that…but will that be enough to please him?
Maybe Sigi should mention
his good friend is looking for someone to play left back on the national team.
Leonardo
The Brazilian defender might be another good trade target. 23 years old, 6’2" CD who played for LA is making 90K. Having another rock at CB could be a decent trade target.
of course, he also is coming off a blown knee
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Nov 23, 2011 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
Robbie Russel
Would be the best snag we could get. Seen him play many many games, very experiancd RB. well worth the money.
Please DO NOT SIGN Brian Ching!!!! If there is one player that could ruin my love for this team Ching is it. He ruined the USMNT for me for a few years. He is Jaqua with a diving issue. No class and horrible player.
Jaqua is the poor man's Brian Ching
I think Ching is very over-priced, but there’s no way a player of his quality coming here should be a problem. He’s had a strong career.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Nov 23, 2011 10:23 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Any player from MLS
that needs to be convinced to play for SSFC shouldn’t even be considered.
Convinced to play a position for the team is different.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
A former first round draft pick that couldn't make an MLS roster?
Who then had a strong performance in the NASL, got injured and might be back to being marginal MLS quality? no.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Man I remember the hype around Dike during the draft
How far some fall.
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 23, 2011 10:44 AM PST up reply actions
Well in my opinon we are the 1st or 2nd best team in the MLS. What player dosnt want to play for a winning team. I have a feeling we could most likely get any player out their that we want.
by BuckleySounder on Nov 23, 2011 10:23 AM PST reply actions
It's a lot harder than that in MLS
-opposing team has to agree
-player has to agree
-league has to agree
-team has to have cap room
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I would love to have Bobby Convey as a left back.
He would be tyson wahl on steriods. He is a great crosser and great on set pieces with his left foot.
His attitude might be a problem,but i think being on a winning team fixes that.
"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."
I think it's pretty much a pipe-dream
but he’d be pretty solid and check off some boxes that the team is looking to improve upon – consistent set-piece delivery and better attacking from the outside backs. Still, to get him to take a pay-cut, play out of his apparently preferred position… probably not going to happen.
Definately dreaming
It would take a lot of things working out ideally for the Sounders. Highly unlikely for sure.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Agreed
It would be pretty awesome though.
"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."
by DarthGreedo on Nov 23, 2011 11:10 AM PST up reply actions
I don't know much about SJ
but from what I understand their FO and ownership are good. I don’t know if it’s just a personal thing with Yallop or what…but I’d hate to have another player have a falling-out with our FO and quit on the team.
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 23, 2011 10:45 AM PST up reply actions
Kosuke would be lovely
I’m sure the front office is wetting itself at the idea of having a Japanese-born player to market to the asian Seattle area. I have several Japanese friends who would come to more games each year for this reason alone.
Also: Darn good back.
brian ching is the first pick.. not surprised
so a forward is taken
zarek valentin is second
not surprised again… can’t believe chivas let him go
Is Jim Mora coaching the Impact?
They’re taking a bunch of Dirtbags.
by Agent_J on Nov 23, 2011 12:05 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Right now, we've got Scott as a starter
Does the unbalanced schedule mean we play Dallas twenty times or something?
by regnaD kciN on Nov 23, 2011 12:19 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
That would be nice
However, I think the acquisition of a fullback or two is highly likely.
Hanauer is a very nice guy.
But he’s also a cold blooded killer.
by ryanhealy on Nov 23, 2011 12:10 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
WOW
With Keller gone too, that D is going to look very different next year.
Probably for the best.
With Keller gone, familiarity with the goalkeeper isn’t going to be a benefit for anyone fighting for their job. A fresh slate might be a plus.
obviously
the unknown is very scary when you had a good D over the last few years. We will see, at least it wont be a boring offseason. Away from Keller, they are both replaceable, even if they weren’t they guy you wanted to go ( Riley wasn’t mine )
I've felt for a while that our FBs were our weakest links.
I’ll miss Riley, but we can do better on both sides of the field. Looking forward to seeing who we bring in.
Yeah. I’ve been content with Riley, given all the other signings we’ve made. But at this point those 2 positions are our weakest and grabbing allocation dollars should help us to make a big move.
Boo! Tomorrow AM. I want all things now!
Several years from now...
…the Impact are going to be thinking to themselves, “Wow — we could have had a Fucito!”
by regnaD kciN on Nov 23, 2011 12:17 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Hindsight
The Sounders could have had Chris Wondolowski in 2008.
Indirectly, Montreal got Justin Braun from their Sounder pick. I think most would take Braun over Fucito.
by Jack Brando on Nov 23, 2011 12:51 PM PST up reply actions
Ahem...YAY FUCITO!!! FOR WE SACRIFICED HIM AND HE STILL LIVES!
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Nov 23, 2011 12:18 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Guaranteed 2011 Player Salaries
Ching – $375,000
Valentin – $80,000
Mapp – $175,000
Burling – $42,000
Brovsky – $42,000
Warner – $42,000
Gardner – $49,200
Nyassi – $42,000
Mayen – $32,604
Braun – $85,000
Sinovic – $32,604
Wahl – $51,870
I just feel bad that he ended up at Chivas
That’s pretty lame.
Almost a straight up trade for Valentine
I’m thinking Chivas had an agreement. Crazy.
The SAH Links Guy
If that's true, I wonder how Chivas fans would feel about that
All five of them.
I can't imagine what Chivas is thinking.
They lose Valentine, Braun, and Mayen and they gain Riley. I like Braun a lot. I know nothing about Mayen, but they gave up at least two young, promising players for Riley.
I love that Marsch was pretty focused on grabbing people he’s coached. Which is probably a smart move, but it definitely seems funny.
Boo! Tomorrow AM. I want all things now!
Agreed, especially Fucito
I’m not sure I’m a member of the Church, but I think Fucito is very valuable to us.
I would have rather they taken Ianni than Riley.
Ianni always feels very inconsistent to me. He seemed to put us in trouble far too often with botched back-passes or odd deflections.
Sounders 'til I die
by SounderJunkie on Nov 23, 2011 12:45 PM PST up reply actions
i rather
keep ianni and see a upgraded outside back on both sides than to have to add a CB to replace ianni as well as upgrade both outside backs.
Ianni was a stud in 2010
He just needs some regularity in his playing time. Hopefully, we can provide that next season with all the competitions and reserve league.
The SAH Links Guy
I wonder what this means for Michael Tetteh.
The team seemed to be pretty high on him coming out of the draft, but he didn’t play much last year.
He's going to get time
He’s the primary back-up now. Perhaps the presumptive starter now that Gonzalaez seems to be losing place and playing more games at CB.
The SAH Links Guy
So the last three Sounders taken by expansion draft have been immediately traded.
I find this interesting.
The Seattle Sounders are just reDQulous
OOOORRRR.........
it means the Sounders had some value there. I hope we are not crying that the Sounders could have traded Riley for Bruan.
Braun for Riley
You wouldn’t have done that deal ? I would have.
At the bare minimum Montreal would have had to decide if they only want Braun when the Sounders if the Sounders put Braun up as not protected. But I would have kept Bruan over Evans.
I wouldn't
though cause we would had to protect him and then could have lost someone else.
hmm
any possibility this was a prearrangement trade that they take riley and a trade for wahl so seattle wouldn’t lose other players like carrasco, ianni or Fuctio for example.
Doubtful.
It makes no sense to organize Chivas to get Riley for nothing when we could have traded Riley to them for something.
If
we made a direct trade to Chivas we could still have lost someone to Montreal besides wahl.
Possible, but Riley certainly had value.
And there was certainly no guarantee that leaving him unprotected would make him Montreal’s guaranteed pick. He had more value as trade bait (allocation money?) than he did as a possible distraction.
Also, Braun is FAR more valuable than Fucito, Carrasco, etc.
And Carrasco is the guy I was most scared of losing.
Sigi said early in the year
That if we don’t win it may be time to rebuild. Looks like the defense will be re-built with new fullbacks and goalkeeper.
yes that's true
wetrueness need to find sum fullbacks with size n skill n speed
by alexyepz on Nov 23, 2011 12:38 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I thought i'd share this google translated version of the article on Mauro Rosales
It’s in the spanish-speaking section.
According to the playmaker and winner of the Year 2011 Recruitment of the MLS, just “missing details” minimum to impregnate his signature on the new contract that bind to Seattle because his desire is to stay in the box to the Emerald City " for a long time. "
“minimum to impregnate his signature”
“IMPREGNATE”
Mauro can impregnate anything he wants,
as long as he does it as a Sounder.
Sounders 'til I die
by SounderJunkie on Nov 23, 2011 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I can stop worrying about who they are going to take from our team now
relaxes
For what Montreal got for Riley I totally would have taken him too. Like most here sad to see him go, but we can find a better.
I was irrationally fond of James Riley
and will miss his contributions both on and off the field. Thank you for being a great guy James and I hope you do really well in San Jose.
by look4wrd on Nov 23, 2011 12:33 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I am going to miss Riley
No one worked harder day in and day out. A true Iron Man.
The SAH Links Guy
I can't complain about that. The Riley song never felt like it flowed well.
He came to us from San Jose, Riley, Riley!
We paid his fine in dollar bills, Riley, Riley!
He took a red card for his mates,
AND SMACKED MCGEE UPON HIS FACE!
James Riley, Sounders number 7.
Sounders 'til I die
by SounderJunkie on Nov 23, 2011 12:50 PM PST up reply actions
A wealthy heiress want to move Chivas to Miami...
…is there any other reasonable explanation?
by nimajneb on Nov 23, 2011 12:41 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Just realized Montreal picked 7 players.
Then there’s Wahl, who keeps it at 7 considering they traded Riley off.
They are to defense what we are to midfield.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Sounder At Heart
Related FanShots on Sounder At Heart
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
