MLS Offseason Report Card
April 2nd, 2008 . 4:08 pm . By: John CarltonHere again is my annual guide to all the off season transactions for all 14 MLS teams. Hopefully, it will serve as a handy guide to all the new faces in new places as the season gets rolling. The grade for each team’s off season activity is based on my assessment of how much they have improved their overall roster from the end of the 2007 season until the start of the 2008 season and does not take into consideration any potential signings that have not been finalized. After last year’s report card was published on opening day, there were many other big MLS signings to follow that would have retroactively changed the grades. So these grades reflect only the activity up to opening day. Chicago FireLost: GK Matt Pickens, D Jim Curtin, M Ivan Guerrero, D Jeff Curtin, M Floyd Franks Acquired: F Andy Herron, F Tomasz Frankowski, D Brandon Prideaux Drafted: F Patrick Nyarko, GK Dominic Cervi, M Peter Lowry, F Dwight Barnett, M Stephen King, D Austin Washington, M Kai Kasiguran, F Adrian Bumbut, M Zack Pope, D Steve Bode, M Tim Conway, GK Melford James Retired: M Chris Armas, F Paulo Wanchope Analysis: Chicago had a pretty dismal off season with the departure of Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio to the Red Bulls and the public demands for a trade from their top defender, Wilman Conde. Then came the news that blue chip goalkeeper Dominic Cervi would not sign with the Fire, no doubt for money reasons. So the big acquisition of the offseason was 33-year old Polish forward Tomasz Frankowski, who is coming off a bad knee injury sustained at former club Wolverhampton Wanderers. It could work out, but rookie coach Denny Hamlett has his work cut out for him. Best Acquisition: F Tomasz Frankowski Hardest Loss: M Chris Armas Rookie to Watch: F Patrick Nyarko Grade: C- Columbus CrewLost: D Marcos Gonzalez, M Ned Grabavoy, F Andy Herron, D Tim Ward, F Kei Kamara, M Jacob Thomas, M Ricardo Virtuoso, D Rusty Pierce Acquired: M Brian Carroll, F Nico Hernandez, F Guilherme Só, D Gino Padula, M Kevin Burns, M Emmanuel Epko Drafted: D Andy Iro, F George Josten, F Ricardo Pierre-Louis, D Ryan Miller, F Steven Lenhart, GK Billy Chiles, M Cory Elenio, F Lucasz Tumicz, F Zola Short Retired: M Brandon Moss Analysis: 11th hour signing Guilherme Só fortunately gives the Crew another attacking option up top. The Crew will need to give Schelotto all the help he can get. Losing defender Marcos Gonzalez will definitely hurt, but adding Argentine fullback Gino Padula could offset the loss of experience at the back. MLS veterans Brian Carroll and Nico Hernandez will look to have renaissance seasons for the new-look Crew. Best Acquisition: M Brian Carroll Hardest Loss: D Marcos Gonzalez Rookie to Watch: D Andy Iro Grade: B DC UnitedLost: M Christian Gomez, D Greg Vanney, GK Troy Perkins, M Brian Carroll, M Joshua Gros, D Bobby Boswell, F Nicholas Addlery, M Brian Arguez, Stephen DeRoux, GK Jay Nolly, D Kiki Willis Acquired: M Marcello Gallardo, D Gonzalo Peralta, F Franco Niell, D Gonzalo Martinez, M Quavas Kirk, GK Zach Wells, GK Jose Carvallo, M Dane Murphy Drafted: M Andrew Jacobson, F Ryan Cordeiro, M Tony Schmitz, D Brandon Owens, M Dan Stratford, GK James Thorpe Analysis: Big, big turnover for team tradition. But what they’ve added is exciting. Gallardo can still play at a high level and is an uprgrade over Christian Gomez. The two Gonzalos add stability to a shaky back line, and new goalkeeper Zach Wells should be an upgrade over 2007 keeper Troy Perkins. DC United now has the cache to attract top-tier talent, and they are going for it. Best Acquisition: M Marcello Gallardo Hardest Loss: M Christian Gomez Rookie to Watch: M Dan Stratford Grade: B+ New England RevolutionAcquired: D Chris Albright, D Sam Brill, F Argenis Fernandez, M Mauricio Castro, D Chase Hilgenbrinck Lost: M Andy Dorman, D Avery John, F Pat Noonan, D James Riley, F Willie Sims, D Marshall Leonard, F Chris Loftus Drafted: D Rob Valentino, M Michael Videira, M Joe Germanese, D Matthew Britner, F Spencer Wadsworth, F Kheli Dube Analysis: Not a lot to shout about if you’re a Revs fan. Albright is a good addition, but Fernandez and Castro are unknown quantities. Fortunately, Steve Nichol seems to always get the best out of his players. Local product Chase Hilgenbrinck, who had been plying his craft in Chile, could see some playing time at left back. As of this writing, New England were still pursuing Costa Rican defender Gabriel Badilla. Two young Gambians signed late last season, Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally, could be impact players as well. Best Acquisition: D Chris Albright Hardest Loss: F Pat Noonan Rookie to Watch: D Rob Valentino Grade: C+ New York Red BullsLost: M Dema Kovalenko, GK Ronald Watterreus, F Francis Doe, F Clint Mathis Acquired: F Oscar Echeverry, GK Zach Thornton, GK Danny Cepero, GK Caleb Patterson-Sewell, M Kevin Mesa Drafted: D Eric Brunner, M Luke Sassano, M David Roth, M Danleigh Borman, M Michael Palacio, D John Gilkerson Analysis: There’s a very real chance Jozy Altidore could be gone in the summer transfer window, so signing Columbian international Oscar Echeverry seems a good idea. Otherwise, what have the energy-drink moguls done for their team in the offseason? Not a whole lot. Scan the wires. New coach Juan Carlos Osorio promises that reinforcements are on the way, targeting a defensive mid or a fullback. Venezuelan attacking midfielder Ronald Vargas had been rumored to be a player on the radar, but Osorio says he is not in their pay range. And the Lider Marmol soap opera still turns, so stay tuned. Best Acquisition: F Oscar Echeverry Hardest Loss: M Dema Kovalenko Rookie to Watch: M Luke Sassano Grade: C- Kansas City WizardsLost: F Eddie Johnson, D Nick Garcia, D Jose Burciaga, Jr., M Willy Guardarrama, GK Chris Konopka, F Will John, D Ryan Raybould Acquired: F Claudio Lopez, F Ivan Trujillo Drafted: M/D Chance Myers, M Roger Espinoza, D Yomby William, D Jonathan Leathers, D Matt Marquess, D Rauwshan Mckenzie, M Pat Healey, M Vicente Arze, F Tom Gray, GK Andrew Kartunen Analysis: What Kansas City has achieved in their offseason is surprising and brilliant. By adding veteran Argentine striker Claudio Lopez, the Wizards made a real commitment to their long-term stability. Lopez may only end up scoring a handful of goals, but it really doesn’t matter. He will be a fine mentor for the younger guys, as well as for countryman Carlos Marinelli. Teams like KC and Salt Lake are not content to be MLS backwaters anymore, and they’re investing for the future. Best Acquisition: F Claudio Lopez Hardest Loss: F Eddie Johnson Rookie to Watch: M/D Chance Myers Grade: A- Toronto FCLost: M Ronnie O’Brien, D Adam Braz, M Chris Pozniak, M David Guzman, GK Srdjan Djekanovic, M Stephen Lumley, M Christian Nunez, GK Kenny Stamatopolous Acquired: M Kevin Harmse, D Marco Velez, M Tyler Rosenlund, F Jarrod Smith, M Laurent Robert Drafted: D Julius James, M Pat Phelan, GK Brian Edwards, D Mike Zaher, F Joseph Lapira, F Xavier Balc Analysis: Even the ardent supporters in Toronto have been scratching their heads at the lack of activity during the offseason. The Reds have about $800,000 under the salary cap, which gives the impression they are going to bring someone pricey in during the summer, but nothing is known at this point. They did manage to sign former Derby midfielder Laurent Robert, who will bring much needed experience. Talks were ongoing with Barnsley winger Rohan Ricketts as of this writing. Forward Jarrod Smith was signed after being selected by TFC in the 2007 draft. He played on loan with Hawke’s Bay United in New Zealand part of last year. Persistent rumors have former MLS MVP Amado Guevara headed to TFC, but it may be during the summer. Best Acquisition: M Kevin Harmse Hardest Loss: M Ronnie O’Brien Rookie to Watch: D Julius James Grade: C Western ConferenceChivas USALost: GK Preston Burpo, D Jason Hernandez, F John Cunliffe, F Laurent Merlin, D Orlando Perez, F Erasmo Solorzano, M Ramon Nunez, F David Arvizu Acquired: F Alecko Eskandarian, M Raphael Wicky, F Atiba Harris, D Jim Curtin, F Justin Braun, M Daniel Paladini, GK Lance Parker, M Gerson Mayen, M Chris Pozniak, D Eric Ebert Drafted: M Keith Savage, F Kraig Chiles, F Javier Ayala-Hil, M El-Hadj Cisse, D Andre Sherrad Analysis: Preki knows what he’s doing. No need of a splash signing (or is that the ownership?) and no need to overhaul last year’s Western Conference champs. Swiss international Raphael Wicky is a stealth signing that is going to come up roses. If Wicky stays healthy, this team could be very tough all year. Best Acquisition: M Raphael Wicky Hardest Loss: GK Preston Burpo Rookie to Watch: M Gerson Mayen Grade: B Colorado RapidsLost: F Nico Hernandez, F Daniel Osorno, D Brandon Prideaux, D Tony Sanneh, GK Zach Thornton Acquired: M Christian Gomez, D Tim Ward, D Jose Burciaga, Jr., M Rafael Gomes, D Kelly Gray, F Tam McManus Drafted: M Ciaran O’Brien, M Adrian Chevannes, M Brian Grazier, M Scott Campbell, F Kevin Forrest, M Cesar Zambrano, GK Mike Graczyk, M Daniel Antunez Analysis: No question that Christian Gomez is the biggest signing of the offseason, but a more subtle transaction, bringing left back Jose Burciaga, Jr. in from Kansas City, may prove just as important. The late signing of Scottish striker Tam McManus adds another experienced player to the front line. Overall, this looks to be a much stronger side than the 2007 model. Question is, can Head Coach Fernando Clavijo get the most out of the underside of the roster? Best Acquisition: M Christian Gomez Hardest Loss: F Nico Hernandez Rookie to Watch: M Ciaran O’Brien Grade: B+ FC DallasLost: D Clarence Goodson, M Denilson, D Chris Gbandi, D Sandy Gbandi, F Carlos Ruiz, F Scott Jones, F Roberto Mina Acquired: M Andre Rocha, D Duilio Davino Re-signed: M Arturo Alvarez Drafted: D Brek Shea, GK Josh Lambo, M Eric Avila, D Jamil Roberts, M Ben Nason, F Yannick Reyering, M Ben Shuleva Analysis: FC Dallas continues to reap the benefit of a partnership with Brazilian Club Atletico Paranaense. This year, they brought in CAP midfielder Andre Rocha and extended the loan deal with CAP forward Ricardinho. The addition of long-time Club America defender Duilio Davino is as much a PR move as a player acquisition (Denilson anyone?), but Davino should help solidify the new 3-man back line. The Hoops also failed to find a forward to replace Carlos Ruiz during the winter. They did have talks with past-his-prime Reinaldo Navia, which finally ground to a halt some weeks before the season opener. The need for another striker could become urgent if the current group doesn’t produce. Best Acquisition: M Andre Rocha Hardest Loss: D Clarence Goodson Rookie to Watch: D/F Brek Shea Grade: C+ Houston DynamoLost: D Ryan Cochrane, F Joseph Ngwenya, F Nate Jaqua, G Zach Wells, F Paul Dalglish Acquired: F Frank Caraccio, D Bobby Boswell, F Kyle Brown, GK Tony Caig Drafted: M Geoff Cameron, M Jeremy Barlow, M Johnny Alcaraz, F Craig Thompson, M Kieran Hall, F James Georgeff Re-signed: M Brian Mullan Analysis: Same as last year, there is just not a lot of turnover from a very solid, championship club. Coach Dominic Kinnear is incredibly decisive in his choice of personnel, and seems to always get the best out of his new players. Reclamation projects Nate Jaqua and Joseph Ngwenya are two examples from last season. Good move re-signing Brian Mullan. Hardest Loss: D Ryan Cochrane Rookie to Watch: M Geoff Cameron Grade: A- Los Angeles GalaxyLost: D Chris Albright, GK Joe Cannon, M Kelly Gray, F Gavin Glinton, D Ty Harden, M Kevin Harmse, M Quavas Kirk, M Kyle Martino, F Carlos Pavon, D Kyle Veris Acquired: F Carlos Ruiz, D Greg Vanney, GK Josh Wicks, F Bryan Jordan Re-signed: F Alan Gordon, GK Steve Cronin Retired: M Cobi Jones Drafted: D Sean Franklin, F Ely Allen, D Julian Valentin, GK Matt Allen, F Brandon McDonald, M Matt Hatzke, D Michael Gavin, GK Charles Alamo, D Greg Folk, M Daniel De Geer Analysis: If having to balance the roster needs under the salary cap with Beckham, Donovan and Ruiz looks difficult from the outside, it must be hell from the inside. But the hope in LA is that the big three will have a talent/professionalism trickle-down effect to the rest of the roster, and quickly. Old hands like Greg Vanney and Chris Klein will be counted on to facilitate that understanding between the young pups and the big dogs. Best Acquisition: F Carlos Ruiz Hardest Loss: GK Joe Cannon Rookie to Watch: F Ely Allen Grade: C Real Salt LakeLost: F Chris Brown, F Kyle Brown, F Atiba Harris, F Alecko Eskandarian, D Willis Forko, M Jean-Martial Kipre, D Ritchie Kotschau, M Chris Lancos, D Jack Stewart, M Jamie Watson, M Christian Jiminez Acquired: D Nat Borchers, M Matias Cordoba, F Kenny Deuchar, M Ian Joy, M Dema Kovalenko, D Jamilson Olave Retired: D Eddie Pope Drafted: M Tony Beltran, D David Horst, M Alex Nimo, M Brennan Tennelle, F Tino Nunez, M Kevin Reiman, F Kenny Anaba Analysis: This winter Real Salt Lake aggressively pursued and signed international talent that will instantly improve their squad in almost every conceivable area. Getting European-based, American-born players to come back and play for Salt Lake, like Ian Joy and Nat Borchers, is a very positive development. So is the signing of proven international players like Ecuadorian Jamilson Olave and Scotsman Kenny Deuchar. Without a doubt, this is the team that made the most progress from last year to this. Best Acquisition: F Kenny Deuchar Hardest Loss: D Eddie Pope Rookie to Watch: M Tony Beltran Grade: A San Jose EarthquakesAcquired: GK Joe Cannon, GK Preston Burpo, D Nick Garcia, D Ryan Cochrane, D Ramiro Corrales, D Jason Hernandez, M Ivan Guerrero, M Ramiro Corrales, M Ned Grabavoy, M Ronnie O’Brien, F Kei Kamara, F John Cunliffe, D Eric Denton Drafted: M Shea Salinas, F Adam Smarte, F Tim Bohnenkamp, D Greg Curry, D Tim Jepsen Analysis: A lot of folks might salivate at the prospect of starting an MLS franchise from scratch. Oh, all the shopping to be done! Frank Yallop doesn’t go in for all that “player acquisition” stuff, apparently. The lack of activity in the run-up to this reborn franchise’s inaugural season is surprising. One glaring hole that has yet to be addressed is an experienced striker who can score goals. Also, it is puzzling that Yallop selected ex-Dallas defender Clarence Goodson in the expansion draft, given that Goodson made it known he was bolting to Europe at the first opportunity – and that’s just what he did. To add depth to the back line, San Jose was forced to sign 30-year old Eric Denton to the roster. The recent addition of Ronnie O’Brien via a trade with Toronto FC is probably the best move the franchise made. 6 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
I’d have to say Ruiz was by far our hardest loss. He brought a constant of goals, something only him and Twellman could ever do.
Ruiz did not bring goals last year. He scored 7 and Toja scored 6. Ruiz was lazy and a bad influence on the very young group of players that FCD has. One rotten apple can ruin the entire lot.
John, good note.
I have to vote w/Captincanuck on this one. Ruiz more than wore out his welcome. It wasn’t his fault he was made Captain, but that was an asinine choice. I know he was popular in the locker room, but c’mon…as a leader, it’s really good to show up most of the time.
Well, our defense sucked last year so I don’t think it could be Goodson…so I give it to Ruiz by default. Still haven’t seen anything from Rocha to justify the “Best Acquisition” label. I’d say Davino was much better minus one mistake.
I was Lance Parker’s high school soccer coach and he is by far one of he best athletes that I have ever coached in my 18 years as a high school and club coach. He is highly motivated, very dedicated, and reflects the highest values in scholastic, collegiate and professional sports. His solid moral compass and love for the game is a reflection of the love and support that he received from his teammates and family. We are proud of Lance and we know that he will be a success at anything he does.
[...] to the 3rd annual MLS Offseason Report Card. You can see the past two years’ report cards here and here, just in case you were wondering if my grades are anything close to reality. Because of [...]