Adding to the Established Core
By: Dan |
4 Comments
The Revolution are a unique team in a couple of ways. They don’t make make huge blockbuster deals, but choose instead to sign role-players. There isn’t much turnover from year to year, so there’s always an established core of players. This core is an important part of the successes that the Revs have had over the past few years, and I’m confident that we’ve restocked with quality youngsters, who’ll grow into the system.
I was thinking, last night, about which youngster is ready to step up: Thompson? Mansally? Nyassi? Cristman? Who has enough seasoning to make go out on the pitch every game and make a difference? Now, be warned that I think that all four of these guys are going to be quality players - someday. But who’s ready now? I’m thinking Wells Thompson is going to make some waves this season. With Dorman and Noonan gone, there’s not a whole lot of depth in our midfield attack. And once Thompson settled in last season, he looked lively.
Cristman is definitely an able foil to Twellman, but I don’t see him as being ready for an everyday role. Although, his tenacity has caused a few problems for defenses, he’s not a proven scorer. And that’s what we need right now more than anything. Somebody to pick up the slack when Twellman isn’t putting the ball in the back of the net, the role that Noonan used to fill.
The Gambian duo of Mansally and Nyassi, they’re good; no doubt about that. Mansally was on fire in the early part of the pre-season and Nyassi provided a few nice crosses. But I don’t see either as being ready for a big team role. Mansally might end up fighting for the second striker position, but the Revs probably wouldn’t have shelled out an alleged $200K for Argenis Fernandez if they didn’t think he was going to make a difference immediately. Nyassi on the other hand is being relegated even further on the depth chart. New midfielder, Mauricio Castro will allow Steve Ralston to play his natural position of right mid. And Wells Thompson will be picking up minutes whenever possible all over the midfield, so Nyassi is likely going to be sitting.
Official news from the Revs has stated that the preseason’s of Mathew Britner and Kheli Dube have been cut short. The youngsters won’t be joining the club for their tour of Cancun because of visa issues. Both Britner, a Halifax, Nova Scotia native and product of Brown University, and Dube, a Costal Carolina alum and native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, are still on student visas.
Britner is in the same mold as fellow former Bears defender Jeff Larentowicz, an aggressive, physical defender. And hopefully, Dube is similar to fellow Chanticleers product Joseph Ngwenya, because let’s be honest - even though he played for both LA and Houston - he was pretty good.
I hope you’re as excited as I am for the start of the season!
Category: Team News
Zenga=Figo?
By: Dan | 7 Comments
Nothing really new to report, unfortunately.
But, fellow Offside bloggers, what’s it like to blog about one of the sexy MLS teams? One that actually is in the news? I think the Revs are mentioned in the Boston Globe once a week, and it’s sad.
Anyway, since I don’t have much new or exciting to write about, I’ve been pontificating about DPs. The conclusion I’ve personally come to is: why? My new stance is, unless the player is, at the very least, still in their prime then they aren’t worth it. Beckham would still be effective in the Premiership or La Liga, but would Figo be? Can a team be built around him? I think it’s possible, but he’s not all that durable, so he might not be in the lineup a whole lot. And he’s certainly not the same player he was circa 2001, he’s lost a step or two for sure - he’s not in the same place in his career as Beckham is.
The Revs, and the MLS as a whole, has seen some pretty dynamic players from abroad over the years. Unfortunately many of the players were over the hill (Lother Matthaus) or they were using the MLS as a launching pad (Stern John). It seems to me, that investing in players is identical to investing in stocks. The idea is the same: find something undervalued, buy low, then sell high. So investing in a player like Figo would be a poor investment; he’s old, over valued, and will be unsellable. So why bother?
Players like Carlos Marinelli and Luciano Emilio are players that the MLS needs. They were once highly touted, had initial failures, and were picked up on the cheap. But both Marinelli and Emilio are excellent players and function in key roles for their clubs. Their careers rebounded, and they are salable because they’re still relatively young. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if the MLS bought more players from European leagues, but they need to make sure that their buying the players for the right reasons. If the MLS was of comparable quality to the Premiership then seats would sellout forever, if Figo is signed the seats might only sellout for a game or two.
The Revs’ had a DP like player back in the late ’90s. He was a keeper named Walter Zenga and he was a stalwart in net for Inter Milan and the Azzurri for much of the ’80s and ’90s. While Zenga was once a good player, he wasn’t all that good when the Revs picked him up - he was old and pompous (now commonly known as Barthez Syndrome). He was a shadow of his former self and that’s what I’m afraid would happen if Figo actually signed on.
Here’s a video of Zenga in his prime for the Azzurri in the ‘90 Copa Mundial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HEfSsgAC_A
Category: Team NewsThe First Real Trial of the Preseason
By: Dan | 2 Comments
Our first real competition is against 2007 Apertura Winner’s Atlante.
From the Rev’s Website:
Monday, March 3
at Pioneros de Cancun (MEX Segunda Division), Cancun, Mexico
Wednesday, March 5
at Atlante Futbol Club (MEX Primera Division), Cancun, Mexico
Friday, March 14
vs. Club Deportivo Marathón (HON), New Orleans, La.
Sunday, March 16
at New Orleans Shellshockers (USL-PDL), New Orleans, La.
Wednesday, March 19
at New Orleans Shellshockers (USL-PDL), New Orleans, La.
Category: Team NewsRumor: Figo Revs DP?
By: Dan | 7 Comments
Soccer by Ives and MLS Rumors are reporting that the Kraft family is going to shell-out the cash to buy Portuguese legend Luis Figo. The 127-times capped right winger won the European Player of the Year Award in 2000, and the World Player of the Year Award in 2001. He beat out David Beckham in 2001.
Ives Article with some tactical Information: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/02/new-england-lin.html
Unfortunately, this isn’t the same Figo that won the World Player of the Year, this is a 35-year old former superstar. Considering Figo is one of the greatest players to ever lace up boots, and in his heyday, was arguably better than fellow right winger David Beckham - this is huge! But is Figo worth a DP slot? His guidance would be invaluable. Imagine Wells Thompson after a few seasons training with Figo? Or how much faster Nyassi would develop? The intangibles are there; now think of the regular service that Twellman would get? This is exciting! But would Figo be better for the Revs than say Dejan Petkovic? Who is also an older, flamboyant, attack-minded midfielder. He’d be cheaper for sure too. The question is: how much is a 35-year old guy worth? This isn’t a retirement league, and he isn’t Pele.
Aside from the actual playing that Figo would do, this is big for soccer in Massachusetts. It hearkens back to the days when the Fall River Marksman was one of the greatest soccer teams in the world (yes, the world!). The Portuguese and French-Canadian textile workers made Southern Massachusetts a hot bed of soccer much like the Germans did in St. Louis, MO and the Scots in Kearny, NJ.
Among the players Fall River had at its disposal were Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude (who scored the first hat trick in World Cup history in 1930). The two are arguably the strongest strike force in US history winning the US Open Cup thrice, twice with Fall River and again with St. Lewis Breweries.
Their stadium still exists to this day, in N. Tiverton, RI. They built the stadium in RI because of Massachusetts’ blue light laws.
That’s what I think of when I think Figo, and Portuguese players in general, in the MLS. If any of you have an interest in the history of soccer in the US, I urge to check out Dave Litterer’s site at: http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/index.html.
Revs Beat All of Burmuda: Khano Lost and Confused
By: Dan | Add Comments
Hopefully the sensational title will draw in viewers? Let’s hope!
The Revs beat the Bermudan National Team on 2/20/08 by a score of 2-0. Kenny Mansally netted his fourth goal in two games, while Ace Cristman banged in his second of the trip and picked up a handy assist. Trialists Javi Delgado (M) and Sam Brill (D) looked lively. Brill having saved a near definite goal with some last minute heroics.
Strangely, Khano Smith played the first half as a Revs left mid and the second half as a Bermudan striker! Who did he give his all to? The team signing his paycheck? Or his country?
We’ve also picked up Argenis Fernandez, a standout striker on the Costa Rican U-20 team, from Costa Rican club Santos de Guápiles (or is it Puntarenas?). Too bad, wrong Santos…
Rumor is Nicol and Co. are still working on signing central defender Gabriel Badilla from Saprissa. Badilla, 23, was part of Costa Rica’s 2006 World Cup team.
Developmental Players Gone
By: Dan | 2 Comments
It appears that the Revs have signed on Rob Valentino, their 1st pick in this year’s SuperDraft. Valentino, formerly of the University of San Francisco, is a hulking (6′3″) central defender.
Mansally and Nyassi, the Gambian duo, have both had their contracts renewed. Mansally has also adopted the moniker Kenny - his middle name - according to the team’s official websiteRevolutionSoccer.net.
In other news, highly touted prospect and former Generation Adidas player, Willie Sims was released. Unfortunately it was just after making his first full start for his native country of Guatemala. Personally, I’m not sure if non-US citizens should be signed to GA contracts, but anyway. Sims never made much of a splash as a member of the Revs, but he did score a few goals in the USL, on loan to Puerto Rico last season.
Bryan Byrne, also considered a player of great potential, was waived. Byrne co-captained the UCSB Gauchos to an NCAA championship a few years ago. Perhaps the Revs would have kept him if he was a US citizen?
The following players were also waived:
- Mt. Ida alum and soccer Swiss army knife, Marshall Leonard
- Bradenton Academy and Santos Laguna product, Miguel Gonzales
- Duke alum and 6′5″ behemoth, Chris Loftus
Category: Team NewsIntroductions (and the Impact of Our Offseason Transactions)
By: Dan | 10 Comments
Hello to everyone out there! My name is Dan, and I’m the newest addition to the Offside. I’m a Masshole born and bred, and I currently reside in Amherst.
It’s official, the Revs have signed on Mauricio Castro, a twenty-six year old Honduran CM from Olimpia of la Liga Nacional de Honduras. Olimpia has a pretty good track record of developing talent with the likes of Serie A stud Suazo, Wigan loanee Wilson Palacios, Luciano Emilio of DC United fame, and 57-times capped speed demon Danilo Turcios all passing through the ranks there.
I don’t know much about Castro, but his stats indicate that he’s not much of a scorer. Eleven starts and not one goal last season. Hopefully he’s an assists guy! My sources tell me he’s more of a defensive, holding mid - who can also play on the left - rather than a flashy Gallardo-esque attacker (we didn’t want Gallardo anyway, he’s too selfish for the Revs!).
Castro might be the answer to our midfield quandary. With him prowling the center of the pitch, we can stick Stevie Ralston back where he belongs, making smart, attacking runs along the right flank.
The Revs also picked up Chris Albright from LA for allocation money. If Albright can stay healthy (, and rumor is that he is) he’s one of the best defenders in the MLS and a definite upgrade over tackle-happy Avery John.
We’ve also managed to designate Jose Angulo as a discovery player. To those who don’t know who he is - this is HUGE! He’s an amazing young talent who, if he gets his US citizenship, could be the answer to the Nats ‘pure striker’ woes. He’s had trials in Italy (not sure which teams with, unfortunately), but signed with the MLS. He’s also an alum of Claudio Reyna and Tab Ramos’s old high school (among others) St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ.
With all the losses we’ve had over the past off-season, at least we have a few bright spots, namely Angulo.
Questions, comments and concerns are always welcome at chas3d1[at]yahoo[dot]com
Category: Team NewsUPDATE: January transfer’s getting interesting …
By: Sabin | 6 Comments
Taylor Twellman peeved about not going to Preston North End; magical high school wunderkind in the works; Eddie Johnson leaves US Camp for talks with … Fulham! And if it wasn’t exciting enough, now we find out that the Revs won’t be picking up Pat Noonan’s option. Whether it’s good or bad, the fact that the January transfer window is having such an influence on the MLS is indicative of the impact the league seems to be having on the rest of the world.
I still maintain that the MLS should not be in the business of generating good players for profit, but I have to admit it does make January a heck of a lot more exciting.
I’ll do my best to keep on top of all of the gossip (including this little tidbit regarding Twellman’s divorce!).
My guess is that our beloved Revs will look a bit different come April 29th…
More later…
Category: Team NewsCOMMENTARY Preston North End Snubbed on Second Twellman Offer
By: Sabin | 12 Comments
The Boston Globe covers it here
What worries me the most about this whole thing is Twellman’s attitude about it — at least as it’s portrayed in the article. While I think a lot of us thought of Twellman as taking all of his life with a grain of salt, his comments here seem to be expressing how he’s really feeling. I can’t say I blame him.
In my mind, Twellman is one of the top US-born strikers ever, and I think he should be recognized as such. The MLS is doing a great job of providing us some entertainment, showing the world the US-based soccer doesn’t suck (so much), and developing some US talent. They are not, however, doing a great job of keeping that talent in the league or keeping that talent happy.
It’s a huge issue with other leagues as well (thinking of Uruguay, England lately, and etc.), but I think the MLS is young enough where it doesn’t have to be a huge issue.
Pay Twellman what he’s worth, continue developing the home-grown talent, and the crowds will follow. We all love a local hero. Let’s keep ‘em local.
Thoughts?
Category: Team NewsNEWS: Nicol and Mariner back from Argentina
By: Sabin | 5 Comments
You can read the details here at boston.com, but the gist is this: After a scouting trip in Argentina, Steve Nicol and Paul Mariner are back with a list of achievables below second-tier European standards and some intangibles.
Now, for any other coaching staff to come back from Argentina and say “We’re not looking at top players” it would seem frustrating. Dangerous. But we know better. No other coaching team has done as well with less in terms of drafting and finding raw talent, though history would have to show that the Revs haven’t had much success south of the border (Daniel Hernandez, Jose Cancela, etc).
On top of their South American cruise, the pair is looking to scout the collegiate championships, according to the article. My money is on there being a greater, better-fitting talent pool there than what the Revs will pay for out of Argentina.
Also, there’s a small line in the article referencing Crystal Palace’s interest in Avery John. So related to that, logic would dictate (in Dell’Apa’s words) that the Revs are looking for a defender: James Riley is now in San Jose and Marshall Leonard is on the waived list. I’ll follow this story — particularly John at Palace — as it develops and keep it posted here.
Category: Team News
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