If we have come to the end of the road of any probable playoff glory, ( and I don't pretend to have analyzed the probablities, just going off of what others have posted), are we truly at the preparing for next year stage? Do we avoid "W's" like NBA teams to improve draft and allocation positioning? Do we start to cut bait on decent, or less than decent players who are not in the plans for next year? Do we market and increase the tradable value of roster pieces under contract? Do we now give extended looks at youngsters? We are about to have hundreds of thousands of payroll close to available to get minutes as they come off of IR. Those are extremely valuable minutes. Is the objective still to get the best entertainment on the field? Below is our entire roster. What, who, when, and why is the question. Jair Benitez James Marceline Fabian Castillo Blas Perez David Ferreira Hernan Pertuz Jackson Goncalvez Carlos Rodriguez Bruno Guarda Richard Sanchez Kevin Hartman Scott Sealy Matt Hedges Chris Seitz Daniel Hernandez Brek Shea Moises Hernandez Jonathan Top Ugo Ihemelu Victor Ulloa Andrew Jacobson Ricardo Villar George John Bobby Warshaw Alex Lee Andrew Weideman Bryan Leyva Zach Lloyd Ruben Luna
I haven't checked in depth either so don't know if it;s time yet. It should be harder this year with the even split between East and West but the West seems weaker so who knows. Maybe give a few more games with everyone getting healthy and see if they can get on one of those incredible runs. If not soon then you are right and look to next year. Play the kids to see what they have and for them to get experience. Funny on Dallas play the kids means 17-20 year olds not the 21-24 year olds they are already playing. It does mean don't play 25-35 year old journeyman or players you are positive are moving on to other leagues.
I am not advocating for either direction. I was simply asking those who second guess, to provide us with the direction and rationale. As has been the norm, we get blasted out by the chirping sound of crickets when we ask for specifics. Many are asking for the "10-20" year olds to get playing time, but they speak out of both sides of their mouth. They will turn around the next day and say that the team is not serious about winning if things go poorly. I think that your: "give a few more games with everyone getting healthy and see if they can get on one of those incredible runs" is as sensible advice as has been given. I like the way you are thinking. If Blas comes back in one piece and we need a late game sub in normal conditions, I also think that seeing what Top gives you is not a bad idea.
I think I don't want to look up the specifics of whether the team is already out of it so I "hope" they still have a chance if they go on one of their incredible streaks. If someone actually does the research and pops my hope bubble and they're out then play for next year. Personally I haven't seen anything from either Sealy or Marcelin that's any or so much better than much younger players behind them that they should be anything more than double secret emergency players. I see others seem to like Marcelin. Shrugs.
0.6% chance at the playoffs. The numbers only take games played/remaining into account, no intangibles like injuries and suspensions, but still pretty damning odds. To hit the 46 point mark, 9-5-3 at the least is needed, that should definitely be considered an incredible run given how we've looked thus far, and whose coming up on the schedule (Seattlex2, LAx2, RSL, SJx3, Crapidsx2).
Buzz did a story about it a little while ago, but I'm having trouble finding it. I believe the gist of it was that we're pretty much hosed already.
It's buried in the ESPN archives since they took the blog off. here's al ink I was able to find. http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/socc...why-the-fc-dallas-2012-season-is-all-but-over
Players I want to see more of: James Marcelin: Has a chance to be DM of future Bobby Warshaw: See above Andrew Jacobson: See above; would be nice to find where he fits best David Ferreira: Please, please come back Hernan Pertuz: Our CB of the future Matt Hedges: See above Jackson Goncalvez: Best attacker on the roster Carlos Rodriguez: Is he the next LB? The next LW? The next backup left-sided utility player? Let's find out what he can do. Andrew Weideman: Kinda slow but always seems to have scoring chances; there's something about this kid Chris Seitz: Is he "next" for us at GK? Bryan Leyva: We know he's a solid attacking player; let's figure out where he can fit Zach Loyd: Our RB of the future; could use more rest due to his style of play Brek Shea: Let's get the offense to gel in prep for next year Fabian Castillo: See above Blas Perez: See above Jonathan Top: Looks closer to MLS-ready than Luna, fighting with Sealy to back up Blas Players I want to see less (or none) of: Jair Benitez: Dude is crazy but can't deny he is a great attacking left back; let's save those old legs Ricardo Villar: Like the guy, but he's no DF10 and doesn't project long-term as a starter Moises Hernandez: I want to see more actually, just not for FCD right now Alex Lee: Tough one, could be solid bench player based on what I've read Kevin Hartman: Other than breaking records, no reason to play him so I say we let him coach until next season Scott Sealy: Could be a nice role player next season, but doesn't need any minutes this season Bruno Guarda: Not sure why he's on the roster when he doesn't even seem like a consideration as a substitute George John: Doesn't project to be here Ugo Ihemelu: Worried about his concussion history and health Richard Sanchez: Work-in-progress Ruben Luna: see above Victor Ulloa: see above Daniel Hernandez: He's done
Interesting and well thought out. I think a dilemma to be sorted out, is whether or not SH is going to get battered for W's and L's. Those real world pressures are going to have an impact, as well as putting butts in seats. However, I wouldn't mind increasing our chances at getting a first shot at some gringos back from the Euro economic debacle. And, you always have a better 1st round college draft pick when you finish poorly. I know that El Gato is getting up there in years, but GK's can play into old age just fine. I like Seitz as a backup, but that's about where it stops for me. I fully agree that Pertuz and Hedges seems to be the pairing of the future. They need some time to gel. Marceline does need to step up and prove whether he can be an answer, because we sure have a lot of questions. His backline defending in Open Cup showed that he is not very versatile. Sad to admit you are correct about DH, RV, and JB. Would like to solidify our back line for next year. Can Carlos Ruiz play LOFB? Let's give him an extended run and see. I think that any extra minutes to spell Blas need to go to Top. I don't see him as a starter, but would be very interested to see him after the 65th minute. I feel terrible about even thinking this way. But, if DF cannot show us a glimmer of hope that he will return to where he was 2 years ago, we cannot afford that much money tied up in him. Will a player of his characteristics even be allowed to flourish in this league? Too many hacks and non-calls. Maybe we need to go with a Shalrie Joseph type instead and do the leg breaking instead of suffering said fate?
I have addressed this question, in one of our earliest exchanges on the topic. You probably forgot, and I haven't felt the need to repeat it. My answer is that there is nothing we can do in the short term, we don't have the players. Why don't we have the players? Hyndman got rid of some and failed to prepare the rest. As to whether I would criticize us for losses if we spent the rest of the season breaking in a new coach and DA players, try me.
Yes, this was one I waffled on. I know he has a few years left and also like the setup now with Seitz as the backup. I'm just not sure of all the variables involved - e.g. Is Seitz happy being a backup as long as he's the next guy (whenever that happens)? What's the long-term plan for Sanchez? Yes, it's not easy to take an objective look at a group of players...especially these guys, who seem genuinely likeable and of which I am quite fond. I share your concern about the longevity of a technical, "undersized" player like DF10 (or Castillo and Leyva for that matter). It's a big part of the reason I'd like to see the "big guys" like Marcelin, Warshaw and AJ given more time in various central midfield pairings. I think AJ has the ability to be a deeper-lying, passing CM (who still gets forward at times) and his size will hopefully reduce his chances of injury based on the MLS "style" of play. If Warshaw or Marcelin can be a good pairing and DF10 doesn't make it all the way back, I think we should move quickly to a 4-4-2 with 2 of those 3 "big guys". Here's hoping that DF10 makes it back to 100%.
Giggle. You meant Rodriguez but funny to imagine Ruiz playing a defender. How much hacking would he do?
Oops. Instead of El Pescadito, he would be more like a Tiburon. Wouldn't need him on the roster though, we already have JB.
Wouldn't mind seeing Clint Irwin, (Charlotte's GK'er in the Open Cup), invited as an offseason trialist.
Yup, that guy looked like he could play a little. Speaking of Sanchez...does anyone really see him playing significant minutes for this club in the future? He was a youth World Cup winner and seems like he has the pedigree to go to a bigger club abroad. Or, it seems like he would have no problem finding a team in the Mexican league.