I just read on www.ussocceruk.com/ that Rusty Pierce has been left unprotected by the Revs and is out of contract. Do you think we should try to land him to play on the right of defence? The other obvious bonus is that he is a native Texan as well.
While I would be 100% for Rusty to replace Jolley; I wouldn't count on it. He, along with Ralston, are the leaders of the Revs.. and Nicol recognizes this. If any leader of the Revs is traded, it would be Ralston.. and that would only be for cap and growth reasons.
I wouldn't mind having Rusty since he will bring a real tough guy attitude to our backline and will offset the smooth skills of Gibbs.
Rusty isn't the organizer we need in the middle. I'd rather keep Goodson and let him develop or keep Jolley. If we can fill the other spots and have the cap room to sign him, then sure for an outside back spot. But we have bigger fish to fry first.
My first thought when we learned of Jolley being brought aboard as a leader on the field was the examples of him hanging his head when beaten on-and-off the field. This pattern was later demonstrated when Steve was subbed for late in a game when he was having a bad game in Dallas. He hung his head, walked off the sideline opposite the bench and in front of the Inferno, and kept his head down as fans cheered him to "keep your head up, we'll get 'em next time"; and "fight for the shirt" - as he made the slow, long walk around the field to the bench. Simply put, Rusty Pierce is a very positive, inspiring (even though he looks like he's about to cry from a fans perspective) leader on the field and in the locker room. He has fantastic 'make-up' speed when an attacker goes wide on him, and he covers extremely well when an outside back gets beat - showing the maturity and leadership qualities that young players can aspire to. And he would cost a whole-lot-less than Jolley.
I have been impressed with Pierce's play since he has been under the tutelage of Nicol. I think Pierce brings that edge to the center back position in the same fashion as Simo does in the center mid. spot. This would compliment Gibbs' laid back attitude.
This is an excellent recognition of the exponential value that results when the diverse chemistry of two talented players unite (a microcosm of the dance of teamwork). I am not aware of a better example of this that we may be able to make happen here.. on defense, anyway.. an ethical, non-diving Ruiz would be the ultimate compliment to EJ - on the balance of offensive chemistry.
Hello, defense was not the problem last year, there was NO attack so the offseason moves will address that part of the team. Last year (2003) the defense set a record for goals allowed and that improved this past season, now it's time to find some goals. BTW, if Rusty was not protected as a low to medium priced player that probably says all that's necessary about his worth. If a Pierce-type player had value to CC then Salyer would have been protected.
I think Pierce's availability has everything to do with the fact that he wants a significant raise, and is not at all afraid of going abroad to get it. When he's healthy, he's a tremendous man-marker. FC Dallas might be the only team in the league he'd play for at a reduced price, however.
On whether Jolley played with a good attitude or not isn't the exact point I was making. And I don't necessarily disagree with your point about Steve's attitude. But in terms of talking the defense through their positions and keeping things organized - something Rusty has not done with the Revs - I think this team needs someone. Jolley may not be the guy. There are certainly better players out there. But my point was that Rusty is not the guy to do that, and that need is more important than an outside fullback.
There is a balance. The results we got last year were not solely the responsibilities of the offense. I offer a solution for both that cots less. Value all around. A defense of Burciaga, Gibbs, Pierce and Reyes would compliment a Ruiz/EJ combo on the offense end. Balanced and effective.
Pierce is the one that speaks up first on the field and in the locker room. Ralston adds a complimentary perspective. Gibbs can feed off Rusty's leadership and provide a vocal, organizing influence on the back-line. Gibbs certainly gets paid well-enough to take this role. It's a nice confluence... then again, I'd like to see Reyes at left-mid and wouldn't mind Rusty at outside back at all.
Maybe as a marking back in a 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2. No way as an outside back. His ball skills are terrible. He can't reliably pass the ball upfield, much less cross. He will just bloot the ball upfield ever time he's pressured. This can be mitigated by surrounding him with players with better ball skills (Gibbs, Reyes) This move, especially if Behnke leaves, would virtually guarantee Goodson gets plenty of PT. Pierce, if healthy for a full season, might get more cards than Simo.
We'd essentially have a 3-5-2 with Reyes playing right-back anyway. I still, however, favor a balanced attack with Reyes offsetting ROB on the right. I prefer Milton at left-mid, but he may not see one game as a FC Dallas player anyway.
The trick of course is that all these unprotected players just can't go be signed. If you want one you have to convince Chivas or RSL to take them, before the player gets pulled back mind you, then trade for them with the new team. Not a simple thing to do keeoing in mind if you like a player a whole bunch , Ronger or Ellinger might too. Now if down the line these players are waived by their clubs then they can be claimed at current number.
Pierce is actually a good short passer and can distribute effectively coming out of the back if the ball stays on the ground, even under pressure. He cannot however (barring random chance) make a good long pass upfield. His crosses aren't very good either. His most dangerous offensive forays come from dribbling through the midfield (somewhat like a freight train). Also, his card accumulation has declined over the past years. This season he averaged a card every 4.3 games (3 YC in 1179 min), while your Simo averaged a card every 2.5 games (8 YC, 2 RC in 2297 min). Pierce's cards seem to come more from dissent (still somewhat hot-headed) than hard fouls. Overall, most Rev fans would like to keep him. He's a good marking back, an intense competitor and makes good decisions defensively. He is out of contract and desires a decent pay raise.
Great for him, but my point is that FC Dallas needs someone to help Cory organize at the back more than they need help at the outside back positions. Even if he came in as a marking back, I still haven't seen anyone say he can organize a defense, and I don't have confidence that Cory can do it. Until that issue is resolved, I think we're spinning our wheels on this issue, folks.
I second that. In fact, I think that would give you one of the strongest D's in the league. I think there are a lot of MLS fans who haven't got a clue how good Pierce actually is.
(Note - originally, the d was Burciaga, Gibbs, Pierce and Reyes). I sincerely doubt we can afford that defense - especially if we are going to have to pay a big allocation and a Ruiz type player.
As I posted about Garcia: I wouldn't mind if he was on FCD. As a bonus, I love having local connections on hometown teams. Question with Garcia (insert RP), is what is being done with Jolley (and his contract).