Contending in 2018

I agree with everything you said except that Yangel isn't ready to move up a level.

For his development, I think it's imperative that he moves up a level. He's 20 years old. He needs to go play in France or Germany if he wants to reach his potential. And yes, that is an indictment on MLS.

The perfect example of why is Matarrita. He's crushed his value and hurt his development. A lot of that is due to injury, but he's essentially lost a year
 
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017...herrera-weighing-options-2018-plans-uncertain

“I still don’t know. I’m still looking to see if I can stay in MLS or go to Europe and return to Manchester.

“I’d like to go to Manchester to see what things are like over there, even though I can’t play because of a work permit that I have to have. I’m exploring all the possibilities that exist, and whether I stay here or go to another team.”
 
I agree with everything you said except that Yangel isn't ready to move up a level.

For his development, I think it's imperative that he moves up a level. He's 20 years old. He needs to go play in France or Germany if he wants to reach his potential. And yes, that is an indictment on MLS.

The perfect example of why is Matarrita. He's crushed his value and hurt his development. A lot of that is due to injury, but he's essentially lost a year

For someone like Yangel, you need to move up the highest league you can get significant playing time. I don't really think that the comparison to Mata's situation is really fair. Yangel is a much better talent. I would argue that Mata's value was boosted after his first MLS season. It's not MLS' fault he only started 4 games this year. I do think his value he can rebound with a good WC.
 
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017...herrera-weighing-options-2018-plans-uncertain

“I still don’t know. I’m still looking to see if I can stay in MLS or go to Europe and return to Manchester.

“I’d like to go to Manchester to see what things are like over there, even though I can’t play because of a work permit that I have to have. I’m exploring all the possibilities that exist, and whether I stay here or go to another team.”

This article comes out now, two days before a do or die game? Yangel is already thinking about how he’s going to leave? Great timing.
He’s been playing like he’s got one foot out the door since he got back from int’l duty in mid-October. This makes sense now.
 
This article comes out now, two days before a do or die game? Yangel is already thinking about how he’s going to leave? Great timing.
He’s been playing like he’s got one foot out the door since he got back from int’l duty in mid-October. This makes sense now.
I'm definitely not disagreeing with you, but he is on a 1-season loan to NYCFC, so that's pretty close to the same as having an expiring contract which would have most players thinking about their future. CFG should have warded this off earlier in the season by telling him the plan is to keep him at NYCFC where he's practically guaranteed playing time, which he needs, for at least 2018.

but yeah, it sounds like he semi-checked out after his fine run of International matches.
 
This article comes out now, two days before a do or die game? Yangel is already thinking about how he’s going to leave? Great timing.
He’s been playing like he’s got one foot out the door since he got back from int’l duty in mid-October. This makes sense now.
I'm definitely not disagreeing with you, but he is on a 1-season loan to NYCFC, so that's pretty close to the same as having an expiring contract which would have most players thinking about their future. CFG should have warded this off earlier in the season by telling him the plan is to keep him at NYCFC where he's practically guaranteed playing time, which he needs, for at least 2018.

but yeah, it sounds like he semi-checked out after his fine run of International matches.

Would a player semi check out in their in the final 8 of the Champions League and they're in the last year of a loan or 1 year contract? No. He's still check in.
 
Mata is dying to go to Europe. I think his personal plan was to tear it up this year and move to Europe and now with all the injuries either that won’t happen or his valuation is way down. Remember how distraught he was when getting injured again? It’s because he knows that the injury means one more year until he can get to Europe.

A lot of amateur psychology in this thread. Maybe he was distraught because he was in agony? Or because he wanted to play football and win games?
 
For someone like Yangel, you need to move up the highest league you can get significant playing time. I don't really think that the comparison to Mata's situation is really fair. Yangel is a much better talent. I would argue that Mata's value was boosted after his first MLS season. It's not MLS' fault he only started 4 games this year. I do think his value he can rebound with a good WC.
Incredibly unfair to say MLS hurt Mata. MLS and his play last year helped him get on the radar of some solid clubs in Europe. To be frank, Mata has disappeared for the Ticos, too. Not doing himself any favors, and it's unfair to blame that on MLS.
 
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Incredibly unfair to say MLS hurt Mata. MLS and his play last year helped him get on the radar of some solid clubs in Europe. To be frank, Mata has disappeared for the Ticos, too. Not doing himself any favors, and it's unfair to blame that on MLS.
Mata has hurt himself by being more interested in being part of the attack than always locking down his side first. Last game was a prime example, he was brought on as a LB and not a LW, and was nowhere to be found on the 4v2 and his pub League stab at Afful was a highlight reel for the wrong reason. He may have the speed to usually get back, but that won’t help him as much in Europe as it does here - a more tactical League would pick on him every chance given.
 
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Pirlo > Sands
Brillant > Ferraressi
Wallace > Lewis
Lopez > Awuah

I think those are 4 players on their way out. We drastically reduce our Cap charges there. Those moves free up 1 DP Slot and $500k of cap charge and probably another $500k of cap charges between Brillant, Wallace and Lopez. Lewis is GA and he won't have a cap charge next year.

I think those 4 guys are easily replaced. We then need competition at LW, a new RB, a CM that can play 34 matches and depth on the wings.

I believe Herrera is gone. That will be more cap room but we need a starter to replace him.

You think Wallace is gone? Is he on a one year deal?
 
Pirlo > Sands
Brillant > Ferraressi
Wallace > Lewis
Lopez > Awuah

I think those are 4 players on their way out. We drastically reduce our Cap charges there. Those moves free up 1 DP Slot and $500k of cap charge and probably another $500k of cap charges between Brillant, Wallace and Lopez. Lewis is GA and he won't have a cap charge next year.

I think those 4 guys are easily replaced. We then need competition at LW, a new RB, a CM that can play 34 matches and depth on the wings.

I believe Herrera is gone. That will be more cap room but we need a starter to replace him.
Sands could replace Hererra by allowing Ring to push higher. Still need another 1-2 MF capable starters to rotate in since we are a team plagued by injuries and cards.
 
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Mata has hurt himself by being more interested in being part of the attack than always locking down his side first. Last game was a prime example, he was brought on as a LB and not a LW, and was nowhere to be found on the 4v2 and his pub League stab at Afful was a highlight reel for the wrong reason. He may have the speed to usually get back, but that won’t help him as much in Europe as it does here - a more tactical League would pick on him every chance given.
The modern fullback in Europe is more of an attacker than a defender.
 
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The modern fullback in Europe is more of an attacker than a defender.
The modern fullback in europe is a skilled attacker that still defends first.

Antonio Valencia is an awesome winger, probably because he started as a winger, but he rarely gets beaten and it’s even more rare when he hangs his CB out to dry.
 
Mata has hurt himself by being more interested in being part of the attack than always locking down his side first. Last game was a prime example, he was brought on as a LB and not a LW, and was nowhere to be found on the 4v2 and his pub League stab at Afful was a highlight reel for the wrong reason. He may have the speed to usually get back, but that won’t help him as much in Europe as it does here - a more tactical League would pick on him every chance given.
Lol I know y'all probably haven't scrutinized the highlights because it's painful as hell, but I listened to Bobby Warshaw crucify Mata on this one too: https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/m...w-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc/details/video/140250

Nowhere to be found on the 4v2? He's the one sprinting to make an option for Ring that Ring ignores. He's going full speed the wrong way because Ring (uncharacteristically) ignored a simple pass to turn into a 3v1 and we're blaming MATA for this one?

I can't hate on Mata that hard for number 4 either. As a left back he's quite rightfully trying to close off the pass to the guy to his left. For some reason Brillant goes to mark the guy to Mata's left which leaves a gap you could steer a cruise ship through. I chalk that one up to tired legs, crushed spirits and defensive disarray.

But I get that scapegoating individuals is fun and gratifying. It's just ... Not really the actual thing in a team sport where most failures are complex.

Sorry NYCFC_Dan NYCFC_Dan , I edited after you liked, feel free to rescind.
 
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We'll lose players. We'll sign players. We'll still be shit if none of them are goal scorers.
Correction, we're not shit, but we need more goal scoring.
 
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I'd be okay with just about everyone on the team leaving other than villa if we improve in goal scoring next year. We got to have better finishers.
 
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I'd be okay with just about everyone on the team leaving other than villa if we improve in goal scoring next year. We got to have better finishers.

Dan, take a deep breath and move away from the keyboard.