I know what you meant. I guess my point is that no matter how little time he gets, he seems to deliver. Under any circumstances. The only question is whether he can be as effective as a starter. There’s only one way to find out...
2019 Roster Discussion
- Thread starter NYCFC_Dan
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I'm not even saying start him but at least give him the last 15-20 minutes when you know he'll go balls to the wall at tired defences instead of him not even being in the 18.
The frustration with Dome came from all the times that Lewis either wasn't in the 18 or wasn't substituted when we needed a goal late. This after he had shown in multiple games his value in creating and/or finishing chances in the final 20 minutes.
After watching a number of Mitrita videos, I've come to a few conclusions:
1) We will love his passion.
2) He will be hated around the league, which will make us love him more, and most importantly:
3) I know it's the team sponsor name, but I want him to keep wearing "STICKY" on the back of his shirt.
Am I the only one starting to believe we’re building towards 2020 and using this as a rebuilding year ?(this would be totally acceptable by the way just communicate)
I don't know if I buy that because I'm not sure our roster construction is a rebuilding-type roster construction. Just because we're young doesn't mean we're rebuilding. I think we're definitely taking on a lot of high-risk, high-reward projects.
If they work -- if even a few of them work -- we're going to be really good this year. If Mitrita can ball, if Castellanos can serve as striker, if Medina grows, if Lewis takes the next step, if Parks can boss the midfield, if Dome can do better than last year ... lots of ifs. But if the answer to even 4 of those 6 questions is yes, we're probably right in the thick of the title race. Granted the Dome question is the most important one, but you get the idea.
I think we have to remember just how good our team was last year in the first half -- 9 of our 11 first-choice starters from last season are back. We replace Herrera with Parks and Villa with a combination of Mitrita, Lewis, Castellanos.
I look at this offseason around MLS, and it doesn't feel like many teams have improved. Most of the teams that were around us in the East have all lost pieces, some of them far more substantial pieces than we lost. So again, lots of ifs -- but lots of reason to think we should be right near the top of the East unless Dome just doesn't have a clue.
We are taking a long term approach, but I won't say we aren't shooting for the title this year. Our roster is top tier, filled with questions like every other top team. If those questions have positive answers during the season, we be dope.
When I was coaching I would start with the spine of the team and then build around that. I think the same way about NYCFC.
Now that Opara is with Minny, is there a better center back pairing in MLS than Chanot and Callens? I cant think of any. Behind them is a goalie who was picked for #2 on USMNT by Berhalter for a reason -- he is better than just about any other American goalie in MLS. In front of our centerbacks is Alex Ring who, when he is healthy, may be the best CDM in MLS (he was not 100% the entire second half of last year). In front of Ring is Maxi. 5/6 of the spine is top of the league quality.
Like everyone else I am worried about scoring goals but I think we have a really good team going into the season.
We had a bunch of signings who may or may not be good in 2019 but have a huge upside -- that does not mean we wont be home playoff good this year (or better if Mitty pans out).
Alex Zotincă, a Romanian former MLS defender, calls Mitri "Romanian Giovinco," says his "advanced playmaker" profile is rare in MLS, and predicts he'll score "as much as Villa, about 20 goals."
https://www.gsp.ro/international/st...u-manchester-city-sa-ajunga-acolo-559106.html
https://www.gsp.ro/international/st...u-manchester-city-sa-ajunga-acolo-559106.html
I take with a grain of salt because it's his countryman but let's hope!
With him, Lewis and Isi available it will, at the very least, not be an unexciting attack. All 3 like to go 1 v 1 at people, unlike Maxi or Medina.
There's a reason it is known as City Football Stadium in the Bronx (seeing if this will work again).
It is also worth pointing out that, at least compared to Medina, he's an established star in his own modest domestic league. If we assume Romanian 1st division more or less equal to Paraguayan 1st division, Medina was a prospect back home and this guy is a star. And if you compare their highlights reels it shows. In terms of formation, I guess Medina is now the odd man out unless we deploy him as a pure winger. I am assuming Maxi will play as a conservative, regista kind of 10 with Mitrita ahead of him, Tati as 9, and hopefully Lewis and Isi on the wings, Ring at 6, Parks at 8. I see little use for Medina or Matarrita.
That only leaves room for 3 in the back.
If they want to play Taty as a 9, we’re probably best suited for 3 in the back anyway.
Second striker. They offend players 3-5-2 or 4-4-2
Adding this back to the Roster thread since it deals with roster issues generally.
NYCFC DEPTH CHART
Striker/Wing: Tajouri-Shradi, Castellanos, Lewis
Forward/CAM: Moralez, Medina, Mitrita
CM: Ring, Parks, Ofori, Sands, Torres, Bedoya, Rocha, Haak
RB: Tinnerholm, Scally, [Abdul-Salaam]
LB: Matarrita, Sweat
CB: Chanot, Callens, Ibeagha
GK: Johnson, Stuver, Caldwell, Barraza
ETA
That's 24-26 players depending on whether we stick with 4 goalkeepers and whether Abdul-Salaam stays with us. In the past we've carried anywhere from 26-30 players - 30 is the maximum. That leaves maybe 2-4 more.
I think we need another forward or two. Right now, we have 6 players for the 4 advanced spots (3 forwards and CAM). Either or both of a starting level striker and a guy for depth would be appropriate. Same at CB - maybe 1-2 guys for depth there.
I think we are good elsewhere.
Importantly, I think we really only need 1 guy who would regularly feature in the 18 - and that's a striker - and maybe the Club is thinking differently.
NYCFC DEPTH CHART
Striker/Wing: Tajouri-Shradi, Castellanos, Lewis
Forward/CAM: Moralez, Medina, Mitrita
CM: Ring, Parks, Ofori, Sands, Torres, Bedoya, Rocha, Haak
RB: Tinnerholm, Scally, [Abdul-Salaam]
LB: Matarrita, Sweat
CB: Chanot, Callens, Ibeagha
GK: Johnson, Stuver, Caldwell, Barraza
ETA
That's 24-26 players depending on whether we stick with 4 goalkeepers and whether Abdul-Salaam stays with us. In the past we've carried anywhere from 26-30 players - 30 is the maximum. That leaves maybe 2-4 more.
I think we need another forward or two. Right now, we have 6 players for the 4 advanced spots (3 forwards and CAM). Either or both of a starting level striker and a guy for depth would be appropriate. Same at CB - maybe 1-2 guys for depth there.
I think we are good elsewhere.
Importantly, I think we really only need 1 guy who would regularly feature in the 18 - and that's a striker - and maybe the Club is thinking differently.
grain of salt and all that, but the Romanians really do like the guy
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