He's really good at developing HG talent. Does that translate to tactics for the first team?
2020 Roster Discussion
- Thread starter LionNYC
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He's really good at developing HG talent. Does that translate to tactics for the first team?
Who knows, I rarely watch the kids but I hear they play good soccer. Couldn't be a bad thing for the important project of integrating the academy and the first team, at least.
Did FC Dallas prove that it's something you can do in this league? He's someone that coaching the CFG "style," and has had lots of success. Can he handle the egos of first-team football? That's really the big question. But you have to think they've at least looked into him, in addition to whatever else they've done.
And just because we haven't heard leaks about the coaching search doesn't mean they would be settling for their 10th choice. Frankly, we have absolutely no idea why it's taken this long.
Dallas was in a different spot than we are, though. Luchi is a developmental coach for a developmental roster. We have a championship-contending roster. So not sure the parameters are the same there.
I believe he got his FA Coaching badge before his USSoccer top badge. Not that a credential bestows tactical genius, more so likely a minimum baseline requisite for training tactics and philosophy, but it also suggests he’s achieved it from a different federation where the thought process is approached differently. That said, it’d be foolish to think he isn’t highly read on the latest fads and tactics being introduced around the leagues - he’s young so he’s probably a reading sponge hoping to glean anything/everything he can to move up in his career.
I guess I wouldn't be too upset by this in the long run but I'd still like enough time to go through the five stages of grief before preseason starts.
Sorry, I'm just joking about how everyone responded that they would be ok with the appointment should it come to fruition.
Upside signing if true. If he stays healthy he can be very helpful in a spot of need. He is very comfortable with the ball with composed control, good distribution and the skills to create room/time. Interesting.
According to reddit post on r/mls, a SKC fan said he wasn't really 'adding' anything to the team, he always did the safe passes, and didn't really create.
I remember seeing someone point out on Twitter a while back how SKC players weren’t distributing the ball to him, that Zelalem was getting in good positions.
this signing a few years ago would have made major waves. Nevertheless it could have high upside, no one doubts that he has talent. Just needs to get a system where he works, think that Dome would have liked him last year.
this signing a few years ago would have made major waves. Nevertheless it could have high upside, no one doubts that he has talent. Just needs to get a system where he works, think that Dome would have liked him last year.
Don’t recall seeing him play with SKC so I can’t opine on what he did there. But from what I saw of SKC last season they were a mess so I am not surprised that he didn’t shine. The kid has talent. Maybe he will show it in the right system (assuming we have a coach and a system).
SKC can be a bit linear in their attack he may fit better with our more fluid attacking style. Assuming we are getting him at a reasonable price this seems like a very nice low risk high reward type signing.
I was just thinking this. I remember him being the next big thing a few years ago.
Didn’t he play a game or two for the USMNT when he was still with Arsenal and there was massive hype - as in the broadcasters were focused on him, etc.
There was a huge race for Zelalem as he could have played for Ethiopia, Germany or the US and he chose the US - it was seen as a major coup at the time. The BigSoccer boards went nuts when he finally declared for the USMNT.
I like the Keaton Parks angle on this signing—take a promising young player from the national team fringe who hasn’t lived up to hype, see if we can turn him into a performer
Considering the absurd premium that MLS clubs pay for even borderline USMNT players, young projects like Zelalem and Torres are good value for a $70k reserve slot just in case something clicks.
Hell, the Lewis TAM alone could cover nine reserve salaries, which I guess proves the first point.
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