2020 Roster Discussion

So at first I was thinking if the club could possibly use Ibeagha as trade bait somewhere. I know he overperforms his contract and he's a very useful player, but with three guys ahead of him at CB, and a young academy kid behind him, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to let him go elsewhere where he might see more minutes, and perhaps we could get a decent TAM/GAM haul out of it.

BUT, then I remembered about international duty. I think the 4 we would have should be able to withstand injuries, and even Ring as a "break glass in case of emergency" CB. But all the CBs on our roster right now, except for Ibby are likely to be called up to some form of national team. In that instance having a cheap contract like Ibeagha there, and one that has limitations, but is generally quite solid, is a great asset to have.

Thanks for listening to me argue with myself.

I think we should open the season with a CCL squad and an MLS squad. After we bow out of the CCL, that team plays MLS while the other team plays Open Cup.

CCL
F | Mitrita, Heber, Tajouri-Shradi
M | Ring, Maxi, ?
D | ?, Callens, Chanot, Tinnerholm

MLS
F | Medina, Castellanos, Mackay-Steven
M | Sands, Rocha, Haak
D | Matarrita, Gray, Ibeagha, Scally

Midfields are weak. Need Parks back plus another. Also need a winger and a left back.
 
I think we should open the season with a CCL squad and an MLS squad. After we bow out of the CCL, that team plays MLS while the other team plays Open Cup.

CCL
F | Mitrita, Heber, Tajouri-Shradi
M | Ring, Maxi, ?
D | ?, Callens, Chanot, Tinnerholm

MLS
F | Medina, Castellanos, Mackay-Steven
M | Sands, Rocha, Haak
D | Matarrita, Gray, Ibeagha, Scally

Midfields are weak. Need Parks back plus another. Also need a winger and a left back.
absolutely crazy that we have gotten to the point where we can almost field two entire rosters that look top-tier to me
 
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That's my kind of crisis club!
absolutely crazy that we have gotten to the point where we can almost field two entire rosters that look top-tier to me
We do have a very-well assembled roster (on very little money, relative to performance), but saying that Medina, GMS, Rocha, Haak, Seb, Gray and Scally belong on a top-tier 11 in MLS is a massive stretch for me.

And yes I understand that pushing back on any negativity is kind of your thing ManhattanValley ManhattanValley but ya know, a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds n all. As is falling prey to confirmation bias if it comes to that.
 
absolutely crazy that we have gotten to the point where we can almost field two entire rosters that look top-tier to me
You play too much FIFA. The 2nd group would get destroyed against most MLS sides fielding their first choice lineups, which would be everybody we play early on.

There is only one legit starter on that 2nd team - Taty.

Sands is playing out of position.
Mata was only serviceable last season with Callens covering for him.

Who else is more than a squad rotation player to fill in the gaps of a true starters lineup? Definitely not Medina or GMS. Haak, not yet or at least hasn’t shown it. Same with Scally. Ibeagha is a #4 CB and Gray hasn’t been blooded. Rocha is a ball-hawk but doesn’t add much else and needs strong players around him.

Edit- errr, Christopher Jee Christopher Jee posted as I was writing.
 
You think we might pick up BWP? It would be a big move against New Jersey. He’d probably start on the bench behind Heber but if/when/definitely will get himself injured again....
 
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You think we might pick up BWP? It would be a big move against New Jersey. He’d probably start on the bench behind Heber but if/when/definitely will get himself injured again....
Our insurance premiums would be off the charts between Heber, Mata, and BWP. Throw in Chanot’s weekly concussion checkups and they’ll cancel our policy.
 
Our insurance premiums would be off the charts between Heber, Mata, and BWP. Throw in Chanot’s weekly concussion checkups and they’ll cancel our policy.
I knew you’d be the first to comment. If anything it would just add to the rivalry mythology. A guy can dream. But yes, he is also prone to injury.
 
I knew you’d be the first to comment. If anything it would just add to the rivalry mythology. A guy can dream. But yes, he is also prone to injury.
In all seriousness, BWP would never play for NYCFC. Never. Every interview he’s done that has asked a question about our club, and his answer is riddled with direct comments of hatred towards us, and it transcends to his kids. You can’t blame the guy, he’s loyal to his team, and thinking he’d willingly play for us is like expecting Celtics best striker ever to play for Rangers. His hatred runs deep.
 
In all seriousness, BWP would never play for NYCFC. Never. Every interview he’s done that has asked a question about our club, and his answer is riddled with direct comments of hatred towards us, and it transcends to his kids. You can’t blame the guy, he’s loyal to his team, and thinking he’d willingly play for us is like expecting Celtics best striker ever to play for Rangers. His hatred runs deep.

eh. it happens. top players from one rival team playing for the other rival team happens all the time. hate runs deep when you're on the team. but maybe BWP has a bone to pick for getting dropped just cause he had one bad injury year. He was their main man for years before that and he has one bad injury and he's off on the street. playing for us just so he could get his revenge would be kind of perfect.

that being said - i don't think we should sign him. much respect for the guy, but he's a poaching #9 and we don't really play the kind of style that takes advantage of that.
 
In all seriousness, BWP would never play for NYCFC. Never. Every interview he’s done that has asked a question about our club, and his answer is riddled with direct comments of hatred towards us, and it transcends to his kids. You can’t blame the guy, he’s loyal to his team, and thinking he’d willingly play for us is like expecting Celtics best striker ever to play for Rangers. His hatred runs deep.
CC96A559-6B98-45D1-A0AE-A4D66C883E37.jpeg
 
In all seriousness, BWP would never play for NYCFC. Never. Every interview he’s done that has asked a question about our club, and his answer is riddled with direct comments of hatred towards us, and it transcends to his kids. You can’t blame the guy, he’s loyal to his team, and thinking he’d willingly play for us is like expecting Celtics best striker ever to play for Rangers. His hatred runs deep.
This is true - he has said how much he hates us, and to be honest, I kind of respect him for it.

That said, if he can extend his career and play for a winner by moving to the blue side, I think he would do it. Bravado and big talk are fun, but it stops at some point.
 
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This is true - he has said how much he hates us, and to be honest, I kind of respect him for it.

That said, if he can extend his career and play for a winner by moving to the blue side, I think he would do it. Bravado and big talk are fun, but it stops at some point.
I'd never want to see a player like that play for us.
 
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This is true - he has said how much he hates us, and to be honest, I kind of respect him for it.

That said, if he can extend his career and play for a winner by moving to the blue side, I think he would do it. Bravado and big talk are fun, but it stops at some point.
Yeah. It worked out for Robin van Persie and many others across sports who ultimately weren’t concerned about sleeping with the enemy. There are certainly some heart over head guys, but they aren’t the majority under the right circumstances.
 
We do have a very-well assembled roster (on very little money, relative to performance), but saying that Medina, GMS, Rocha, Haak, Seb, Gray and Scally belong on a top-tier 11 in MLS is a massive stretch for me.

And yes I understand that pushing back on any negativity is kind of your thing ManhattanValley ManhattanValley but ya know, a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds n all. As is falling prey to confirmation bias if it comes to that.
You play too much FIFA. The 2nd group would get destroyed against most MLS sides fielding their first choice lineups, which would be everybody we play early on.

There is only one legit starter on that 2nd team - Taty.

Sands is playing out of position.
Mata was only serviceable last season with Callens covering for him.

Who else is more than a squad rotation player to fill in the gaps of a true starters lineup? Definitely not Medina or GMS. Haak, not yet or at least hasn’t shown it. Same with Scally. Ibeagha is a #4 CB and Gray hasn’t been blooded. Rocha is a ball-hawk but doesn’t add much else and needs strong players around him.

Edit- errr, Christopher Jee Christopher Jee posted as I was writing.
Okay maybe not top tier, but I could see that team making the playoffs.
 
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You can’t blame the guy, he’s loyal to his team, and thinking he’d willingly play for us is like expecting Celtics best striker ever to play for Rangers. His hatred runs deep.

It happens.... not sure who you might classify as Celtic's best striker, but a couple of guys in the upper echelons, Kenny Miller and Mo Johnston played for both. :)
 
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