2025 Roster and Transfer Discussion Thread

[FootyLovin]

Also now I'm even more worried about Malachi Jones.

I haven't wanted to say anything but have thought this for a while. I love KevinJRogers love for Malachi. But his wonderful play was mostly about fearlessness and aggressiveness and speed more than about mind blowing outcomes (1 goal, 1 assist in 488 minutes). Those qualities can be the hardest ones to regain after an injury like this. And the play that we loved seeing so much was on a small sample set. And he is in the process of missing 1.5 years of prime development time. I hope he beats all odds on the comeback. But worried? Yes indeed.

 

[KevinJRogers]

I haven't wanted to say anything but have thought this for a while. I love KevinJRogers love for Malachi. But his wonderful play was mostly about fearlessness and aggressiveness and speed more than about mind blowing outcomes (1 goal, 1 assist in 488 minutes). Those qualities can be the hardest ones to regain after an injury like this. And the play that we loved seeing so much was on a small sample set. And he is in the process of missing 1.5 years of prime development time. I hope he beats all odds on the comeback. But worried? Yes indeed.

I am, too. His contribution was indeed all about speed, aggressiveness and fearlessness. He was extremely disruptive, pulling defenses out of shape by bombing to the by-line to either cut in and attack the box or execute the cutback pass — the deadliest pass in the game.

He was still very raw, as we all know, and had a lot to learn to develop his game, but with his intelligence he was coming on fast. He was better with every appearance. It wasn't hard to see him becoming a force by the final stretch of the campaign on that trajectory.

And then ... disaster.

I really don't know if he can get back to where he was. I don't know what kind of game he'll have if he loses even a little pace, let alone a lot. All I know is, he has the kind of character you wish you could put in a bottle and sprinkle on players who are lacking. Whatever he can do to get back, he'll do. Whatever he can contribute, he'll give 100 percent.

I'll take it.

 

[FootyLovin]

All I know is, he has the kind of character you wish you could put in a bottle and sprinkle on players who are lacking.

This. 1000 times, this.

 

[mgarbowski]

But his wonderful play was mostly about fearlessness and aggressiveness and speed more than about mind blowing outcomes (1 goal, 1 assist in 488 minutes).

He was extremely disruptive, pulling defenses out of shape

Half way through last year before Jones was hurt and while Martinez was still not playing full time, "I looked at the team Goals per 90 when either is on the field compared to not. It's a flawed stat. Both have mostly played as subs. A lot of goals naturally come late when new legs face tired defenders. They neither scored nor assisted on many of the relevant goals. These are very small sample sizes."
All still true, and I would add that Malachi and Alonso probably played together more than randomness would suggest so Jones's data is somewhat amped by a Martinez effect. Martinez was also on the field for 10 of the 13 Jones time goals, and he scored 4 of those. Still, the numbers tell a story and here are the updated figures just for Malachi up until he was hurt:


The team scored twice as many goals per 90 with Malachi on the field. Besides the Alonso factor, the team was such an offensive fiasco that it did not take much to make some decent numbers look amazing by comparison.

I agree he's unfinished, but I think we agree his speed had a purpose, moreso than some young players who tend to just go vertical. He made the right runs and found space. And I 100% agree with all the attitude comments. He's a joy to watch on and off the field. I really hope he can come back fully.

 

[EganSoccerWords]

Last year werent we 2+4 with Thiago, Santi and talles on loan? What's changed?

 

[ezbeezy214]

What’s the rub on Raul Gustavo? On the surface he’s a replacement for Risa but Risa because more of a specialist on the ball? Guessing they are trading ball playing for more pure defender?

 

[EganSoccerWords]

https://bsky.app/profile/paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc%2Fpost%2F3lthvkvx4zs25

 

[KevinJRogers]

https://bsky.app/profile/paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc%2Fpost%2F3lthvkvx4zs25

FB Ref has him listed at 6'2" 203 lbs. He's a big fella. And he just turned 26 years old a couple months ago.

 

[FootyLovin]

https://bsky.app/profile/paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc%2Fpost%2F3lthvkvx4zs25

Can anyone clarify how real this pickup is? I thought he was a rumor. Some of the chatter sounds like a done deal. I don't consider anything real until LionNYC posts a new player page. So what's the deal?

 

[Gene]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946288005435593073

Done deal?

 

[FootyLovin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946288005435593073

Done deal?

3 minutes after I asked. Impressive.