Justin Haak [Midfielder] [HG]
- Thread starter LionNYC
- Start date
he's got a starting spot? unless he knows something we don't, like risa is injured. i thought he was a beast today. his runs out of the back were fantastic and he made some great defensive plays.
he should definitely go where he gets playing time. i wouldn't want to sit tight either if i were him.
ZYanksRule
Registered
Haak is signed through 2025, FWIW. I don't know if he's a stone-cold every-game starter, but he should get a much longer leash next year.
I think Justin played his way into the starting CB spot next to Thiago in 2025 these playoffs. His defense has been top notch, his passing out of the back is excellent and those marauding runs we saw last night are Callens-esque and completely unbalance opposing defenses and create scoring opportunities -- more of that next year please.
I think how we approach the expansion draft will be very telling for Justin's future. If we don't protect Risa, would be a strong indication that we are going to move forward with Haak. I have a hunch that Risa was hurt for a large part of the season, so it will be interesting to see how the team values him.
RunningWise
Registered
At the start of the season I kept wondering why Haak was getting playing time. When he started being placed in the CB position I realized why. I’m really enjoying him as a CB and to be controversial: he may currently be our best CB and he’s still developing.
I vote we start Risa and Haak so we can try to move Martins to free up a DP spot. I have nothing against Martins; he is a fine CB, but he is nowhere near the level a CB should be to justify using a DP spot.
with our high line, a Risa and Haak pairing would get toasted on long/through balls all game long. At least Martins has some speed. I agree he doesn't warrant the DP label. If the team is able to "buy him down" or whatever it is to get the DP spot back, they should definitely do that. We need speed on the back line. Callens was our pace before and then it was Martins. We have trouble dealing with long/through balls as it is... if we lack pace with the CBs too, we'd be trouble.
Risa was quick when he first arrived last season, looked like he was as quick as martins. I think he had a leg injury this entire season that inhibited his ability to sprint
i don't recall. but i hope you're right.
according to EA FC stats (lol) Risa's pace rating is only 1 below Martins. For comparison, they rate Martinez 5 points higher than Martins in pace.
