Official 2016 Nycfc Roster Discussion Thread

[danger]

Agree with Gotham Gator. Green card doesn't use an international spot, and I don't think Poku is using one of our international spots. Just glancing at this list, it looks correct (11 other int'l players on our roster):

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLS_International_Roster_Slots

Edit: autocorrect errors

 

[ktdNYCFC]

Anyone have any news on Shannon Gomez or Connor Brandt?

Brandt has been injured forever - are we a soccer team or a rehab facility?

Gomez isn't injured that I know of, but I don't think he's made the 18 and we're starting an injured Allen - are we soccer team or a youth academy?

I don't see why we're giving away roster spots for no return. Isn't that why we have Wilmington? Meanwhile RB just signed Aurelien Collin and sent Ouimette down to RB2.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Roster is a disaster, but not sure Brandt or Gomez would make my top 5 complaints list

 

[ktdNYCFC]

Roster is a disaster, but not sure Brandt or Gomez would make my top 5 complaints list

I'm just starting to get worried about depth. We have a decent starting 11, and a few subs, but there's some guys on our roster who it seems we signed knowing they'd never make the 18 until they were developed. Barring injury, the first team really should be game-ready players all competing for starting spots. Giving Allen a week rest from a sprained ankle shouldn't have happened - its no wonder he came off limping.

 

[Kjbert]

Brandt thinks he will be back this summer. He's training again he said.

No clue on Shannon Gomez.

 

[Kjbert]

I'm just starting to get worried about depth. We have a decent starting 11, and a few subs, but there's some guys on our roster who it seems we signed knowing they'd never make the 18 until they were developed. Barring injury, the first team really should be game-ready players all competing for starting spots. Giving Allen a week rest from a sprained ankle shouldn't have happened - its no wonder he came off limping.

At RB, you have:
1) RJ Allen
2) Andoni Iraola
3) Ethan White
4) Shannon Gomez

I would say we have a lot of depth everywhere but at LW/RW.

 

[joe]

Gomez made the 18 most recently in the 2nd Chicago game

 

[ktdNYCFC]

Gomez made the 18 most recently in the 2nd Chicago game

Ok, I didn't notice that. Good to know he's at least playable.

 

[joe]

Ok, I didn't notice that. Good to know he's at least playable.

Not the most ringing endorsement, but proof of life, anyway.

 

[Gotham Gator]

At RB, you have:
1) RJ Allen
2) Andoni Iraola
3) Ethan White
4) Shannon Gomez

I would say we have a lot of depth everywhere but at LW/RW.

We have depth at LW/RW, but I don't think we have starting quality on both sides - or didn't until TMac was moved up front.

At those spots, we have Shelton, Mendoza, Taylor and Harrison. That's 2 deep, and it doesn't include moving TMac up top or being able to slot Villa over to LW if we bring in Mullins.

Where we could use another good body is at CDM. Right now, Bravo is the only guy who fits the bill 100% - maybe Lopez does a little bit.

 

[mgarbowski]

Where we could use another good body is at CDM. Right now, Bravo is the only guy who fits the bill 100% - maybe Lopez does a little bit.

I think that's what Mikey played when he subbed in the the first game of the season in Chicago when we were protecting the lead. He basically ran all around like he does now -- just further back.

 

[Kjbert]

I think Lopez has stated before that despite his style of play (being CDMish), his natural position is CAM.

 

[Taurus]

I think Lopez has stated before that despite his style of play (being CDMish), his natural position is CAM.

I think he has stated he is a defensive midfielder naturally.

From the press release on signing him.

Lopez "I’m a never say die player. I will fight for every ball and give 100% at all times. The fans will come to expect this type of hard defensive work from me and that I will do everything in my power to keep that zero on the scoreboard."

Reyna "He’s been in the national team set up and is now very motivated to establish himself in MLS. He will add depth and another option in the defensive midfield role. We feel he will fit into our club well and the way we want to play.

 

[Kjbert]

I think he has stated he is a defensive midfielder naturally.

From the press release on signing him.

Lopez "I’m a never say die player. I will fight for every ball and give 100% at all times. The fans will come to expect this type of hard defensive work from me and that I will do everything in my power to keep that zero on the scoreboard."

Reyna "He’s been in the national team set up and is now very motivated to establish himself in MLS. He will add depth and another option in the defensive midfield role. We feel he will fit into our club well and the way we want to play.

My apologies. I thought he mentioned something (or PV did) in one of his video interviews that his natural position was more up the field.

 

[George]

Hopefully PV can help Lopez during the week with playing at CDM, couldn't think of anyone better to learn off.

As for the rest of the squad its not well balanced in terms of % of the cap space and starting places. Mena, Iraola, Lampard are high earners even though they are not first choice in their position whilst starters such as RJ, Shelton and TMac are some of our lowest earners.

However this could be seen as a positive as if we can offload the high earners who don't start then we will have a decent amount of cap room in order to strengthen the starting 11 rather than just bringing in squad players.

Mena could be replaced by a starting quality CB, Iraola is not really needed as it seems PV plays White ahead of him if RJ is injured so him and Lampard could be replaced by a DP winger and a decent young squad player(maybe a DM), i say squad player as a combination of Mena and Iraola's cap space would be needed to get a good CB in.

 

[Kjbert]

I'm now on board with getting rid of both Lampard and Mix. Neither player fits what PV is doing and the money should be spent elsewhere. I would like to see us invest in another winger and a #10.

 

[sbrylski]

I'm now on board with getting rid of both Lampard and Mix. Neither player fits what PV is doing and the money should be spent elsewhere. I would like to see us invest in another winger and a #10.

And Poku.

I'm content with our 4-3-3 system. Let's stick with it and find the right players.

EDIT: Although I'm still not sure Mix doesn't fit. He just doesn't fit in the context of or current lineup, which starts with Pirlo, requires Bravo, and apparently doesn't leave space for Mix.

 

[George]

Think we should definitely keep Mix, he had been playing well this year and im sure he will be back in the starting 11 soon.
Poku and Pirlo can't play together and based on how poor Poku has been when he has played this year i think we should look at trading him, based on last year we can probably get a decent amount for him.
Iraola is now our 3rd choice RB behind Allen and White whoes primary position is CB. This shows just how disappointing he has been and his wages are far too high for someone who comes on to see out the game in the last 10 minutes.

 

[Ulrich]

And Poku.

I'm content with our 4-3-3 system. Let's stick with it and find the right players.

EDIT: Although I'm still not sure Mix doesn't fit. He just doesn't fit in the context of or current lineup, which starts with Pirlo, requires Bravo, and apparently doesn't leave space for Mix.

Mix fits in the system, he just fits in Pirlo's spot. Pirlo won't play forever - I cannot imagine him here next year unless we win it all, but even then it'd be a good time for him to retire - so Mix will fill that spot next year.

 

[FootyLovin]

Mix fits in the system, he just fits in Pirlo's spot. Pirlo won't play forever - I cannot imagine him here next year unless we win it all, but even then it'd be a good time for him to retire - so Mix will fill that spot next year.

This.

I also wonder if this affects Poku. When Mix is in for Pirlo, you no longer need as much defensive cover. So does Mikey come out? Does that reopen the spot for Poku? Does a second season with this much bench time light a fire under Poku to play harder D?