Elbow: Grounds for Divorce
Great car song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzGIjOJoLUg
Friday, February 26, 2010
Even more new Timbers
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3968716
Timbers add 3 new players. I like 1, but the jury's out on the other 2.
GK: Matt Pyzdrowski, a recent graduate of Marquette U.
Mid: Derek Gaudet, a Canadian U-23 and recent National Team camp callup.
Fwd: Doug DeMartin, 2008 KC Wizards draftee
I think Gaudet is a very promising signing. He's still developing and his international experience is a big plus. The jury's out on the other 2.
*3rd GK? Adding Pyzdrowski means the Timbers have 3 'keepers: Cronin, Adin Brown, and Pyzdrowski. Why 3 GK? That's a lot of payroll for a position that requires 2 people, at best- when you can find a loanee from an MLS team, in a pinch.
Does this mean Visser is out of the picture? Are the Timbers covering all their bases, in case an MLS team comes in for Cronin (who had a nice loan spell with DC United at the end of last season) or Brown doesn't come back to full fitness?
My prediction: I don't think that all 3 keepers will be on the roster by the end of the season. Either Brown won't come back to full fitness from his injury or Cronin will move on to greener pastures. I hope Cronin stays because he really grew on me last season, beginning with his passion on display during the Northwest Derby.
Timbers add 3 new players. I like 1, but the jury's out on the other 2.
GK: Matt Pyzdrowski, a recent graduate of Marquette U.
Mid: Derek Gaudet, a Canadian U-23 and recent National Team camp callup.
Fwd: Doug DeMartin, 2008 KC Wizards draftee
I think Gaudet is a very promising signing. He's still developing and his international experience is a big plus. The jury's out on the other 2.
*3rd GK? Adding Pyzdrowski means the Timbers have 3 'keepers: Cronin, Adin Brown, and Pyzdrowski. Why 3 GK? That's a lot of payroll for a position that requires 2 people, at best- when you can find a loanee from an MLS team, in a pinch.
Does this mean Visser is out of the picture? Are the Timbers covering all their bases, in case an MLS team comes in for Cronin (who had a nice loan spell with DC United at the end of last season) or Brown doesn't come back to full fitness?
My prediction: I don't think that all 3 keepers will be on the roster by the end of the season. Either Brown won't come back to full fitness from his injury or Cronin will move on to greener pastures. I hope Cronin stays because he really grew on me last season, beginning with his passion on display during the Northwest Derby.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
More Roster Additions
The Timbers added 2 more to the 2010 Roster:
GK: Adin Brown
Def: Scot Thompson
*Adin Brown: Last I saw him, with the 'Nats, he seemed big, but slow. He's also coming off a knee injury. I'm skeptical of this addition to the roster and would still like to see Brian Visser offered a spot on the roster to continue his development.
*Scot Thompson: excellent. Still a good defender & team leader. S-C-O-T, Scot with 1 "T"!
**I saw Daniel Woolard was released by the Chicago Fire. He's a left-sided defender with speed and foot skills. He started the Fire's 2 playoff games last year and looked good doing it. I think he'd be tremendous competition for Ian Joy, and a possible addition for the 2011 MLS roster.
Pick Him Up, Gav!
Still in need of at least 1 additional forward. Waiting to see who gets unexpectedly dropped from MLS rosters.
C'mon 2010!
GK: Adin Brown
Def: Scot Thompson
*Adin Brown: Last I saw him, with the 'Nats, he seemed big, but slow. He's also coming off a knee injury. I'm skeptical of this addition to the roster and would still like to see Brian Visser offered a spot on the roster to continue his development.
*Scot Thompson: excellent. Still a good defender & team leader. S-C-O-T, Scot with 1 "T"!
**I saw Daniel Woolard was released by the Chicago Fire. He's a left-sided defender with speed and foot skills. He started the Fire's 2 playoff games last year and looked good doing it. I think he'd be tremendous competition for Ian Joy, and a possible addition for the 2011 MLS roster.
Pick Him Up, Gav!
Still in need of at least 1 additional forward. Waiting to see who gets unexpectedly dropped from MLS rosters.
C'mon 2010!
Friday, February 19, 2010
How the Roster Shakes Out: Part 1
It's almost the beginning of March and the Timbers have most of their roster figured out.
Let's take a look at what the team currently possesses, and needs, as the preseason progresses.
-Part 2 will look at some intriguing loan and/or free agent signings whom I believe the Timbers front office should take a look at signing.
Here's the roster from the Team website:
Forwards
Josten, George
Keita, Mandjou
Suzuki, Takayuki
Midfielders
Cameron, Josh
Claesson, Johan
Farber, Brian
Lopez, Rodrigo
Marcelin, James
McManus, Tony
Pore, Ryan
Savage, Keith
Defenders
Danso, Mamadou
Joy, Ian
Keel, Stephen
Kirk, Quavas
Smth, Ross
Goalkeepers
Cronin, Steve
*Cameron Knowles is inactive, but I expect him to be on the roster.
*Keita remains a question mark because I thought he was on loan to an Indian league team?
*Where's Visser- the backup goalkeepr signed from the U-23 team from last year?
What's Missing
-Forwards: This team is clearly in need of 2 additional Forwards. Suzuki is no longer a dangerous forward at his age. I thought he was an incredibly crafty outside winger last year, either to start for 60 minutes, or to come off the bench at the same 60-70 minute mark.
-Midfielders: We are set. 8 (possibly 9) midfielders. And, importantly, Farber & Pore are coming back. Would like to see Nimo on loan again, but not sure if Real Salt Lake has him in their plans, especially after they picked a 2nd crafty Timbers U-23 winger in the recent MLS Draft.
-Defenders: We need an additional defender. Ian Joy is a solid pro and probably our starting left-back. But even assuming Knowles and S.C.O.T. Thompson (if re-signed?) make the Roster, that's only 7 defenders- and I'd feel more comfortable with a backup at each position.
*To solve the extra defender problem: I propose PTFC sign former Timber, Mike Randolph.
The kid has serious game- he played well for PTFC and the Galaxy, even earning a National Team Camp call-up. He'd probably adjust well being back with his former club. He's playing PDL right now in L.A., so he's a free agent. He's also a left-footer with speed to kill, who can also provide cover at left midfield. Is he on Gavin's radar? Who knows, but he should be.
-Goalkeeper: I'd like to see Visser officially on the Roster. Cronin's our guy right now. If something happens to one of my favorite Timbers of '09, then we can loan somebody from MLS in a pinch. But why waste salary space if it's not essential. One backup is plenty.
There you have it. Plenty of midfielders with pace and bite, solid goalkeeping, a sturdy base of defenders (KEEL!), but lacking much firepower up front.
I'm interested to see what Gavin chooses as the last pieces of his Roster puzzle.
You guys like the current roster? Ideas for people Gavin should give a look? Happy to see so many carryovers from last years Division-winning squad?
March 11 waits...
Let's take a look at what the team currently possesses, and needs, as the preseason progresses.
-Part 2 will look at some intriguing loan and/or free agent signings whom I believe the Timbers front office should take a look at signing.
Here's the roster from the Team website:
Forwards
Josten, George
Keita, Mandjou
Suzuki, Takayuki
Midfielders
Cameron, Josh
Claesson, Johan
Farber, Brian
Lopez, Rodrigo
Marcelin, James
McManus, Tony
Pore, Ryan
Savage, Keith
Defenders
Danso, Mamadou
Joy, Ian
Keel, Stephen
Kirk, Quavas
Smth, Ross
Goalkeepers
Cronin, Steve
*Cameron Knowles is inactive, but I expect him to be on the roster.
*Keita remains a question mark because I thought he was on loan to an Indian league team?
*Where's Visser- the backup goalkeepr signed from the U-23 team from last year?
What's Missing
-Forwards: This team is clearly in need of 2 additional Forwards. Suzuki is no longer a dangerous forward at his age. I thought he was an incredibly crafty outside winger last year, either to start for 60 minutes, or to come off the bench at the same 60-70 minute mark.
-Midfielders: We are set. 8 (possibly 9) midfielders. And, importantly, Farber & Pore are coming back. Would like to see Nimo on loan again, but not sure if Real Salt Lake has him in their plans, especially after they picked a 2nd crafty Timbers U-23 winger in the recent MLS Draft.
-Defenders: We need an additional defender. Ian Joy is a solid pro and probably our starting left-back. But even assuming Knowles and S.C.O.T. Thompson (if re-signed?) make the Roster, that's only 7 defenders- and I'd feel more comfortable with a backup at each position.
*To solve the extra defender problem: I propose PTFC sign former Timber, Mike Randolph.
The kid has serious game- he played well for PTFC and the Galaxy, even earning a National Team Camp call-up. He'd probably adjust well being back with his former club. He's playing PDL right now in L.A., so he's a free agent. He's also a left-footer with speed to kill, who can also provide cover at left midfield. Is he on Gavin's radar? Who knows, but he should be.
-Goalkeeper: I'd like to see Visser officially on the Roster. Cronin's our guy right now. If something happens to one of my favorite Timbers of '09, then we can loan somebody from MLS in a pinch. But why waste salary space if it's not essential. One backup is plenty.
There you have it. Plenty of midfielders with pace and bite, solid goalkeeping, a sturdy base of defenders (KEEL!), but lacking much firepower up front.
I'm interested to see what Gavin chooses as the last pieces of his Roster puzzle.
You guys like the current roster? Ideas for people Gavin should give a look? Happy to see so many carryovers from last years Division-winning squad?
March 11 waits...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Timbers full of Joy, and others?
PTFC signed Ian Joy today, a fiesty veteran defender who spent time with Real Salt Lake and St. Pauli FC of Germany (what a club!).
I think it's a solid addition to the roster, especially with the absence of David Hayes.
In other news, the Timbers beat U of Portland 2-0 in an exhibition last night. The 2 goals were scored by a trialist whose name escapes me. The new Haitian midfielder made his first appearance for the Men-in-Green, earning an assist on 1 of the goals. Good work, young man!
*I noticed "Zaher" was listed in the starting lineup. If this is Mike Zaher, who played with San Jose and D.C. United?, then I am pleased. I remember watching him and thinking he had good technical skills, perhaps with time he could develop into a Bryan Namoff for a MLS team. He hits a pretty wicked cross, though he's still learning how to defend at the pro level. I hope there's room on the roster for the Timbers to take a flyer on this kid with potential to come with us to MLS in 2011.
Whose going to the Charity Shield match in Seattle on March 11? Ticket revenue goes to some great causes- Save the Children among them. And Portland's own Mercy Corps. So take the fan bus, regular bus, train, plane, or automobile up to our Northwest Neighbor to the North. It will help the neverending preseason go by that much faster... please?
I think it's a solid addition to the roster, especially with the absence of David Hayes.
In other news, the Timbers beat U of Portland 2-0 in an exhibition last night. The 2 goals were scored by a trialist whose name escapes me. The new Haitian midfielder made his first appearance for the Men-in-Green, earning an assist on 1 of the goals. Good work, young man!
*I noticed "Zaher" was listed in the starting lineup. If this is Mike Zaher, who played with San Jose and D.C. United?, then I am pleased. I remember watching him and thinking he had good technical skills, perhaps with time he could develop into a Bryan Namoff for a MLS team. He hits a pretty wicked cross, though he's still learning how to defend at the pro level. I hope there's room on the roster for the Timbers to take a flyer on this kid with potential to come with us to MLS in 2011.
Whose going to the Charity Shield match in Seattle on March 11? Ticket revenue goes to some great causes- Save the Children among them. And Portland's own Mercy Corps. So take the fan bus, regular bus, train, plane, or automobile up to our Northwest Neighbor to the North. It will help the neverending preseason go by that much faster... please?
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