87 replies to this topic

[cBr]

If it is who I think it will be, English was not his first language. And... the league has never seen a player of his technical ability.

Like anything else, the stars must align. Let's focus on the first game of the season. This topic will come up again.

Tomas Rosicky

[onionsack]

Tomas Rosicky

Speaking of Arsenal, if anyone is near a TV right now you really should be watching the Milan -Arsenal match as it may turn out to be one of the fixtures of the CL season. Not to give anything away, but the next 45 minutes are gonna be interesting to say the least.

[Eleazar]

the two other guys at work are going absolutely ape-shit over this game, neither of them are Arsenal or Milan fans.

[Thunderbolt7]

It didn't hurt he had guys like Steve Ralston (in Tampa) and Pablo Mastroeni (in Miami) playing next to him to do the dirty work.

It also didn't hurt that when Valderrama got pissed off, he had Eric Quill around to absorb the fury of Carlos's Colombian Fist of Justice^TM.

Well, it probably hurt Mr. Quill quite a bit, but everyone's got their role on the team...

[blurroske]

NYRB should be champions in 2012. They have the players for it.

[Metrosuccess]

I think we are Championship material if our GKs play well, Backless motivates and coaches our guys properly, and we get a true CAM someitme in the summer. Only injuries or lack of Rodgers could stop us.

[tat106]

I expect us to win the East and to only lose 3 games at home. I think winning the USOC is achievable as Seattle will do their damnest to win the West and prepare to beat LA & RSL for the Western Conference crown. I also expect us to win the Eastern Conference crown and play in MLS Cup 2012. It won't be easy but we have the most expensive payroll in the East.

That's what I expect.

What I have to hope for is for Backe to learn his lessons from 2010 & 2011 and use his bench throughout the season. Rest starting players and give bench players minutes during the season as well as USOC. The team has to improve defensively and on set pieces. Had we won half the games we tied last year, we would've won the East and had a better route to MLS Cup 2011. I hope our veterans play smarter and avoid needless red cards that hurt the team at critical junctions.

There are no excuses this year. No CCL matches, no long west coast swings. We were 2nd in the league in scoring without a No. 10. The questions is will the team play to the level of expectations by the supporters, ticket buyers and the press.

[TimKlotz]

Not sure which of my internet personas should reply to this one. Pre-season, stoked Tim Klotz or the wary, pessimist Tim Klotz.

[Amerisnob]

Regular Season: The new conference-heavy schedule helps us massively in the SS race. So does our new-found depth. Most of the East is a crap shoot with us and Sporting distancing from the rest. I am very optimistic about this year, and see us no worse than 2nd in the East. We should contend for the Shield.

Open Cup: The reserves are very good, hopefully we can make a run in this tournament. Please, please no more losing to 3rd division teams. It's fucking embarrassing.

Playoffs: Total crap shoot, but I expect us to at least to get to the conference championship game.

[AHighBlackman]

If it is who I think it will be, English was not his first language. And... the league has never seen a player of his technical ability.

Like anything else, the stars must align. Let's focus on the first game of the season. This topic will come up again.

Gua-cho

[onionsack]

Different kind of player... but yes even better from a technical standpoint than the Frenchman.

[Eleazar]

Different kind of player... but yes even better from a technical standpoint than the Frenchman.

[JayDelight729]

Best one yet!

Stephen Ireland would be an interesting fit, but he's no Flamingo!