2008 Season Preview and more

By: Alex | January 30th, 2008

STO provided a preview for the upcoming season. Check it out here.

Great assessment. A little early to give the team an average grade. I think the team is on route to creating depth, possibly one of the deepest in MLS. Depth will come in the form of Eskandarian (previous starter), Harris (prev. starter), Curtain (prev. MLS all star), and those who aren’t signed yet, whether it is Alonso, Wicky, Cardozo, or others. Preki is taking care of business. But like I said, it is a little to early to say.

The other issue for the upcoming season is a goal keeper. I think this position could make or break the team. However, as good as Brad was, he had a strong defensive line last year. Still the same line this year. I think Brad is irreplaceable, but at the same time I trust in Preki and the Chivas USA front office. We will have a quality goal keeper by March.

Transfers

There have been a few transfer rumors, but I think Wicky can prove the most important. Besides the fact that I am a huge fan of the guy, and the fact that he is five years younger than any other significant MLS import, I think he will give the Red and White a few great options.

The key for the team is formation. Chivas USA played a 4-4-2 last year out of necessity. The team has the talent of an attack minded team (Special K, Mendoza), but only had two forwards and no playmaker. Wicky can rework the entire team allowing for a 4-3-3 , keeping the roster how it is today. Here is a visual.

–Esky—————Galindo——
————Razov——————-

–Mendoza————Special K—
———–Wicky—————–

–Bornstein-Suarez-Thomas-Vaughn-

-(Please feel free to insert goalie of choice)-

We would then have the supporting cast of Cunliffe, Hamilton, Harris, and Sueno up front, Nagamura and Marsch in the midfield, and Zotinca and Curtain in the back. To me that is a deep squad. Add in the rumors materializing with Cordozo and Alonso, and I think we would have a solid push for a cup in one of the five competitions.

Why is Wicky so important. He would be doing the job of Marsch and Nags combined. He would also give us two excellent off-the-bench sparks. Plus he can shoot from outside the box, a rarity in MLS.

Is this all a rumor? Maybe, but this would explain Preki’s trip to Europe.