Where did everybody go?

By: Alex | December 5th, 2007

Has anyone noticed that it has been awful quiet around here.

The official Chivas USA roster has gotten shorter… by a lot. The entire reserve squad is gone from the roster with the exception of Sueno, Cunliffe, Hamilton and Burling. No Backup keeper or midfield. So the squad has 16 people on it with rumors of Mendoza leaving to Mexico.

This is surprising, seeing how the reserve squad placed second in the overall reserve table.

This explains Preki’s secret scouting trip. Based on the rules , the team is allowed 28 players. I’m guessing Chivas USA will acquire two back up goal keepers, and 11 field players. Realistically, with Sueno, Cunliffe and Hamilton all forwards, we probably will acquire one more off-the-bench spark while those three refine their skills. I would guess the team will look for six mid field players and four defenders.

So this is my possible (not probable) acquisitions theory.

For a striker I see the Red and White obtaining the services of Shevchenko… no, I don’t. That was a complete lie. No rumors like that here. Not even a Zidane rumor here. Maybe Campos from the Fresno Fuego, 6,3″ Brazilian, PDL MVP, wanted by Chivas USA, RSL and San Jose, the next Galindo. It appears Carr didn’t work out from Chicago Fire, but who knows. Realistically, I think this is the target of Preki’s secret travels. We might see someone come here out of nowhere (Europe).

As far as the goal keeper position, we are probably looking at one “ready to go” and one developmental type keeper. Someone that can fill in for Brad while he is gone on international duty and someone that can be molded by Zac. I see one from USL 1 and maybe one acquired from another MLS team.

For the midfield…this is tough. Ramon Morales is on the top of the shopping list. While this may not happen, I do see the likelihood of a Mexican from the FMF filling in the attacking mid role. Loqito wasn’t bad. This position is key and has been missing from the team (since before Guevara was 86ed). I think the team would splash a little cash for this type of number 10, since it could produce results and sell tickets. as far as the other five, there are two being looked at from the Fresno Fuego. Amaury Nunes is a good candidate. I see a draft pick being used here as well. And…. OK, don’t make fun of me but maybe Wicky will be ready to come over from wherever he ended up. Preki was scouting in Europe, so maybe he stopped by Switzerland to work out the deal. The guy already trained with the club last year for over a week.

Defense is not as crucial. In the back, the team has Jonny B, Thomas, Suarez, Vaughn, and Zotinca. Those five will do most of the playing with some rotation. I will admit, I don’t know much about Burling, but I imagine he stuck around for a reason. Another draft pick and a couple of developmental players (USL or other).

So a lot of gaps. I see this is where the team leaves Bradly’s mold and becomes Preki’s team. We will see these changes having a lot of long term implications in the next two years, There’s only so much longer Marsch and Razov can play. there only so much time until Brad, Sacha, Maykel and Jonathan look for European soil.

Who do you want to realistically see here?