waaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!
As if losing to the Ravens weren't bad enough, the Dynamo fell in a collossal upset at home to the Red Bulls, 3-0. I actually gave my Texans tickets to a friend so I could go to the Dynamo (I watched Texans on DVR afterward). STUPID MLS with their STUPID scheduling.
MLS season is over. The Dynamo still have one more game left in the CCL, 11/26 against Firpo.
If I understand this correctly, we need for Columbus to beat Chicago to ensure the Dynamo get a shot at the CCL qualifying next year.
As for the next year, I think there probably needs to be a bit of a youth movement with the squad. There are too many old legs on the back line (Wade Barrett, Richard Mulrooney, Craig Waibel) to play so many minutes. And Eddie Robinson needs to return to 2007 form ASAP. Bobby Boswell has aspirations to play overseas I think, so it will be interesting to see if he's picked up in the next transfer window... I have my doubts though.
Brian Mullan can still be a useful player for another couple years, but he had way too much PT this year at his current position. Maybe try him as a RB and free up more minutes for Geoff Cameron. Corey Ashe and Brad Davis should probably split time more evenly.
With the expected departure of Nate Jacqua to Seattle, rather than go gung-ho for another forward (unless Ngwenya somehow wants to return), instead push DeRo to play more up top and let Stuart Holden play the attacking mid more often, assuming Holden doesn't go overseas. Sign someone else to develop behind Kei Kamara (Chris Wondolowski will likely never be the answer), and give Brian Ching more rest to focus on being better for the USMNT.
Speaking of DeRosario... if Holden doesn't go anywhere, I'd consider offers to move him. Not saying I would move him to the best offer, but if there is a team willing to pay for a DP-type player in DeRo, I'd consider it.
Lastly, and goes without saying, but this team needs a better goalie to develop behind Pat Onstad than Tony Caig. The NYRB showed that there's probably some young depth on other MLS rosters, we just need to find it. Pat found the fountain of youth this year, but I don't want to bank on him being this good again in 2009, at least not for as many games he had to play in 2008.
There's the plan. Time for Firpo and the expansion draft.