On Austin's formation, I'd expect a base 4-3-3 (it's Estevez, after all), but I'd imagine the formation to be somewhat fluid, with Biro cheating up the left flank from his LB position (as he is wont to do) and Uzuni cheating inside. From highlights I saw, Uzuni really likes to bang in shots from the 18, so I can see him doing a lot of that and either scoring or Vazquez/Bukari cleaning up rebounds for tap-in goals.
The biggest thing facing Verde now is getting a playmaker. Right now, I see a platoon of Owen Wolff, Dani Pereira, and Diego Rubio in that role, and not super confident about any of those. Stuver and the back line are solid, getting Dubersarsky as an understudy to Ilie puts the 6 in better shape than it was last year, and Driussi leaving actually gives Austin latitude to go after a 10, though it's now going to be at best a U22 or TAM-level playmaker. Evander or Acosta on this team instead of Uzuni would have been fun, but this has the potential to be fun as well.
For sure, though if Austin play the way I expect them to, he's going to be asked less for creativity in the final third and more for getting the ball to the "wingers" in space and in rhythm, then being smart in timing his box crashing.
i would think every team would try and go for the same blueprint as the Galaxy with their DPs... three excellent guys in their early-mid twenties. they're not superstars in their previous leagues, but they're solid $10-$20 mil players.
i suppose that is a lot for some clubs, but sure brought good dividends for LA.
I'm mostly with you, though I'd have no problem making room for the likes of Suarez, Griezmann (who will be in LA this summer) or, obviously, Messi. And in the past guys like Beckham, Henry & Keane have come over in their early 30s and been Best XI-caliber players (MVP-caliber in Keane's case).
Just got to make sure they know it's a grind and that they're bought in. If you don't do your due diligence, that's how you end up with an Insigne or a Gerrard or a Lampard. Or a Neymar.
I think it's awesome. Another angle on roster-building for ambitious teams, and a way to keep elite talents (who have worn out their welcome with, or straight-up outgrown their current club) in MLS.
On Austin's formation, I'd expect a base 4-3-3 (it's Estevez, after all), but I'd imagine the formation to be somewhat fluid, with Biro cheating up the left flank from his LB position (as he is wont to do) and Uzuni cheating inside. From highlights I saw, Uzuni really likes to bang in shots from the 18, so I can see him doing a lot of that and either scoring or Vazquez/Bukari cleaning up rebounds for tap-in goals.
The biggest thing facing Verde now is getting a playmaker. Right now, I see a platoon of Owen Wolff, Dani Pereira, and Diego Rubio in that role, and not super confident about any of those. Stuver and the back line are solid, getting Dubersarsky as an understudy to Ilie puts the 6 in better shape than it was last year, and Driussi leaving actually gives Austin latitude to go after a 10, though it's now going to be at best a U22 or TAM-level playmaker. Evander or Acosta on this team instead of Uzuni would have been fun, but this has the potential to be fun as well.
Good insight Phil, appreciate it.
For what it's worth I have higher hopes for Pereira in that role than you seem to.
Up until now, Pereira’s grown as a ball-progressing 8. He’s really good box-to-box. He needs to work on what he does when he gets to the final third.
For sure, though if Austin play the way I expect them to, he's going to be asked less for creativity in the final third and more for getting the ball to the "wingers" in space and in rhythm, then being smart in timing his box crashing.
i would think every team would try and go for the same blueprint as the Galaxy with their DPs... three excellent guys in their early-mid twenties. they're not superstars in their previous leagues, but they're solid $10-$20 mil players.
i suppose that is a lot for some clubs, but sure brought good dividends for LA.
I'm mostly with you, though I'd have no problem making room for the likes of Suarez, Griezmann (who will be in LA this summer) or, obviously, Messi. And in the past guys like Beckham, Henry & Keane have come over in their early 30s and been Best XI-caliber players (MVP-caliber in Keane's case).
Just got to make sure they know it's a grind and that they're bought in. If you don't do your due diligence, that's how you end up with an Insigne or a Gerrard or a Lampard. Or a Neymar.
What do you think of the in-leagur transfer buzz? Evendor news was popping today and Tom's hinted at Acosta.
I think it's awesome. Another angle on roster-building for ambitious teams, and a way to keep elite talents (who have worn out their welcome with, or straight-up outgrown their current club) in MLS.