Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Smith to Atlas Rumors

Today, Kansas City's former sister club Atlas announced that they'd made a deal with the Chicago Fire to bring in Gaston Puerari. But in the same article about that move, there's talk about Atlas trying to bring in Sporting Kansas City midfielder, Ryan Smith, at least on trial. Smith who missed the first few games of the season, and the last two as well, due to injury has been limited to only 6 appearances this season.

Thad posted today after the rumor surfaced that he'd heard the rumors were not true. But still it's an interesting rumor that he's drawing interest from the Mexican league at least in some form it seems. Overall I'm not really sure how to feel about it though. Smith was (and probably still is) our most creative player when he's on the field. But the one thing that seems to have dogged him his entire career is injuries, and that's how he's started this year. KC has shown that they have plenty of guys that can play up top, but I think KC needs Smith. Without Smith and Omar Bravo KC really doesn't have a true wide forward for their 4-3-3 system. Teal Bunbury, Kei Kamara, and CJ Sapong are all better suited for the center forward position, although Kamara has done the best job of adjusting to the wide position of the 3. Unless KC already has a signed deal for a creative attacking minded player, this might not be the best move for KC, if there is any small truth to it.

3 comments:

Reepicheep said...

Their best victory was playing a modified 4-4-2. That says enough. As for Smith, he's a great player, but dang, if he plays 15 games total this season I'll be shocked. He's just so fragile. Mexico? How could that be better for him?

Dan said...

The lineup in Dallas was not a modified 4-4-2.

Moop said...

Is there really anywhere to go to find out exactly what formation and lineup we have each game?

Last game I read in different places (MLSSoccer.com, Goal.com, Sporting K.C.-related blogs) that K.C. went with a 4-3-3, a 4-4-2, a 4-5-1, and a 4-4-1-1. I also read (again, from different places) that Sassano played as a forward beside Zusi, that Saapong played as a lone forward, and that Saapong and Arnaud were paired together up front. From the highlights, I was thinking they played more of a 4-5-1 with Saapong or Zusi up front, but I didn't get to see the whole game.

Anyway, does anyone put out accurate info about this lineup/formation (pre- or post-game)?