With one of my precious days off today from my job that pays the bills, I made my way to Swope for Sporting KC's practice today and the press conference with Peter Vermes and Soony Saad. The one thing that was most surprising about practice today was that it was more laid back than I thought it was. With yesterday being more of a recovery day for the guys and tomorrow likely being a light day before departing for Houston I figured today would be more of an intense day. It was still a hard work out for the guys overall, but not as intense as I thought it would be.
Stephane Auvray is still no where to be found, and actually seeing Vermes reaction to questions about him just reinforces what I'd believed for a while and what people had told me, that Auvray is gone. While Vermes comments in the press conference were non-committal on the Guadeloupe captain, his mannerisms when asked about it just drove the point home for me.
On the Richmond game, Vermes didn't want to touch on that much more, stating again that the team did not play well and that there was a lack of effort and a lack of recognition of things that were not taken advantage of. He also talked about how players didn't do themselves favors in terms of getting more playing time after they failed to impress in the opportunity that was given to them. He also said that some players either didn't respect the Kickers, or their teammates during the game on Tuesday. Vermes said that the players now have to change that perception. It'll be interesting to see which of those players get bumped back down a little bit because of the poor performance against Richmond. Some of these comments when I think about the game would seem to be directed towards Teal Bunbury and his poor performance.
On Ryan Smith, Vermes emphasized that Smith is not a free agent, he's free to sign for teams over there, but there would have to be some sort of compensation in some form from any team that signed him to MLS and Sporting. He's not a "free agent" as reports out of England have suggested.
He talked about Matt Besler's all star selection, really talking up the local product, talking about how he's improved from year to year, saying this year he's become a "man at the position". Vermes did tip Besler for eventually being called up to the US national team, saying that if he continues the way he has he will get a call up to the US team. A lot of good things to say about Besler.
Vermes did tip his hat towards Saturday a little bit towards Saturday. After talking Soony Saad up for a little bit, including talking about how Saad has a different mentality than many guys as he is really pushing to scrape together goals. But Vermes did say that Saad is on the travel roster for this weekend in Houston. Saad was the player involved in today's press conference, and the kid looks extremely excited to be playing here. He lite up when asked about LIVESTRONG Sporting Park and talked up the crowd atmosphere in the stadium and how we was looking forward to contributing and becoming a fan favorite. He came across as a kid with a lot of drive to become a star and a kid who literally is living his dream of being a professional player.
Craig Rocastle continues his recovery from injury, running and some agility work, and is still on schedule. Vermes said some time in mid to late August Rocastle would hopefully be back.
With regards to Jeferson Vermes says that he's not going to comment on things at this time. Vermes said he loves that Robb will tip his hand, but he's not going to show his. But the team is looking to be active in the transfer window that opens tomorrow, within and outside the league.
For next week with the busy schedule of game Saturday, reserve game (that Vermes says that he is battling with the league over moving), Newcastle, and Toronto the following Saturday, Vermes said it's going to be a difficult thing to do. He expected trialists and Juniors to play a major role in the reserve game against the Fire.
Showing posts with label press conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label press conference. Show all posts
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
More Call Ups for KC
During today's weekly press conference, Peter Vermes confirmed that all 5 of the players that Sporting KC fans thought would be called up for this year's Gold Cup have in fact been called up. We'd heard that Craig Rocastle was called up yesterday, and that Roger Espinoza was available for selection. Vermes today confirmed that Rocastle and Espinoza would be joined by Stephane Auvray, Teal Bunbury, and Shavar Thomas for Guadeloupe, the US, and Jamaica respectively. The rosters won't officially be announced until probably next Monday. The tournament kicks off on June 5th, so the question will become how long those 5 remain with the team. My guess is that all 5 will depart after the game against Colorado on the 28th and the reserve game on the 29th. From that point KC will be playing with 21 rostered players.
Bunbury and Espinoza have been the only guaranteed starters when healthy this season. Rocastle and Auvray have traded time with Birahim Diop in midfield. Thomas has been a bench forward and at this time appears to be fourth on the depth chart at center back for KC. Still losing 5 guys off of our roster isn't going give great things for KC during the stretch of the Gold Cup.
The 5 are likely to miss at least 3 games, at Toronto on the 4th, the home opener against Chicago on the 9th, and Dallas on Sunday the 12th. Those that advance to the quarters will miss the 17th against San Jose. Semifinalists will miss the game in Philadelphia on the 22nd. And for any that make the finals, they'll miss KC's game against Vancouver. So players are going to miss anywhere from 3 to 6 games for KC during the Gold Cup.
Bunbury and Espinoza have been the only guaranteed starters when healthy this season. Rocastle and Auvray have traded time with Birahim Diop in midfield. Thomas has been a bench forward and at this time appears to be fourth on the depth chart at center back for KC. Still losing 5 guys off of our roster isn't going give great things for KC during the stretch of the Gold Cup.
The 5 are likely to miss at least 3 games, at Toronto on the 4th, the home opener against Chicago on the 9th, and Dallas on Sunday the 12th. Those that advance to the quarters will miss the 17th against San Jose. Semifinalists will miss the game in Philadelphia on the 22nd. And for any that make the finals, they'll miss KC's game against Vancouver. So players are going to miss anywhere from 3 to 6 games for KC during the Gold Cup.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
More on Franklin Salas and Rui Miguel
A quick update from today's press conference with Peter Vermes on two players that could have possibly been Sportinng KC players, but it looks like both will not be now.
First, Franklin Salas. He appeared in Saturday's preseason game against Columbus, but did not appear in today's inter-squad scrimmage. And with that the rumors started to flying about what was going on with Salas. Vermes confirmed that Salas was gone during his press conference today. By the sound of what Vermes was saying, Salas did not fit with Vermes scheme and was just not understanding exactly how Vermes wanted him to play it seems. It's a bit disappointing in one regard cause Salas is/was an exciting player, but had recently been suffering some injury issues. But with all the competition at forward, Salas would have had to have been impressive to come in.
The other player, Rui Miguel, was mentioned earlier today as having been a target, but instead seems set to be on his way to Russia instead. During the press conference, when asked about Miguel, Vermes said that KC had gotten a deal in place with the player, but that it was the team added in an extra fee at the end that the Wizards were not willing to accept. This seems to continue the trend that the Wizards have suffered from in their pursuit of an attacking midfielder, as each time it seems they're close they're hit with a hidden fee that in the end they'll not want to pay. As I said originally and on the podcast that Thad and I recorded today, it's disappointing, mainly because I've been impressed with the highlights that I've seen of him online.
First, Franklin Salas. He appeared in Saturday's preseason game against Columbus, but did not appear in today's inter-squad scrimmage. And with that the rumors started to flying about what was going on with Salas. Vermes confirmed that Salas was gone during his press conference today. By the sound of what Vermes was saying, Salas did not fit with Vermes scheme and was just not understanding exactly how Vermes wanted him to play it seems. It's a bit disappointing in one regard cause Salas is/was an exciting player, but had recently been suffering some injury issues. But with all the competition at forward, Salas would have had to have been impressive to come in.
The other player, Rui Miguel, was mentioned earlier today as having been a target, but instead seems set to be on his way to Russia instead. During the press conference, when asked about Miguel, Vermes said that KC had gotten a deal in place with the player, but that it was the team added in an extra fee at the end that the Wizards were not willing to accept. This seems to continue the trend that the Wizards have suffered from in their pursuit of an attacking midfielder, as each time it seems they're close they're hit with a hidden fee that in the end they'll not want to pay. As I said originally and on the podcast that Thad and I recorded today, it's disappointing, mainly because I've been impressed with the highlights that I've seen of him online.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wizards to Announce First Homegrown Player Tomorrow
Tomorrow the Wizards will announce their very first homegrown player from the Wizards Juniors team. Robb Heineman mentioned over the weekend that they hoped to announce their first homegrown player this week and tomorrow it's going to happen. The Wizards join a growing list of MLS teams that have promoted homegrown players to the senior team.
The question still remains on who is the signing going to be. One would assume it's one of Jon Kempin, Konner Knoll, or Jordan Rideout, the three players that trained with the first team earlier this season. Kempin is a goalkeeper that has been in camp with US youth teams. Rideout is the son of former Wizards forward Paul Rideout. Knoll is the one I know the least about, he's a defender from the Wichita area. It's hard to know exactly who it will be. Part of me leans towards Kempin or Rideout, but another part of me thinks it'll be Knoll in a surprise. We'll see what happens tomorrow.
The question still remains on who is the signing going to be. One would assume it's one of Jon Kempin, Konner Knoll, or Jordan Rideout, the three players that trained with the first team earlier this season. Kempin is a goalkeeper that has been in camp with US youth teams. Rideout is the son of former Wizards forward Paul Rideout. Knoll is the one I know the least about, he's a defender from the Wichita area. It's hard to know exactly who it will be. Part of me leans towards Kempin or Rideout, but another part of me thinks it'll be Knoll in a surprise. We'll see what happens tomorrow.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Wizards Naming Head Coach Tomorrow
Tomorrow at the Wizards Swope Park Training Complex, the team will announce their new head coach in a press conference at 2:30 pm. There's been speculation on who the new head coach would be since the end of the season. With many of the other favorites only recently finishing their season (Preki), or still being in the playoffs (Spencer, Hamlett, Sarachan), I think the announcement is not going to be very surprising. I suspect that the team will be announcing that Peter Vermes will be taking over as the full time head coach.
Under Vermes, the Wizards finished the season 3-6-3. And while the record didn't show it, the play on the field did improve under Vermes.
The Star has now confirmed my assumption, as they're reporting that it will in fact be Vermes that will be named head coach tomorrow.
Overall I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this move. I like that the team is making the move before the expansion draft, but would have liked to have seen KC go in a different direction. Vermes has been part of the organization that has been a borderline playoff team for 3 years now. There's been really no movement from the team and bringing in some new blood I thought might help to start that process.
Under Vermes, the Wizards finished the season 3-6-3. And while the record didn't show it, the play on the field did improve under Vermes.
The Star has now confirmed my assumption, as they're reporting that it will in fact be Vermes that will be named head coach tomorrow.
Overall I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this move. I like that the team is making the move before the expansion draft, but would have liked to have seen KC go in a different direction. Vermes has been part of the organization that has been a borderline playoff team for 3 years now. There's been really no movement from the team and bringing in some new blood I thought might help to start that process.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
ZOLTAN!
As you most likely know by now, Zoltán Hercegfalvi was officially unveiled today by the Wizards at the weekly press conference.
photo courtesy of Thad Bell
photo courtesy of Thad Bell
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Dive-Gate Continues
The fall out from the Wizards departure from the US Open Cup continues. Today at the Wizards weekly press conference, Coach Onalfo made his feelings about the game and the deciding penalty known. Onalfo pulled no punches in the discussion either calling Seattle striker, Fredy Montero a punk and said "it was devastating to get the penalty call in the 90th minute. It was a blatant dive. For me as a MLS coach, it was the worst I've felt in terms of being cheated of a game."
The quotes have been picked up over in the Northwest and not surprisingly, Sounders fans are taking exception to the comments. The debate picked up with the release yesterday of this photo of the penalty call by Rick Morrison. Thad over at The Back Post gave a good break down of this photo and what it could and couldn't mean in his write up on the game, giving his break down from the perspective of someone who has taken many action photos. I have to agree with his comment that Montero was already on his way down by the time the contact was initiated. In the photo linked above, Montero has already gone airborne to do his swan dive. If he was running his trailing leg would have been moving forward in a running motion.
There's also the question of whether or not Montero would have actually reached the ball anyways before it went out of bounds. Watching the highlights again I don't see how, even at full speed, Montero was going to reach that ball before it went out of bounds.
In the end, the play and Onalfo's comments should serve as bulletin board material for both sides when the two teams meet in Kansas City in October. As Onalfo said, "I was furious after the game and I told the guys to use that energy or anger down the road." This result (along with the first game against Seattle earlier this season) will only add to the competitiveness on the field in October.
The quotes have been picked up over in the Northwest and not surprisingly, Sounders fans are taking exception to the comments. The debate picked up with the release yesterday of this photo of the penalty call by Rick Morrison. Thad over at The Back Post gave a good break down of this photo and what it could and couldn't mean in his write up on the game, giving his break down from the perspective of someone who has taken many action photos. I have to agree with his comment that Montero was already on his way down by the time the contact was initiated. In the photo linked above, Montero has already gone airborne to do his swan dive. If he was running his trailing leg would have been moving forward in a running motion.
There's also the question of whether or not Montero would have actually reached the ball anyways before it went out of bounds. Watching the highlights again I don't see how, even at full speed, Montero was going to reach that ball before it went out of bounds.
In the end, the play and Onalfo's comments should serve as bulletin board material for both sides when the two teams meet in Kansas City in October. As Onalfo said, "I was furious after the game and I told the guys to use that energy or anger down the road." This result (along with the first game against Seattle earlier this season) will only add to the competitiveness on the field in October.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Weekly Press Conference News
Today was the weekly press conference for the Wizards at their Swope Park training facility. During the press conference, Coach Onalfo talked about the game against New England and the up coming SuperLiga games as well. Coach is planning to use his entire depth in the tournament and the team is definitely taking it seriously. In regards to the rumors of Atlas bringing a youth team, he waived it off saying that that could make the game more dangerous as those youth players will be looking to make an impact and work for first team inclusion.
While he did mention that the Wizards would use their depth, he did say that the team will likely be without a few players. First, midfielder, Davy Arnaud has apparently been called up by the United States for the upcoming Gold Cup. Arnaud's been considered one of the more underrated players in the league. He's been capped twice for the United States in his career and will now get a chance to earn a few more call ups for the US.
Roger Espinoza is also probably going to likely be missing as well, because as mentioned previously, he was on the Honduran preliminary roster for the tournament. With Espinoza's call ups, but not appearances for Honduras in World Cup qualifying, it seems likely that Espinoza will earn the call up and likely get a few matches for Honduras in the tournament.
Also missing for the Wizards, will be Kevin Souter, who Onalfo mentioned has had a sports hernia surgery and will miss some time as that heals up. This is a blow for Souter, who was likely to get plenty of time over the next two weeks, with SuperLiga and Open Cup games coming up.
Jack Jewsbury was the player for this week's press conference, with the Atlas game in St. Louis, where Jewsbury went to school. Jewsbury's first question today came from teammate Kurt Morsink, who asked Jewsbury about his return to St. Louis and the stadium where he played his college career, which was good for a laugh.
While he did mention that the Wizards would use their depth, he did say that the team will likely be without a few players. First, midfielder, Davy Arnaud has apparently been called up by the United States for the upcoming Gold Cup. Arnaud's been considered one of the more underrated players in the league. He's been capped twice for the United States in his career and will now get a chance to earn a few more call ups for the US.
Roger Espinoza is also probably going to likely be missing as well, because as mentioned previously, he was on the Honduran preliminary roster for the tournament. With Espinoza's call ups, but not appearances for Honduras in World Cup qualifying, it seems likely that Espinoza will earn the call up and likely get a few matches for Honduras in the tournament.
Also missing for the Wizards, will be Kevin Souter, who Onalfo mentioned has had a sports hernia surgery and will miss some time as that heals up. This is a blow for Souter, who was likely to get plenty of time over the next two weeks, with SuperLiga and Open Cup games coming up.
Jack Jewsbury was the player for this week's press conference, with the Atlas game in St. Louis, where Jewsbury went to school. Jewsbury's first question today came from teammate Kurt Morsink, who asked Jewsbury about his return to St. Louis and the stadium where he played his college career, which was good for a laugh.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Weekly Press Conference
Today the Wizards held their weekly press conference out at the Swope Park training facility in preparation for Sunday's game against the San Jose Earthquakes. Along with Coach Onalfo this week was Wizards goalkeeper and multiple MLS record holder, Kevin Hartman. Onalfo spent some time talking about the injury issues that the team has been struggling with. The good news, is that Davy Arnaud is back practicing with the team after missing last week. Onalfo said the fact that Arnaud missed last week's game was a surprise to him. Today at practice he was practicing with the first team which is a good sign going into Sunday that Arnaud could be back on the field, as he was sorely missed in Colorado.
The bad news coming out of the press conference today was the fact that Michael Harrington and Graham Zusi did not practice today and it appears likely that neither will be able to play in the game on Sunday. The midfield should survive without Zusi, because along with the returning Arnaud you also have Santiago Hirsig who looks set to get his first start. The defensive slot left by Harrington could be more worrying. It would appear that rookie Matt Besler will also get his first MLS start, filling in for Harrington. It will be interesting to see how the team plays on Sunday as the injuries continue to be an issue.
The bad news coming out of the press conference today was the fact that Michael Harrington and Graham Zusi did not practice today and it appears likely that neither will be able to play in the game on Sunday. The midfield should survive without Zusi, because along with the returning Arnaud you also have Santiago Hirsig who looks set to get his first start. The defensive slot left by Harrington could be more worrying. It would appear that rookie Matt Besler will also get his first MLS start, filling in for Harrington. It will be interesting to see how the team plays on Sunday as the injuries continue to be an issue.
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