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If Carlos Bocanegra is signed by Sporting, you heard it first from me. If it doesn't happen, which is much more likely, don't ridicule me - because this is based on hardly anything.
"VERY limited # of tix left for tomorrow's 7 PM match. #USMNT's Carlos Bocanegra (@bocaboca3) will be there. Will you?"Because I don't follow baseball, I had no idea why he was planning to be in Kansas City. Now I've found out that he's going to be in the celebrity All Star Game.
I'll be interested to see if Bocanegra makes a move to America during the summer transfer window. I would be extremely pleased if he ends up with Sporting KC. Honestly, Collin has been reckless lately. I am a fan of him, but he's been hurting more than helping. With Matt Besler healthy, I'm hoping Collin becomes more steady. Either way, I sure wouldn't mind to see the pairing of Besler and Bocanegra. With Carlos in the back four, Sporting's defense could easily be the best in the league. Keep in mind, Sporting would have to work through the allocation process to get Carlos - something that would involve some sort of trade.
Again, at this point, a move to SKC for Carlos Bocanegra is hardly justified at all. Would I be surprised if it happened? Not really. I can only hope.
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Think Bocanegra could ever end up playing in Sporting Blue? Would Bocanegra be a good addition to the team? Share any comments you have below. You may also laugh at me if you think this is ridiculous.
The comment I removed was a test, only a test. If it had been a real comment, this poster would've discussed the Bocanegra theory, which he will do now. I think it's plausible because:
ReplyDelete1. Robb Heineman, the real deal among modern sports owners/promoters, never misses an opportunity to surprise and take attention away from the so-called "big" Kansas City franchises, the Chiefs and Royals, both of which would be better liked by fans if Heineman and the rest of the gang owned them.
2. I've never read a word that mentions Bocanegra having any celebrity status in the U.S. outside of soccer. That would lead me to conclude he's in town for soccer, not baseball. That celebrity game appearance may be real, but it sounds more like a Heineman ruse than anything else.
3. On the field, Bocanegra would give Sporting a third option at center back. Besler is very steady, reliable and talented, all of which are traits you like to see in that position. Collin is the complete opposite -- unpredictable, sometimes uncontrolled, fearless, outlandish and entertaining. Those are qualities that blend well with Besler's responsible nature, but Collin's been going over the line on the field and has cost the team several PKs and accumulated cards. When he holds himself in check, he's effective with Besler. When he doesn't, he can be a liability.
4. Bocanegra is a very talented center back. Though not big by standards for the position, he's intelligent, good in the air and a good communicator. He's been the captain for the U.S. and, with Dempsey, is the team's leading header of the ball. We all know how Vermes likes that ... especially with Sporting's "wing it into the penalty area and hope for the best" offensive philosophy. Criticism of that style can wait for a future comment.
5. SKC's second liability on defense is Chance Myers. Chance is a good attacker and gives great effort, but truth be told quick, skillful wing players put a juke on him, get his to dive in and turn him around like a pretzel. When that happens, Chance drops back into the penalty area, which allows the winger to cross the ball unmolested (as Exhibit A, enter Brek Shea's cross that set up Dallas' final goal in a comeback win at Livestrong last year). Taking all this into account, it's obvious that Vermes likes Chance's attacking prowess and hustle. His combinations with Kamara on the right side have set up many goals and chances.
6. The solution to the Chance Myers dilemma would be to move him to right mid in Vermes' cherished 4-3-3. Should Bocanegra join SKC, he could fill Myers' spot at right back more than capably. He's played there effectively for the U.S., which, less face it, has had less depth in defense than Sporting. That would allow Bocanegra, Collin, Besler, Kamara, Sapong and the improving Bunbury to "crash the goals" on corners, which would be a nightmare for opponents and would only reinforce Vermes' philosophy of playing stylish, modern soccer in the first two-thirds and then reverting to 1970s English Division I football in the final third ("On a cross and a prayer").
7. You've already mentioned Rangers' dicey economic position in Scotland and Boke might like to flee and spend the final years of his career playing for one of the most solid franchises in MLS.
8. To conclude, this Bocanegra thing is speculative. But we can always hope. It might involve an allocation draft, a trade of International roster spots etc. etc., but Vermes has shown a real talent for pulling off those kinds of things.
9. All that said, let's hope Sporting can find a way past Houston, the only team I've encountered that makes me dislike the color orange.
Well, at least we can have our hope up for the next year. Bocanegra can come to KC and it will bring the difference in the defense.
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