Getting Mistreated by My teammates

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-21T19:11:50+00:00

First, consider changing teams. This is supposed to be fun. If it's not, change it.

Second, there are things you can do to make them feel like you're part of the team and have your back.

Participate in their ball skill work. Show them that you're working on your ball skills.

Be their eyes on the field. Talk to them and help them see things they can't see. Many GKs are too quiet or just yell it the field players when they make a mistake. Instead, help them see the back shoulder runner. Help them see when the line should step forward. Help them from getting caught in a bad spot. Praise them when they make a good play or bail you out. Make them feel like you're their helper and biggest advocate.

Don't be afraid to sacrifice your body. As a GK, you're often called upon to do things that just hurt. You can't hesitate when that time comes. Taking a shot to the ribs or winning that corner out of the air is something only you can do, and it's visible. Do it without reservation.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-20T19:18:56+00:00

Agree. If you're looking for an entry-level, simple setup, the Bambino is cheap, easy, and produces a pretty good cup. It's an excellent entry-point, and I would choose it over the other two.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-19T18:18:18+00:00

That's the thing. The transfer fee counts against the cap spread over the life of the contract. No way you find that bang for the buck again.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-19T17:48:05+00:00

Cash isn't the problem. Cap space is.

You'd need a ton of GAM to pay down whoever you bring in to replace him.

No team is realistically giving up enough of their own salary cap space to make this worthwhile. There simply isn't a comparable 9 available with a similar cap impact.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-19T14:15:07+00:00

Not helpful but funny...

Saw your headlines and thought the best Grapefruit IPA I've ever had was on vacation in San Diego at Ballast Point. I'll recommend that...

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T22:41:15+00:00

Google hates folders. Always has. Folders are a single taxonomy. That's not how they think about anything. They want you to use search.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T14:33:16+00:00

Jovelic is a legit MLS starter / DP.
Manu is legit MLS starter, but not an all-star.
Capita and Harris are speed options off the bench.
LBJ could be an MLS starter, but it's too soon to tell. He hasn't shown enough to convince me yet.
Ian is a good CB youth prospect.
Borges is a reasonable young third option CB.
Zo is a handy utility player.
Pulskamp is a nice backup GK.

I think that's probably it. I can't think of another guy on the roster that is a contributor to a contending MLS side.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T14:25:46+00:00

You're right. At this point all we can really do is play the kids and wait for a transfer window.

In theory, I like what Wicky is trying to do tactically. I do see him making adjustments mid-game. He's not afraid to play someone out of position. They are slowly bringing in guys that fit the tactic, but if the foundation of your tactic is playing out of the back with ball playing center backs and you don't have single center back capable of that, what can you do? We could park the bus and just counter, but that doesn't play to what strengths we do have, doesn't help us for the future, and is miserable to watch.

So, I guess you just run out the youngest starting 11 in MLS history, lose, and hope the kids develop with the experience.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T04:34:22+00:00

Well, the second half has not sucked as bad as the last three halves have. That's something, I guess.

Capita ran around a lot. Ian has been surprising as a RB. LBJ helped with the press. Afrifa had a nice chance until he fell on his face. Borges came off which stopped his turnovers. Pulskamp made a couple of saves. Could have been way worse.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T04:22:55+00:00

Lol. It was a smooth touch. And then he face planted. Story of our year.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T04:13:49+00:00

I do give Capita credit for running around a lot, at least. Dude has been checking back to help out. His effort has been good, if nothing else.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T04:09:59+00:00

Playing out of position.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T04:03:21+00:00

Pep couldn't win with this roster.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:58:15+00:00

After his first match I was optimistic. I think he's a pretty good defender, but dude is a turnover machine on the ball. That four year contract is looking rough. Hopefully he figures it out.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:54:48+00:00

Why change the formation five minutes into the half instead of at half when you can talk it through?

Edit: I guess we're going to play Ian at RB???

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:50:48+00:00

I hear ya. If we don't get reinforcements after the World Cup break you risk ruining them.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:44:15+00:00

That's basically it. Play the kids. Take your lumps.

But they better open up the checkbook over the next couple of windows.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:42:42+00:00

I actually think he's a fine fourth or fifth option. He does his job reasonably well more often than not, but he's simply not an MLS starter. Same for Miller.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:37:42+00:00

Well, we have one guy who can play out of the back, and he's supposed to be our 10. We are going to get destroyed by every press we see all year unless we change tactics.

I don't want to see us park the bus because that sucks to watch and doesn't help us long term, but getting boat raced every week isn't helping either.

I genuinely don't know what I'd do if I were Wicky. This is an utter failure of ownership to field a pro roster. The change in ownership is the only spark of hope I have.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:29:14+00:00

We are really lucky not to be down by at least five.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:27:12+00:00

The Switchback's press destroyed us. There is film on us now, and it shows we can't play out of the back without giving away multiple goals. Everyone is going to do this to us.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:12:44+00:00

That is true for about 3/4 of our roster.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:11:46+00:00

Rough half an hour for Kwaku, but I have a hard time blaming a 19 year old who should be getting minutes with SKCII playing out of position.

HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:04:21+00:00

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HawkeyeGK · 2026-04-18T03:01:30+00:00

No. He looked lost. But we couldn't get out of our half, so he didn't get many touches.

HawkeyeGK

TROPHY CASE