SKC Update

I know I haven’t been around much but the new job is keeping me way busier than expected. But, I am hoping that I have things in place to at least get back here once a week. Here is some highlights from things that have happened recently in the world of SKC.

• SKC hit the transfer market and picked up a couple of foreign players to make an impact on the team this season and potentially in the future.
• Aurelien Collin fractures a couple of vertebrae and will miss 4 to 6 weeks.
• SKC remains unbeaten in the last 12 MLS games, and is moving up the standings.  All while continuing the home stand with 8 more home games in a row.

Vermes has been very active in the foreign transfer market this year and some of these signings have made some serious contributions to the product on the field.  Players like Aurelien Collin, Omar Bravo, and Julio Cesar have been solid starters for SKC and have produced on the field.  Now, Vermes and SKC are making another splash before the summer transfer window closes with the additions of Jeferson and Daneil Cyrus.  Both players are here on a loan basis but it is believed that both players have options in the loan documents that SKC could make these additions permanent.  Here is some information about these players.

Jeferson

Full Name: Jeferson Rodrigues Goncalves
Age: 27
Position: Center Midfielder
Country: Brazil

Jeferson has shown signs of creativity and attacking prowess in his career. In 2008 while playing for Santo Andre he scored 13 goals in 22 appearances while helping Santo Andre win promotion to Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. But since then he has had a hard time staying on the field due to injuries. In 2010 he was loaned to Avai and saw limited playing time. But in the 8 games he played for Avai he scored 4 goals.

Jeferson’s impact at SKC could be very good. Adding a true attacking midfielder that can score goals while being able to make the final pass to put others in scoring positions could open up the SKC attack. SKC has had a hard time finding goals consistently but Jeferson might be able to help with this. The major concerns that this signing brings up are worth noting. Jeferson does have a history of injuries so while he is a threat while on the field physical play in the MLS could neutralize that threat. Also, Vermes already plays with 3 forwards and requires the 2 outside forwards to track back a lot to play defense. Jeferson isn’t known for his defense and could end up being a liability in the middle of the field when SKC is defending. Particularly in quick counter attacks against teams with strong defensive midfielders.

Daneil Cyrus

Full Name: Daneil Cyrus
Age: 20
Position: Center Defender
Country: Trinidad & Tobago

There isn’t a lot of information on Cyrus out there being that he is only 20 years old and he has only played in Trinidad & Tobago Pro League. Cyrus might be a little raw as far as experience goes but he does have skills and a lot of potential. Cyrus has made 13 appearances for the Trinidad & Tobago National Team since May 2010 as well as playing in all 3 games during the 2007 FIFA U-17 and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cups.

Collin could miss 4-6 weeks

This is some very big news but not unexpected for people that watch the SKC vs Toronto FC match. Aurelien Collin suffered a nondisplaced fracture of the transverse process of the L2 and L3 vertebrae. Basically it is a fracture of the boney protrusions on either side of those vertebrae in his lower back. We all know of the troubles of the SKC defense during the first several games giving up 17 goals in the first 7 MLS games (2.43 goals allowed per game). At this point Collin started to become a consistent starter and had solidified a defense that from that point on had only given up 10 goals in 13 games (0.77 goals allowed per game) including 4 shutouts and only 1 multi-goal game. Now Vermes will have the choice of putting Cesar back in the Center Back role or trying out the young new signing Daneil Cyrus. In my opinion Cesar will be moved back into the the defense and having Sassano team up with either Zusi or Diop as the 2 holding midfielders. With all that said, from the little bit that I have seen of Cyrus during the Newcastle and Toronto FC games he looks to have a lot of potential. Even if he isn’t ready to start in the MLS by this weekend I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cyrus get a start in central defense before Collin is able to make a full recovery.

SKC unbeaten in last 12 MLS games and is currently in 4th place

SKC has climbed the ranks in the Eastern Conference during this unbeaten streak. During that unbeaten streak SKC has 5 wins and 7 draws and have increased their overall record to 6-6-8 for 26 points. They are 4 points back of NY Red Bulls for 3rd place, but SKC has 3 games in hand. This puts SKC in a very good position considering their next 8 games will be played in the friendly confines of Sporting Park. Here are some stats that show the big changes that were made during this unbeaten streak.

First 8 games
Record: 1-6-1
Goals For: 11 (1.375 per game)
Goals Against: 18 (2.25 per game)
Red Cards: 3 (0.375 per game)

Last 12 games
Record: 5-0-7
Goals For: 17 (1.42 per game)
Goals Against: 9 (0.75 per game)
Red Cards: 2 (0.17 per game)

As you can see average of ejections was more than cut in half and the goals allowed per game was reduced by a third. It is quite obvious that if SKC and contain opposing offenses and finish games with 11 men on the field they can actually produce.

Now it is time to get ready for the game against New England Saturday Night. Lets keep the steak alive!

Category: Team News