Conway re-signs with the Bulls. Goalkeeper? Check.

By: Dave Martinez | January 11th, 2008

One of the major question marks this offseason, aside from improving our midfield, is the further solidification of our backlines. On far too many occassions, whether through defensive or mental lapses, soft goals found their way to the back of our nets. Can you put it all on Waterrues shoulders? Not at all. But he sure didn’t help out situations.

Can Conway act as a field general for the Bulls backline? That is the question we are all going to find the answer to soon enough. After an immense vote of confidence from newly appointed sporting director Jeff Agoos, and a new contract to boot, Conway faces, for the first time in his 30 years, the prospect of leading a professional team through the season as a starter. Will he be up to it?

The consensus seems mixed, but leaning towards the negative. Many believe that Conway, a career back up goalkeeper, has been relegated to that level for a reason - he just isnt major league good. His distribution has been criticized, lacking creativity and precision. His hands are yet another story, as most wanted to play gene splicer, combining Conways legs with Waterrues’s hands. He was that bad And, of course, the ever popular “he can’t win the big game” observation, as evidenced by his poor, shaky playoff performance, as well as mental gaffes like the infamous Mendes Backpass scenario.

But others, being the Metro by blood fans that they are, root for the underdog at any cost. And that Conway is.

I think that Conway is motivated by the naysaying. We saw it in the chances he did get to play last season. But it is the eventual playoff performance that will quiet all the critics. Though this is a New York Yankees mentallity for our small club, making the postseason is only the beginning of the test - advancing and winning is the true challenge.

Osorio is putting a big gamble - taking a team to the playoffs and beyond, with a career back up. Will the gamble be worth the spoils?