Hot Stove: More Trialists

By: Dave Martinez | February 9th, 2009

As the season nears, more faces are being seen around camp, and some are making major noise.

Meet Lionel Saint – Preux. When we reported Osorio’s “scouting” mission for the Caribbean Cup, this was the player that caught his eye. 23 years old, and an attacking midfielder, Preux has been heralded as one of Haiti’s best domestic products, with a great touch and speed to burn.

Saint-Preux did himself a huge favor this past weekend, netting two unassisted goals in a high scoring, high fiasco 4-4 draw with Kansas City. Spotlight please?

On the other side is a Scottish defender with tons of upside. No, not Chris Innes (though I STILL want that signing!!!). Try younger.

Tom Parratt, an u-19 defender for the Scotland Nats, is probably best known for his smoking hot girlfriend, but that doesn’t take away from his ability to play (or does it? Ask the Lando haters.). Tom left his native Scotland at the age of 3 to move to the states with his family, and has since played or trialed with Birmingham City and Inverness in Scotland, becoming a starter in the latter league.

He was featured in the first half on the left hand side, with a backline that included Mike Petke paired with Goldthwaite, and Jerry Santil on the right.

From the trialists and the moves made thus far, I am looking forward to Osorios 2009 experiment. You have speed bursting at the seams, a defense that is average but capable of making major improvements through signings (thanks to alot of cap space), and most of all, I love the hunger. Mbuta, Kandji, Saint-Preux, and even Jorge Rojas, who looks stunningly thinner and in better shape, are showing a lot of hunger and heart this offseason. An in shape Rojas can better command the field if given the chance. Kandji believes he should be a starter, and is willing to prove that at all costs. Same goes for Mbuta. Dominic Oduro will get his first chance to truly shine up top as a starter, and that, in itself, has made him a hungrier, more threatening player.

I firmly believe in the old saying,”Competition Breeds Success.” If that is the case, MLS should aim their crosshairs straight at the Bulls.