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What does your team need ahead of the April MLS transfer deadline?

RedBullsBrass (ISIphotos)

Photo by ISIphotos.com

The first transfer window of the 2012 MLS season closes on Sunday, and some teams could use the next couple of days to fine tune their rosters for the next couple of months before they are able to hit the international market again at the end of June.

The New York Red Bulls, for one, have continued to talk about adding another forward prior to the closing of the window, even though Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper currently form the most lethal partnership in the league. The Red Bulls are also a bit thin at center back, with Wilman Conde's injury situation hampering the club's depth at the position.

With Cory Gibbs going down for the Chicago Fire, and the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC still searching for a consistent answer in the back, those clubs could also be in the mix for centerback help.

Even though Chicago will welcome German international Arne Friedrich to the lineup, he hasn't played first-team minutes in months and might need some time to get acclimated. Los Angeles got Chivas castaway David Junior Lopes, and Toronto FC will welcome back Torsten Frings and Adrian Cann from injury soon to provide cover, but that does not necessarily mean those holes are filled.

A few teams are also thin at goalkeeper, with Toronto and Columbus each having their projected No. 1 keepers go down with long-term injuries and untested Homegrown Players currently occupying the respective backup roles for both clubs. Portland is another team with a minor goalkeeping crisis, as both of the club's backups are currently injured, and league pool goalkeeper Brian Rowe is slated to be the backup this weekend.

Those are just some of the personnel issues plaguing some teams around MLS a little more than a month into the new season. Although teams will likely use the summer window to make a big splash to address those needs after the European club seasons come to a close, there remains time to take action for the immediate, pressing needs.

What do you think your team needs to do to shore up the roster prior to Sunday's deadline?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Columbus has lots of needs due to player churning and injuries. James, Hesmer and Balchan are out long term, and Duka got reinjured after playing 1/3 of a game, plus they had to replace Mendoza, Rogers and Ekpo from last year’s challenged offense. Milosovic and Vargas are good additions but other than that the Crew are depending on too many young guys just out of college. Not only do they have to construct a new midfield again but injuries and lack of mental toughness have done in the defense that carried them through a similar problem last year. Luckily they played some beatable teams and luck smiled on them, but they did not compete with NY and Colorado. They claim to be seeking a DP but never get it together.

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  2. United could use a Left Back and a forward that can score consistently. If 2 of United’s DPs (Boskovic and Sahili) get into form, United could be much, much better than people realize.

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  3. LA’s hole is obvoious at CB, but they could also use a 3rd striker in the rotation. Arena is trying the same thing there…Barrett, Cristman, and Noonan….pathetic

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