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Laventure a goner

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For those of you who missed it in my earlier match report, the Red Bulls have parted ways with forward Jerrod Laventure. The Haitian national team pool player got caught up in the numbers game at forward and has been let go.

Laventure will long be remembered for his insane 35-yard goal against the Columbus Crew in 2006, but that was pretty much the lone highlight for the former Seton Hall standout during his two seasons with the club.

So why did the Red Bulls pass on re-signing Laventure? The pre-season efforts of Chris Megaloudis and Ricky Schramm dropped Laventure in the pecking order and the team didn’t see him as a worthy of a senior roster spot, not after a less than stellar few weeks of pre-season.

Laventure went out in style. His one-man hack-athon against the Red Bull Salzburg reserves was a thing of beauty as he did his best to exact revange for Dane Richards.

Comments

  1. Hey Dan,

    I would agree partially in the case of Ricky & Chris but the odds are that they wont turn out to do much considering the depth of talent – As for Jerrod he played 2 years (and 1 year were he was a trialist) and only saw 70 minutes all together of playing time in the MLS, that statistically is pretty bad – Once it cost the club a senior slot and atleast an extra 23,000 dollars to keep him, the club must of figuredwell this player is not going to make an impact let’s use this money towards the reserve players (which financially works out becuase you can see there production on an everyday bases) – Flat out to be honest, Jerrod is just not good enough

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  2. Philip,

    You can’t possibly know the outcome of two players (Schramm and Megaoulidis)when they turn 25. They may prove successful, they may go bust before 25. RBNY has cut other players in similiar situations who have had less time then Laventure. Secondly, the costs (salaries) of all the players discussed, are relatively small with regard to the salary cap. I think he was kept because he did well in the reserve matches. He may or may not be picked up by another MLS team. Others with superior skills have fared worse.

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  3. The reason why Jerrod Laventure lasted as long as he did in the league was a few factors.First, off he came into the league as a a trialist in 2005 then signed as devlopmental player which by MLS Rules everyteam has to fill 7 developmental slots, he was worth initially 11,800 dollar salary in 2006 then in 2007 he again was paid as a developmental player at 12,900. However, came 2008 he now turns 25 years old which by MLS rules a player that is over the 24 year old age thresh hold cannot be considered a developmental player he has to be considered as a Senior Roster slot also meaning the player would have to be paid league minimum for that classification which i Believe is 31,800 dollars starting this year. He never made a big enough splash to be worthy of a Senior Slot position so therefore he was let go. They probably will end up signing Ricky Schramm or Cris Megaouldis solely for the simple fact they have to fill those developmental slots and your better off getting 2 players (Ricky & Chris) for the price of 1 which would of cost to have Jerrod and occupy a valuable slot on the roster. Bottom line Jerrod only stayed in the league for 2 years because it cost the team nothing to have him. Ultimately, he was never good enough to play in the league. The same situation will happen to Ricky Schramm and Chris Megaoulidis when they turn 25.

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  4. This is the nature of the beast in pro sports. Those that stay, at some time or another go. Nobody, not even coaches are immune from being “cut” (fired). I feel many fine players in this organization never really got the chance to prove themselves. Those that did after being cut, went on to win championships with other MLS clubs. I think Jarrod will find another team, he lasted this long.

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  5. I think this has less to do with the cap than the depth NY has at forward.

    I think, though, that NY is going the same route as LA in they are going to pay 40% of their cap for 2 players (Reyna / Angel) and then act surprises when they have to cut players they want.

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  6. I just hope JCO comes back from South America with a 2-3 good players in tow…. he has the money to spend.

    Paging JCO Paging JCO – are you home yet?

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  7. Frank Yallop, please proceed to the nearest Red Bull Courtesy telephone. Frank Yallop, please pick up the Red Bull Courtesy telephone. thank you.

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  8. Ives, let us know where he catches on. I think he’d a pretty solid player in the USL.

    At his age, he’d be better off being ‘the man’ on a USL squad for a few years than a 4th striker on an MLS roster.

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  9. One-man hack-a-thon to avenge a fallen comrade? That’s the sign of a warrior and a team player. Somebody ought to sign him up.

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  10. Don’t worry Jerrod, the way things go with RBNY/Metro you will probably become an amazing player for someone else now…

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  11. I believe that Laventure is a Senior Roster casualty, not a salary cap one. Teams are allowed only 18 senior players, instead of “who cares how many as long as you can fit them under the cap”.

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  12. I agree NYFC, and further, young guys like this are the lifeblood of a good soccer team. Yes, they’re raw, but they provide energy and can also spark a stale team. I hate losing younger guys, though the Red Bulls have some decent youth in place. Also, Laventure seemed like a decent depth guy. So it goes in MLS and Red Bull land.

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  13. You know I’d just like to add how disgusted I am with this salary cap. If it wasn’t for this incredibly low cap, the moves never would have been made to unload Wynne, Dunivant, Doe or Laventure. It’s never the big name guys with huge contracts (Reyna) who suffer. It’s the young mid level guys trying to get a descent shot like Doe and Laventure. It’s terrible.

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  14. Well hopefully another team picks him up. I’d like to see him get a shot in the league. Doe too. Why isn’t LA or San Jose calling these guys?

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