What did our beloved Claret and Cobalt do the evening of March, 10th? They did what they trained for. They did what they most wanted. They did what they are capable of. They “came to score” (The Aggrolites).
—El Güero,
Estridge signs, de Almeida released in full back shuffle
Estridge signs, de Almeida released in full back shuffle
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Full back Chris Estridge, after having been on trial essentially since his draft-and-release by Vancouver, has signed with the club. Estridge, an attack-minded full back, was drafted as the second of Vancouver's two SuperDraft picks.
The signing of Estridge signaled the death knells for the still-early Real Salt Lake career of Diogo de Almeida, who was seen largely as a player for the future. The Brazilian-born de Almeida was highly rated during his college career after coming through the Sao Paulo youth system, but given the stringent squad requirements in Major League Soccer, was released from the club.
Estridge, who can reportedly also play in the midfield, seems to have come to Real Salt Lake as a utility player, and while he isn't likely to pick up many minutes in his first season, could provide much-needed cover for left back Chris Wingert.
Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said of Estridge, "Chris can play with both feet on either side of the field and he brings a lot to the table. We needed a bit more depth defensively and I really wanted to make sure that we got a defender out of this draft. I'm very pleased that we got Chris." Whether Estridge hadn't done enough to win a full-time contract at Vancouver or whether they're perpetually mismanaged, Real Salt Lake does seem to be the real winner. It is also a bit relieving that he can play with both of his feet, as I doubt very much that he'd be quick if he had only one.
While the squad size remains the same, the squad change does mean that Real Salt Lake has a spare international slot, though with a self-imposed squad size of 26, Garth Lagerwey and Jason Kreis aren't likely to be near another signing.
