Bxl Boy Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 All is in the title : Ali Ngon will play the end of the season for Montreal, he began it with Toronto ___________________________ http://www.impactsoccer.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis_Rancagua Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 As per my last posting on the other forum, I am really convinced that Ali Ngon is definitely going to Europe after the A-League season is over. I got this gut feeling that already several Swedish, Norwegian, Belgium, German, etc.. clubs are already keeping their eyes wide open on him. I am even willing to include Sita-Taty Matondo on the European list. His one year with the Montreal Impact has given Matondo the strong confidence he needs to develop his skills for Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 And as per my last message on that board, you'll know that you have no idea how Taty is playing. He's progressing nicely, but is still very rough around the edges. Allez l'Impact! Allez les Rouges! Allons Ultras! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 Well, you know the Lynx bunch aren't going to be too pleased. Thought Ali was starting to net a few. At least he'll get a chance at the post season. Any more details? "Minority of one" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bxl Boy Posted August 3, 2003 Author Share Posted August 3, 2003 Do you have some names of the teams (especially the Belgian ones) that are keeping their eyes wide open on him ? ___________________________ http://www.impactsoccer.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadim Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 as A Montreal fan I'm extreamly glad that Ali has come back home, But i still don't understand why. Why would Toronto even consider selling him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Nadim as A Montreal fan I'm extreamly glad that Ali has come back home, But i still don't understand why. Why would Toronto even consider selling him? Quite simple, actually. Ali had a one tear contract. He hit his stride. He was gonna sign somewhere else for free anyways after the season (and probably Montréal). Lynx fell out of playoff race. Impact says, "you're losing him anyways, might as well get something"... Allez l'Impact! Allez les Rouges! Allons Ultras! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Nadim as A Montreal fan I'm extreamly glad that Ali has come back home, But i still don't understand why. Why would Toronto even consider selling him? Quite simple, actually. Ali had a one tear contract. He hit his stride. He was gonna sign somewhere else for free anyways after the season (and probably Montréal). Lynx fell out of playoff race. Impact says, "you're losing him anyways, might as well get something"... Allez l'Impact! Allez les Rouges! Allons Ultras! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Daniel Quite simple, actually. Ali had a one tear contract. He hit his stride. He was gonna sign somewhere else for free anyways after the season (and probably Montréal). Lynx fell out of playoff race. Impact says, "you're losing him anyways, might as well get something"... Allez l'Impact! Allez les Rouges! Allons Ultras! All Toronto was basically doing is dumping his salary, and spinning it as a positive move. What kind of money will Toronto receive for Ngon anyway? Not an astronomical figure anyway. If a draft pick is included they are worth nothing and mean nothing. A couple of things to consider. Where else in the world does a team sell their best player to their rivals? It doesn't matter that the two teams don't play each other again or that Toronto is out of the playoffd. Also what is the team telling their fans? We are out of the playoffs so we don't care if we win or lose the remaining games? We don't care if you guys don't get full value for your ticket price, we've sold our top player and too bad for you? "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Keay Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 From what I've heard, the Lynx will get much more than a bag of balls, a pair of shoes, draft picks, etc. We just wont find out until after the season what exactly they'll get. Seems like a shrewd bit of dealing from Peter, especially considering Ngon is just a rent-a-player for the Impact. "Half of what I say is bull****, the other half are the most important things you will ever hear." Nicky Wire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Ryan Keay From what I've heard, the Lynx will get much more than a bag of balls, a pair of shoes, draft picks, etc. We just wont find out until after the season what exactly they'll get. Seems like a shrewd bit of dealing from Peter, especially considering Ngon is just a rent-a-player for the Impact. "Half of what I say is bull****, the other half are the most important things you will ever hear." Nicky Wire Well just what will they get? All I can think of is money because draft picks are useless, and since most players are on seasonal contracts, they can't promise a player to the Lynx. What are the Impact going to do sign a player just to trade him to the Lynx? Rent a players are a direct result of only 8 teams making the playoffs this season and the fact that the trade deadline is just 3 weeks before the end of the regular season. The league need to move the deadline a couple of weeks earlier. "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 quote:Originally posted by KrammerheadWhere else in the world does a team sell their best player to their rivals? No offense Krammerhead, but I can think of a few recent examples (Figo from Barça to Madrid, Barmby from Everton to Liverpool, probably a bunch of Italian teams, even Pauleta from Bordeaux to PSG). Allez l'Impact! Allez les Rouges! Allons Ultras! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Yeah but who gives a fig about them? In the grand scheme of things this is rare. Besides those clubs probably received something useful for what they gave up. As of now I don't see Toronto with anything, but grand promises of future considerations. "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWay Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 I think the majority of the Ultras are happy with this move, and besides a few special exceptions, we pretty much constitute the "fans" (as in those who really follow the club, and not just go to a match a year on the guidance of a theme night or club outing. Why should the club sacrafice the future for a few games? This wasn't a cost-saving move. It was a move done to better the team. I also don't buy the whole "rival" angle. Any real rivalry between Toronto and Mtl is in the minds of the hardcore fans. There is no rivalry between the clubs to the point they won't deal with eachother. They look at eachother as divisional rivals (which isn't really relevant at this point in the season) but there is no history of dislike between the clubs to the point where they would avoid dealings with eachother. quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead All Toronto was basically doing is dumping his salary, and spinning it as a positive move. What kind of money will Toronto receive for Ngon anyway? Not an astronomical figure anyway. If a draft pick is included they are worth nothing and mean nothing. A couple of things to consider. Where else in the world does a team sell their best player to their rivals? It doesn't matter that the two teams don't play each other again or that Toronto is out of the playoffd. Also what is the team telling their fans? We are out of the playoffs so we don't care if we win or lose the remaining games? We don't care if you guys don't get full value for your ticket price, we've sold our top player and too bad for you? "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison "Winning is most important. Everything is a consequence of that." -Ayrton Senna (1960 - 1994) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Explain how keeping Ngon sacrafices the future of the Lynx? Now tell me how much cash are the Lynx going to get. Tell me why this deal is so great and why the Toronto Ultras are so happy with the move? "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
François Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Ngon played the last 20 minutes of the game last night plus OT and didn't show much. He needs to lose 30 pounds to be back in shape like he was when he first played in Montreal. WHO said that this guy should be playing in Europe? François www.impactsoccer.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Ali N'gone by Rob Lynch: http://a-league.com/features/2003/fea,2003,0022.shtml Ali N'Gone by Rob Lynch, a-league.com Match Reporter 06.August.2003 Toronto's Offensive Savior Finds New Home For Remainder Of Season in Montreal…but what does it mean for his former club? Milling around outside the entrance to Frontier Field after the August 1st match between Rochester and Toronto, something occurred to me almost immediately: the team are such sticklers to get back on the bus and head home as quickly as possible, why is everyone just standing around? I have traveled with the Lynx before to Soccertown USA, and while the mood on the bus is always lighthearted and full of tremendous camaraderie, schedules are always followed diligently (if a little wearily, especially post-game). Then, a series of mini-events began to take place that put the sluggishness into place. Many of the players began speaking in lower voices as I neared any of their pocketed huddles, and some of their faces showed obvious concern; eyes darted, players looked around almost lost, looking for someone or something. The general mood was less jovial than usual, the earlier 1-0 loss to the Rhinos notwithstanding. Over my shoulder, I heard someone in the Toronto squad say "it's true, he's going". I picked up pockets of broken conversation from all directions: "someone said they're sending people to come get him"…"Have you seen him? Where is he?"…"I don't believe this, this is the last thing we need right now"… As if by cue, Toronto's best offensive product of the 2003 season, Ali Ngon, emerged from the players entrance, loaded down with perhaps one bag too many for just a day trip across the border. His chiseled frame drooped under the weight of a massive equipment bag, bulging to capacity, and his normally pleasant face looked consumed with thoughts of elsewhere. Indeed, his dark eyes were attentive to the sprawling VIP parking lot before our loose assembly, and also simply looking for a place to put down his heavy cargo. Immediately surrounding me was three of the injured Lynx who made the trip regardless, Joe Mattacchione, Robbie Aristodemo, and Guiliano Oliviero. I looked at the trio of players one by one, and Oliviero gave the other two a nudge. "Are we going to let Rob in on Ali?" His eyes still on the approaching striker, Mattacchione came clean: "this is it, he's traded to the Impact. They're coming to pick him up any minute now and bring him back to Montreal." By this point, it was common knowledge the Impact's go-to forward, Eduardo Sebrango, had sustained an injury which could leave him sidelined for the remainder of the season, and this had disastrous potential repercussions for the most advantageous playoff position. Ngon was becoming, and had just become, the already powerful club's insurance policy on not losing pace in the 'goals for' category. There had been rumors off and on about multi-club interest for most of the season about the Cameroon-born striker. Struggling with a first team slot (and a less than ideal striker's weight) most of last season with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, he was unceremoniously released midway and the Lynx greedily snatched him up. Coach/GM Peter Pinnizotto saw promise in the heavy but powerful forward, and looked to 2003 as his breakout season in the A-league. He was raw, but naturally skilled and young. Besides, with increasing interest growing across the Atlantic for Niki Budalic (another young striker hitting stride perhaps beyond expectation), it wouldn't be long before another striker's slot was opened up. Ngon was inked to play for Toronto on a one-year contract for the coming year, and his offseason was spent stripping off 30 pounds to reshape his barrel chest into something more sleek and practical. As he was introduced at the Media Day conference early this past spring, I hardly recognized him at first glance; his dreadlocks grown a little longer and waist impressively slimmed, he looked more fearsome, almost jaguar-like. The A-league, and most notably the Northeast Division's goalkeepers, would be seeing plenty of him. As a featured starting striker of the Lynx, Ngon would record 7 goals and 1 assist in the first two thirds of the 2003 campaign; ironically, many of those were scored against the Montreal Impact, and were game winners as well. Finding my way through the players to Coach Pinnizotto, I immediately asked the details of Ngon's imminent departure. A common practice used in many football nations and organizations, the Impact claimed Ngon for the remainder of the season with potential extension in 2004; in return the Lynx receive straight monetary compensation up front, with future considerations a distinct possibility as well. Pinnizotto simply regarded the exchange as a factor of business, players come and go, but there was slight lament to his stance as well. "He has grown well under me and with this team. The thing is, I don't even know if Ali is aware of how good he really is. He's so young, 22 or 23, he has such potential". After a brief pause, he said "I'll see you back in Toronto, I'm going to go say goodbye to him." While pleased with Ngon's fortune and opportunity, the general feeling on the team is perhaps less sentimental. Then again, maybe general sentiment for not only the player but the club as well is the prime motivating factor for much of the prevailing malaise. The bottom line is this: giving up a top striker when every single goal and winning result in a desperate and nearly impossible playoff race does not bode well for a post-season berth. While some of the Lynx roster reacted with quiet confusion, others were less than pleased. One senior member quipped, "the last time I checked, our season wasn't over, and the people that run the show have already given up on us. That's how it feels anyway." 48 hours later and back in Toronto, co-owner Bruno Hartrell approached the situation with more diplomacy and a different perspective. "Ali liked it very much here but he wasn't adverse to exploring other options in the league. At the end of this season, we no longer had any claim to him at all, and from a business and team perspective we felt this was the way to go. By moving him now, we were able to retain something back in return down the road, instead of letting him go for nothing, which could very well have happened. Also, he grew up in Montreal, he has strong ties there, speaks the language well, so there were a few outside factors at play as well." While this creates a myriad of problems here and now, it would be an understatement to say the Impact are capable of offering more than a couple of players in return the Toronto faithful would gladly welcome as one of their own. That said, the Lynx have to live in the present, with the greatest weapon in their frontline arsenal now wearing the fleur de lis a full province away. More pressure will obviously fall on the striking tandem of Ryan Lucas and Sebastian Barclay, which is a mixed but potentially decent proposition. Argentine Barclay is possessing of great speed and slick moves, especially on the flank in a set-up position, but with very little thus far in the way of finish. Big Lucas, on the other hand, has struggled to find the charging bull attack that made him a notoriously deadly poacher in 2002, but seems oddly adept at scoring clutch goals in the most difficult of circumstances. Regardless, both players' stats combined don't add up to Ngon's total. With their apparent lack of scoring depth, the Lynx will have to find a quick fix solution, and fast. Perhaps even more outraged than some of the Toronto players themselves, Rhinos head coach Pat Ercoli lambasted Pinnizotto and the Lynx organization for the move immediately following their clubs' match earlier that evening. Having just been made aware of the deal, Ercoli questioned Pinnizotto in the players' tunnel, allegedly furious about an already difficult proposition of topping the Impact for the Northeast Division #1 spot. "It's us who will have to face them in the playoffs, not you! WE have to play them! How could you send him there?!!" I briefly offered my best wishes to Ngon as his Montreal escorts arrived (headed by no less than their much-coveted coach, Bob Lilley); in his low, quasi-Quebec drawl, the striker thanked me quietly and got his gear together to depart. Never much for words, Ngon said brief one-on-one good-byes to his now former teammates and headed for his lift for the long ride 'home' to la belle province, imminent A-league glory a distinct possibility. "Who knows", said Pinnizotto, "maybe he'll be back with us again next season. We'll have to wait and see what happens." Regardless, the Toronto fans long-awaited return to a cup run looks a little more distant than it did before that warm night in Rochester, New York. "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWay Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 The difference is between keeping Ali for what is a lost cause this year and getting something back for next season. Re: the article. I'm glad to hear the players are upset. I'd be concerned if they wern't. Being in the first hand position they are in they should always feel there is a shot. However, speaking from a slightly more objective point of view, with our current standing, and our terrible injury problems, it just doesn't make sense to sacrafice a better team for next year for this years playoff run. Then again, maybe constant dissapointment as a Lynx fan has just clouded my vision and I'm not giving the team enough credit. "Winning is most important. Everything is a consequence of that." -Ayrton Senna (1960 - 1994) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 First off are you guys mathematically eliminated yet? Secondly you talk as if you know what is going to happen next season. You seem to think that Montreal is sending you a couple of players next year. Since most players are on one year contracts around the league (as was Ngon) is Montreal supposed to sign a couple of players solely for the purpose od trading to Toronto? That won't sit well with the players. "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWay Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Do you know the details of Impact player's contracts? Can you say for sure that the Impact are not in a position to compensate us well and send us a good player? From what I've heard, that possibility is very much real. I also trust that the Lynx would not have made this move without being confident of getting something good back. And ofcourse I know the team is not mathamatically eliminated. We are, however, mathamatically hanging on for our playoff lives. We would need to be incredibly lucky to make the playoffs. Wit a full squad I would not be optimistic. But we are missing Robbie for the year, Oliviero is hurt, Veenhof is not 100%, Joey is hurt.. I mean come on, we can barely field a full team most of the time, and you're trying to tell me I should have more faith in our ability to still make the playoffs.. "Winning is most important. Everything is a consequence of that." -Ayrton Senna (1960 - 1994) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Do you know the details of Impact player's contracts? C'mon this is the A-League, like I said most players sign one year deals, it's not worth it to sign longer deals. This isn't other leagues where players are under long contracts and go where their told. So like I said unless the Impact are going to sign a couple of players just to send them to Toronto then I'd be suprised if you get players in return. If I were an Impact player and I was under contract and was sent to Toronto to play on that crap of a field for a bush league organization I'd refuse. "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWay Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 I don't know the details, and yes, if I hadn't received any information then I would be skeptical. However, am confident that what I've been told is accurate and at the least there is potential to get a very good return. The point about players refusing is valid, but there are also players who may see moving to Toronto as chance to get more playing time. It worked for Ali. "Winning is most important. Everything is a consequence of that." -Ayrton Senna (1960 - 1994) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 quote:Originally posted by JayWay I don't know the details, and yes, if I hadn't received any information then I would be skeptical. However, am confident that what I've been told is accurate and at the least there is potential to get a very good return. The point about players refusing is valid, but there are also players who may see moving to Toronto as chance to get more playing time. It worked for Ali. "Winning is most important. Everything is a consequence of that." -Ayrton Senna (1960 - 1994) I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Ngon has gone to Montreal, anything to get the racist supported Rhinos knocked out of the playoffs. I'm just curious as to what this deal is, "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWay Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Yes, it is certainly a wait and see situation. I wonder if Ali will fit in well in Mtl. With Ali, he is good with the ball (not so much off the ball) and you really need to get the ball to his feet. Mtl is ultra-defensive and plays lots of long balls. I think he may go to waste there. I wonder if he will leave because of this and give the Lynx a chance to re-sign him. Why are the Rhino supporters racist? "Winning is most important. Everything is a consequence of that." -Ayrton Senna (1960 - 1994) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 During the Can-Am cup final between Montreal and Rochester, I happened to be listening to the game while on the A-League chat. Everytime Montreal scored another goal the Rochester fans (which was everybody except Thiago Martins dad and I) got worse and worse with their bigoted comments about the French Quebecers and Canada. Eventually I just had to log off, as I can't even repeat the comments that these Rochester "fans" were spewing. So since these are the vocal supporters of Rochester I am going to consider that all Rochester fans are the same. "As nothing in this life that I've been trying could equal or surpass the art of dying"-George Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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