James Vonder Haar

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@Kdog762 @smittycoach11 Losing Hartel hurts but nothing can dampen my optimism after Damet put out disaster of a roster in playoff position and the FO has proven their willingness to spend with Holse. Long-term, we’re more than fine.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@j_clem @firemandd If we get a reputation for allowing players to skip out on their contracts whenever they want that’ll hurt the club in the long run, too.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@chriskerber @stlCITYsc Hartel’s 30. By the time we’ve finished the rebuild and are ready to start contending for trophies, Hartel will no longer be the piece we need him to be. Move him on and start getting the next DP acclimated and playing in Damet’s system.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@smittycoach11 Diego didn’t do anything. Marcel Hartel is 30 years old now and will be 32 at the very earliest point at which this Damet-led rebuild could be in its championship window. Is he going to win us games 2-3 years from now? If the answer is no, move him and find someone who will.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@PexySidgeon @MattBakerSTL @stlCITYsc We can move him anytime, we’d just probably have to accept less money in the transfer fee. Worth it to get Cello for the last two open cup matches imho.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@MattBakerSTL @stlCITYsc To be fair, I think if you could push a button and make Hartel more like Holse (less ball progression, fewer assists, more goals) pressing that button would probably make us a better team, or at least fit immediate needs better.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@QueenCafard @ManagerTactical @PaulSpacey Yeah and it happens once every 150 years

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@ManagerTactical Pro/rel just doesn’t make business sense. You can have Messi, and all of our fancy stadiums and world-class training facilities, or you can have pro/rel. you cannot have both.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@mildbrokenbil @benno_nagel If you define being inclusive to queers and immigrants ‘political,’ then yes, it does.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@benno_nagel You’re welcome, but the Rainbow flags stay.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@AngryVorosM @JaseOfBase513 Real Salt Lake grows on you, like every time I hear it now I think ‘the king of Utah’ and giggle inwardly.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@markvalorian Now I know you’re arguing in bad faith. It is blindingly obvious to anyone passingly familiar with US sports that American franchises are worth more because they don’t have promotion and relegation.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@markvalorian Multiculturalism is central to MLS’ identity. I think it’s perfectly appropriate to have some euro style names and some American style names. And I think that in the long run, offering a fan experience that is neither euro nor American will attract the most fans.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@reformussoccer MLS is in a growth phase - they *should* be unprofitable while investing in infrastructure and growing the league. If they’re running a surplus they really should borrow some money and invest it in the league some more.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@notbarile @ProspectsUsmnt If you want to develop young players you have to play them over veterans that are better on the short term, but not the long term.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@soccerdatavizer STL at 11th?

[Soccer DataVizer @soccerdatavizer]

MLS Power Rankings for July 20, 2026:

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@MarkusSkid68618 @tombogert Lowen, Klauss, and Hartel all substantially outperformed their transfer and salary costs.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@sirinbaba55 @tombogert He’s actually twice the transfer value of any other player we’ve signed.

[James Vonder Haar @JamesHaar]

@MattBakerSTL @stlCITYsc Between Burki sitting out the opening match and is signing a backup keeper that would otherwise be superfluous, I think signs are strongly pointing to an upcoming Burki transfer.