Draft Recap: Does The Cure Have What It Takes?

The final selections have been made and the team is set. As the 2010 St. Louis Cure opens preaseason camp, there are reasons to be both optimistic and worried. The roster is certainly talent filled. But the most talented teams rarely win it all. With so many variables effecting performance (injuries, form, International callups, LUCK, etc.), many questions need to be asked. Here is a quick rundown of the Cure and the big questions facing the team.
1. Is Robbie Findley a fluke? He was exceptional last season, but can Findley score consistently for a second year in a row? Findley should get playing time; Yura Moyvisyan's transfer to Europe makes him Real Salt Lake's top gun. But will the pressure be too much for the young man? As a number 1 pick, Findley must provide 10 goals or better. Any less and the Cure may be doomed.
2. Which Edson Buddle will show up? When he's on, Buddle is electric. When he's off, he's useless. Will Buddle bounce back from his subpar 2009? Is he healthy? And with Landon Donovan and David Beckham missing significant portions of the year on International duty, just who will serve him the ball?
3. Will there be a Taylor sighting? Some would say the Cure's Twellman signing is pure lunacy. Others will say it is they key to their season. If he's healthy and produces, the Cure could contenders. If not, they may face relegation (I know BSL doesn't have relegation, but if Twellman and his mates don't score, they might not be asked back by the Commissioner).
4. Can Nyarko naild down a starting job? He has unlimited potential, but it won't mean a thing if he doesn't get meaningful minutes. Nyarko faces tough competition in an attempt to earn a starting role for the Chicago Fire. Brian McBride certainly has one spot locked; who will partner him up front? The arrival of fomer Premiership striker Collins John means Nyarko faces a stiff challenge.
5. Who is Emilio Renteria? After only starting 2 games last year (and doing very little in his limited playing time), no one knows exactly what the Cure has in Renteria. He is a Venezuelan International; if he duplicates the performance of the Crew's last Venezuelan (Alejandro Moreno), the Cure has found a late round star. If not, they have wasted a valuable draft pick.

Coming soon: the Midfield and the Keeper.