07-01-2009, 01:46 AM | #251 |
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Wow, you wasted a lot of time on that.
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07-01-2009, 01:47 AM | #252 | |
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Apologies for the length of the previous post, although most of it is quotes from the article, so if you read that you don't really need to read that again.
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That team scored 5 goals more than any in the league and gave up 11 more. Blaming Beckham is idiotic. |
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07-01-2009, 01:49 AM | #253 |
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Copy-paste is my friend. And I was doing it while watching the Tivo'd post-rain delay ending to the Red Sox game (first loss from up 9 in over 20 years), so really, any distraction was welcome.
Last edited by BishopMVP : 07-01-2009 at 01:49 AM. |
07-01-2009, 01:53 AM | #254 | |
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Not blaming Beckham myself so much as the situation as a whole. Not really about what's on the pitch, but what's off of it. Sorry, but a team that has "no talent compared to MLS teams" doesn't lead the league in scoring, that just doesn't make sense. If you're talking defensive talent, definitely an issue there, although I think it's a situation that is improving, the defense has been a lot more consistent this year. The off the pitch stuff, though, come on, that's critical. You yourself say you have been on teams, well, how much did chemistry matter on those teams? That sounds like a mess, what happened last year, and the one at the center of it is Beckham and his camp. You can say that Beckham himself wasn't all that for it, I suppose, but just didn't stand up to his handlers (I can buy that, he always seemed to be a "handled" sorta guy), but you can't say he wasn't a key to it, or put the blame on Donovan, who didn't create the situation.
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
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07-01-2009, 01:54 AM | #255 | |
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Heh...understood. Wasn't a whole lotta fun catching the Angel game tonight either. Why for God's sake we keep throwing Saunders out there in Texas--where his ERA is over 6--I have no idea.
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07-01-2009, 02:37 AM | #256 | ||
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So we dealt with those things - captains who weren't leaders, "management" we hated that caused turmoil (the AD kicked off our best striker and had a policy where any yellow card meant an automatic one-game suspension) and yet we managed to confront a coach and get our input heard. We had cliques and players that wouldn't talk off the field - shit, one player A had sex with another player B's girlfriend in B's parents bed during a house party that B threw for us. I don't think not picking up a check compares to that awkwardness. So yes, Beckham doesn't come off well in the article, but he more or less seems completely passive and unsure of how to interact with/be a leader with that team off the pitch. I don't see how Donovan comes off any better constantly complaining about Beckham behind his back, rarely confronting him or management with his concerns. Especially when one of Donovan's main complaints is that Beckham wants to play in Europe - when Donovan made public his desire this winter for Bayern Munich to buy him. LD talks constantly about wanting the captain's armband, but he just tried to leave the team, and he shows no leadership qualities in that article. As the article makes abundantly clear, having the C isn't about being the best player. Last edited by BishopMVP : 07-01-2009 at 02:40 AM. |
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07-01-2009, 07:29 AM | #257 |
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I don't know much about all the politics being discussed, but I had a great time watching the game on Sunday with my two year old daughter. I jumped up several times during the game in excitement. My daughter clapped a lot and kept screaming "Go Royals!". Yeah, we need to work on sport recognition just a bit.
Hopefully the team builds on this effort. It was fun to see the U.S. playing for something big. |
07-01-2009, 08:56 AM | #258 |
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Regardless of the copy/pasting, I don't see how Donovan looks bad. Yes, he WAS disrespected by having his captaincy taken away like that. Yes, Beckham SHOULD have offered to pay the meal since he's making a shit-load more money than probably the entire rest of the team combined. Considering that it wasn't just Donovan who was pissy at Beckham's attitude (Chris Klein has never been considered a crybaby for one), it seems Donovan is speaking for the rest of the squad.
I can see where a text followed by a face-to-face attempt seems a bit silly, but from the face-to-face, it appears Beckham didn't want to talk about it and a text was the ONLY way he'd be able to confront it. I'm actually impressed that Donovan managed to hold his tongue this long. And I think it was quite clear that Donovan, while not having the authority to act as captain (since he wasn't) was basically the closest thing the team had to one.
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07-01-2009, 03:33 PM | #259 | |
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07-01-2009, 07:44 PM | #260 |
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Donovan was put into a no-win situation. Even thought he's arguably the best talent the US has ever produced, he's probably one of the most polarizing figure in American soccer. If he would have said anything, he would have ended up as the bad guy, no matter what. He went along with the program and is finally fed up and he's still the bad guy
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07-01-2009, 09:29 PM | #261 |
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I'd say, as of current (players like Adu and Altidore still have a ways to go), Donovan is unquestionably the best talent the US has ever produced.
And yes, there is really only so much someone should have to put up with and that's why I have respect for Donovan biting his tongue until he just can't take it anymore.
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07-01-2009, 09:51 PM | #262 |
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On a side note, is Castillo possibly the answer at Left back?
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07-02-2009, 12:36 AM | #263 |
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Not the same level of player Jermaine Jones or even Spector is, but our left backs are pretty hideous unless you count Boca there, and even he is slow for the position. Mexican league fans say Castillo is fairly offensive for a left back - even playing Left Mid a decent amount. He had a great year last year and was in and out of the lineup this year, but he's getting loaned back to his old coach so hopefully he shows his old form. Depending on health and the matchup, Spector-Demerit-Onyewu-Boca or Spector-Boca-Onyewu-Castillo should be our best backline. The other wildcard I could see is Cherundolo at RB and Spector at LB. Demerit's a fine backup and the flavor of the month, but he seemed to be straddling the line (and some players) inside the box during the Confed Cup, and I fear he'll give up a huge FK or PK if he's starting.
Bottom line, Castillo is young, has potential and may immediately be our best LB, but that says more about our weakness there than Castillo's caliber. |
07-02-2009, 07:26 AM | #264 | |
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I was really impressed with Demerit. I thought he played stellar defense. |
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07-02-2009, 07:55 AM | #265 |
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From what iīve seen over the years (and i am a big fan of him since his ManU days) in Europe Beckham was allways considered a great teammate and great professional (i mean, heīs allways in amazing shape despite all thatīs going on off the pitch) , basically never complained about anything and being a real team player.
Heīs asked to play Right Defender knowing he might get exposed there ? No problem, coach. (Euro 2004) Heīs asked to play Defensive Midfield because others are even more talented offensively ? Yeah coach, thatīs fine. (Real) Donovan on the other hand was pretty much a crybaby when he was in Germany, fleeing back to the US not once but twice because he didnīt immeadiately crack the starting lineup ... I mean, they sign him to a long year contract and then allow him to go back to the US for 3 freaking years after he doesnīt make the team as an 18/19 year old (which is 100% normal), than he comes back in 2005 and jumps ship like 3 months later ... But no way should a player like that be a captain in a MLS squad. I mean, thatīs just so much of a gap in mentality and "knowledge" that you should do everything to make him mold in, not make him stand out even more. Last edited by whomario : 07-02-2009 at 08:06 AM. |
07-02-2009, 10:38 AM | #266 |
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Donovan's has never struck me as having the mental attitude to play in Europe. In the US, he seems to fit better. Beckham came to the US to be exposed to Hollywood. (along with his wife) He did not come to play soccer as a first priority.
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07-02-2009, 10:52 AM | #267 |
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considering that he did a pretty good job though, didnīt he ? (havenīt seen many games, just judging from general reports) Thatīs allways been the case. I honestly think he became the best player possible for his talent, even with the off-court schedule. (i mean, he was allways top notch in categories related to practice and not just natural talent, like his fitness level) I mean, the guy goes to "Hollywood" with even more things outside of soccer and plays on a bit lower level and then comes to Europe in really great shape. Canīt ask for anything more. Never had a coach that didnīt love his work ethic and fitness, too. For all i care itīs totally a playersī own business what he does outside the field as long as it doesnīt affect him on the court. Last edited by whomario : 07-02-2009 at 10:54 AM. |
07-02-2009, 10:54 AM | #268 |
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Did he even become any more famous as a result of coming here, anyway?
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07-02-2009, 11:04 AM | #269 | |
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No...which is why I think he wants to go back. I'm also not sure how much was about his wife getting into movies as well. As for him being so good in the USA, he's a world-class player for one of the biggest soccer countries in the world and he comes to the US where the national league is just crappy soccer. |
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07-02-2009, 12:53 PM | #270 | |
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I like him at #3 on the depth chart behind Onyewu and Bocanegra, although I wouldn't mind seeing Marshall and Parkhurst get some time partnered with Onyewu. Last edited by BishopMVP : 07-02-2009 at 12:55 PM. |
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07-02-2009, 08:34 PM | #271 | |
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Did you bother reading the article? |
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07-02-2009, 10:45 PM | #272 |
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Beckham has played for the biggest clubs in the world. Played with players with the biggest egos in the world and everywhere he has played his teammates have loved him. Said nothing but Beckham is a model teammate and a good guy. So now Landon Donavon....Landon Friggin Donavon has the balls to come out in the media and rip on him like this? Please. Go bitch to Beckham via text message again Landy. Maybe a Facebook message or Twitter would be better.
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07-03-2009, 10:31 AM | #273 |
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Wasn't just Landon - from the article. He's just the biggest star in US soccer, so of course Wahl is going to center on LD's take.
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"A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams Last edited by ISiddiqui : 07-03-2009 at 10:32 AM. |
07-09-2009, 07:14 PM | #274 | |
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At least somebody agrees with me
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