News: Pareja cautious with Mastroeni as head symptoms return

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by JasonMa, Mar 22, 2012.

  1. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Pareja cautious with Mastroeni as head symptoms return
    ColoradoRapids.com

    I'm starting to get a Twellman vibe from this story. Martino reported during Sunday's game that Pablo felt he was one bad concussion from retirement and now he has concussion-like symptoms 10 days after his head knock against Columbus. Not good. :(
     
  2. Via_Chicago

    Via_Chicago Member

    Apr 1, 2004
    Bay Area, California
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That's terrible news. What a dilemma for Pablo and his family.

    I've always respected him as a player and I've never forgotten what he did for the U.S. in 2002. Get well soon, Pablo!
     
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  3. Autogolazo

    Autogolazo BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 19, 2000
    Bombay Beach, CA
    Pablo has started in a World Cup Quarterfinal and captained his team to a league championship.

    Not many can players can say that.

    If he doesn't retire right away, he should at least get the Josh Wolff deal and become an assistant to Pareja.

    He's a player with the sort of vast experience that has to get put back into the league in one way or another.
     
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  4. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He got his National B Coaching License this past offseason, so coaching seems to be in his future whenever he hangs up the boots. Given Pareja's background in Dallas I can't imagine he won't offer Pablo a job when that time comes.
     
  5. pate

    pate Member+

    Jun 12, 2007
    Provo, UT
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Given my team loyalties, I'm not a fan of Pablo (except as a Nat's alum), but you never want to see a player having to deal with something like this. Hopefully he recovers quickly and finds a path forward in the professional game that works for him and his family.
     
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  6. Knave

    Knave Member+

    May 25, 1999
    I heard Twellman on a podcast talking about Mastroeni and saying that they were going to talk later in the day. Twellman didn't say anything too specific about this one way or the other, but I sensed the exact same vibe about Mastroeni's prospects coming from Twellman himself.
     
  7. HeBeGB

    HeBeGB Member

    Mar 22, 2011
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Not good... if my drunken brain recalls correctly, PM was 'knocked out' of the RSL clash in October with a head knock, no? Some guys can go their careers and not have one concussion, others can't go a month!

    In addition to the player to player contact that causes concussions, the act of a player heading the ball repeatedly throughout their career cannot be good for them either.
     
  8. barroldinho

    barroldinho Member+

    Man Utd and LA Galaxy
    England
    Aug 13, 2007
    US/UK dual citizen in HB, CA
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    I know that used to be an issue with the old-fashioned, harder, heavier ball.

    It was cited as a contributor to the death of West Brom legend Jeff Astle, who died at 59, obviously many years after retirement.
     
  9. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes, in a collision with Olave. That's where this really started. He was done for the season after that, came back in preseason, got another knock in Hawaii and was removed from that game as a precaution, then got a knock in the season opener against the Crew and left that game. He played against Philly last week but started having symptoms again at practice this week and today's injury report lists him as OUT for this week.
     
  10. HeBeGB

    HeBeGB Member

    Mar 22, 2011
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    have they determined that this somewhat mitigated with the newer balls?
     
  11. HeBeGB

    HeBeGB Member

    Mar 22, 2011
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    this doesn't sound like it will end well... from a playing standpoint
     
  12. Mateofelipe

    Mateofelipe Member+

    Mar 10, 2001
    Spokane, WA
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Better he quits and ends all his days well. But, godspeed to him. A bit reckless with the tackles, but a stouthearted and worthy fellow who has advanced our dear sport.
     
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  13. blkbrnrvr

    blkbrnrvr Member

    Mar 2, 2003
    Auburn metro
    Club:
    Blackburn Rovers FC
    I would certainly tell Pablo to call it a day now if there's even the slightest risk of further health issues at this point. As mentioned earlier, he's done things in the game that the vast majority could only dream of, so there's definitely nothing left for him to prove.

    We're all here because we're rabid about the game, just like he is, but I'm sure we'd all agree that his quality of life going forward is of much greater importance than any trophy or glory on the field.
     
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  14. Honore de Ballsac

    Oct 28, 2005
    France.
    One of the very best - yet most misunderstood and underrated - US players of my lifetime.

    Should have played in the last World Cup.

    Retire and coach please.
     
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  15. Ajas

    Ajas Member

    Sep 23, 2009
    3eattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    That's what Columbus fans have been saying about Chad Marshall for years, every time he gets a knock to the head, but still he motors on as one of the top CBs in the league.

    It's only been 2 weeks... No need to peace him out yet.
     
  16. Sandon Mibut

    Sandon Mibut Member+

    Feb 13, 2001
    While some would say it's just doing the obvious, I'm impressed with the way Pareja and the Rapids handled this in terms of not rushing him back and putting the team's needs over that of the player's long-term health.

    As for Mastroeni, he has had a great career.

    One of the few players to spend a lot of years in MLS and never get traded. (His only move was because Miami folded.) And, while not as celebrated for it as Eddie Pope, someone who passed at the chance to go abroad to spend his whole career here.

    He was a Best XI player and won a Supporters' Shield in Miami and, as already noted, has played in a World Cup quarterfinal and captained his team to an MLS Cup title. All while providing very solid leadership on and off the field.

    I have long since gotten over my favorite players hanging 'em up, even before they wanted to. And while I'd like to see Pablo keep playing, I'd much prefer he is able to function normally as a person.

    He's got nothing left to prove. Take a job in coaching or the front office or broadcasting and enjoy playing with your kids.
     
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  17. Deuteriumoxide

    May 27, 2003
    Rockville, MD
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    One of my favorite players. I hope he and his Doctors make the right decisions.
     
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  18. Topper

    Topper BigSoccer Supporter

    Oct 19, 1999
    SoCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Given past similar cases, he's done playing.

    These things don't get better.
     
  19. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This is not positive news:

    http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2012/03/video-session-starts-week-preparation-fire

     
  20. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Newest update doesn't sound much better:

    http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-sidelined-again-rivero-set-make-rapids-debut

     
  21. rslfanboy

    rslfanboy Member+

    Jul 24, 2007
    Section 26
    I'll take off my MLS-allegiance glasses and post here as an adult:

    Great player, great leader on and off the field, loyal, and deserves better than to end his career due to injury. I hope he can continue, but I wouldn't wish for him, or anyone, to end up struggling and suffering like Taylor Twellman.

    Best of wishes to you Pablo.
     
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  22. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  23. Sachsen

    Sachsen Member+

    Aug 8, 2003
    Broken Arrow, Okla.
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Twellman, Eskandarian, Conrad, now more than likely Mastroeni...

    Bummer to see all these very good American MLS players forced into retirement due to concussions. But it is what it is. The good thing is, the other three have all been able to continue working in the game, and I'm sure Pablo will as well. Kudos on a great career.
     
  24. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    What's interesting is I can think of very few players in foreign leagues retiring due to concussions.

    Do we simply take this condition more seriously than they do in Europe?
     
  25. MRschizoid21

    MRschizoid21 Member

    Nov 5, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Or


    it could be that, as some complain, our league is too physical.
     

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