It may have only taken the 20 or so games for them to realize that EJ wasn't willing to make the effort at improving himself. All we know for certain are two things: 1. Fulham obviously saw potential in him to sign him, and 2. It didn't take long for them to realize he wasn't going to cut it for them in the first team.
Watch it again Don. Focus on Johnson's left arm. Certainly looks like he threw a punch. Zayner even described it as "Left hand. Closed fist."
Wow, Zayner was traded from Columbus, then cut? Now he's a a SJ reserve at an Open Cup game... And this is his claim to fame? The kid looked to be a 1st-teamer somewhere in 2009. Anyone who thinks that was anything close to a punch, and Zayner's writhing around was anything but mere theatrics, you're welcome to your opinion. On to the next round.
Smurf-smashing legend! I hope it was Lenhart, and that he lost some teeth. The grown ass man will always be appreciated at HDC from now on.
Hm. Well, maybe that's what happened...but if that was a punch, he didn't follow through, his weight was on his back foot, and he was leaning backward. I don't think there was enough power there to knock down a grown man (pardon the expression). He might have gotten Zayner RIGHT in the eye, though.
Not that I really care about EJ or Zayner either way but I'd like to know why exactly is everyone so heated and one sided about this incident? Just curious.....
I'm actually trying to be objective about it. I think that both players are at fault and from what I've witnessed I can't really tell if EJ hits Zayner or not. EJ clearly instigated the issue, but Zayner came off the bench and ran at him. The bottom line for me is that we have a discipline problem. If EJ wanted to celebrate with anyone running towards our travelling fans would have been a great idea, but instead he chose to be an idiot. And then Zayner chose to be an idiot.
I don't think its the same guy. The guy on the webcast has got an Italian last name (I forget how to spell it) but he isn't a good announcer at all. The SJQ TV play by play guy (biased or not) is a lot more professional.
Okay... Now I know you've never seen a SJE broadcast.... Professional and SJE pbp guy don't belong in the same sentence...
Honestly? I was ticked off because once the video evidence was out people were blatantly ignoring it and ignoring Zayner's part in the dust up. Zayner also conveniently left out the part where he aggressively approached EJ and pushed him when telling the media about what happened. I think that is 100% clear in the video. There is no conclusive proof EJ punched Zayner. You will have to forgive me if I don't believe some random SJ fans who didn't even know who EJ allegedly punched. Same thing for believing a player who has proven they are willing to lie about what happened. I can watch the video myself and see that Eddie doesn't wind up and throw a punch. He makes a pushing motion in retaliation for being pushed himself. I can't be clear if it was a closed fist, although I doubt it. I can't be clear if the push ended up being to the face. What I do know is EJ isn't talking about the incident. And Zayner is but has already proven he has lied about at least part of it. So what else is he lying about?
Go ahead and believe what you want, but, reports out of the Earthquake's camp is that Zayner is sporting a shiner from last nights incident.
While I am not convinced Eddie Punched Zayner. I am not opposed to seeing clear evidence that it did happen and believing it. I haven't seen it yet. Are the SJ fans/bloggers/reporters finally admitting that Zayner came up to EJ and pushed him first? Or are they still pretending that never happened and acting like EJ just sucker punched Zayner for no reason?
You can get a shiner without being punched Just saying. I mean, maybe I'm old fashioned but my definition of "punch" has always been a strike with a fist. The video -does- look like EJ slaps Zayner The whole incident was unnecessary and we shouldn't be talking about "omg your team did this, your team did that." What we should be doing is saying "wow both our teams were out of line, we should hold them accountable." I've already stated that I think EJ was unprofessional, but Zayner was being unprofessional too.
I don't care about EJ and I certainly don't even know or care about Zayner as he just arrived with the Quakes but seriously though, I doubt either party were innocent during this whole incident. I mean it takes two to tango and I'm sure both players were pretty heated and probably both share the blame.
The way I see it: EJ runs right over to the SJ bench after the final whistle, and therefor it is on him if Zayner pushes him, so it is no excuse for him to retaliate to that push.. but I really don't care (that much) about whether he punched/slapped/pushed Zayner as much as EJ had no business going and getting in the faces of the SJ reserves. And don't give me any "There were Seattle fans over there" crap - shake hands, let the opposition get off the field and THEN acknowledge the fans. They're not going anywhere. As far as what actually happened - who knows. I'm sure the 4th official or the AR might have seen it, otherwise I'm not going to vilify EJ for punching someone if I'm not positive he did so - but I am going to denounce the actions I can verify and there's enough there for me to be unhappy with how EJ handled himself.
I'm disappointed. I thought I'd see EJ throw some heat and really sock the guy, from all the hype I've heard. Looked like a shove in the face/neck. The SJ guy ran at EJ like he was going to do something. EJ should plead self defense. Although he was acting like an idiot and if anything the SJ guy should have clocked EJ. I love a good scrap.
Right. So because EJ acted like a fool, Zayner is excused from the fact that he actually initiated the physicality of the incident ? No.
Josh Wolff, who was a DP before they were called that for most of his career (at least before he moved to DC) averaged a goal every 200 minutes like clockwork through his career.
Josh Wolff also contributed a lot more than goals, dude's decision making and passing vision are a joy to watch. At his best he made everyone around him significantly better.
Bull****. A SJ fan talking about removing blinders? Give me a break; this is the same group that tried to turn Rafa's crappy defending into a deliberate, premeditated MMA-style takedown of Salinas, who was somehow able to escape death's clutches following such a violent act that obviously warranted an investigation by the local police, FBI, Homeland Security and the U.N.
Uhh...let me see, regarding the Rafa/Salinas incident, I guess you forgot, (or likely didn't know) that the Quakes had pointed out to the ref on two prior occasions that Marquez was wrapping Salinas up on corner kicks. The third time was the charm for Rafa. But, thanks for playing.