Let's say the Revs actually build their own stadium (OK, stop laughing). Let's then say they actually build a Ring of Honor. If you could pick 5 players from the first X number of years (since we have no idea if this will happen) ... who would you pick? I would imagine that most people would have the same 5 ... but who would they be? I'm limiting to 5, but if you want a larger number, go ahead, I'd be curious to see it. My five Taylor Twellman Clint Dempsey Shalrie Joseph Joe-Max Moore Steve Ralston I could easily see making Nicol #6.
I would probably choose Matt over Joe-Max, but that's a quibble. Given the long term insights into the managers of the team, I'd be more tempted to go with Mariner than Nicol.
Complete agreement with Monty on the first five. However, Heaps should (and would) be honored for his length of service. Reis has been fantastic but personally I think Joe-Max has to be in over Matt. In '96 the team had nothing about them until he arrived. Reis would be 6th I think. As long as it's ring of honor and not retired jersey numbers, I don't think we need to be very stingy. Everyone that had a major impact on the club should be recognized. So Chronopoulos for best original Rev. Parkhurst and Noonan for short impact careers, and Zenga and Lalas for recognizability. After that, it's starting to stretch for guys like Okaroh et al.
Old timers could also make a good debate for Naveda. I had a tough time with my list to not include Matt, but couldn't think of anyone I'd remove from the 5 to do so.
I'd take Moore, Zenga, Twellman, Joseph and Leonel Alvarez. That would include someone from almost every Revs team. Dempsey's become a great player, but he wasn't here that long and wasn't a star yet when he was here.
Taylor, Shalrie, Joe-Max, Nicol, and Ralston are an easy Top 5. The next year's 5 might be harder to find, but that group, those 5 men, did more for this team than anyone else.
IMO there are only 8 guys who deserve it, in this order: 1. Twellman 2. Joseph 3. Ralston 4. Nicol 5. Moore 6. Heaps 7. Reis 8. Dempsey It's tough to have Deuce so low, but he wasn't here for that long and he doesn't really look back on his time in MLS too fondly. I'd imagine he'd be the type of guy who wouldn't even want to come back for his induction or ceremony. To say he wasn't a star though is complete nonsense, he was a can't miss player during his last two years in the league. He had a star like quality that very few American MLS players have ever possessed.
So first you say Dempsey wasn't here that long, but then you put Zenga and Leo in ... who was here less? First, Dempsey was most definitely a star when he was here. I doubt the EPL was looking to pay that much money for someone at his age that hadn't already proven he could play. Second, I could see an argument for Zenga, being who he is. But not for Leo. I loved Leo, but there's no way I'd put him in.
Would be curious to know why you put Heaps above Matt? Matt has done much more in this league than Heaps, and been a better player at his position than Heaps was ... just wondering.
Like Crooked's list (removing numerical order), but wouldn't honor Reis, Joseph, or Dempsey yet as they are still active players, should wait until they retire. Wouldn't mind retiring numbers over a ring of honor, sounds like a number of other soccer teams have done so - from wiki: "AS Roma, AC Milan, Internazionale, Napoli, Manchester City, Lens, Lyon and Swansea City have all retired shirt numbers"
But they've all got, like, 1 number retired. You'd be talking about getting rid of 6, 20, 21, 1, 2...Ring of Honor is the better solution
Well, there's only a "virtual" U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame now, so why not start our own "virtual" Revs Ring of Honor?
I personally hated Jay Heaps as a player, but I think he better emobodies what it means to be a member of the New England Revolution. Jay had a lot of heart as a player, and as a local guy, always seemed to have a lot of pride in his team and their work ethic. He's been involved with this club on the field as a player, in the booth as commentator, and now on the sidelines as a coach. Beyond that, he seemed to really respect the fans, always making his way away round the field thanking those that came out and giving his pattened double thumbs up. I guess what I'm saying is that when I think of the New England Revolution, I would think of Jay Heaps before Matt Reis, he's just a more memorable player IMO.
Fair enough. I don't agree, but the reasoning is good. The funniest part of course is since he's become coach ... he's forgotten to give the fans a thanks.
And also I think he may have played for a big College basketball program...the name escapes me, since they don't mention it all that much
We're talking about the New England Revolution, right? Considering the organization since its inception, I submit these five: 1) Darren Sawatsky 2) Steve Howey 3) Mamadou Diallo 4) Tony Frias 5) Edwin Gorter With a special recognition for coach Thomas Rongen
Now these Rings of honor also have great moments. some examples to use Revs win Open Cup Revs play in front of 63,000+ in their first MLS Cup Revs win first home game in their history vs DC United Revs storm back to win series vs Metros in the 2nd half 2005 Revs defeat Columbus in the series to advance to first MLS Cup
I have to throw Alberto Naveda into the discussion. One of the early stars, he wanted to play here/wanted to stay here (according to O'Donovan at the time they would have had to pay him Valderramma money since he was just on loan), he always stayed and thanked fans after game, and the tears of sadness when they lost to be eliminated from playoffs showed how much he bled New England colors.
The difference being that much of Dempsey's time here was development time - Zenga and Leo were already seasoned internationals from day 1 in NE. I don't think Dempsey was a "star" in MLS, but he was clearly improving and showing a lot of potential (which is why the EPL was interested). IMO the biggest jump in his ability has happened at Fulham. Yes, Leo probably wasn't here long enough, but I think he was an outstanding player for us and is very under-appreciated. He was the Shalrie before Shalrie.
If the Revs won't do it then why not the FORT? Banners linked together and draped in front of the FORT..just an idea..perhaps the FO would pick up on it and make it official. I personally believe it should be quite difficult to obtain status. The player should be retired and not currently be part of the team aspect of the Revs organization. No particular order: Twellman Ralston That's it for now. Possible future additions: Shalrie Heaps Reis
Twellman - First indcutee.. No doubt about it.. If we get a SSS they should name a section of the stands after that guy.. Only Rev to get to 100+ goals, did it quicker then anyone else in the history of the league. What more needs be said? Ralston - Retired as the all time assist leader, all time games played and all times minutes played. For the League. Joseph - Most games, minutes and starts in club history. Steve Nicol and Paul Mariner - Quick question what had we won before they came? Exactly. These two men changed the entire culture of the team and took them from being not that good to championship quality. 8 Years in the Playoffs; 6 Confrence Final Appearances 4 Eastern Conf Championships 2007 US Open Cup Champions 2008 Superliga Champions Reis and Heaps will have to wait until they are no longer playing/part of the organization. But both are deserving as well.