I'd say that there are probably some who are reacting the way that you are describing, but I think there's still a good number of people for whom it wouldn't matter if he was quitting and even a smaller number who would be more supportive if he didn't quit.
Yeah, I agree with this. I think there is a pretty large group of people who could have reacted the same way had he kept playing.
So what's the protocol for training the week before a game when you're supposed to get 8+ inches of snow? Back to the indoor facility?
I read someplace (probably here) that he's just now starting to do some straight line running. He's not expected back until June.
all the new pics of teal in the new shirt, it's easy to wonder if he's going to be playing sooner than thought. even if you know he's not. it's easy to wonder.
I don't think there's much to read into that. Probably has more to do with the fact that he can fit a photo shoot into his day easier than a lot of the guys.
yes. logically, there's no reason to believe anything but: 1) open schedule (as you said) 2) good looking dude 3) nats "star"
I know that Jerome is primarily a right back and that Duke is a midfielder, but where will the latter most readily fit in SKC's typical 4-3-3?
No, I assume that this means the box-to-box role that Espinoza typically played last year, and that now will be filled--at least initially--by Nagamura. My hope is that Joseph or (preferably) Lopez will take over by the end of the season. It looks like Feilhaber will generally be the attacking midfielder, with Zusi on the wing, unless and until Kamara returns. EDIT: On the other hand, Tod Palmer's article for the Star calls Duke "an attacking midfielder who also played left back one season."
I don't want Joseph doing any type of defending. The guy is still a red card waiting with his forceful tackles, and Lopez is a player for the future. I don't expect big things from him for the next 2-3 years at least. He needs to bulk up and get out of college mode. I hope he gets sent to Orlando for the year and get some professional soccer in him. Nagamura is really the best player we have that can fit Rogers shoes. If he goes down, I think there are a couple other players that could take his place before Lopez sees the field.
Many would have written (with good reason) the exact same thing about Espinoza early in his career. In any case, Joseph is probably better suited to an attacking midfield role, which is why I said that Lopez is preferable as the box-to-box guy. Probably true--Thomas comes to mind, for example, as well as the alignment that puts Zusi back in the midfield and Sapong (or Peterson, when healthy) out on the wing--but my point was that ideally Lopez will develop rapidly enough to be getting most of the first-team minutes at that position by the end of the season. In fact, some are already touting him as a Rookie of the Year candidate, although I would be genuinely (and pleasantly) surprised if he ends up getting enough minutes overall to be in the running for that. In any case, he is probably in line to take over next season, since I believe that this is a contract year for Nagamura, our most expensive non-DP.
I hear you there. I was the one who got on Espinoza's ass about the red cards. I am a person who doesn't care as much about red cards when they come from a double yellow in the 80+ min. IIRC, Espinoza and Joesph were straight reds. IMO, Lopez needs to gain man muscle in this league. It is great that he can go box to box, but can he be a physical presence at 5'8' 160 lbs just out of college? That is why I think he is project player for this year. Get him some regular playing time in Orlando, so he can start learning how to throw his body around at the next level. I think that Sporting can build him up to be a starter like a Zusi (not position, but time of development) . Just because he is a 1st round Draft pick doesn't mean he should get the shot faster then anyone else. With the GA tag we can take more time with him. I think that we as a team have a good rotation of talent that we can hold players off a year if they need it for growth. [/quote] Yeah, I don't think he is worth that money on this team.