No, Bootsy. I promise it's entirely possible to think people are overreacting and still not believe "nothing in [my] life matters quite so much as [my] soccer team winning." In the past, he was an effective pro whose method of being effective is one that naturally makes the opposition "hate" him, but I don't have reason to think he's more of a horrible person than any number of other DC United players I've cheered for over the years. Maybe I missed news of an indictment and conviction somewhere along the line.
One last thing to keep things in perspective: Even though Ruiz was without a club, he still scored 10 goals for Guatemala in 2012.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...02/20/d-c-united-comments-about-ruiz-signing/ More quotes on the signing. Discussion with Ben Olsen: Olsen is still talking a good game about our attack and seems to feel no need to rush Ruiz into action:
I've been a season ticket holder from the beginning and I have only booed one United player, Zach Wells, that awful keeper we got from Houston while in a panic. And that booing was spontaneous, and born of intense frustration. Also, I have only applauded one United opponent while at a match. That was Rico Clark and it was a standing ovation. I'm hoping Ben has some devious plan for revenge here, where under the guise of getting Ruiz in shape, Ben runs his ass into the ground, forcing him to puke up his guts, and retire, living the rest of his life with his guts hanging out. If not, I plan on booing Ruiz the first time I see him play in a United shirt. I hope others will join me. asitis
I'm going out on a limb here and say the off-campus mexican explains the need for the personal trainer. I am all too familiar with that dynamic.
That was my first reaction too. My second reaction is, since I've already poked my eyes out with a sharp stick, maybe now I'll just hear the sound of him scoring. BTW, after the stick incident, I didn't roll around on the floor clutching my head nearly as much as some.
It was a one time standing "O" in recognition of his kicking Ruiz. At the time I thought it was funny and was well before his South African crapfest. asitis
Clark has been crap ever since he was drafted by NY. I've never seen him as anything but a hack, and his actions against Ruiz only solidified that thought. I was happy when he left and saddened by his return. I can only hope that he continues his middling play until he suffers another knee injury and limps into retirement.
Fine, your mileage varies. The type of lies that I've seen him tell, with both a frequency and a degree of blatancy that are truly unusual even in win-at-all-costs football, have made and make me sick. Remember the world-wide reaction to Rivaldo against Turkey at the 2002 WC? I've seen worse from Ruiz repeatedly. That bothers me. I don't want to cheer for someone who does that. If you think feeling that way is overreacting or silly, well, obviously you're entitled to your opinion; I'm sure I think lots of silly things.
I think Pontius is nowhere near Davies-style. OTOH, I'm going to have to think about Quaranta (not about whether he dove -- of course he did -- but how I feel like it compares to Davies).
Aside from a career-altering (via injury) loan to Forest, Olsen only played for one pro team. Only one. So no, Ruiz isn't the same ********ing guy. Not even close.
I never got the irrational Ruiz hate in MLS. I always found him to be one of the more entertaining strikers in the league. He has more sooccer in his pinky finger than most of the strikers we've seen come through here the last few years ... including the ones we have now Is that talent still going to show at 33? I suspect it might, but probably not in big doses. But then again it might not. At 33 the body has a funny way of shutting down from one year to the next, although I don't recall Ruiz battling any crippling injuries lately Either way the hysteria by some in this thread is exaggerated to the point childishness
Insomuch as people don't like him when he's on the opposing team. I got over my hatred for DeRosario pretty damn quick when he started producing on the field.
In contrast, I never hated DeRosario, despite the damage he'd done to DC United for opposing teams over the years. Same with Twellman. Same with Donovan. They may have infuriated me with their accomplishments over my team; but how I feel about Ruiz is a different animal entirely.