News: Pareja cautious with Mastroeni as head symptoms return

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

have they determined that this somewhat mitigated with the newer balls?

this doesn't sound like it will end well... from a playing standpoint

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of my favorite players. I hope he and his Doctors make the right decisions.

This is not positive news:

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

Newest update doesn't sound much better:

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

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.

Interview with Pablo in the Denver Post. He obviously realizes the severity of what's happening and that he needs to make the best decision for his long-term future. Also talks about talking with Twellman about it.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci...ries-about-playing-future-after#ixzz1qtO7wzEE

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.

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?

Or


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