News: Pareja cautious with Mastroeni as head symptoms return

Interesting point but I don't really think that is the case. You can do a quick search and find countless examples of concussions suffered in other leagues. I do think we take it a bit more serious, primarily due to awareness brought about by other american sports (football). England as an example, is getting to that point of education and awareness as seen by new standards for handling of concussions in Rugby.

 

That's definitely what I would lean towards.

 

The best players in Europe are so dumb, seeing that they get pulled out of school from the age of 14 to be on the pro-soccer track, that it's really hard to tell the difference from a concussed or regular player. They all seem to have some degree of massive head trauma.

 

One of my favorite players.

This is scary stuff though. The NFL examples are chilling:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6874906/jim-mcmahon-other-players-sue-nfl-concussions

 

I think that the awareness developed from football (and to some extent ice hockey) has probably been a bigger factor than MLS being too physical. Having a former MVP turned ESPN analyst be forced into retirement in the prime of his career is probably a factor as well.

Definitely one of the greats in the league's young history.

 

I give a lot of credit to Twellman for raising the awareness.

 

Pablo a great player and he will make a very passionate coach for the league.

 

Doesn't even sound like Pablo is hanging around training or really being a part of the team. The trainer is said to get in touch with him "once or twice a week" to see how things are going. That's just really tough, and really sad. Pablo's one of the few MLS players I've actually met and got to chit-chat with - in fact, his Dad was there too, it was at a USA winter training camp down in Chula Vista before they started having all those things up in Home Depot.....unlike his sometimes on field demeanor, he was real sweet and his Dad was the proudest papa I had seen in some time. I'm sure they're all very disappointed by all this. Get better Pablo, we miss you.

 

Add Ugo Ihemelu to the list. He missed Wednesday's game with concussion symptoms. He has had them in the past also. Have not heard how serious or a time frame for return. I do like that these players and teams are being smart about all this. I would feel bad knowing someone I rooted for is a shadow of their self in retirement.

 

I would hope that the league makes an example of concussions being taken seriously by allowing teams to take whatever salary the injured player was making and apply it towards signing a replacement. Otherwise, you're giving teams an incentive to rush players back onto the field, particularly higher-earning ones, if they're unable to field a "suitable" alternative. Pay the injured player his salary and allow the team some cap relief, and both sides should be happy.

 

Hejduk (2008) and Donovan (2011).

 

Um, from Jasonma's post:
Hejduk - Columbus '08, LA '11
Donovan - San Jose '01, '03, LA '05, '11

As far as Pablo goes, I thought for sure I had heard he retired. Was surprised to see an update to this thread.

Hang up the boots, man. You had a great ride. Time to build up the league and the game in other ways now, and keep yourself healthy.

 

He was asking who was a captain.

 

Ah, my bad. Carry on.

 

Any update on his condition?

 

This situation reminds me of Bryan Namoff. Every now and then there would be updates that he was starting light training and that he was making progress. Like clockwork though there would always be a setback and he would be at square one again. Unfortunately he had to retire and it looks like the same for Pablo.