Pre/In/Post: Revs @ TFC 6/23 5:30pm

But he's not. Moreno has started over him whenever Moreno has been healthy. Runstrom is on the injured list too. Even Fagundez started ahead of BB this week.

BB was brought here to be a dev roster player, #4 or #5 forward, not a starter.

Team of the Week (Wk 16): Comeback kings honored
June 26, 2012
Nicholas Rosano
MLSsoccer.com

F: Gordon, Koevermans, Bruin
M: Magee, Arnaud, Feilhaber, Donovan
D: Valdes, Hernadez, Barklage
G: Johnson

I don't think Feldman has anything against him - I think it's just further evidence of his lack of knowledge and understanding of the game itself. For some reason, he thinks that BB is this big, strong target forward, despite the fact that he's a (very generous) 6'0" guy who can't win a header to save his life. I'm guessing the back heel comment is more related to his critique of BB from the Cup match, where he, apparently, tried to be cute and wound up having a costly turnover and Brad clearly hasn't forgiven him for that. He's clinging to that memory and his incorrect impression of BB as a burly guy to create a bizarre stereotype of a player that is very far from reality.

I find that he does this often and I usually find them comical (I'm sure a great drinking game could be made up of these "observations" alone*). One of my absolute favorites is when he launches into his tirade about how tough AJ is, how he doesn't make a meal out of a small knock, etc while AJ takes his weekly roll around on the floor.

* If anyone does create such a game and/or is already playing one, I insist there be a rule that you must down a full drink if Brad ever says "soccer ball." I'm still puzzled as to why he feels the need to clarify the type of ball but I've heard him say it at least 2x this year alone.

Did they watch the first 60 minutes?

I don't know if I am only noticing this now because of all the other MLS announcers I am now exposed too, but Feldman seems to have lost his passion for announcing the Revs in general. He sounds lifeless & hungover most of the time. With the exception of Nguyen's second goal against Vancouver, he isn't nearly as excited about the Revs as other announcers are about their teams. That basic joy just isn't there. I'm sure zombie Causey doesn't help to elevate the mood in the booth either.

Then again, other announcers have new, loaded to capacity stadiums - it feels like something special. Revs games look very much third division.

The games the Revs have had on NBC Sports this year really brought this to my attention. Those announcers sound so professional & happy to be there - almost thankful for the chance to get to broadcast such an exciting game, as if it is a privilege. Brad's voice just is just so apathetic... its as if he is saying 'Oh God, not this S*** again, well... let's just get it over with'.

Like a couple married for 40 years and utterly sick of each other, trying to get "in the mood".

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking of - I just didn't want to type it out.

Update on Tierney and the question of whether his good stats against Toronto were a one-off situation. . . Seattle game Saturday:

Tierney: completed 72% of 81 passes
Lechner: completed 66% of 58 passes
Burch: completed 76% of 38 passes
Johnasson: completed 62% OF 59 passes

Two observations:
Tierney's passing percentage was pretty good.
Tierney got a lot of touches -- suggesting he was very involved in the game - more so than any of the other outside backs in this game.

Good stats. However, while Tierney was involved his crossing has been consistently terrible and he's turtle slow. Not what you need from a wide defender. Plus, some context for the 28% of passes he didn't complete - IIRC Tierney gave the ball away in bad positions multiple times leading to opportunities for Seattle. Those don't show up on the stat sheet but are important and tend to stick in your memory over the less memorable dozens of 6 yard completed passes.

agreed. last year was horrible, this year its getting unbearable.

ive always been a Brad apologist too, so you know its getting bad. he was fine with Lalas, bad with Jay, and now it just god-awful.

i really really dont like the guys in the booth this year. makes games a lot harder to watch for me.

He's not playing because Tierney is better able to help us win right now.

He's not been loaned out because, with our lack of depth in defense [particularly outside], he's only about 1 or 2 more injuries away from starting, ready or not.

I think the Revs are going to make Brettschneider into a pretty decent player. I'll agree that there are times, particularly early on, that he's been out of his depth, but I see him developing and I think he's got some good physical and mental attributes.

His finish of the rebound in this game wasn't simple and was very neatly done. That's a chance that many, many players slam into the keeper's chest.

I think BB and Tierney are both players who seem to suffer the slings and arrows from posters' desire to see things only in black and white - a guy is good or he sucks, no middle ground.

I don't think Polak even makes the bench most games. Lechner and Barnes can both play left back and if that leaves us thin on CB's, Shalrie can easily drop back there. That's enough cover to allow him to go on loan somewhere.

I agree with that thinking for the game day roster, but I wouldn't want Polak out on a loan if Tierney were to be lost for more than a game or two. Barnes can play there, but not well - not even adequately IMO. And, right now Lechner is already filling in for Alston.

I believe it was a couple of seasons ago when we had a glut of forwards in the spring, loaned one out (Fernandez, I believe) and then ended up shorthanded after a rash of injuries.

The the other possibility is that they feel that Polak is making progress and is moving towards being able to contribute.

They can put a clause in the loan that allows a team to recall the player at any time. I'm surprised more teams don't loan players out in MLS. The only thing I can think of is that they don't trust NASL/USL teams to train a young player sufficiently, which may be a valid concern.

This is what I was thinking of, a loan with a recall clause.