Steven Lenhart, asset or liability?

Yeah, I remember when he was on the Crew, when he came in against the Quakes he made me nervous. It was like, oh no, that big blonde-haired guy who runs around like a madman. Though I remember one game in Columbus where he missed a bunch of good chances against the Quakes. I guess his finishing has gotten better.

OMG Tiff, three different threads. How Goodsportian of you!

diarrhea of the keyboard...

Steven Lenhart is a stud! You have to love the way he plays... leaves his heart and soul on the field every game whether he is a starter or substitute! However, he best traits are off the field! What a true role model!!

On the subject of moving to a new team and suddenly, inexplicably doing better? Note that Ryan Johnson, who we all bagged on his last two seasons with us, has scored seven goals and notched four assists this season. Who'd have thunk it? He's actually doing pretty well. And good for RJ!

So Lionheart coming over to us, getting to play a lot more minutes, starting most games, yeah, much better production to be expected. But his ball handling has also improved tremendously. Anyway, I'm really glad to have him.

GO QUAKES!!

- Mark

RJ's 2008 year for us was similar as I remember. He made it happen by working harder than anyone on the field (similar to Lenny)... perhaps he got that work ethic back.

he just got switched to a more natural position - winger in a 4-3-3. He was always unable to play the target forward role for us, and couldn't defend when we put him at outside mid to try to take advantage of his flank skills. As a winger in a 4-3-3 he is free to receive the ball and face the goal, and doesn't have defensive responsibilities.

he's also still had his fair share of missed sitters this season.

his 7 goals over 29 starts is a paltry 0.24 goals/90 minutes.

This may be closer to the truth. I think the change of scenery helped him too. He was getting frustrated here, but got a breath of fresh life in Toronto. And as you say, it's a more natural position for him.

I still like RJ, and I wish him well. I'd love to see him finish the season with ten or more goals. And then do well next year, except when he plays against us.

Go Quakes!!

- Mark

lenhart pisses off seattle and galaxy players. Clearly an asset if he can shake opponents out of their game.

Excellent logic.

Omar Gonzalez's crying after the match is priceless. Losing or tieing SJ must really wound their sense of entitlement down there.

The funny thing is, as much as the haters cry at the end of their tirade they'll admit that theres contact. So which is it haters? Does he dive or is there contact? "He embelishes!" they cry lol. So what? So did Cuauhtemoc Blonco and he never got this much poop flung at him. I think it has something to do with some goofy american psyche about American players being these angelic upstanding citizens of football. We cannot descend to the level of everyone else because we are exceptionally heroic ubermen.

I think the list is vastly longer than that. I would hazard a guess that currently he's on the "top five most hated" list for most of the other teams' fans.

Someone needs to give Omar Gonzalez a hug! What a baby... (Sorry if this was posted elsewhere?)

http://soccernewsday.com/usa/r/5244...nzalez-the-way-san-jose-plays-is-embarrassing-

The reason why Lenny is getting so much hate from other fans and a lack of protection from the refs is because he committed a few gamesmanship antics that basically brought disrepute on the game. They resulted in ejections of the opponent, e.g., trying to head the ball out of Josh Saunders' hands, and, practically pulling the shorts off of Jameson Olave.

Yes, Lenny has a lot of talent and scores some outrageously high quality goals, and we love him as long as he's on our side. But it's easy to see why his reputation is causing problems for him. And the media's playing up comments from Sigi and other players and coaches certainly adds to the pile. I bet it would be largely rectified if he got a USMNT call up and scored.

So I was jst watching the Europa league highlights on FSC and a Liverpool player named Agger pulled a "Lenhart!" He headed the ball out of the keepers hand and vollyed it into the net and got a yellow card. What are the odds that this Agger guy will be villified and called dirty by other English fans? My guess is probably 0.

A while ago I was watching a mexican league game with my dad. And the same thing happened. The commentators ended up explaining that if the keeper is holding the ball with 1 hand, the player may use his head to knock it away. As long as no excessive contact is made. Or if the keeper has both hands on the ball.

Not correct. And you can't stand in front of the keeper to block the distribution (throw or kick).

indeed, if anything you have to argue Lenhart is a beacon of light for all that is good if he does that to the two most hated teams in the league.

Every time Lenny takes the field, in one way or another, he makes things happen. If anyone honestly believes that Lenhart isn't an asset in this team and/or league, then he really doesn't know the game!

50 most hated players in the world.... Is Lenny on the list?

I'm not telling.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/887983-50-most-hated-footballers-in-the-world/

Keane

keane is on this list. And they are spot on!

Well, they didn't exactly "slum it" and dip down into MLS territory, but yes it was amusing to see Robbie Keane's name on the list, and I can understand why after his comments / actions in the last Quakes / LA match. Beckham seems to be actually worse than Keane in MLS in terms of the whining and poor sportsmanship. Too bad, because they're both very skilled players with stellar pedigrees who could be setting a good example to help make MLS a better league in terms of sportsmanship along with skill level.