9/3

[Jon Martin]

New England Revolution confident heading into clash with Kansas City this Saturday (http://www.examiner.com/x-4128-Boston-Pro-Soccer-Examiner~y2009m9d3-New-England-Revolution-confident-heading-into-clash-with-Kansas-City-this-Saturday?cid=examiner-email)
by Lisa E.

A couple of interesting bits; check the first two paragraphs:
"Today at practice the New England Revolution looked dangerous. The touches were sharper, the passing more purposeful, and there was a tangible sense of confidence and urgency when players laid off, ran off the ball.

Edgaras Jankauskas, Mauricio Castro, and Gabriel Badilla were fully in the mix and their combined presence raises the bar by itself. Striker Kheli Dube, described as "ineffective" previously in this column, was deadly. Wells Thompson, who just beat out David Beckham for MLS Goal of the Week on his second career goal, was wired."

The possibility of an effective Jankauskas and Badilla creates all kinds of choices for SN.

Soccer Insider - United Statement on Wicks - UPDATED (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/09/united_statement_on_wicks.html?wprss=soccerinsider)
by Steven Goff

"UPDATE: According to a source close to the situation, who requested anonymity because a decision hasn't been rendered, the discipline is not expected to include a suspension."

[rkupp]

Also mentioned in LE's interview, playoff rosters have to be submitted by Sept. 15th, so that's when we'll find out if Twellman has a chance to be back for the playoffs.

Over the years FDA and other reporters have been criticized for not pressing the Revs for answers - notice Nicol's response to L.E.'s question about what teams would be most dangerous at playoff time - "all of them". Not even worth printing.

[ToMhIlL]

Over the years FDA and other reporters have been criticized for not pressing the Revs for answers - notice Nicol's response to L.E.'s question about what teams would be most dangerous at playoff time - "all of them". Not even worth printing.Maybe so, but I find Lisa's questions, and the overall conclusions and observations that she brings on a consistent basis, to be refrshing and a huge step up from where we were.

Compare that with the next puff-piece on a second-tier player with some kind of local connection. Those articles write themselves: [Player] is a nice guy and he's adjusting to life in the pro environment. "It's a lot different from college--every one of the players here is good. I can learn a lot from [vet who plays similar position], and me and the other guys are getting along great. I just have to keep working hard and doing what the coaches say, and hopefully I will be able to do the job when I get the chance."

[Revs in 2010]

Maybe so, but I find Lisa's questions, and the overall conclusions and observations that she brings on a consistent basis, to be refrshing and a huge step up from where we were.

Compare that with the next puff-piece on a second-tier player with some kind of local connection. Those articles write themselves: [Player] is a nice guy and he's adjusting to life in the pro environment. "It's a lot different from college--every one of the players here is good. I can learn a lot from [vet who plays similar position], and me and the other guys are getting along great. I just have to keep working hard and doing what the coaches say, and hopefully I will be able to do the job when I get the chance."

Careful, FDA might sue you for copyright infringement:eek:

[Soccer Doc]

Careful, FDA might sue you for copyright infringement:eek:

MEGA ZING :D
(I'm out of Rep. Will someone cover him for me please)

[Soccer Doc]

A reporters have been criticized for not pressing the Revs for answers - notice Nicol's response to L.E.'s question about what teams would be most dangerous at playoff time - "all of them". Not even worth printing.

But it's true. LA in 05 and the Red Balls last season were real long shots but look what happened. I think the answer in MLS is just that; Any team that gets to the playoffs needs to be considered to be dangerous.

[rkupp]

Maybe so, but I find Lisa's questions, and the overall conclusions and observations that she brings on a consistent basis, to be refrshing and a huge step up from where we were.
I do too - my point was just that you can ask the tough questions over and over and it's very easy for the staff to avoid giving substantive answers if they are determined to.

FDA was often criticized for not asking the tough questions - I suspect he did, but got non-informative answers like LE did and either he or his editors decided it wasn't worth printing answers which provided no real insight.