Biggest Busts Of the Season

[John L]

So what are the Biggest Busts of the season - Biggest Disappointments -

Freddy Adu as Star Striker - He's done fairlywell as an exceptional 15 yr old player - But done fairly well is just about all - For all the playing time he's gotten, he still hasn't scored very much - Only one legitimate goal against LA - The one against NY was cherry-picking - And the one against Dallas shouldn't count since it was an obviouls Own-Goal - This isn't really Freddy's fault - He is only 15, and hopefully he will grow more and have great seasons in a few years - I just hope he turns out to be as good as Gaven or even Wolyniec - But with all the hype, I was certainly hoping for more

VERSUS

Lack of Midfield - For all the great play we've had in midfield it comes (or only came) when all the best players were on the field - Stewart (yes - even Ernie), Dema, Olsen and Convey - And now Gros - Granted we've had lots of injuries and haven't been able to see Q1 or Q2 or others - But if the main guys are so good, why can't they play this well if only 3 of them are out there - And why only Gros? - Sorry - But this falls on the Players (who can't incorporate others in the play on the field) and especially the Coaches for not developing a bench - Again injuries have hampered this a lot -

But early in the season you still have to play your bench a lot - Many times as 60th minute subs or even as starters - Even at the expense at fielding the best possible lineup for that game - You gotta build for the future - Sure they may not do so well the first time - Or even the second - But its a MAXIM especially in Soccer, the main way to improve your Game is with more Game Time - And the best way to HAVE a bench at midfield (LIKE RIGHT NOW WHEN WE NEED IT !!) is to DEVELOP it - You aren't given a great bench - You develop it

[somebody]

I still say Pamela Anderson

[somebody]

But in all seriousness I would say Mike Petke
It must be hell to be him right now. If he could regain his form I think the defense would have coped with the Nelsen absences MUCH MUCH better.

[jackrock]

thats you own dammed fault for believing the hype about adu. Remember, believe none of what ya hear and half of what ya see. (T.Soprano)


The biggest bust has been dc's management team, or front ofice, or whatever they call themselves. Am I remembering wrong that one of the biggest issues of the off season was a better training facility? do they have it? Are people still getting hurt? Injuries have led to this busted play method of keeping a ful roster. Bringing in Cannon from nowhere, totally lucking out that the 3rd string dayjob having goalie is actually good, Picking up Nana, this thompson kid.


And i do not have any other better ideas. Guess there doing what they can.

I'll still root like crazy, I have travel plans to make it to a few more home games, but checking out the track record without our starters, am thinking about beating myself to the punch and checking into AA this very minute.

[somebody]

I think John L labeling Adu as bust this season is a bit premature.
look at where Eskandarian was last year and he went from high level college to the pros, whereas Adu is going from zit-popping opponents to ones who shave.
Start to judge Adu's impact when he's about 18 is what I say--maybe even later.

[JoeW]

I have a hard time saying Nick Rimando b/c it's now apparent that he started the year hurt (ie: not recovered) from his knee and it was never fully right. Hard to say someone is a "bust" if they're physically limited.

And as disappointed as I am for Quaranta, Quintanilla and Martins, they aren't out for lack of trying. Ditto with Nelsen.

For me, the biggest busts are: Petke and Convey. Both have tried hard and worked hard and been good guys. But Petke obviously doesn't fit in a 3-man backline (as Haig and Jacen pointed out 2 years ago--he's a fine man marker in a central defense position but don't ask him to cover ground or organize). And I think ALL of us assumed that this was the year Convey would be given the keys to the car. Nowak promised it, it was supposed to start out that way. And then he gradually moved from the center of the pitch back to the left mid spot. Lots of reasons--Olsen might be better in the middle than outside (since he's lost 2-3 steps). Adu didn't pan out as an outside mid. Kovalenko isn't good as an outside mid. And I think Convey has had some very good moments this year. But bottomline--he wanted to be "the man", Nowak told him he'd be given that chance, the team needed someone to lead the attack, there were plenty of holes/vacuum (ie: he didn't have to displace a Etcheverry. instead, we came into the season unsure of our forwards and unclear on who was in the middle of the pitch) and just didn't grab the opportunity.

The other big bust would be Stokes. I always want local guys to succeed--I think a real team is more than just a bunch of stars purchased from other locals. I really love it when my team has players that hail from the area. So I"m so happy for Carroll. And Stokes has all the physical talent. But given PT and confidence from the coach he's just not stepping it up enough. He could have seized a starting position this year given the injuries to Nelsen (and others) and poor play by Petke and Prideaux. You don't get many golden opportunities in pro sports and this was one.

[Th4119]

First, I wouldn't really say Freddy's goal versus NY was cherry-picking. Opportunistic and a little poaching maybe, but he made a good run in the box and wasn't just standing in front of the goal when Gros started making his run, he was well back in the box.

As for the biggest busts, I'd have to go with Stokes obviously. Biggest dissapointment would be Quaranta going up until September at the earliest without getting an MLS minute.

[owendylan]

Kevin Ara. Knave had us all convinced he was the second coming of Patrick Viera! :)

[beltwayrob]

I'll still root like crazy, I have travel plans to make it to a few more home games, but checking out the track record without our starters, am thinking about beating myself to the punch and checking into AA this very minute.

I'm in line for AA just behind you man.

Big Busts:

- Stokes: Love the attitude but his talent suffers, he should have taken that assignment in Richmond.

- Injuries: Between Rimando, Nellie, Q1, Q2, and the countless other 1 or 2 game injuries, we're hurting bad, and the lack of depth (to be addressed momentarily) has killed our chances at go further than 1st round of the playoffs.

- Mr. Payne & Kasper the Ghost: Like the song "Oh where oh where has Kasper gone, oh where oh where has he gone..." Obviously has his head in the clouds if he thinks our defense has "depth." His best moves this yeah were finally getting Kaffour signed, EZ, and we'll see on this Thompson guy (I have high hopes). And continuing with the dynamic duo: where is the new training facility, and why won't anyone address the issue of an SSS. I'm sure paying cheap rent at RFK helps pad the pockets a little, but dang, we're arguably the best and most loyal fans in MLS, REWARD US, and our TEAM!

[URwormfood]

Maybe the thread should be re-titled as Big busts of mid-season?

~~~Worm~~~

[Th4119]

I don't think mine are going to change by the Fall...

[JoeW]

Also, no-way do I see Adu as a "bust." He's shown ability and promise. He's gotten better. With exception of one blip down in Dallas (first game), he's had a good attitude.

I think most of us felt that it wasn't until year 2 or 3 that we'd really know what we have with Freddy.

Nor do I see Ara as a bust. Nowak said at the Combine that almost all of the players there were "projects"--that some good be very good but you wouldn't know until 2-3 years from now. Ara is the definition of project--he missed most of the early practices b/c of school and is playing a new position.

[shawn12011]

Petke, Payne and Kasper, no doubt.


Petke has not played like the vetern defender he is supposoed to be.

Payne and Kapser are still trying to figure out how to shut the barn doors, despite the fact that the horses have all gotten out. Being caught this shorthanded even with all the injuries coming all at once is inexcusable.

[owendylan]

Nor do I see Ara as a bust. Nowak said at the Combine that almost all of the players there were "projects"--that some good be very good but you wouldn't know until 2-3 years from now. Ara is the definition of project--he missed most of the early practices b/c of school and is playing a new position.

Notice the smiley at the end of my post, I was joking and poking some fun at Knave.

[ursula]

Petke wins this contest flat out. He has the skills and have shown in the past that he can play near Nelsen's level. He may do that next year. But his history has shown that he's very inconsistent from year to year and this is one of those years....

JoeW- placing Convey on the bust list is as bizarre as putting Adu there; even more so really. When Convey has played he's been an important part of the best midfield in MLS, easily pulling his weight. It's not fair to put one's preseason expectations on a player before seeing how a new coach is gonna play him.

[gunner_21]

Kevin Ara. Knave had us all convinced he was the second coming of Patrick Viera! :)

LOL - No Ara to Real Madrid rumours floating around!

In all seriousness, not sure I'd say biggest bust, but for certain biggest disappointment is the fact that Q1 has yet to play one minute.

[JoeW]

JoeW- placing Convey on the bust list is as bizarre as putting Adu there; even more so really. When Convey has played he's been an important part of the best midfield in MLS, easily pulling his weight. It's not fair to put one's preseason expectations on a player before seeing how a new coach is gonna play him.

I don't think so. I conceed that he's played hard, pulled his weight and is a good player. That said, even Goff said he seemed distracted at times this year. I think the larger reason for my post was this: didn't all of us (including Convey and Nowak) view this as the season he was going to be THE MAN, being our A-mid? And it didn't happen. Lots of reasons, some beyond his control. But ultimately, while you can't criticize Convey as having a "bad game" or not trying (despite some of the psycho analysis of body language in another thread), it's hard for anyone to look at this season and not feel dis-satisfied. I bet Convey feels like the season was a let down for him--that he didn't achieve anywhere near what he wanted and expected.

[JoeW]

Notice the smiley at the end of my post, I was joking and poking some fun at Knave.

Yes, but I'm humor-impaired (should be obvious to everyone on BS by now) so I need to be cut some slack on matters like this!

[Tweaked]

I actually think Adu has been playing better over the past couple games. He seems a lot more confident, has been better at taking the ball at people, has been passing better. As for his goal scoring, did anyone really expect him to light it up. But obviously he already knows one of the good qualities to become a goal scorer, stick you nose in the middle of the goal (either physically or with good crosses) and good things will happen.

However, I still get a little frustrated when he plays with the ball too much like his little dink moves when he cuts into the box, defenders just wait until he misplays the ball and then strip him. Also, corners have been well struck, but he's putting way too much mustard on the ball, he flew the ball through the box multiple times during the Dallas game.

I think now that the forward situation with Cerritos and Esky has been cleared up and that Bobby is gone (for some reason it always seemed Bobby and Adu had a contentious relationship on the field), Adu has a better understanding of his role and is more comfortable in assuming that role.

I think he's been pretty much what people who didn't buy into the hype thought he would be, young, needs a lot of polish, but shows flashes of brilliant play...and he's putting a good number of butts into seats (DC has the best road attendence average)

[Knave]

Kevin Ara. Knave had us all convinced he was the second coming of Patrick Viera! :)
Hey, now. I said it'd be a project to convert him to d-mid, and - well - I was right. :D

The biggest bust was Cerritos. But if Stokes can't turn the corner (as he seems to be doing), then he'll be the big bust come season's end.