Vescey on Shane Walton

[microbrew]

"Notre Dame's Gain Is Now Soccer's Loss"
By GEORGE VECSEY (free registration required)
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/20/sports/ncaafootball/20VECS.html

I remember this guy was being talked about here: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11249 Does this mean Vecsey lurks on Big Soccer :)?

There's the standard lament on how soccer often loses superb athletes to other sports ("I face great athletes every day in practice. The defensive backs and receivers and running backs would be great soccer players." ), but I find this quote more interesting: '"college soccer was a step down" from club soccer'.

Back to the guy himself, he's still a big soccer fan. His favorite player is Faustino Asprilla and he watched the World Cup

[Dr. Wankler]

Well, I stand by what I said on page two of the original thread:

"No offense, and I wish him the best of luck, but... well, we've made it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup without a single one of ND's leading scorers. I doubt if his absence will greatly effect the future of the national team."

Actually, I meant "I doubt if his absence will greatly AFFECT...". Anyway, I'm sure he's a terrific athlete. So are the guys in MLS, including many who will never play a full international. Or even a partial one. Hell, there are great athletes in the A-league. We need great soccer players, though.