Washington Post: Decision on Harkes

[Lowecifer]

From Steven Goff:

Hudson to Decide on Harkes Today (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1940-2003Feb25.html)

Thanks Steven.

Also, it's good that DC & USSF have addressed the mystery surrounding Tino's "Family Issues", although no details were given.

I hope everything is okay with his family.

[elconejito]

I wish him the best (especially if he plays for us).

Who do you think will get the ax if he signs?

[eltico]

Can he take Chino's roster spot?

[mellon002]

I think so.

[Sandon Mibut]

Originally posted by Lowecifer
Also, it's good that DC & USSF have addressed the mystery surrounding Tino's "Family Issues", although no details were given. I don't think the club and the fed are doing Tino any favors by not being more specific about why he's missing training with United and the U20 team.

All being vague does is lead to more speculation. I mean, we've already got the papa and whitey rumors and the longer they act like they have something to conceal the more suspcious people are going to get and the more rumors and speculation we're going to see.

Whatever it is, it can't be that bad if he's expected back "soon". Just come out and say what it is, let us overreact to it for a day or so and then let it die a natural death as we move on to other issues.

Regardless, props to Goff for inquiring about this and trying to get an official explanation.

[DigitalTron]

It's nice to see Stewart break his duck with a brace in the scrimmage against Lyn. 7-0, wow, I'd say that's a good day's work.

Best of luck to Harksie, regardless of Hudson's decision, he'll always be a DC United Captain in my eyes.

-Tron

[Detective40oz]

at least our leading scorer Nellie got back to his scoring ways :)

[GUTuna]

It'll be interesting to see if they actually bring back Harkes.

If they decide not to it'll be another ignominious end for another great '94 USMNTer and all around great player. To think, getting cut by the team you wanted to end your career with in favor of some young unknown (no offense to our young unknowns).

[Cweedchop]

I got confirmation from one of our media types who said basically the same thing Goff said regarding Tino..

What this media icon said which is different from Goff's story is that Tino is rapidly running out of chances with both United and the USSF with his "behavior"..

This my friends, is the downside of going pro at 15 years old..

Tino, you have worlds of talent... Grow up my friend...

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by Sandon Mibut
I don't think the club and the fed are doing Tino any favors by not being more specific about why he's missing training with United and the U20 team.

All being vague does is lead to more speculation. I mean, we've already got the papa and whitey rumors and the longer they act like they have something to conceal the more suspcious people are going to get and the more rumors and speculation we're going to see.

Whatever it is, it can't be that bad if he's expected back "soon". Just come out and say what it is, let us overreact to it for a day or so and then let it die a natural death as we move on to other issues.


Maybe it's none of our business.

[JBG - Bribe Taker]

Back to Harkes, anyone heard what he may do if he fails to make the DCU roster? Any other MLS teams sniffing around? A-League? Retire?

[Footer Phooter]

Originally posted by CHICO13
Maybe it's none of our business.

That was my thought as well.

[Z010 Union]

Originally posted by CHICO13
Maybe it's none of our business.

CHICO, I'd agree with you if he was still training with some team, but it sounds like he's not. I am concerned that one of our stars is not in camp due to personal reasons. While in an ideal world, all of us could accept that, but, in the age of information overload, many of us, including me, expect explanations for everything.

We are 45 days from opening the season, and one of our better players and bonafide stars is MIA with no official reason why, leading to speculation and independant "fact finding". This would be better handled with the truth first and damage control later, rather than the opposite. I understand their concern and reticence to discuss what the personal reasons are and feel bad for Teen-O if they are as rumored, though being a dad might help him mature.

[Topo]

It's out business until he retires, quits, leaves, or otherwise removes himself from any relationship with the team (or league, or sport).

If it has any bearing on the product that DC United puts on the field (or fails to put on the field), it's our business.

It's nice to see Nelsen starting his campaign for DC United Golden Boot with a good warm-up.

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by Bryan_Elon95
CHICO, I'd agree with you if he was still training with some team, but it sounds like he's not. I am concerned that one of our stars is not in camp due to personal reasons. While in an ideal world, all of us could accept that, but, in the age of information overload, many of us, including me, expect explanations for everything.

We are 45 days from opening the season, and one of our better players and bonafide stars is MIA with no official reason why, leading to speculation and independant "fact finding". This would be better handled with the truth first and damage control later, rather than the opposite. I understand their concern and reticence to discuss what the personal reasons are and feel bad for Teen-O if they are as rumored, though being a dad might help him mature.
Well, I'd like to know the reasons as much as you would Bryan, or anyone else that follows the team as closely as we do. But I think that "family issues" and "personal reasons" are just that. Being a pro athlete and being in the spotlight should not mean giving up your privacy. I want Tino to succeed as much as the next guy, but I think whatever issues he needs to work thru should be done with his family and not in the press or on an internet forum.

[mellon002]

Originally posted by Topo
It's out business until he retires, quits, leaves, or otherwise removes himself from any relationship with the team (or league, or sport).

If it has any bearing on the product that DC United puts on the field (or fails to put on the field), it's our business.

And how does that make his personal life our business? IT DOESN'T! Let's all just be patient and give Tino some time. How does announcing what is wrong with his family impact your life? Back off.

[shawn12011]

Originally posted by Cweedchop
I got confirmation from one of our media types who said basically the same thing Goff said regarding Tino..

What this media icon said which is different from Goff's story is that Tino is rapidly running out of chances with both United and the USSF with his "behavior"..

This my friends, is the downside of going pro at 15 years old..

Tino, you have worlds of talent... Grow up my friend...

While I do agree he needs to grow up, he is 18. All of us should remember how stupid we thought those people older than were. Maybe he does need a swift kick in the @#$& but lets mantain some perspective here. He is only 18 and still has lots of life lessons left to learn.

[cherno]

Don't we already have a separate thread about Tino and the mysterious "personal issues?"

Back to Harkesie: If we did sign Harkes and cut (hopefully) Chino what would that bring the average age of our lineup up to. It'd have to be the highest in the league. Etch, Hristo, Ernie, and Harkes all on the same team? Though as long as they're not all on the field at the same time it might be a great environment to develop our kids.

[RMDad]

I hope Harkes shows well, and makes his swan-song at United.

As for Tino...........
I feel it is a great dis-service to Santino and his family for us to speculate and rumor-monger.
Family matters can be trying enough without having to bare all to a nosey, ever prying public.
Leave the boy be, and satisfy your morbid curiosities elsewhere.
Mark

[Hedbal]

I too would take Harkes over the visa-less Alegria, but I wonder if he really is in competition with Bryan Namoff for the "last" spot on the roster. Apparently, Namoff has been playing well, and at a variety of positions. He is gritty and versatile (remember his fine stint at left back late in the season?), in addition to being young. Of course, he may be no cheaper than Harkesie at this point. Harkes has been playing D-mid, where Nelson is pencilled in as the starter, but we know he will be away on Nat team duty from time to time. If it came down to one of these two, which to take?