Is Etcheverry chopped liver?

[Topo]

I just read an article by Jeff Bradley on mlsnet.com:

http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/firstXI0226.html

He was predicting double-digit scorers for the 2003 MLS season and had this to say about Preki:

Preki is proud to be the winner of the MLS Playmaker Survivor Contest, outlasting Carlos Valderrama and Peter Nowak, and he’ll celebrate that honor this season by finding the range again on those 25-yard dead balls.

Hey, Jeff, you blew it buddy. Preki isn't the MLS Playmaker Survivor yet. Last I checked, Marco Etcheverry is still in the league, despite a few sub-par seasons. We'll just assume you didn't notice him last season. He wasn't difficult to miss then (nor was the rest of D.C. United).

I couldn't find a good email to point this out to Jeff, but I'm sure somebody will.

[dmac]

I just think Bradley doesn't include Etch with Valderrama, Nowak, and Preki because they are all at least five to seven years (maybe more?) older. Not that Etch is a spring chicken, he just isn't so old as to be labelled a "survivor" yet.

[Stogey23]

I agree. Just because Marco looks and plays like he is 40-something doesn't mean he should be classified with those guys.

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by Stogey23
I agree. Just because Marco looks and plays like he is 40-something doesn't mean he should be classified with those guys.
He didn't look like a 40 year old last year when he curled that 25 yard free kick against Chicago.

[todda74]

hopefully Marco will have an outstanding year with his new teammates. This is I would call a "contract" year for him. He took a paycut this year and if he wants any other league to take a look at him he will have to raise his play up a few notches from the last 2 years.

[Sundevil9]

I could care less what some people have for expectations out of certain players.

If no one is expecting Marco to lead United out of the wilderness, so be it. They'll be that much more surprised when the team hoists the MLS Cup.

[dsheon]

I think Bradley answers your question indirectly in another paragraph in that story, which also fails to mention Etch:

10. Dema Kovalenko, DC United. Dema hit 10 for the Fire in 2000, and even though he scored just one goal last season, here’s why I see him scoring 10 again this year: someone is going to have to put the ball away for DC. I know the early lineup speculation coming out of United has Dema playing deep in the midfield and Earnie Stewart playing up top, but I have a sneaking suspicion that as the season plays out, it will be Stewart assuming more of a organizing role for United and Kovalenko being asked to do what comes naturally…and that means taking the ball to the goal.