Bradley will dress for Send Off Series

[Chowderhead]

Do you think he cares? Do you honestly think he's worried about the moronic rantings and twitchings of internet message board posters? He is far more interested in his team.

I'm sure that he is. But Bradley is not a member of that team. My only point is that his move was, at the very least, worthy of commentary and maybe even criticism.

This board is not necessarily concerned with worrying or influencing anyone beyond it. It is a forum in which those who participate can offer opinion or vent.

Arena's move was unconventional. Thus, posters have offered their comments.

[Hillrat]

Just another example of Bruce's long-running, well-documented history of favoritism . . . toward former Metrostars.

[Red Card]

If Bruce was doing this as a favor then it would hurt team morale. And if so, I would lose a lot of respect for Bruce.

I for one tend to think that Bruce has a serious purpose in mind. Based on Mike's style of play that purpose would be insurance for Reyna and JOB. Both Reyna and JOB are injury prone. Think 1998 and Reyna's injury effectively ruined our chances. In 2002 Reyna's injuries were not noticed because JOB was there. But now in 2006, can JOB cover for a Reyna injury? If not JOB, then Donovan or Dempsey or Convey? We could be in serious trouble.

Having a 3rd option would help. If Mike shows well he might find a place. Just my opinion.

[JohnR]

Richie Williams II.

Hard-working good attitude D mid from Bruce's circle of friends & family. Brought on as a camp worker bee, but ends up getting more playing time than expected with the actual team.

[cleansheetbsc]

Just another example of Bruce's long-running, well-documented history of favoritism . . . toward former Metrostars.

True that. Eddie Pope sucked for the Nats when he was a Metro. They get rid of him and he is having a rebirth of form for the Nats. Can't explain Mathis however.

[Ringo]

i'm glad he's dressing. I have no desire to see his pimply ass in Hi-Def.

[TimB4Last]

If Bruce was doing this as a favor then it would hurt team morale. And if so, I would lose a lot of respect for Bruce.

I for one tend to think that Bruce has a serious purpose in mind. Based on Mike's style of play that purpose would be insurance for Reyna and JOB. Both Reyna and JOB are injury prone. Think 1998 and Reyna's injury effectively ruined our chances. In 2002 Reyna's injuries were not noticed because JOB was there. But now in 2006, can JOB cover for a Reyna injury? If not JOB, then Donovan or Dempsey or Convey? We could be in serious trouble.

Having a 3rd option would help. If Mike shows well he might find a place. Just my opinion.

Ditto. I'll add that BA's doing something a little unconventional elevated him in my estimation. Not that he necessarily cares*

I never bought into that 'favor' theory, despite everyone here at BS throwing their weight behind it. I think my original wording was 'remarkable coincidence,' not that BA had an extra MF in camp for scrimmaging but that the son of a close friend just happened to be the ideal scrub and potential sub - exactly what the doctor ordered.

Anyway, let's hope everyone stays healthy and we don't have to put this particular theory to the test.

[Do we have a Claudio Reyna expert here? Who can tell me about his early years in Argentina? I need some help over on the 'USMNT age' thread.]

*I doubt BA spends a lot of time reading well-intentioned advice here on BS. He's got a pretty good handle on things. But the players have a lot of free time on their hands - some of them may be regulars. Good luck guys!

[DiscoWarrior11]

True that. Eddie Pope sucked for the Nats when he was a Metro. They get rid of him and he is having a rebirth of form for the Nats. Can't explain Mathis however.

Funny, I thought he was hinting at Meola.

[Shaster]

Well, maybe he had three lousy games when I watched him, or has improved, or if a pure DM just did not show as well as the two way guys.

But I just thought some of the other MFs were clearly better. However, if he is only 18, he might have been actually "playing up" in those U20 games,so that might explain it.

How about he just back from an injury and not in form?

[geohiller]

Look everyone,

MB played a full season for last year's MetroStars. In the beginning of the season he was "stinkin' up the field" playing out of position as a holding mid. However, as a season ticket holder since day one (I know...I know:) ), we've had many worse d-mids in the Swamp. And I know that there was a significant group that said the only reason he got the role was because of his dad.

Yet when Bob Bradley was fired, Michael stayed in Mo Johnston's line-up, and even scored the goal against Chivas that sent us to the playoffs. A more professional reaction from a player whose dad was fired is not imaginable. It's very clear to me that as a 17 year old, MB improved significantly during the year.

Now that he's been at Heerenveen for six months, and worked his way from the reserves to the first team, and was part of the group that qualified for the UEFA cup, I can only imagine that he's continued to improve significantly. I'm not suggesting that last year, when he was with the MetroStars, he was better than Armas or Zivagnan or Clark. But it is possible he is now. Almost none of us have seen him play this year, but Bruce has in the last two weeks.

I'm not suggesting he's likely to go to Germany, but I am suggesting that Bruce is suiting him up because he's earned it, not because of nepotism or favortism or any other "ism" you care to name.

George

[VBSoccerFan]

Look everyone,

MB played a full season for last year's MetroStars. In the beginning of the season he was "stinkin' up the field" playing out of position as a holding mid. However, as a season ticket holder since day one (I know...I know:) ), we've had many worse d-mids in the Swamp. And I know that there was a significant group that said the only reason he got the role was because of his dad.

Yet when Bob Bradley was fired, Michael stayed in Mo Johnston's line-up, and even scored the goal against Chivas that sent us to the playoffs. A more professional reaction from a player whose dad was fired is not imaginable. It's very clear to me that as a 17 year old, MB improved significantly during the year.

Now that he's been at Heerenveen for six months, and worked his way from the reserves to the first team, and was part of the group that qualified for the UEFA cup, I can only imagine that he's continued to improve significantly. I'm not suggesting that last year, when he was with the MetroStars, he was better than Armas or Zivagnan or Clark. But it is possible he is now. Almost none of us have seen him play this year, but Bruce has in the last two weeks.

I'm not suggesting he's likely to go to Germany, but I am suggesting that Bruce is suiting him up because he's earned it, not because of nepotism or favortism or any other "ism" you care to name.

George

Rep this, people.

[monster]

Richie Williams II.

Hard-working good attitude D mid from Bruce's circle of friends & family. Brought on as a camp worker bee, but ends up getting more playing time than expected with the actual team.
Except for the whole Richie Williams really didn't play that much for the Nats and didn't even get a callup to the World Cup when a player from his direct position got hurt thing.

[monster]

Look everyone,

MB played a full season for last year's MetroStars. In the beginning of the season he was "stinkin' up the field" playing out of position as a holding mid. However, as a season ticket holder since day one (I know...I know:) ), we've had many worse d-mids in the Swamp. And I know that there was a significant group that said the only reason he got the role was because of his dad.

Yet when Bob Bradley was fired, Michael stayed in Mo Johnston's line-up, and even scored the goal against Chivas that sent us to the playoffs. A more professional reaction from a player whose dad was fired is not imaginable. It's very clear to me that as a 17 year old, MB improved significantly during the year.

Now that he's been at Heerenveen for six months, and worked his way from the reserves to the first team, and was part of the group that qualified for the UEFA cup, I can only imagine that he's continued to improve significantly. I'm not suggesting that last year, when he was with the MetroStars, he was better than Armas or Zivagnan or Clark. But it is possible he is now. Almost none of us have seen him play this year, but Bruce has in the last two weeks.

I'm not suggesting he's likely to go to Germany, but I am suggesting that Bruce is suiting him up because he's earned it, not because of nepotism or favortism or any other "ism" you care to name.

George
No, no, no, George.

Don't you know that Bruce Arena only rules on nepotism and personal favors and never discusses things with is players, only reacting to some mythical embarassing pictures that some people have over his head?

Forget those lies about how he's ultra competitive and will do whatever it takes to win and is incredibly open and honest with his players. He's just a lying backstabber out to make friends. :p

[Soccerprep]

MB is the Rudy of this team.

I can see it now.... The US is up a bunch of goals in the last game against Latvia and Gooch starts a "Bradley, Bradley, Bradley.."
Random point, we actually did this when I was a senior in high school (a few years after the movie came out) We had a manager that had, for four years, never missed a practice, practiced when he was needed, etc. When our senior night rolled around our coach let him dress as a "thank you," we were beating our opponents by about 6 goals, our coach had taken all of the seniors out by this point, so we began a chant on the bench (which quickly moved into the crowd) for our manager to play-the newspaper even commented on it as a segment of the article the next day as "Reflections of Rudy"-any way long story short we were awarded a PK maybe two minutes after he went on the field, our manager stepped up, but a low shot on the ground, and scored.

And man let me tell you, that guys celebration was priceless. I thought I was in a mastercard commerical.

[Rodan]

I am saying that he made an assertion of FACT which, if all the other requirements for a defamation action were met, could be actionable. He may call it his "opinion" now, but the statement was regarding a factual matter.
Well that's a bit of a re-actionary statement.

The going presupposition on Internet message boards is that unless otherwise stated, the sentiments expressed are opinion.

Because you don't like what someone says, please don't go implying that they've broken the law.

It's silly. That's a statement of fact.

[VBSoccerFan]

Well that's a bit of a re-actionary statement.

The going presupposition on Internet message boards is that unless otherwise stated, the sentiments expressed are opinion.

Because you don't like what someone says, please don't go implying that they've broken the law.

It's silly. That's a statement of fact.

Right. :rolleyes:

[Joel Goodson]

Classic BS thread: Overreactions, Insults, Accusations of Slander, Nepotism. . .

By the way, Cap DeMerit!

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

Random point, we actually did this when I was a senior in high school (a few years after the movie came out) We had a manager that had, for four years, never missed a practice, practiced when he was needed, etc. When our senior night rolled around our coach let him dress as a "thank you," we were beating our opponents by about 6 goals, our coach had taken all of the seniors out by this point, so we began a chant on the bench (which quickly moved into the crowd) for our manager to play-the newspaper even commented on it as a segment of the article the next day as "Reflections of Rudy"-any way long story short we were awarded a PK maybe two minutes after he went on the field, our manager stepped up, but a low shot on the ground, and scored.

And man let me tell you, that guys celebration was priceless. I thought I was in a mastercard commerical.

Was he autistic,too??:D

[firstshirt]

subbing him on in the 88th minute or stoppage time in one of these last 3 games will not make or break any of the roster players positions. bruce knows what he has,,,,give the kid a bone and let him play 4 or 5 minutes

[dark knight]

subbing him on in the 88th minute or stoppage time in one of these last 3 games will not make or break any of the roster players positions. bruce knows what he has,,,,give the kid a bone and let him play 4 or 5 minutes


What purpose does it serve? Just seems like a weird distraction when we are preparing for a world cup. We are in the home stretch - I don't see the point at all to be anything but focused on the players that are going. He's on the bench to get a taste of what's to come - but playing him? I'll be very surprised if Bruce does.