Carlos Ruiz - Threat or Menace?

[Dan Loney]

I've been trying to figure this guy out for nearly four seasons now, and am no closer than when we began. The most hated player in the league ever, from game one. "The dirtiest player in the league" was one opposing player's verdict very early on in Fishy's MLS career. The particular player making the judgment would not go on record, and to this day I can't imagine why. I guess he was shy about reactions ranging from "Well said" to "Duh."

The only thing that justifies his employment is the simple fact that he's the single most exciting player in the league. He is at all times five seconds away from (a) an astounding goal (b) a hilarious dive (c) a cheap-shot on an opposing defender (d) any of the above (e) I haven't actually seen him combine all three in one play yet, since it may be physically impossible, but if it ever happens Ruiz will be the one to do it. Love him or loathe him, I can't imagine why you'd turn down a chance to watch him.

Which brings me to yesterday's game, specifically his laughable dive in the middle of the second half. Quick quiz - you've just broken your ankle. Do you roll around back and forth, or do you try to stay as still as possible? If you chose the former, you have just won derisive laughter from Brian Hall.

Who did he think he was fooling? Usually his dives are much more plausible than that - it's part of his considerable non-charm. Maybe it's just residual cynicism after the World Cup celebrated the Summer of Diving, but right now Ruiz isn't gonna get a call for anything short of a gunshot wound.

The conventional wisdom on Ruiz from after his MVP year was that, if he got rid of the diving, he'd be in Europe. Doesn't he have friends? Doesn't he at least have an acting coach? Last night, he was up against a central D consisting of Troy Roberts and Ugo Ihemelu. The Galaxy alumni started a more accomplished defending corps earlier that afternoon. Choosing to try to beat those guys by diving was not just bad sportsmanship, it was bad scouting.

I expect more from Carlos Ruiz. It was like watching Darth Vader stub his toe.

[Guatefc]

I've been trying to figure this guy out for nearly four seasons now, and am no closer than when we began. The most hated player in the league ever, from game one. "The dirtiest player in the league" was one opposing player's verdict very early on in Fishy's MLS career. The particular player making the judgment would not go on record, and to this day I can't imagine why. I guess he was shy about reactions ranging from "Well said" to "Duh."

The only thing that justifies his employment is the simple fact that he's the single most exciting player in the league. He is at all times five seconds away from (a) an astounding goal (b) a hilarious dive (c) a cheap-shot on an opposing defender (d) any of the above (e) I haven't actually seen him combine all three in one play yet, since it may be physically impossible, but if it ever happens Ruiz will be the one to do it. Love him or loathe him, I can't imagine why you'd turn down a chance to watch him.

Which brings me to yesterday's game, specifically his laughable dive in the middle of the second half. Quick quiz - you've just broken your ankle. Do you roll around back and forth, or do you try to stay as still as possible? If you chose the former, you have just won derisive laughter from Brian Hall.

Who did he think he was fooling? Usually his dives are much more plausible than that - it's part of his considerable non-charm. Maybe it's just residual cynicism after the World Cup celebrated the Summer of Diving, but right now Ruiz isn't gonna get a call for anything short of a gunshot wound.

The conventional wisdom on Ruiz from after his MVP year was that, if he got rid of the diving, he'd be in Europe. Doesn't he have friends? Doesn't he at least have an acting coach? Last night, he was up against a central D consisting of Troy Roberts and Ugo Ihemelu. The Galaxy alumni started a more accomplished defending corps earlier that afternoon. Choosing to try to beat those guys by diving was not just bad sportsmanship, it was bad scouting.

I expect more from Carlos Ruiz. It was like watching Darth Vader stub his toe.


you make some excellent points, but considering he was coming off an injury and he this was the first time he pushed 90 minute's in, he has to do whatever it takes to make space for himself.

but i kinda figured out ruiz, or have a formula to his game, yes a formula!

Once ruiz comes back he's a diving cheat showing some flashes of greatness like last night, but 2 games in his scoring will begin to pick up and his diving begins to disappear, Its when he injures himself and makes a return where his game is questionable, but his scoring is bound to pick up sooner or later again. He missed 5 weeks and it always takes him by next week to start playing a lot better you'll see, it happened to him last year

[Frankie Boy]

I've been trying to figure this guy out for nearly four seasons now, and am no closer than when we began. The most hated player in the league ever, from game one. "The dirtiest player in the league" was one opposing player's verdict very early on in Fishy's MLS career. The particular player making the judgment would not go on record, and to this day I can't imagine why. I guess he was shy about reactions ranging from "Well said" to "Duh."

The only thing that justifies his employment is the simple fact that he's the single most exciting player in the league. He is at all times five seconds away from (a) an astounding goal (b) a hilarious dive (c) a cheap-shot on an opposing defender (d) any of the above (e) I haven't actually seen him combine all three in one play yet, since it may be physically impossible, but if it ever happens Ruiz will be the one to do it. Love him or loathe him, I can't imagine why you'd turn down a chance to watch him.

Which brings me to yesterday's game, specifically his laughable dive in the middle of the second half. Quick quiz - you've just broken your ankle. Do you roll around back and forth, or do you try to stay as still as possible? If you chose the former, you have just won derisive laughter from Brian Hall.

Who did he think he was fooling? Usually his dives are much more plausible than that - it's part of his considerable non-charm. Maybe it's just residual cynicism after the World Cup celebrated the Summer of Diving, but right now Ruiz isn't gonna get a call for anything short of a gunshot wound.

The conventional wisdom on Ruiz from after his MVP year was that, if he got rid of the diving, he'd be in Europe. Doesn't he have friends? Doesn't he at least have an acting coach? Last night, he was up against a central D consisting of Troy Roberts and Ugo Ihemelu. The Galaxy alumni started a more accomplished defending corps earlier that afternoon. Choosing to try to beat those guys by diving was not just bad sportsmanship, it was bad scouting.

I expect more from Carlos Ruiz. It was like watching Darth Vader stub his toe.

If he was 6 feet tall he'd be playing for Barcelona...

[Matrim55]

If he was 6 feet tall he'd be playing for Barcelona...
Sometimes I envy people the amount of crazy they can pack into one little sentence.

[Frankie Boy]

Sometimes I envy people the amount of crazy they can pack into one little sentence.

my point is that the Euro teams like strikers seem to like their strikers to be a little taller...and as probably no more than 5'6 on a good day, he may be too short for an elite level...

At the MLS level, he's a giant...

[Naco]

http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/MLS/players/bio.jsp?team=fcd&player=ruiz_c&playerId=rui800920&statType=current

5'9" says MLSnet.

[Guatefc]

I don't think height has to do anything with him not going to europe

Jermaine Defoe 5'7" and he's amongst the premiership top Strikers

What it is Ruiz Club connections and his NT not being in the WC ever

For Example... Jean Philip Peguero a mediocre stiker compare to Ruiz on the club level and International level, but since he plays for NY redbulls who heads can pull some strings to get him to Denamark, even a mediocre striker can go to Europe for a decent Fee, I doubt teams in europe are talking to FC dallas and the MLS for a fee on ruiz

If ruiz was on a team like Red bulls and LA offers would be coming left and right

[Frankie Boy]

I don't think height has to do anything with him not going to europe

Jermaine Defoe 5'7" and he's amongst the premiership top Strikers

What it is Ruiz Club connections and his NT not being in the WC ever

For Example... Jean Philip Peguero a mediocre stiker compare to Ruiz on the club level and International level, but since he plays for NY redbulls who heads can pull some strings to get him to Denamark, even a mediocre striker can go to Europe for a decent Fee, I doubt teams in europe are talking to FC dallas and the MLS for a fee on ruiz

If ruiz was on a team like Red bulls and LA offers would be coming left and right

He was on LA....and tried like heck to get to Europe...even played out his contract so he could get there easier...

[Guatefc]

well while in LA he had more offers then he had for FC dallas

During LA i believe he had offers and stints from the following teams

Wolverhampton
Everton
and some more not sure who else

and while on fC dallas
MFL clubs and one Italian seire A team on the heels of relegation

The offers were atleast better while on LA

[SankaCofie]

One of the players who I will probably always remember from MLS' early days was Mamadou Diallo.

The man scored goals. The man got into fights, on the field, in the stands. The man was huge, but had a propensity for falling a little easily for someone of his size.

He argued with his teammates, the refs, the other team. He was the last player i'd ever want on my team. But as far as train-wrecks go he was all sorts of fun to watch.

[SankaCofie]

If he was 6 feet tall he'd be playing for Barcelona...

If he had four legs he'd be a goat.

[Frankie Boy]

If he had four legs he'd be a goat.

And since he is not Mexican he still couldn't play for Chivas!!!!

[genpabloescobar]

One of the players who I will probably always remember from MLS' early days was Mamadou Diallo.

The man scored goals. The man got into fights, on the field, in the stands. The man was huge, but had a propensity for falling a little easily for someone of his size.

He argued with his teammates, the refs, the other team. He was the last player i'd ever want on my team. But as far as train-wrecks go he was all sorts of fun to watch.

This guy submitted my post for me.

[FC Dizzle]

and while on fC dallas
MFL clubs and one Italian seire A team on the heels of relegation

The offers were atleast better while on LA

ya ill believe that when i see it. link please

[warmblooded]

If he was 6 feet tall he'd be playing for Barcelona...

Barcelona de Ecuador.

[warmblooded]

If he was 6 feet tall he'd be playing for Barcelona...

Barcelona de Ecuador.

Ruiz can eat a dick.

[Guatefc]

ya ill believe that when i see it. link please


that happend during the Winter transfer window, when Ruiz was holding out before this season, i could try to find it but these articles are almost a year old. the teams that were interested in him were real san luis of MFL and Cagliari Calcio SpA of Italian Serie A

[Stan Collins]

Jermaine Defoe 5'7" and he's amongst the premiership top Strikers If he was 6'7" he'd have played for England.







(I kid. Mostly.)

[SankaCofie]

Barcelona de Ecuador.

Barcelona of Guayaquil... Thats not a bad idea. I think Ruiz would do pretty well if surrounded by teamates don't suck.

[guado]

If he was 6'7" he'd have played for England.







(I kid. Mostly.)

if he was 6'7" , he'd do the robot.