Marco Etcheverry ::: So what's the word?

[Knave]

Is anyone else a little surprised that we haven't heard anything about Etcheverry's status? I am. Maybe they're waiting for the new coach to make the definitive decision and/or absorb the inevitable negative backlash, but, nonetheless, I thought we’d hear more. I was under the impression that his contract expired at the end of this month. (Is that correct?) So I at least expected to see some chatter in the press from his agent and perhaps himself about the future. Thus far there really hasn’t been anything. I guess it’s possible that DC United and MLS silently let Etcheverry go on his way but that’s so unlikely. One way or another a reckoning and an explanation have to be given. DC United can’t just let Etcheverry leave the team without a word. He’s too much of a team icon for that. But thus far there’s been nothing, no word that he’s staying or going. Indeed, there hasn’t even been any discussion about the fact that it’s an issue. Everyone, the Troika, the press and even us on this board seem to be avoiding the issue.

Did I miss something? Perhaps the Troika want to get a new coach first before dealing with the Etcheverry issue. But if that's so then, as I implied earlier, that's an interesting wrinkle in this coaching business. Would you want your first act as coach to be the firing of the team's most notable icon? That's a tough thing to do and it would certainly incur more than a little ill regard from certain DC United supporters. But I've gotta wonder if that's the design that’s unfolding here amidst this silence.

[CHICO13]

All I have to go on is what he said before his last home game. He left for Bolivia about a week and a half ago and isn't due back here for about three more weeks. (I have his car at my shop). Regardless of his status, I'm sure he'll probably keep his residency here in the area as he now has his green card and loves living in the States. Before he left he told me he was sad about Ray's departure which actually surprised me a little. I personally don't think he'll be back and I'm not sure whoever the new coach is will be responsible for pulling the trigger.

I think the economics and the reality of his diminished role will force Paynes hand into asking him to retire or let his contract expire. My guess is he plays one more year somewhere overseas and then puts in some time with the young guns on the Bolivian nats. Either way, to most of the posters on this boards relief we've probably seen the last of El Diablo.

[Z010 Union]

I think they are going to be introducing him as an assistant coach. Probably not player/coach, but just coach. I'm sure he was hurt when Hristo filled that role last year.

I hope he stays with the club in some capacity. I think most of us will admit he can still be brilliant but he can also be invisible. I'd like to see him remain in the Black and Red, but as a coach.

[Knave]

Originally posted by Bryan76
I think they are going to be introducing him as an assistant coach. Probably not player/coach, but just coach. I'm sure he was hurt when Hristo filled that role last year.
I think that's fairly unlikely. (Though I'm by no means opposed to him coaching DC United in the future.) It's just that the incoming coach is going to name his assistant and it's unlikely that Etcheverry will be high on their lists. If it's Nowak he's already stated that it'll be Kubik. And if it's Osorio then I doubt he'd want to risk being upstaged by Etcheverry. But maybe I'm wrong.

Tell you the truth, what'd be classy is for DC United to set up a youth academy and put Etcheverry in charge. It would be a sort of first step towards the eventual development of official youth and reserve teams. I think Chicago and some other teams have already taken similar steps. In fact, all that would really require is a formalization of ties between DC United, the DC United sponsored youth teams and Etcheverry's already existing soccer academy.

http://www.etcheverrysoccer.com/

[John L]

I think coaching would NOT be a great move - He (and Stoichkov) displayed far too much immaturity on the field by protesting calls with the referee - For all of Ray's histrionics (and occasional protests), I thought he was usually pretty objective about about how well (and how poorly) the team played - Coaches need to calmly recognize that so they can successfully address and correct that in practices - Marco has NEVER demonstrated this -

On the other hand, an official Youth Academy Coach type of job would be good

John L

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by John L
I think coaching would NOT be a great move - He (and Stoichkov) displayed far too much immaturity on the field by protesting calls with the referee -
I'll take issue with this statement and say that the player Marco is on the field and the teacher he is on the practice field are two different people.

Marco came up thru the Tahuichi Academy and pro leagues in South America and Europe. The Tahuichi Academy stressed fundamentals and fair play. He was never known thru out his career as an immature player.

Only once he hit the MLS with the questionable refereeing did this become an issue.
Is he fiery and hot headed at times? Well uh....
he probably wouldn't be called El Diablo if he wasn't.
But if you don't think he can be a great teacher or a positive influence, you only have to go as far as Bobby Convey to ask.

[Serie Zed]

No news is bad news.

[TCompton]

I think that United is letting Marco's current contract expire. Then, whenever they hire a new coach, the new coach will be able to decide whether or not he wants to attempt to sign Marco to a new contract. The likelihood of his returning to RFK as a player are probably close to zero.

I'd personally love to have him in section 135 in the future.

[bigredfutbol]

Originally posted by Knave
Is anyone else a little surprised that we haven't heard anything about Etcheverry's status?

Yes, I am.
The silence is deafening.

[stevengoff]

Originally posted by TCompton
I think that United is letting Marco's current contract expire. Then, whenever they hire a new coach, the new coach will be able to decide whether or not he wants to attempt to sign Marco to a new contract. The likelihood of his returning to RFK as a player are probably close to zero.

Bingo...

[Detective40oz]

Originally posted by stevengoff
Bingo...

Steven, that one word answer was just music to my ears :)

[Knave]

And that, my friends, is why it was worth asking the question. I can't see any of the coaching prospects wanting to retain Etcheverry. The Troika perhaps, but not the next coach. By passing the buck on the final decision they've all but sealed Etcheverry's DC United fate.

Thanks for the info, Steven.

[dale_wilster]

There was some talk in Bolivia that Etcheverry would return and play a final year for a club team there. Most notably with Wilstermann as a "refuerzo" (reinforcement) for the Copa Libertadores.

I can assure you that most of the fans there do not want him either. Seeing him horribly useless in the qualifying match last November sealed their opinions of him.

[scruggs45]

hey knave...you asked a question that you knew the answer to...you know what is going on and you dont want etch back...why waste a thread on it...oh i guess you are a big time moderator and like seeing yourself as a guy that starts a lot of threads...congrats man...another feather in your cap

[Cweedchop]

Originally posted by scruggs45
hey knave...you asked a question that you knew the answer to...you know what is going on and you dont want etch back...why waste a thread on it...oh i guess you are a big time moderator and like seeing yourself as a guy that starts a lot of threads...congrats man...another feather in your cap

Sincerely,

Fred Etcheverry..

[Knave]

Originally posted by scruggs45
hey knave...you asked a question that you knew the answer to...you know what is going on and you dont want etch back...why waste a thread on it...oh i guess you are a big time moderator and like seeing yourself as a guy that starts a lot of threads...congrats man...another feather in your cap
That's presumptive, if not willfully stupid.

[superdave]

Originally posted by CHICO13
Marco came up thru the Tahuichi Academy and pro leagues in South America and Europe. The Tahuichi Academy stressed fundamentals and fair play. He was never known thru out his career as an immature player.

Only once he hit the MLS with the questionable refereeing did this become an issue.
Is he fiery and hot headed at times? Well uh....
he probably wouldn't be called El Diablo if he wasn't.
Wasn't he famously red-carded in WC '94?

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by superdave
Wasn't he famously red-carded in WC '94?
Yes he was and I was sitting 15 rows up from where it happened. When he got tangled up with the German player and went down he got up and kicked the ground a good 4 or 5 feet behind the German. The referee was a about 20 yards up the field. From the referees viewpoint it looked like Marco kicked the player. I saw a replay of it from a Portugese telecast that backs this. Needless to say about a thousand Bolivians went nuts that hot day in Chicago. And if memory serves, that ref was banned from WC action after that game.

[futbolrey]

i just saw etcheverry on telemundo apparently he went to chile to play tribute to Ivan Bam Bam Zamorrano

Game is one right now!


P.S.
Etcheverry can't complete a pass and looks to be in horrible condition....okay its a friendly but still if he comes back dc united i'm afriad he will bring his mediocre style of play too.

[MikeLastort2]

The German player was none other than Lothar Mattheaus.