Someone punched frankie ?

[wyastarr]

Frankie's response to this is perfect. Rise above the fray. It'll rattle the opponent much more than engaging. I was going to start a separate, "let's here it for Frankie" thread, but I'll just put it here. While yes he struggles when he's within 35 yards of the opposing team's goal--and I think that's partly why us Sunday morning players love him--he is just a magnificent competitor. He's Kenny "the rat" Linesman without the out the cheap shots. I think the guy slapped him because, sub-consciously, he recognized Frankie as being everything he isn't: worldly, full of love for the game, happy, etc. That's my couch-based psycho-analysis of it.

[braun]

Does Hejduk play stoned?

I would have thought that he didn't need it.

Anyway, his calm response made it more likely that Ramirez will be sanctioned by FIFA after they review the episode on video!

Mexico is in trouble besides. I can see them losing in Azteca again to Honduras and maybe to us. So, they better play well away. Let's hope they don't. It would be a pleasure to see them fight it out for the last CONCACAF slot for WC '10.

[jonspider]

Frankie says - "Chillax Brosephs"

[Mr. Warmth]

Does Hejduk play stoned?



Have you ever seen anyone stoned run like him?

He freebases thorazine just so he doesn't break his mistress in half.

[Nutmeg]

Frankie's response, both in blowing it off and in calling it a "love tap" was the best possible. He essentially made Paco look like the p#ssy he is and embarrassed Pobre Paco even in his own country.

By the way, the same is true of the US response to Marquez' stupidity. You saw a lot of players making sure the US didn't get involved in the fray. Michael Bradley, smartly, was removed from the scene immediately. After watching the Lalas/Harkes/Wynalda/etc generation constantly lose their heads to Mexico, the US reaction was refreshing.

[USArsnl]

That's terrible. Especially after he gave me his jersey.

[dwsmith1972]

They should get Paco Ramirez on assault charges before he flees the country.

The Univision guys were as incredulous as anyone else--they couldn't believe what they were seeing.

When you look at Rafa Marquez and his 1,001st red card or what Paco Ramirez did tonight, these are not adversaries in a sport we're talking about anymore, but rather human garbage. Paco Ramirez is human garbage and should be arrested and locked up immediately.

While I think it was poor sportsmanship and uncalled for, I will reserve "human garbage" for those more deserving. Emotions can run high in sports and otherwise decent folks can do things that they regret or that they wouldn't ordinarily do.

[dwsmith1972]

Frankie's response, both in blowing it off and in calling it a "love tap" was the best possible. He essentially made Paco look like the p#ssy he is and embarrassed Pobre Paco even in his own country.

By the way, the same is true of the US response to Marquez' stupidity. You saw a lot of players making sure the US didn't get involved in the fray. Michael Bradley, smartly, was removed from the scene immediately. After watching the Lalas/Harkes/Wynalda/etc generation constantly lose their heads to Mexico, the US reaction was refreshing.


I found it interesting watching that clip a few times after the Marquez foul. Boca IMMEDIATELY grabbed Bradley and shuttled him aside, as a good Captain should, and the situation appeared to be defused until Ochoa came flying in looking to instigate further. Unless he thought Marquez was being messed with while on the ground, which would be a reasonable thing for a teammate to be concerned with. But I couldn't tell.

[Chicago1871]

I found it interesting watching that clip a few times after the Marquez foul. Boca IMMEDIATELY grabbed Bradley and shuttled him aside, as a good Captain should...
If you're going to pull someone aside, Bradley is definitely the guy you want away from that situation, and right quick.

[Cornnolio]

Never punch the guy with no body fat and 14 espressos in his system.

Classic!

[Rainer24]

No one in the World Media ever gives credit to the U.S for anything. The U.S could play Portugal and beat them and the Portuguese Media wouldn't care as they would focus more on bashing the Players than praising the entire U.S Men's National Team.

And speaking of the Media, I love how the ALWAYS underestimate the U.S Men's National Team. I hope they, and the Mexican National Team Fans learned a very valuable lesson today and that is, NEVER underestimate the U.S Men's National Team.
Yes, the majority of Americans in this Country don't like Soccer but still, the U.S Men's National Team has come a long way ever since Paul Caligiuri helped sent the U.S Men's National Team into the 1990 FIFA World Cup.


I don't think American fans and media are that much different. Sure, the expectations are tempered, but if we lose, people generally talk about how badly our play was, rather than applauding whatever the opponent did to win.

[Rainer24]

If you're going to pull someone aside, Bradley is definitely the guy you want away from that situation, and right quick.


Why, exactly? The incident at the U-20s?

[Scotty]

YouTube - Goal.com: Carlos Bocanegra responds to fight between United States and Mexico

[Adam Zebrowski]

i saw the video on univision this morning..

hejduk is walking from outside inside, a fat guy, sucker punches him, in front of police, and everyone..

#14 for mexico grabs the guy and trys to restrain him..

the columbus police are right there..

depending on the guys situation, he ain't ever getting into the usa ever again, minimally, you jst don't do that in front of the police, and if he's an american citizen, well columbus jail could be worse..

[Chicago1871]

Why, exactly? The incident at the U-20s?
Bradley has established a reputation as a hot headed player. He has also shown himself to be the type of guy to come to his teammates' defense whenever they need it. The two of those traits combine to create a guy who is very likely to say or so something to draw a card in a scrum like that.

Someone pointed out how great it is that the players on the team today don't let Mexico get in their heads the way the US players of old did. Bradley is young and I'm confident he will mature and not be a liability down the road, but for now he is valuable, there are 9 games left, and there is no need for him to get a stupid card.

[Adam Zebrowski]

MB was the first american to the defense of howard...

if he had come in hot headed, the ref might just have red carded him, too...

favorite incident... lalas getting kicked in the balls...

of lalas, didn't the voodoo doll look just like him

[kjksccr]

Originally Posted by kjksccr
I have to say I was stunned Frankie didn't get a yellow. I think that is why he just kept doing it.

Doing what?

Going in studs up and even getting a good scissor tackle in. Nothing wrong with that and it stamps your authority on your territory. I would bet he was fully expecting a booking at some point and then would have tempered it down some.

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

So something similar has happened post game, allegedly:

In this game.
Blanco vs DC
Cup game vs New England.

Any others?

Isn't it about time a cop at a game arrests somebody??

[Adam Zebrowski]

it was the two footed tackle that won the ball, that's where i though batres let frankie get away with one....

[SlyFox11]

I'm sorry, but coaches physically hitting opposing players is never good at any level. Wasn't okay when Ohio State Coach Woody Hayes hit that Clemson player in the Gator Bowl in the late '70s, and this little mexi-slap wasn't acceptable, either. Coaches simply cannot hit an opponent, unless it is in self defense.

This may be a new low in the rivalry - on par with the piss bags raining down on American players and head butts being delivered on the field in the World Cup.

Mexico needs to learn that until they respect their opponents, they will continue to lose.