[Unorthodox Yank]

I was originally going to post this in the Kei Kamara thread, but figured that it was off-topic enough, long enough, and a big enough issue to merit its own discussion.

In that thread and others, I've noticed more and more people around here turning negative against Claudio Lopez, with some even suggesting that they don't want him back on the roster next year.

Gotta say, I really don't get where all this resentment is coming from.

For one thing, I think Lopez has displayed some of his best form of the season the last three games. Sure, he missed that breakaway against NY, but outside of that he's been the most dangerous attacking player the team has had. Since PV took over, Lopez's work rate has dramatically improved, he seems to be linking up quite well with Harrington down the left, and as a result he's managed to create a ton of opportunities in the final 1/3rd.

That said, I think we can all agree that the Lopez years have been somewhat disappointing thus far. But I refuse to believe that a player of his pedigree can't cut it in MLS because simply because he's old/can't handle the physicality/etc. If anything, I think the past two seasons have shown Lopez to be a tremendous positive to this team. After all, he's one of the only players on the squad that has the skill and confidence to push the ball into the attacking 1/3rd on a regular basis. That's not to say that Lopez is immune to mistakes, but rather that, as I see it, he's been more a part of the solution than a part of the problem.

As such, my big problem with Lopez actually isn't a problem with Lopez at all. It's actually quite simple: the dude's been played WAY too much. So far this season, in 23 appearances, Lopez has averaged almost a full 90 - 86 freaking minutes per game.

Let's put that in perspective: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (the MLS player most like Lopez in terms of age, role on the field, history, etc.) averages about 75 minutes per game. Blanco (the next closest) averages 74.

We saw last year how much an extended rest benefited Lopez in the stretch run of the season. I don't understand why the technical staff hasn't taken that same concept and spread it out over the year, the way Columbus has done with Schelotto. Not only will it keep Lopez relatively rested, but it will also give other, younger players (Espinoza, Zusi, maybe even Marquess or Besler with Harrington moving up to LM) a chance to shine in his absence.

This club has many problems right now, and a lot of things to change in preparation for next season. But I really don't believe Claudio is one of those problems, and I think it would be overall a very positive thing for the team if he were to return next year.

But that's just my view. What's yours?

[kcscsupporter]

Originally Posted by Unorthodox Yank

In that thread and others, I've noticed more and more people around here turning negative against Claudio Lopez, with some even suggesting that they don't want him back on the roster next year.

Gotta say, I really don't get where all this resentment is coming from.

well, speaking for myself, it's not that i resent him, it's just that i think we could do better. it's really as simple as that. he's a fine player, but the focal point of our offense (and let's be honest, that's what he is for better or worse) should be more dangerous than he is. he doesn't bring any speed to the table anymore. he doesn't bring any special touch either, as i'll be damned if he doesn't miss every one-on-one with the keeper that he gets. he's a wide left-sided forward that doesn't have the necessary skill/abilities to justify having a position like that on a team anymore. is he a forward? not really. is he a midfielder? not really. he's somewhere in between... and frankly, our offense has looked like they've been confused about all of it as well.

if he's on the squad still next season, i'm not going to throw my arms up in disgust. i'd figure it's about par for the course with vermes as technical director. i will be disappointed, however, if he's still the focal point of our offense, because that'll speak volumes about how far we ... haven't come.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by kcscsupporter

well, speaking for myself, it's not that i resent him, it's just that i think we could do better. it's really as simple as that.

Pretty much.

[Wizardscharter]

Originally Posted by Unorthodox Yank

Lopez has displayed some of his best form of the season the last three games. ... Since PV took over, Lopez's work rate has dramatically improved, he seems to be linking up quite well with Harrington down the left, and as a result he's managed to create a ton of opportunities in the final 1/3rd.

I agree.

I think we can all agree that the Lopez years have been somewhat disappointing thus far.

In other news, the Sun is hot.

But I refuse to believe that a player of his pedigree can't cut it in MLS because simply because he's old/can't handle the physicality/etc.

^^^^^^^^^
Exactly why Lopez gets two seasons everywhere before being shipped on.

It's like paying alot of money for certain bottles of wine. You have high expectations, it tends to be a special thing, the label is nice, great winery, it rates highly, others like it, wine snobs pontificate about this flavor combo and that complexity and what a great history and so on, good nose on open, strong legs in the glass...and then it just sucks.

It just plain tastes bad. So, you choke it down because you paid for it, then you go right back to your favorite drink ASAP. Most importantly, you don't buy the bad wine again, much less drink it again.

Lary Miller's old joke, "AAAHHGHGGH, this milk is spoiled. Well, maybe if I put it back in the fridge..."

If anything, I think the past two seasons have shown Lopez to be a tremendous positive to this team.

I can't disagree here stongly enough. No question he's been an inarguable net negative over two seasons. Turnovers, misses, occasional lazy hacks after turnovers that morph into yellows, no defense, no leadership, complete and utter Failure on both the DP and SI scales.

3 more positive games post a wake up call doesn't change the above much.

the dude's been played WAY too much. So far this season, in 23 appearances.

We agree, he should have been cut last year.

Not only will it keep Lopez relatively rested, but it will also give other, younger players (Espinoza, Zusi, maybe even Marquess or Besler with Harrington moving up to LM) a chance to shine in his absence.

Might be a valid point, except for these three glaring holes: 1) Lopez doesn't have the mentality of busting tail to exhaustion and then sitting. His mentality is to be out there 90 minues at whatever pace allows him to be out ther the next 90 minutes. This even if the rate in question is detrimental to the team. 2) Lopez appears to be in good enough shape to run 90 even at a pace we only see after coaches get fired. 3)Lopez best efforts, by your own view, have been the last 3 games. How tired can he be?


Barring all positives happening with Lopez every game and consistently, there should be any number of honest workers around the globe who can display the occasional bit of skill. Pretty much that's the point. Sticking with him prevents you from finding an actual solution.

Few people stick with a cheating spouse. Even most of those saps learn the true nature of the mistake eventually.

Nobody - excuse me, only stupid people - sticks with bad investments that launguish in the bottom half of Lipper Rankings for 7 quarters, just becasue of a good one. Barringa fundamental change, you sell it after recouping come loss, use the knowledge and tax write-off, and move on to better ideas. You do this no matter how sexy the original decision might have been.

Lopez isn't your family or a 20-year friend, you don't have to stick with him.

...it would be overall a very positive thing for the team if he were to return next year.

Only if Claudio learns how to shoot, continues reduces turnovers, and provides a maximum work rate every game subject to substitution if needbe. It could happen, people do win the Powerball occasioanlly... By comparison this seems more likely.

Originally Posted by kcscsupporter

well, speaking for myself, it's not that i resent him, it's just that i think we could do better.

Originally Posted by Silock

Pretty much.

I agree with them too.

Well, I resent him a little, especially after seeing that he can in fact play defense, hustle more that twice a game or if he thinks he can score, and pass the f'ing ball within a gameplan and without turnovers.

He's been jaking it for two seasons. I have no tolerance for 'holes that can't manage a minimum level of respect for the game, themselves, the crest, and their teammates, walk onto an athletic field they have every oppotunity to dominate, and then coast. It's disgusting. It's dishonorable.

He still has difficulty shooting. With his responsibility, workload, and opportunity, Lopez should be embarassed at his assist numbers. He should publicly apologize to his team, the press, the fans, and this city.

The SI slots are uber-important. MLS proves repeatedly that SI's can't both be mediochre AND be Champions. Any other occurance will be an anomoly unlikely to occur again.

My opinon. I could be wrong. If Lopez is kept, I very much hope to be wrong. Being right means a third season on the trot of bad soccer.

[kcscsupporter]

Originally Posted by kcscsupporter

if he's on the squad still next season, i'm not going to throw my arms up in disgust. i'd figure it's about par for the course with vermes as technical director. i will be disappointed, however, if he's still the focal point of our offense, because that'll speak volumes about how far we ... haven't come.

to add to this, i actually wouldn't mind him coming back next year if he had a clearly defined role as a sort of player/coach (and even a bit of an ambassador for scouting). he can come on as a sub or fill a void in the playing squad when need be, but he'll primarily be used as a coach. i'm sure there's plenty of value in that head of his that could really benefit this team.

[Silock]

Wizardscharter can't agree with me. It's like . . . against the law.

[Jough]

While I won't say Lopez is the superstar international I think a lot of peopl want him to be, for some perspective, he has one more goal and five more assists than Davy in four more games and costs $40,000 a year less... Granted, that's in four more games.

I've no problem with Lopez getting minutes. I do have a problem with his apaprent inability to go one-on-one with keepers though... seems like he's missed two easy goals in the last two games. But, hell, I'll say it, if we can negotiate his salary down again I wouldn't mind him sticking around for a third year.

[KCDEFENDER]

Originally Posted by kcscsupporter

to add to this, i actually wouldn't mind him coming back next year if he had a clearly defined role as a sort of player/coach (and even a bit of an ambassador for scouting). he can come on as a sub or fill a void in the playing squad when need be, but he'll primarily be used as a coach. i'm sure there's plenty of value in that head of his that could really benefit this team.

I would rather see this come about than see him get anymore minutes on the field!

[jimbchr]

This seems a bit like a knee-jerk reaction. OK, we brought him in as a DP and he wasn't worth it. His contract was greatly reduced to $180,000. Take the time to look at all the MLS player salaries on the players union website and you'll find that there are quite a few players with similar compensation, and of those players Lopez ranks favorably. Perhaps our expectations of him were unrealistic based on his pedigree. Is that his fault? He's gettin up there in age. With all that said I'd take him over Jaqua ($185,000) or the released walking red card Pietravallo($200,000). But hey, I could be wrong.

[NorthbankHighbury]

My take on Lopez ....

... He can dissapear from games for chunks at a time, always seems to come alive in the last few minutes when we are losing and its obvious his heart it in it.

... The fact we have no target man up top means when he does spring the offside trap and goes haring off down the wing there is more often than not nobody for him to actually give service to. Checking to let Wolff et all catch up does not lead to anything dynamic. He is obviously a very intelligent and talented player but the rest of the team are just not good enough to really utilize what he brings to the table.

Anybody watching Chivas vs Club America will have observed the stylistic difference from MLS/Wizards play - short quick one touch passing was on display all night and this is his game. I just don't think he fits. I often find myself feeling deeply frustrated *for* him.

I have mellowed somewhat towards him. He is a round peg in a square hole.

Zoltan seems to be a similar player in some respects - in terms of what he expects to do with the ball and they could work well together. If Kamara is any better than Wolff I'd be willing to give him a shot. As for cutting his pay? He already did that last year and it'd be a dick move to suggest we even broach it.