[Flying Weasel]

D.C. United Acquires Hristo Stoitchkov from Fire
Legendary Player Also Assumes Assistant Coaching Role
January 27, 2003
http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?se...cont_id=160428

CHANTILLY, VA - D.C. United today finalized a trade with the Chicago Fire that brings forward Hristo Stoitchkov to the club. In return, United has given Chicago its second round pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. United has announced that in addition to his role on the pitch as a player, Stoitchkov will also serve as the club's second assistant coach for the 2003 season.

[galperin]

Is he worth anything as a coach?

[Sachin]

According to Wolff, Kovalenko and Beasley, yes.

I think he took all three under his wing while in Chicago.

Sachin

[PumaJohnny]

It didn't cost us much to bring him here. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

[DigitalTron]

I don't know his salary cap number, and we can only speculate on his number of lost games from injury, but he's here now, he truly is a lion-hearted player, and I'll support him 100%.

With Stewart, Santino, Eskandarian and possibly Curtis all here, I guess Stoichkov is truly a sub. In that role (when healthy) he can be very effective. Hristo can score, and that was/is our problem.

But I wonder how Etch feels about naming Hristo as a player/coach? Clearly Etch has done more in the past, and more last year than Stoichkov, and it seems that Etch was never considered for a player/coach position.

Hopefully, everyone will get along this season. With the additions of Petke, Kovalenko, Stoichkov, Stewart and Eskandarian, we have added a lot of egos. I have faith that Hudson can blend and appease them all, but it surely will not be a quiet locker room.

Welcome to United Hristo!

-Tron

[Sachin]

Originally posted by DigitalTron
I don't know his salary cap number, and we can only speculate on his number of lost games from injury, but he's here now, he truly is a lion-hearted player, and I'll support him 100%.

With Stewart, Santino, Eskandarian and possibly Curtis all here, I guess Stoichkov is truly a sub. In that role (when healthy) he can be very effective. Hristo can score, and that was/is our problem.

But I wonder how Etch feels about naming Hristo as a player/coach? Clearly Etch has done more in the past, and more last year than Stoichkov, and it seems that Etch was never considered for a player/coach position.

Hopefully, everyone will get along this season. With the additions of Petke, Kovalenko, Stoichkov, Stewart and Eskandarian, we have added a lot of egos. I have faith that Hudson can blend and appease them all, but it surely will not be a quiet locker room.

Welcome to United Hristo!

Tron

Three additional comments:

1. Etch probably makes more money that Hristo, so that probably takes the edge off not being a player-coach.

2. Does this mean Ivanov passed his physical and will be signed?

3. Hudson should have no problem managing the egos in the locker room. After all, his ego is probably bigger than all of the players put together.

Sachin

[former baller]

I was not aware United had made such important acquisitions. All the new players mentioned above are not only talented but they work hard and have good running legs. If Ray gets them to continue to work for each other while playing their best levels this new group potentially can be quite affective.
There is an underlying theme to the players he selected. Not bad Ray, good luck.

[greatscott]

Originally posted by Sachin



Hudson will have no problem managing in the locker room. After all, his is probably bigger than all of the players put together.

Sachin

some serious jackassery was just laid down....

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by DigitalTron


But I wonder how Etch feels about naming Hristo as a player/coach? Clearly Etch has done more in the past, and more last year than Stoichkov, and it seems that Etch was never considered for a player/coach position.

I'm pretty sure Marco welcomes the move. He and Hristo are friends that go back to the '94 WC. I think this is going to be a great positive in the locker room and on the practice field. Now if they somehow pull off getting Harksie here, it's going to be sweet.

In a somewhat related topic, Carlos Trucco has been named head coach for the Bolivian National team thru the 2005 qualifiers and 2006 should they qualify for the WC. I was pretty sure Marco had his eye on that position. Now, who knows what the future hold for "El Diablo"

[Jose L. Couso]

Welcome aboard cule!